After a productive 3-1 start to the season in the Elly, Florida Atlantic headed up North to Ann Arbor.
Splitting Friday with a sweep over Marshall, and a loss to Michigan, the Owls earned a 3-0 victory over Southern Indiana finishing out the weekend 2-1.
Game 1: Florida Atlantic vs Marshall
Set One
Starting out, FAU earned a 14-8 lead before Marshall fought back with a dominant 12-4 run taking a 20-18 lead. Florida Atlantic evened it up at 20 as the squads went back-and-forth before Anna Hartman (Pictured above, middle. Photo: Aubrey Corkum) and Maggie Allred earned the two-point victory, 26-24.
Set Two
After a close first set, the second was all Owls. FAU secured a 10-4 advantage before outpacing the Thundering Herd throughout. Florida Atlantic won set two 25-15 as the squad looked to secure their fourth sweep of the season.
Set Three
Marshall took an 11-8 lead early, but Florida Atlantic responded with a 3-0 run evening the contest at 11. The Owls slowly earned a three-point lead at 20-17 thanks to a Kierstin Bevelle kill. The FAU march continued on as Florida Atlantic earned the win taking the set 25-20.
Game 2: Florida Atlantic vs Michigan
Set One
The opening set against Michigan was exhilarating. After taking an 8-7 advantage, the Wolverines went on a 4-0 run taking the lead 11-8. UM held on to their three-point lead all the way to 16-13. But a four point Owls run swung the momentum back into Florida Atlantic’s side as the Owls led 17-16. The set remained close with FAU leading 19-18, but Michigan earned the victory thanks to a 7-3 run to end the set with a 25-22 win.
Set Two
Florida Atlantic started set two off with a three-point advantage after a Kayla Richardson kill gave FAU an 11-8 advantage. Florida Atlantic extended their lead to four, 14-10. But a Wolverine 7-1 run put the lead back in Michigan’s lap, 17-15 UM. FAU fought back to tie the set at 18, but Michigan held on to win the set 25-23.
Set Three
The Owls and Michigan were close early as the two teams worked their way to a 7-7 tie. The Wolverines then went on an 8-3 run taking a 15-10 lead. Although FAU kept it relatively close, only trailing by three at times, Michigan won the set and earned the sweep thanks to a 25-20 win.
Game 3: Florida Atlantic vs Southern Indiana
Set One
Tight throughout, it took until FAU was ahead 16-14. There the Owls went on a 4-0 run taking a 20-14 advantage. The lead held on and Florida Atlantic took the first set, 25-20.
Set Two
The Owls jumped out to a 15-8 lead in set two and held on to a strong advantage for the remainder of the set as Florida Atlantic easily won the second set, 25-21.
Set Three
FAU took a commanding 11-7 lead, but USI came back to even the set at 14. Florida Atlantic then went on a 3-0 run capped off by a Hartman kill, 17-14. The remainder of the set stayed relatively close with the Screaming Eagles pulling within one, 20-19. But the Owls held on to earn a sweeping victory over Southern Indiana, 25-21.
Another GREAT weekend for @FAUVolleyball as the Owls earned 2️⃣ STRAIGHT-SET victories over @HerdVolleyball & @usiwvolleyball capping off their trip to #Michigan 2-1‼️ Next: #FAU heads to #Orlando for the @UCF_Volleyball Invitational. 🦉🏐 pic.twitter.com/cBETlTvtze
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) September 6, 2025
Stat Leaders and Standouts
All FAU wins this season have come from a straight-set sweep over an opponent and both the losses have come in sweeping fashion as well.
Olivia Hart had another great weekend as the sophomore recorded her first career double-double thanks to her 15 kills and 10 digs in the win over Marshall. Hart led the Owls in kills and digs throughout the tournament with 36 and 26 respectively.
Emsley Venard earned the majority of assists with 65 while Maggie Allred led the Owls in blocks with 14 throughout the tournament.
Overall, the Owls outscored their opponents 155-143, and the lone loss came against a Big Ten school in Michigan. Being able to close out sets against equal competition now is the biggest challenge for Florida Atlantic.
Up Next
FAU (5-2) will head to Orlando to take part in the UCF Invitational. Florida Atlantic will square off against Arkansas State, Brown, and Central Florida during next weekend with the first competition coming against the Red Wolves on Friday at 11 a.m. It looks to be similar to the Owls previous two tournaments, but Florida Atlantic will look to earn a win over the Knights.