Florida Atlantic was able to pick up a clutch 25-22 win in the fourth set to earn the match victory over the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles on Sunday afternoon in Boca Raton.

The Owls (12-10, 7-1 Conference USA) began the first set with good serves, 16 kills and great offensive set-ups. Senior outside hitter Maja Ristic helped in this set with 10 attacks hitting at 10 percent.

With the Eagles (16-7, 5-3 Conference USA) setting up strong defenses, the Owls were able to keep up offensively and read the coverage. Senior setter Genesis Viera took leadership and helped lead the team to yesterday’s win.

“[Our biggest challenge was] definitely getting set up, to cover the other team better,” Viera said. “We were weak about that as a team, but got it together and finished strong.”

The Eagles played stronger in the second set to tie that match at one set apiece.

The Owls, only having 12 kills to the Eagles 17, needed more strength offensively. While it didn’t finish set 2 strong, FAU was still able to keep the score close.

Freshman outside hitter Sigourney Kame had eight attacks and three kills.

Head coach Fernanda Nelson gave credit to her captain, junior Kristi Tekavec, and how her presence in sets three and four helped give the Owls the pick-up they needed.

“She is still struggling with an injury, and she is a very strong player who aided our win today,” Nelson said.

While Tekavec was only in the fourth set for a total of five minutes, she contributed seven attacks. For the match point, the Eagles served the ball too hard and gave the Owls the win.

FAU volleyball will stay in Boca Raton to host Florida International on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.

Monica Sherman is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected].