FORT MYERS, FLA. — The Queens University of Charlotte women's volleyball team put up a strong fight on the road Sunday afternoon but ultimately fell to FGCU, 3–1 (25–21, 20–25, 17–25, 22–25), inside Alico Arena. The Royals (11–6 overall, 2–2 ASUN) opened the match with an impressive first-set win before the defending conference champions found their rhythm to claim the next three sets.
"Set one was really offensively focused, and we did a really good job of limiting our errors and hitting at a high clip," Head Coach Matt Stolz said. "We stayed focused on our game plan and really came out and executed at a high level against a talented team. The next couple of sets were definitely a grind, so we worked on staying focused on defense and trying to stop a blistering offense. I think we did a good job of serving well, and we showed a lot of grit in those sets. In set four, we were down quite a few points toward the end but were able to come back. What I'm really excited about is the grit and toughness of this team - the never-quit attitude, no matter what the score is."
Queens opened the match with one of its cleanest offensive performances of the season, hitting a .457 in the first frame with just one attack error. Callie DeSchryver led the early surge with five kills, while setter Tyler Peluso distributed the ball to keep the Eagles off balance. Emma Norris and Mia McMillen each added timely swings to help Queens pull away late in the set, using a 5–1 closing run capped by kills from Ellis Sargent and Norris to secure the 25–21 win.
FGCU responded in the second behind a dynamic offensive effort from Julija Grubisic Cabo and Barbara Koehler, capitalizing on a series of long rallies to build momentum. Despite the Royals hitting a solid .275 in the frame, the Eagles used four service aces and several key defensive stops to pull even in the match with a 25–20 result.
In the third, FGCU's attack proved difficult to slow down as the Eagles hit .516 with 19 kills. Queens continued to battle behind steady setting from Peluso and Megan Kelly, but FGCU maintained control throughout the frame to take a 2–1 lead.
The Royals fought to extend the match in the fourth set, leaning on their defense and front-row presence. Queens recorded seven team blocks in the frame, led by Norris and Elizabeth Layson, while DeSchryver and McMillen kept the offense firing. Peluso added a service ace late to bring the Royals within two at 23–21, but FGCU held off the comeback to take the set 25–22 and close out the match.
DeSchryver finished with a team-high 16 kills on a .394 hitting percentage, along with eight digs and two aces. Norris added 11 kills and six blocks, while McMillen totaled 10 kills, eight digs, and an ace. Layson chipped in eight kills and four blocks, and Peluso and Kelly combined for 42 assists and 13 digs. Tilley Collins led the back line with 14 digs, helping the Royals hold FGCU to just .120 hitting in the final frame.
As a team, Queens finished with 54 kills on a .243 hitting clip, nine blocks, and five service aces. FGCU countered with 65 kills, 62 assists, and 11 blocks while hitting .310 for the match.
UP NEXT
Next, the Royals will head back out on the road to the campus of Eastern Kentucky to play the Colonels on Oct. 10.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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