Bulldogs Drop Four-Set Decision to FGCU on Day Two of UCF Tournament

Friday, September 10

Orlando, Fla.

5:30 p.m.

University of Georgia

Florida Gulf Coast

Bulldogs Drop Four-Set Decision to FGCU on Day Two of UCF Tournament

September 10, 2021 | Volleyball

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Georgia women's volleyball team fell in four sets to Florida Gulf Coast Friday evening on day two action of the UCF Invitational (26-24, 23-25, 25-27, 19-25).

Junior outside hitter Amber Stivrins rattled off 19 kills, a new season best, while hitting an efficient .429 in the match. Freshman Abby Maesch added 12 kills of her own in her first road match as a Bulldog.

Defensively, senior Claire Rothenberger and sophomore libero Mallory Downing each put up 13 digs. Sophomore Phoebe Awoleye had four blocks while junior Megahan Froemming and freshman setter Clara Brower each tallied three.

The Eagles jumped out to an early lead in the opening set, one they held much of the frame. Down 22-19, the Bulldogs won four of the next five rallies to tie the set at 23-all and force an Eagle timeout. FGCU drew set point out of the timeout, but kills from Kacie Evans and Brower gave Georgia its first lead and drew set point. A Froemming and Sage Naves block completed the comeback for Georgia to take the opening set 26-24. Evans and Stivrins each tallied five kills in the first frame.

Knotted at 10 in the second, FGCU won three straight and Georgia took a timeout. After the break, the Bulldogs won the next four rallies to retake the lead in the set and force an Eagle timeout, 14-13. A back-and-forth battle ensued until FGCU took three straight to take a 22-20 lead. After its second timeout, Georgia managed to tie it at 22, but the Eagles were able to hold on to tie the match, 25-23. The close second set featured 16 ties and eight lead changes.

Georgia led the majority of the fourth set until FGCU went on a 5-1 run to tie it at 20-all. After a Georgia timeout, the teams began exchanging points. The Bulldogs drew set point, 24-23, but the Eagles won four of the next five to take the set, 27-25, and a 2-1 lead in the match.

A 5-1 Georgia run gave the Bulldogs a 12-10 advantage in the fourth set, but a FGCU timeout proved valuable as the Eagles tied it at 13. The Eagles kept the momentum going after a Georgia timeout to open a 20-15 lead. Georgia battled to cut it to 22-19 but could not overcome the deficit in the end, falling in four sets 25-19.

Georgia's final match in Orlando will be Saturday against host UCF. First serve against the Knights is slated for 3 p.m.