It's a game of runs, but fortune didn't favor Florida Atlantic on Friday night, as they dropped a 1-3 decision to ULM.

FAU (6-14, 1-7) lost the first set 22-25 after leading 22-20, as the Warhawks rattled off five straight points for the win.

But they would reciprocate the score for the second frame, handing the Warhawks a 25-22 loss.

Louisiana-Monroe turned up the pressure midway through the last two sets however, taking them 25-17, and 25-19 respectively. The Owls led 13-12 in set three, only to see the Warhawks finish on a 13-4 scoring spree. The fourth and final set would almost be a mirror image, as the team led 14-13, and surrendered a 13-6 close to ULM.

Darija Sataric (12 kills, 12 digs) recorded her third double-double of the season, and Jelena Jovanovic had a whopping 33 assists to go along with 13 digs defensively.

The Owls will now travel to North Texas, for a showdown with the Mean Green on Sunday at 2:00 PM.

FYI…Today's contest at UNT offers FREE video:

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Florida Atlantic was defeated by North Texas 3-1 on Sunday afternoon (16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 20-25). The Mean enjoyed a .452 attack percentage to just a .076 showing for the Owls (6-15, 1-8).

FAU never led in set one or three, enjoying their best play in the second stanza, when they overcame a 6-8 deficit to remain on top the rest of the way. In the finale, UNT (19-10, 5-5) broke away from a 7-7 tie to secure the match.

Darija Sataric posted 14 kills for FAU, and Alessia Pizzocheri was just one digit away from a double-double effort with 12 kills and nine digs.

The Team now plays host to a pair of matches, and will face Middle Tennessee on Friday night at 6:30 PM at The Burrow.

Middle Tennessee (8-20, 5-6) defeated the Owls 3-1 on Friday night at FAU Arena.

The Blue Raiders took set one in close accord 25-22, but Florida Atlantic quickly answered with a 25-17 victory in the second.

The Owls battled to reduce a six point deficit late in the third frame, however could not close the gap completely, falling 22-25 as well.

Despite being tied at 12-12 midway through, the fourth and final set would go the visitors way 25-18 courtesy of a 13-6 finish by MTSU.

Darija Sataric posted a team best 16 kills for the match, with Alessia Pizzocheri adding a double-double performance of 10 kills and 12 digs.

FAU (6-16, 1-9) is hopeful to end a five game losing streak when returning to The Burrow tomorrow against Western Kentucky at 1:00 PM.

The Hilltoppers swept the Owls 3-0 in their previous meeting on October 13th in Bowling Green.

The volleyball team lost to #19 Western Kentucky (25-20, 25-12, 25-11) on Saturday afternoon.

FAU's Jennifer St. Sume had a career high .778 hitting percentage for the Owls (6-17, 1-10), and Darija Sataric had a match-best 11 kills.

But the Owls committed 23 attack errors and six service errors for the match.

Haley Bodway notched 10 kills for the  Hilltoppers (26-3, 12-0).

Florida Atlantic will next head south to battle FIU at 6:30 PM on Wednesday in Miami.

The Owls losing streak reached seven matches on Saturday evening, as they were swept by Florida International (25-9, 25-22, 25-20) in Miami.

The Panthers cashed in on a .294 to .053 attack percentage overall, and took the first set off a 10-1 run.

Florida Atlantic (6-18, 1-12) led the second frame by as many as seven points but could not hold on for the win.

The final frame would be just a one point affair at 21-20, but FIU (8-17, 5-8) closed the match out by taking four straight thereafter.

Of note, Cintia Nightingale moved into first place in the Owls' all time record book for digs with 1,386 during her career.

She, and Alessia Pizzocheri each had 11 for the contest.

FAU will close out the 2012 season with a two match home stand next Friday and Saturday against Alabama duo USA and Troy.

Both contests are scheduled for 6:30 PM starts.

Alessia Pizzoccheri posted a 21 kill effort as Florida Atlantic pushed past South Alabama 3-2 in a spirited contest at FAU Arena on Friday.

The Owls notched an early lead after a 25-22 final score of set one before the Jaguars (13-16, 6-8) responded by taking the second frame 25-21 to even the match.

Regaining control, set three would go the home team's way as well (25-19), but USA fought back once again to take the fourth set 25-23, setting up the fifth and decisive stanza.

After an initial tussle that resulted in a 4-4 tie, the Owls surged to victory behind a 15-7 win in set five, which was possible thanks to an 11-3 closing run.

The win put an end to seven straight losses for Florida Atlantic.

Three other players also saw double digits in kills for FAU as Chandler Hatton, Thacilli Pereira, and Darija Sataric swatted 10 a piece.

FAU (7-18, 2-12) closes out the 2012 slate tomorrow at 6:30 PM against Troy in Boca Raton.

Senior Thacilli Pereira had six kills in her final home match as the Florida Atlantic University volleyball team lost to Troy in straight sets (25-18, 25-16, 25-10) on Senior Day.

FAU’s undoing came by way of errors, as the Owls (7-19, 2-13) committed 24 attack errors and seven service errors in the match.

Blair Winston was the only player in the match to break double figures in kills with 12.

Every player on the FAU roster saw action during the match, and senior Cintia Nightingale finished her career as the Owls’ all-time leader in digs with 1,409.

The Owls will have plenty of experience for the 2013 season, as nine players are expected to return.

Source: fausports.com

Rick said

FAU’s undoing came by way of errors, as the Owls (7-19, 2-13) committed 24 attack errors and seven service errors in the match.

Why are our volleyball and soccer teams so bad? Serious question.

EDIT: The volleyball HC is in her first year so she gets a pass.

Owl2Doc said

Rick said

FAU’s undoing came by way of errors, as the Owls (7-19, 2-13) committed 24 attack errors and seven service errors in the match.

Why are our volleyball and soccer teams so bad? Serious question.

EDIT: The volleyball HC is in her first year so she gets a pass.

Nelson added some wins this year (+4), with the same team basically…word on the street is that she has some solid recruits coming in for next season as well.

Bottom line - should see improvement again.

Soccer:

The talent level jumped considerably for both teams when moving to new leagues, but the men's team has no excuse for some of the losses encumbered this season.

Knowing Chun's management style, would expect some administrative changes if you don't see solid improvements by both next year.