Houston, TX – HCU closed out the Rice Invitational against Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse, falling in four sets (25-19, 13-25, 13-25, 16-25).
The Huskies (4-5) jumped out to an early lead in set one before the Eagles (5-4) clawed their way back to tie the set at 13-13. At 16-15, the Huskies scored on back-to-back kills from sophomore
Cassidy Drapela and senior
Anna Gadway forcing an FGCU timeout. FGCU committed two consecutive attack errors out of the timeout and HCU cruised to a 25-18 victory in set one. The Eagles fired on all cylinders in match two, hitting .346 with 12 kills and six aces, coasting to a 25-13 set win.
FGCU jumped out to a quick lead, scoring the first four points of the third set. The Huskies kept the set within four points up until 9-5 before the Eagles erupted with a 10-2 run to pull away and take the set. The Huskies took an early 4-2 lead in the fourth set with junior
Alexia Jones recording a pair of kills. FGCU inched their way back to tie the set 8-8 before the Eagles went on an 8-1 run and captured the decisive set 25-16.
HCU was led by
Audrey Pearce with 11 kills while
Alexia Jones matched her career-high 10 kills and also added 10 digs for the double-double. Senior
Anna Gadway made her first appearance of the season recording 10 kills and two blocks.
Grace McLaughlin notched her third double-double of the year, dishing out 29 assists along with 11 digs while
Kaley Feris collected 18 digs.
FGCU was led by Skylar English with 14 kills while Alexandra Zakutney added 10 kills and 11 digs. Lily Tessier dished out 43 assists along with 10 digs. Reese Burry led the Eagles back line with 18 digs.
The Huskies return to action this week in New Orleans, as they take part in the Tulane Invitational at Devlin Fieldhouse from Thursday to Saturday. HCU will have matchups with Clemson, UTEP, and the host Green Wave.
