(MIAMI GARDENS, FLA) -- The excitement in the Florida Memorial Wellness Center never ceased as the Lions fell 0-3 to the 4th-ranked Spartans from Missouri Baptist University, Thursday, August 22. 

This was the third match up of the two teams in the last three years and MBU continues to hold onto the victory in the Lions Den. The home team, fueled by the cheers and support of their fans and administration, played a great first set that challenged their opponents until the very end. 

The Spartans got off to a 3-0 start before a strong kill from senior Ivana Maric sparked a surge in the Lions offense. Quickly that surge was challenged and back to back attacking errors by FMU allowed MBU to take a 12-5 lead, their largest of the contest. 

Senior Yulianna Charris and junior Sammyra Albarran posted multiple attacks at the net to bring the Lions back within three. The Spartans would start to feel the pressure and began making errors which led to a Lions comeback. In the end Missouri Baptist held off to take the set 25-22. 

The Lions attacked the ball 116 times compared to the 115 registered by the Spartans. Leading the way for FMU was junior Daphinie Correa who finished with seven kills and three blocks. Charris and Albarran each posted six kills for the team. 

Junior Keisha Santana finished with 23 digs and five assists while junior Francheska Rivera posted 16 assists.  

For the Spartans, they were led by sophomore Katie Duncan who led all players with 12 kills and sophomore Morgan Berry who registered 34 assists. 

Missouri Baptist won the next two sets 25-17 and 25-19.

The Lions will have a week off before they travel to New Orleans to compete in the Big Easy Blastoff hosted by Xavier University August 30-31. 

Make sure to follow us on social media on Instagram @GoFMULions @FMULionsVolleyball and Twitter @GoFMULions and subscribe to our YouTube channel Official FMU Lions. 
Print Friendly Version