TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. (Sept. 3, 2022) – The Conquistadors ended their tournament stay with a heart-wrenching loss to William Carey University. The five-set thriller was a close contest where William Carey came out on top in the deceive final set 11-15. The Crusaders came into the match undefeated through ten games.

Set One FNU Notables (17-25)

• Four kills for Layla Cortez despite losing the set.
• Lina Valentino elevated for her first block of the contest
• A kill by the Crusaders Abby Wright essentially put the set out of reach for the Conquistadors

Set Two FNU Notables (25-21)

• FNU looked to rebound from their first set woes taking an early 7-4 lead to start the second set
• Four kills for Layla Cortez
• Despite the loss, it was a block party for the conquistadors as Joanne Dania, Lina Valentino, Paola Brandsma, Gabriela Gonzalez and Elis Cordova-Millet recorded a solo or blocking assists.

Set Three FNU Notables (25-23)

• FNU weathered a William Carey 3-2 run at the end of the set and still managed to come away with the point
• Four kills by Joanne Dania
• FNU looked prime to take the next set and the match

Set Four FNU Notables (11-25)

• Fell behind early to the Crusaders 4-3
• Four assists from Maria Liva despite FNU not being able to close out the match
• William Carey scored four points in a row to capture the set point

Set Five FNU Notables (11-15)

• William Carey came out aggressive taking a 3-0 lead to start the set
• FNU fell behind and ultimately lost the set 11-15
• Maria Liva had four assists in this set

Match Notables:

• Thirty-seven kills on the match for FNU
• Eighty-seven digs on the match, 20 of which came from Juliana Santos
• Another big night for setter Maria Liva, who ended the contest with 24 assists.

Up Next: The Conquistadors will be back on the road against Warner University September 7 at 7 p.m.