MONACA, Pa. (Aug. 31, 2024) - Florida National's volleyball team (8-1) completed an impressive five-game run at the USCAA Tip-Off and exited Monaca, Pa., as the tournament champs. The Conquistadors earned their coveted plaque after a 3-1 win over a tough Kent State University at Tuscarawas (3-1) team Saturday night.

FNU met little resistance on day two of the tournament, defeating Christendom College (1-2) and the University of Cincinnati Clermont College (2-3) in three sets. KSU Tuscarawas landed a place in the final after a 3-0 start to the 2024 season and a promising 3-1 victory versus Johnson & Wales Charlotte. 

Early signs of FNU's match up versus Tuscarawas indicated the Conquistadors would cruise to the tournament title, taking a 1-0 lead after the opening set. The opener was evenly matched until a kill by ??Kitula Amaya Morales made it a 16-13 lead for the Conquistadors. FNU would go on to outscore Tuscarawas 9-4 to close out the frame. FNU had 14 kills in the set, four of which came from Ariana Long. 

To its credit, KSU stormed back in the second for an unprecedented 25-13 win. This was the first set the Conquistadors have lost in five games. FNU struggled offensively with nine kills in the period and a .171 hitting percentage. KSU went on a 10-6 run down the stretch and Ally Carpenter had the set-ending kill.  

Set three was another close one where FNU was able to regain control in a 25-23 win to take a 2-1 match lead. Kent had a 21-15 advantage late and continued to build on a strong second frame before FNU forced six unanswered points. Ivette Sandoval played a huge role in the third, picking up three assists and a service ace. Layla Cortez's fifth kill of the set put FNU ahead 2-1 and set the stage for an exciting fourth frame. 

The fourth and final set saw FNU close the door on KSU with 17 kills and just four attacking errors. Gabriela Gonzalez was huge at the net with six kills. Notably, Morales ended the game on a kill that earned Sandoval her 42nd assist of the night. 

Long, Cortez and Morales all posted double-digit kills and Long had a team-high 23 digs. 

Up Next: The Conquistadors are back in action Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. versus Trinity College of Florida in New Port Richey, Fla.