MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (September 19, 2023) – The St. Thomas University (STU) Volleyball team (9-2, 1-0 SUN) extended their winning streak to four consecutive victories as they maintained their exceptional form in a non-conference match against Florida College (5-7) on Tuesday evening at the Fernandez Family Center Gym.
 
Prior to the match, Amanda Allende and Bianca Grassi were honored for their remarkable milestone achievements, with Allende reaching an impressive 1,000 career kills and Grassi establishing herself as the all-time career digs leader in STU history.
 
STU has swept their last three opponents and more than half of their schedule thus far.
 
The night began with freshmen Alexandra Bruno starting the offense and getting the first kill of the game. Amanda Allende then got to work gaining space with three straight kills to make it 5-1. The set ended in favor of the Bobcats as Sana Dennis led aa 5-0 charge to close it out recording two kills and a block.
 
The next set turned everything up a notch for St. Thomas as the team cruised to a 2-0 match lead with a 25-8 set win. Hope Leavy-Gaskins was the main spark picking up a kill and block within the first three points of the set. Leavy-Gaskins for involved in five of the first nine points for STU in the set. STU had three big runs to gain the advantage and have a dominating set win.
 
Set three set the final statement as Bianca Grassi held serve for a 5-0 opening. The Bobcats capitalized on many Falcon errors in the set gain another notable lead. Florida College strung together a 4-0 run but was countered with a St. Thomas 6-1 rally to close out the set.
 
St. Thomas dominated the stat sheet holding their opponents to a negative hit percentage while going .296 with 37 kills. The defense added seven blocks and six service aces. Allende lead the match in kills at 12, Grassi in aces and digs with 15 and two, Dennis led in blocks with four and Payton Bertke set her way with 21 assists.
 
The Bobcats will continue their three-match week traveling across the street tomorrow and getting back into Sun Conference action against local foe Florida Memorial. First serve is set for 7 p.m. and will be live on The Sun Digital Network.