DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman's return to action after a 20-day layoff as well as its return to Historic Moore Gym ended with a 3-0 (25-22,25-13,25-19) loss to Florida Gulf Coast Friday evening.

Alana Handy (12 kills, 10 digs) and Jordan Jefferson (12 kills, 10 digs) each double-doubled for the Wildcats, who last played on Sept. 2 at the Bash in the Boro at Georgia Southern. This was also a return back to campus for the Wildcats (2-5) after playing home matches at area high schools while Moore Gym was undergoing renovations.

Amanda Carroll had 17 kills to lead Florida Gulf Coast (8-5.)  

Rechez Lindsay finished with 13 digs and Phalen Clark 32 assists for the Wildcats, while senior Rakaya Neely hit .312 in registering five kills while Faith Landreneaux added four kills.

Handy had eight first-set kills as B-CU took a 13-10 lead before FGCU used a 7-2 run to take a 17-15 lead. Handy tied it at 17, but the Eagles scored unanswered points to take control.

In the third set, B-CU rallied to take a 14-13 lead before the Eagles regained control with a 4-1 run.

B-CU hosts Florida Atlantic Sunday at noon.

HEAD COACH BRITTANY WILLIAMS

"It definitely wasn't the outcome we wanted, but for three days of effort going against a strong team like FGCU? I'm proud of the effort. If we could have had the perfect effort, it's something I would have been satisfied with. For most of that match, we had that perfect. If we can get a week of practice under our belts, we'll be fine once conference starts."

"Alana came out strong, and Jordan had a double-double again. Proud of the outside hitters."

"Neely's a game changer when she's in the there. Rechez is not scared of the ball and is playing solid defense."

NOTES: Jefferson has now double-doubled in all seven matches … This was the first match this season B-CU did not win a set … In the crowd was alum Rhea Simon, now the head volleyball coach at Atlantic High School where she is assisted by another alum, Alexas Thomas.