Aug. 26, 2005
TALLAHASSEE - Senior middle blocker Chaz Arah totaled 11 kills and four blocks, but it was not enough as the UCF volleyball team dropped a 3-2 (30-17, 26-30, 30-20, 24-30, 15-9) match to host Florida A&M, Friday evening at Gaither Gym in the season opener for both squads.
After hitting just .222 as a team in the first game, the Golden Knights (0-1) recovered in the second game, recording a .452 hitting percentage. The Rattlers (1-0) hit .364 for the match, compared to .270 for the visitors.
Adriana Kostadinova paced Florida A&M with a match-high 24 kills. The hosts hit .667 in the decisive fifth game to earn the victory. Diana Genkova tallied 48 assists and Maria Andonova added 14 kills.
Junior middle blocker Jana Mitchell led UCF with 12 kills. In her first match with the Golden Knights, junior setter Leah Alexander posted 30 assists. Senior libero Katie Kohnen registered 10 digs.
The Rattlers entered the match receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association's national poll. The squad ended the 2004 campaign ranked 25th nationally.
UCF was playing the first of seven matches away from home to start the season. The team does not play in Orlando until Sept. 20 versus Florida Atlantic.
The Golden Knights return to the court on Wednesday, facing host Jacksonville. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.