Oct. 30, 2005
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Junior middle blocker Jana Mitchell recorded a career-high 19 kills and also added seven total blocks as the UCF volleyball team claimed its third consecutive contest on Sunday afternoon, taking a Conference USA match from host Memphis, 3-2 (19-30, 30-25, 23-30, 30-28, 19-17), at Roane Fieldhouse. Sophomore outside hitter Schanell Neiderworder had a double-double for the Golden Knights (7-13, 5-8 C-USA) finishing with 17 kills and a career-best 26 digs.
With the score tied at 17 in game five, UCF forced an attack error from the Tigers' (15-12, 6-4) Nancy Nellans to go ahead, 18-17. The Golden Knights clinched the win on the next play when Mitchell and junior outside hitter Maina Heming combined for a block. For the match, UCF finished with 14.5 total team blocks.
UCF started the match slowly, hitting just .098 in the first game, compared to .364 for the hosts. The squad bounced back in game two, hitting .533 as a team.
"They key to our win today was our offensive performance after game one," said UCF head coach Meg Colado. "After game one, our players killed almost every ball. Our blocking was strong as well and Schanell (Neiderworder) had a great defensive performance."
Sophomore outside hitter Lorin Lukas totaled 14 kills and seven digs in the victory. Heming posted 12 kills and nine digs to go with six total blocks. Junior setter Leah Alexander tallied 54 assists for the Golden Knights.
Nellans led the Tigers with 25 kills and 22 digs. Shelby Burton chipped in with 20 kills and Laura Cote posted a match-high 71 assists.
After four straight matches on the road, UCF now returns home to host East Carolina this Friday. First serve at UCF Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.