Sept. 1, 2011
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By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - After opening the 2011 season in the friendly confides of The Venue last weekend, the UCF volleyball team will take its show on the road for the first time as it heads to the FGCU Homewood Suites Invitational in Fort Myers Friday and Saturday.
The Knights (2-1) open the two-day round-robin tournament against No. 3 USC at 11:30 a.m., tomorrow morning and cap off the afternoon against Furman at 5:00 p.m. UCF closes out its trip on the Gulf Coast with a 1:30 p.m., Saturday showdown with tournament-host FGCU.
UCF's contest with the Trojans (1-1) marks the first time the two programs will meet. USC comes into the match with a 1-1 record after two five-setters last weekend in which the Trojans topped No. 11 Minnesota and fell to No. 2 Penn State as a part of the Rockvale Outlets/AVCA Showcase.
Taking on his former employer for the first time, UCF head coach Todd Dagenais is looking forward to his team being able to go up against a nationally-ranked program that they are striving to become.
"It's an opportunity to use Southern California as a measuring stick of who we are and who we want to become," Dagenais said of USC. "This match is about being on the floor with the best in the country in an effort to develop who we want to be."
Furman arrives in Fort Myers on a three-match winning streak after dropping its opening session to Duke, 3-1, then concluding the Duke Invitational with wins over Wisconsin and Charleston Southern. The Paladins (3-1) also won a mid-week match against Presbyterian on Tuesday.
UCF currently holds the 3-2 lead in the all-time series against Furman with the two teams last meeting in 2006.
The final match of the tournament pits in-state rivals against each other as UCF and FGCU have one win a piece in the all-time series. In 2008, the Eagles (2-1) got the best of the Knights in Orlando, 3-1, but in 2010, the Knights returned the favor, 3-0, at Alico Arena.
The Knights arrive in Fort Myers after going 2-1 in the Courtyard by Marriott/UCF Classic with wins over South Alabama (25-19, 25-17, 25-14) and UNF (19-25, 25-22, 25-9, 25-14). UCF's lone loss of the opening weekend came against Michigan State (19-25, 17-25, 22-25). Senior Rachel Vukson and sophomore Angelica Crump were named to the all-conference team for their strong efforts.
Live stats for each match can be found at FGCUAthletics.com.
Season tickets for the 2011 season are available now for only $30, which includes 18 regular-season matches at The Venue at UCF and admission to three home tournaments. Also available for purchase this season is the UCF Gold Pass. For $75, the Gold Pass grants the avid Knights fan admission to all home volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer, softball and track & field events.