Sept. 13, 2014
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Megan Herboth
UCFKnights.com
AUSTIN, Texas - Despite hitting .310 in the first set and a second set surge, the UCF volleyball team fell to second-ranked Texas in straight sets (25-17, 26-24, 25-9) at the 26 West Longhorn Classic in Gregory Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
"I thought we fought like champions against some pretty tough odds today," UCF head coach Todd Dagenais said. "I'm very proud of how our team handled the environment. We walked in to the lion's den and fought with great courage."
UCF (7-2) was not intimidated by the Longhorns, and proved it by matching Texas point-for-point in the opening plays of the day. A five-point Texas run could not deter the Knights either, as they posted a matching run, capped off by a kill from senior DeLaina Sarden. Unfortunately, the Black and Gold rank out of time to answer a second Longhorn stretch of four points at the end of the set and dropped the opener.
The Knights stayed right with the Longhorns in the second set, opening with a pair of kills from sophomore Kia Bright and Sarden. Though Texas reclaimed the lead, UCF kept the Longhorns in their sights. Junior Dana Faught served up an ace to knot the score at 14 and senior Kaye-Alese Green followed with a kill to push the Knights in front at the media timeout. Green and senior Loren Cory put the Black and Gold up by two, 23-21, on a combined block. Sophomore Jale Hervey looked to put the Knights in position to take the set, as her kill gave UCF a 24-22 lead. A pair of Texas kills swung the momentum and the Longhorns took the final four points to claim the set.
UCF hit .288 through the first two sets, but Texas was able to disrupt the offense in the third set. A combination of five Longhorn blocks and eight Knight attacking errors led to a negative hitting percentage in the final set. The home team closed the match with 12 straight points to hand the Knights their second road loss of the season.
"Texas has the ability to put together five- and six-point runs," Dagenais said. "I thought we did a good job of avoiding those huge runs until the end of the third set."
Sarden, Bright and Hervey each finished with seven kills for UCF. Senior Marie Reiterova posted a double-double, tallying 14 assists and 10 digs. Hervey matched Reiterova with 10 digs, and posted the lone solo block for the Knights. Faught recorded 11 assists.
The Knights do not get much of a break, as they face No. 21 Arizona in the 26 West Longhorn Classic nightcap at 6:30 in Gregory Gymnasium.
UCF Volleyball is presented by Radisson- UCF Area. Season tickets are also available for $30, good for one general admission seat to all 2014 regular season home matches. Youth (ages 2-17 years) season tickets are on sale for $15. The GOLD Pass, which includes one general admission seat for all home men's soccer, women's soccer, volleyball, softball, women's basketball and track & field events, is available for $90. For more information on how to purchase tickets, visit UCFKnights.com or call 407-UCF-1000.