Oct. 2, 2015
UCF vs. Tulane - Images by UCF Knights
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF volleyball team found itself down but the Knights never counted themselves out. UCF battled back for a 3-2 win over Tulane in American Athletic Conference action at The Venue on Friday evening.
"Our players played with amazing heart," assistant head coach Michelle Chatman said. Chatman is acting as head coach while Todd Dagenais assisting with a family emergency. "The defensive intensity was amazing. Taylor Wickey, Ann Richards, Taylor Gallart, they all really stepped up for us in a time when we needed them to step up."
Junior Jale Hervey led the Knights with a match-high 18 kills. Junior Taylor Gallart finished with 16 kills and three blocks. Redshirt freshman Maddie Haggerty added 11 kills, eight digs, five blocks and an ace. Redshirt sophomore Taylor Wickey tallied eight kills on 13 swings to hit .615 and had seven blocks. Sophomore Ann Richards chipped in with nine kills on a .538 hitting percentage. Freshman Jordan Pingel led the Knights with 17 digs, while senior Dana Faught finished the night with 13.
The Knights improved to 8-7 on the season, with a 2-1 record in The American.
Turning Point
• Finding themselves down 14-4 in the third set, UCF rallied to tie the set at 22 on a kill from Haggerty and forced Tulane to call timeout.
• The teams tied the score six times after the timeout, but the Green Wave ultimately pulled away for the 30-28 set victory.
• The Knights were the team to carry the momentum into the fourth set, recording 16 kills on a .433 hitting clip to even the match with a 25-11 win.
"I think it just shows that we're a team that's ready to get in those gritty fights. Get down in the dirt and win. We trust in each other and that's really exciting to be part of a team that any one at any point can make the game-winning play or the game-winning save," said senior Abbie Fleener.
Watching Watkins
• Freshman setter Miranda Watkins had a career match for the Knights.
• She served up five aces, a record for her and a season-best for the team. Watkins also dished out a career-best 39 assists.
• The Tallahassee, Fla., native went back to serve for the Knights in the fourth set and opened up a 12-point run that Tulane tried twice to end with timeouts.
Next Up
• The Knights are back in action on Sunday, hosting Houston at 2 p.m. in the Venue. The first 150 fans will enjoy a free taco for National Taco Day and all fans are welcome to play volleyball bingo.
• General admission single game tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for youth, seniors (62+) and UCF Faculty Staff. Admission is free for UCF students. For more information on how to purchase tickets, visit UCFKnights.com or call 407-UCF-1000.
Story by Megan Herboth; Video by Evan Weston; Photos by Simone Amaduzzi