Nov. 4, 2015
TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF volleyball team bounced back from a first-set loss to defeat USF 3-1 in the Sun Dome on Wednesday evening. The Knights extended their winning streak to five matches, the longest streak of the season.
(The team) showed a lot of resolve and a lot of focus, acting head coach Michelle Chatman said. I'm really, really proud of the way our players played in such an intense environment.
UCF (14-11, 8-5 AAC) completed the season sweep of USF and earned its sixth straight victory over the Bulls.
After a back-and-forth battle, the Bulls came out on top in the first set, 26-24. The Knights regrouped in the second set and redshirt freshman Maddie Haggerty served up three aces in a four-point stretch to help UCF to a 25-21 set win.
Junior Taylor Gallart broke a 17-17 tie in the third set and a kill from junior Jale Hervey forced USF to call timeout as the Knights took a 19-17 lead. Back-to-back kills from Hervey out of the huddle sent the teams back into a break, but the Bulls were unable to contain the Knights down the stretch. UCF took a 2-1 lead with a 25-22 win.
The teams traded points to open the fourth set before sophomore Ann Richards put the Knights in front for good with a kill. UCF closed out the match on a 6-1 run to keep its win streak intact.
Hervey led the Knights with 21 kills, while Gallart added 11. Freshman Jordan Pingel recorded a career-high 32 digs as the Knights out-dug USF, 79-64. Haggerty tied her career high with four aces to pace UCF.
High Five
• The Knights won their fifth straight match, the longest winning streak of the season.
• UCF opened its win streak with a 3-1 victory over USF in The Venue before claiming three-consecutive three-set wins.
True Grit
• UCF trailed in all four sets in the Sun Dome. The match featured 35 ties and 12 lead changes.
• The Knights dropped the opening set against USF when the teams met in The Venue on Oct. 21. Both matches mark two of the three times UCF has dropped the opening set and rallied to win the match this season.
Next Up
• UCF, who is presented by Holiday Inn Orlando East UCF Area, is back at The Venue on Sunday, hosting East Carolina at 1 p.m.
• 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 and video by Megan Herboth