Vs. UNCA (09-16) stock - Images by UCF KnightsORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com)—The UCF volleyball team swept UNC-Asheville in their opening match of the Holiday Inn Orlando East UCF Area Challenge.
"The match is not nearly as easy as the box score says it is," said head coach Todd Dagenais. "UNCA's right side (Rooks) can score against a lot of different teams in a lot of big leagues and Guthrie can do the same thing. We knew we were up for a test having to play against two student-athletes (Guthrie and Rooks). I think we just rode the wave of our offense and tried to always stay two or three points ahead."
The Knights started strong, jumping to an early 9-4 lead. UCF held the advantage and never let the match get within six points, winning the first 25-18. The Bulldogs opened the second set on a 3-0 run before the Knights took a 6-3 lead. The teams battled throughout the set, with UNCA leading 20-16. UCF closed the set on a 7-0 run to take the second 25-20. For the first 10 points of the third, the teams went back and forth in scoring. The Knights never allowed the Bulldogs to get within more than two points and took the match 25-16 in the third.
Even Strength
- Jalé Hervey, Kia Bright and Alli Sabol all recorded 10 or more kills in the victory.
- Four players recorded five or more digs in the match.
- Five players hit .300 or better, with two freshmen hitting over .500.
Jumps for Jalé
- Hervey tallied 11 kills, six digs, two aces and two blocks in the win.
- The senior is just 28 kills away from 1,000 at UCF.
Outdoing the Opponent
- In all but one match this season, the Knights have recorded more kills and more assists than the opponent.
- UCF has logged more digs than the opponent in every match this year.
Block Party
- In the last eight matches, UCF has tallied six or more total blocks.
- Freshman Jeanne Westney posted six total blocks (two solo, four assists) in the match. She leads the team with 46 total blocks (14 solo, 32 assists).
Up Next
- The Knights take on the University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears this evening at 7:30 p.m.
- The Sugar Bears won their opening match against Central Michigan 3-0 this morning.