Launched Past the LumberjacksLaunched Past the Lumberjacks

Launched Past the Lumberjacks

CARBONDALE, Ill. (UCFKnights.com)— The UCF volleyball team dropped the first set against Northern Arizona before coming back and winning the next three sets for a 3-1 (19-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-22) victory.

"Knowing the extreme challenge we were going to go through in this tournament - playing three teams that are in the top 50 in the nation and having to do so on the road - we knew there was a possibility of coming down here and going 0-3," said head coach Todd Dagenais. "This is a very important win for our program. All the tools were there for us to put things together, and when we do, I think we are a very formidable opponent."



The Knights rallied the Lumberjacks back and forth in the first set, until NAU went on a seven-point run to clinch the set 25-19. The second set continued the tight battle between the teams. UCF at one point led by eight points before securing the second set on a four-point streak. The Black and Gold started the third set a little slow before tying up the score at 17. The Knights won four consecutive points following a Northern Arizona timeout, which gained the momentum to settle the third set. UCF went into the fourth swinging as they took an early 9-4 lead. The Lumberjacks took a timeout and promptly score five back-to-back points to tie it up. NAU led 18-16 prior to UCF winning five straight points to go up 21-18. The Knights went on a 4-2 run to seal the deal.
 
Even Strength

  • Four Knights recorded 10 or more kills in the match.
  • Jalé Hervey tallied 17 kills, Alli Sabol posted 12 kills, Taylor Gallart made 11 kills and Ann Richards forced 10 kills.

Jeanne on the Block

  • Freshman Jeanne Westney posted a season-high five blocks in today's match.
  • She also tallied six kills and two digs.

Double-Double

  • Hervey recorded her third double-double on the season and second consecutive.
  • The senior logged a season-high 17 digs along with two aces.
  • "Jale came in and picked up a great deal of flack (slack), back up like she did last year," Dagenais said.

Aloha Alli

  • Freshman Alli Sabol made her collegiate debut against Northern Arizona.
  • She recorded 12 kills, and three block assists.
  • "I thought Alli Sabol came in and did a nice job of stabilizing the court," said Dagenais.

Defensive Diggers

  • Sophomore Jordan Pingel had multiple season-highs against NAU.
  • The Colorado Springs, Colo., native tallied 29 digs, eight assists, two 
  • "If you look at Jordan and her 29 digs in four sets and its really unbelievable," Dagenais said.
  • Kia Bright helped Knights in a defensive role today, recording a season-high 14 digs for the third time this season.
  • "Kia took a defensive role, where she didn't have to jump, had 14 more digs," said Dagenais.

 
Up Next

  • The Black and Gold wrap up play in the Saluki Invitational against Western Michigan at 5:30 p.m.