ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com)—UCF Volleyball dropped a thrilling five-set match to Cincinnati on Thursday evening. The Knights fell 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 8-15).
"I have to say that one stinks, because we were in it and we were ahead," said associate head coach Jenny Maurer. "Cincinnati is a good team. We knew that they weren't going to roll over. They played a great game, but at the same time we held them under their numbers from last time."
The Knights started a bit slow as the Bearcats jumped to an early 8-4 lead in the first set. UCF tied it up at 10 and continued to keep the score close through the remainder of the first, but fell 25-22. Entering the second, the Black and Gold slipped behind 3-1, but came back to take a 13-10 lead. The Bearcats and Knights had a tie score six times throughout the second. UCF clinched the second set on an 8-6 run. Cincinnati jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the third set, but UCF went on a 6-2 run to tie it up at 6-6. From there the two teams went back and forth until the Knights jumped out to a 20-18 lead and didn't look back.
Entering the fourth set the Black and Gold started strong jumping out to an early 3-0 lead. The Bearcats fought back and won 12 of the next 15 points. Cincinnati held strong and forced a fifth set. UCF started slow as Cincinnati jumped out to an 8-1 lead. The Bearcats never looked back as they clinched the fifth set, 15-8.
Double-Doubles
- The Knights had four players record double-doubles in the match.
- Senior Jalé Hervey had 22 kills and 17 digs, followed by redshirt junior Kia Bright with 17 kills and 11 digs.
- Junior Farah Rajaee finished with 22 assists and 16 digs, followed by sophomore Miranda Watkins with her 30 assists and 12 digs.
Big Hitters
- UCF had six players with six or more kills.
- Hervey recorded 22, followed by Bright with 17. Senior Taylor Gallart posted 9, followed by redshirt junior Taylor Wickey with seven. Freshmen Jeanne Westney and Alli Sabol each finished with six.
Season High
- Sophomore Jordan Pingel recorded a season-high 31 digs in the match.
- The Colorado Springs, Colo., native posted a career-high nine assists.
Up Next
- UCF Volleyball, which is presented by Holiday Inn Orlando East UCF Area, hosts ECU for Volloween. Fans are encouraged to come out in costume to trick-or-treat around The Venue.
- The match is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m.
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