ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF volleyball team was defeated by a score of 3-1 (25-18, 25-15, 21-25, 25-18) on the road at Tulane Wednesday afternoon.
"We were not our usual selves in terms of our on court energy," said head coach Todd Dagenais. "I feel like that led to a performance deficit that we couldn't climb out of as a team. We were able to do so many things better than the last time we played them, but we fell short in the area of detail. I think we learned that "champions" or "championship behavior/actions" isn't a switch that can be flipped. Now we have to gather ourselves and find a way to finish on a strong note. Deep in my heart, I feel like this team still has something left. We still have the ability to post a historic win total. That in itself should be the level of motivation needed to get us through the challenging last days of the season."
The Black and Gold and Tulane battled early in the first set, but the Green Wave pulled ahead 10-7. Tulane went on a 15-11 run to clinch the first set. The Green Wave jumped out to a quick 17-8 lead, and secured the next 8 points to take the second set.
Following the break, the teams came out battling, with the score being tied three times. The Knights went up 18-17 on a Taylor Wickey kill and didn't look back. A Kia Bright kill secured the 25-21 third set victory. Tulane jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the fourth set. UCF worked on tying it up, but close the gap to a two-point deficit, the Green Wave clinched the match 25-18.
Jumps for Jalé
- Senior Jalé Hervey led the team with 18 kills, hitting at a 326 clip.
- The Huntsville, Ala., native has hit over .300 in 14 matches this season.
- The outside hitter has 487 kills, hitting at a .261 clip on the season.
Shining "Bright"ly
- Redshirt junior Kia Bright recorded 14 kills, hitting at a .243 clip and 12 digs.
- This is the Starke, Fla., natives 14th double-double of the season.
Wicked Wickey
- Redshirt junior Taylor Wickey posted eight kills, with a .500 hitting percentage.
- The Omaha, Neb., native also registered two blocks.
The Knights were led by Jale Hervey, who finished with 18 kills and seven digs in the defeat. UCF will finish the regular season Friday at 2 p.m. at Houston.