HOUSTON, Texas (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF volleyball team closed out the regular season with a straight-set victory (28-26, 27-25, 25-20) at Houston. UCF improved to 23-10 overall, with a 13-7 mark in The American.
"We knew Houston was going to have extra incentive on their senior day," said head coach Todd Dagenais. "They came out highly motivated and executed very well. It took us a little time to settle in, but we did so in a timely fashion. Those runs at the end of each set was so critical in giving us the 2-0 lead. I thought we finally hit our stride and became our 'normal selves' in the third set. Our offense was clicking again and our defense has improved dramatically. I was really excited to see the team sense the opportunity to get the win and not back down. I thank the staff for all of the hard work they put in this year. This is not an easy program to work for, the standards are extremely high. The work ethic bar is set very high. They did a tremendous job of making sure that our team was ready to play match in and match out."
Houston came out swinging jumping out to an early 6-2 lead, The Knights went on an 8-3 run to go up 10-9 in the first. The teams went back and forth with the score being tied 10 times. The Black and Gold went on a 5-2 run and took the first set with a Kia Bright kill. The second set started in similar fashion with the teams each going on scoring runs. UCF took a 21-20 lead and clinched the second set with an error on the Cougars.
Following the break, the teams kept it close but the Knights were firing on all cylinders. The Black and Gold clinched the match with back-to-back points.
Sayonara Seniors
- This match serves as the last match for senior Jalé Hervey, senior Taylor Gallart and junior Halle Scott.
- These players have suited up for over 90 matches together at UCF.
- Hervey leaves the program with 1268 kills best for sixth in career records, as well as averaging 3.91 per set (she sits third in career records). The Huntsville, Ala., native sits with 3120 attempts in her three years, good for eighth place. The outside hitter also finished with 531 digs.
Dagenais on the seniors: "I'm proud of the seniors and everything they've accomplished during their time with us. Each of them played a critical role for us today. It's not very often you get to end your senior year with a win. I'm glad that they each did, they deserve it."
Digging Divas
- The Black and Gold finished this season with a record-setting 17.1 digs per set.
- This season's 2051 digs sits in fifth in Division I history.