TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF volleyball team returned to action Thursday night, facing USF at The Corral in Tampa.
The Knights started with a 1-0 lead in the match after posting a 26-24 first set victory. The Bulls tied it up by winning the second set, 25-21. The Black and Gold edged USF in the remaining sets, 25-22, 25-20, 15-5 to claim a 4-1 win.
"As important as winning is in our sport, we are more focused on the growth and the depth of our team as we prepare for a grueling fall schedule," head coach Todd Dagenais said. "Both teams used a significant mix of players who were young, inexperienced, or completely new to their respective programs. I'm very happy with our younger players, and new players, with how they handled being on the road against a conference opponent. The veterans did an excellent job of working with these players and helping them integrate in only their second experience playing college volleyball. Offensively, we met our goals of using our middles more than we did last fall."
Alli Sabol led UCF with 21 kills with a .281 hitting percentage. Taylor Wickey added nine kills, with no errors for a .429 hitting percentage, six blocks and five digs. Kia Bright posted 14 digs, 12 kills and six blocks. Jordan Pingel led the team with 23 digs, followed by Erin Olson with 14. Nerissa Moravec added five blocks.
"For a freshman, Alli Sabol did an excellent job of playing front row for an entire five-set match," said Dagenais. "I think that speaks highly of the work our Sports Performance coach, Joe Howard, has been doing with the team this spring. Kia Bright is getting closer and closer to the player we all remember from a few years ago. Laché Harper keeps getting better every day. She reminds me of Angelica Crump and is on the same trajectory of success. It will take time, but she has the tools to be an All-American outside hitter. Both setters set as well as they have all spring, in terms of choices and location. With that being said, this team is still very hungry to put themselves in a position to be conference champions again. Most importantly, they know they are still quite a ways from being that type of team. I love how they seem driven to get there by August. We, as coaches, are excited that there are not any major issues in our way from becoming the team we want to be. There are small things and slight adjustments here and there. We aren't far off, but we will tirelessly work hard and smart to get there."
UCF has a week off before taking on Florida State at Santa Fe College on Thursday, March 30 at 5 p.m.