ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF volleyball team will conclude its preseason camp on Saturday afternoon with its annual Black and Gold Scrimmage in the Venue at 3 p.m. Admission is free for the Knights' only tune-up ahead of their season opener next Friday at Northern Colorado.
Heading into the 10th season under head coach Todd Dagenais, the Knights enter the 2017 campaign with a mixed roster sporting two seniors, three juniors, four sophomores and seven freshmen.
"It's a special moment when you get to put your school's jersey on for the first time, and that's something that our seven newcomers will get to experience this weekend," Dagenais said. "I want to see how far we've come and how well we know our system. As a staff, we'll be able to evaluate in real time and through the statistics we receive during the game. We'll have more when we grade and comb through the game film. I want to see how we play sets to 25 and how our newcomers will contribute to the team."
Redshirt-senior Kia Bright was a unanimous All-American Athletic Conference preseason selection for the third time in her career. The Starke, Fla., native needs 204 kills in her final season with the Knights to break into the program's top-10 list.
In 2016, UCF set a program record with 17.1 digs per set. Libero Jordan Pingel is poised for another strong year with the Black and Gold after recording the third most digs in a single season with 554.
The Black and Gold Scrimmage will be the first opportunity for newcomers Jiayi Zhang, Erin Olson, Mary Kate Painter, Anne-Marie Watson, Alex Fisher, Kristina Fisher and Kat Felice to play in front of the UCF faithful.
Saturday will be the only preseason contest for the Knights before three road tournaments. UCF will return to Orlando for the home opener on Sept. 15 against Virginia in the VolleyKnights Invitational.
DON'T MISS OUT
UCF Volleyball hits the court for its 10th season under head coach Todd Dagenais. Don't miss a single minute of action at The Venue. Visit UCFKnights.com or call (407) 823-1000 for ticket information.
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