ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF volleyball team concludes its 10-match road swing to start the 2017 season this weekend with the UCA Classic. Originally set for four squads, the tournament added Oral Roberts on Wednesday due to Hurricane Irma.
The Knights (3-3) will now open the weekend at 11 a.m. (ET) against the Golden Eagles, before facing Arkansas State at 6:30 p.m. (ET). UCF will play its fourth true road match of the year when it takes on Central Arkansas on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. (ET).
The longest stretch away from home to start a season in the Todd Dagenais era comes to an end with a 4:30 p.m. (ET) start against Southern on Saturday.
A live stream is available for the match against UCA.
LAST TIME OUT
• The Knights went 2-1 at the Sunshine State Classic, hosted by FGCU.
• Facing the top two offenses in the country, plus one of the best attacks in the ACC, the UCF defense held FAU, FGCU and Miami to under .200 hitting.
• Jordan Pingel and Kia Bright were named to the All-Tournament squad. Pingel finished the weekend with 4.82 digs per set, while Bright led the team with 42 kills.
KNIGHT NOTES
• UCF has held opponents under .250 hitting in five of its first six matches to start the year.
• Setting duo Miranda Watkins and Erin Olson have paired well, combining for 10.12 assists per set.
• Middle blockers Taylor Wickey and Jeanne Westney are tied for the team lead in blocks per set at .88.
KIA CLOSES IN ON 1,000
• Kia Bright will become the 12th player in program history to reach 1,000 career kills with her seventh this weekend.
• The redshirt senior has tallied 94 kills this season for 3.76 kills per set, which ranks fourth in the American Athletic Conference.
• Bright is a career .234 hitter with the Knights since transferring from Auburn prior to the 2014 season.
SCOUT SAYS
• Oral Roberts is off to a rough start to the season with a 1-6 record. The Golden Eagles are led by outside hitter Laura Milos, who ranks sixth in the nation with 5.08 kills per set.
• At 3-4 on the year, Arkansas State has picked up wins over Cincinnati, Southern Illinois and Ole Miss.
• Central Arkansas (6-0) is one of 29 undefeated teams left in the country through the opening two weeks. The UCF serve receive will have to be on point as the Sugar Bears are third nationally in aces.
• Southern was off last week due to Hurricane Harvey. The Jaguars dropped all three of its opening weekend matches to UT Arlington, Houston and McNeese.
SERIES HISTORIES
• The Knights and Oral Roberts will meet for the first time since the 2008 season with the Golden Eagles leading the series 3-2.
• UCF will go for its first win against Arkansas State to snap a five-match losing streak.
• After a 3-1 victory at The Venue last season, the Knights can improve to 2-0 over the Sugar Bears on Saturday.
• The Black and Gold face Southern for just the second time in school history. The first matchup was back in 1988, a 3-0 win for the Knights.
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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