UCF Hosts the VolleyKnights Invitational

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Riding a three-match winning streak, the UCF volleyball team wraps up its nonconference season this weekend at The Venue with the VolleyKnights Invitational. The Knights will square off with Alabama State, FGCU and Yale in their second straight tournament at home.

All three UCF matches will be streamed on UCFKnights.TV.

Here's five things to know for the VolleyKnights Invitational:
1. A LOOK BACK
The Knights returned to The Venue for the first time in 2018 for the UCF Challenge against FIU, UIC and Wofford. The Black and Gold took all three matches, dropping just one set, to defend home court and win the tournament title. McKenna Melville was named Tournament MVP with 3.7 kills and 3.8 digs per set. Kristina Fisher and Anne-Marie Watson joined the rookie on the All-Tournament squad with 3.6 kills and 1.6 blocks per set, respectively.

2. JOIN VOLLEYKNIGHTS
This weekend’s tournament is presented by VolleyKnights, the official fundraising and support group of UCF Volleyball. With several different levels of giving, it has never been easier to get in on the action and support the Knights. Every member will receive an E-Newsletter, along with email updates and a team poster, while benefits such as an official UCF Volleyball t-shirt, team posters and reserved seats at home matches are unlocked at different level. To learn more about VolleyKnights click here.

3. DIME SQUAD
Erin Olson and Amber Olson have guided the Knights to a .250 attack percentage, which ranks third in the American Athletic Conference this season. The setting sisters have averaged a combined 11.94 assists per set to rank 27th in the nation in that category. Offensively, the duo has guided the Black and Gold to a trio of matches above .300 hitting, while also playing an active role in the back row with nearly 4.2 digs per set between the pair. 

4. BLOCK PARTY
A big part of the Knights’ success in the UCF Challenge was the block. Over the course of three matches, the Knights turned away 35 attacks, which matched their production from the opening six contests of the year. Freshman Kathryn Wesolich posted nine block assists in the tournament opener, the most by a Knight since 2017. Nerissa Moravec followed that up with 10 blocks, two solos, in the nightcap. Watson finished the weekend with 16 rejections.

5. THE FIELD
• Alabama State is 3-9 entering the final week of nonconference play. Krysta Medearis has led the offense with 2.37 kills per set, while Kayla Torres has anchored the back line with just over three digs per set. UCF is 2-0 against the Lady Hornets.
• Florida Gulf Coast holds a 5-4 mark on the year, including an opening weekend sweep of Miami. The Eagles are led offensively by Cortney VanLiew and her 4.12 kills per set. After beating FGCU 3-1 in the Sunshine State Classic, the Black and Gold improved to 4-1 against the Eagles.
• Yale has won five of its first six matches to start the year, dropping just four sets. Ellis DeJardin ranks sixth in the Ivy League with three kills per set. The Knights swept the Bulldogs in the lone previous meeting back in 1997.

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