ORLANDO, Fla (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF volleyball team is set for its final tune-up prior to the 2019 season on Saturday afternoon. The Knights head to the University of Florida for a 1 p.m. match in Gainesville. Admission is free of charge.
The Gators hold the most-recent victory between the squads, a 3-1 win in Gainesville last season. In the overall series, Florida holds a slight edge, 15-10.
Entering his 12th season at the helm, head coach Todd Dagenais returns five starts from last season, including AVCA All-American and American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year McKenna Melville.
On Thursday, the Knights were selected to defend their title in The American. Melville, Kristina Fisher and Anne-Marie Watson were named to the preseason all-conference team.
UCF looks to continue the momentum of one of the best seasons in program history as the Knights turn to the 2019 campaign. The Black and Gold went 27-4 with a perfect 18-0 mark in the American Athletic Conference to secure their second league title in five seasons. The Knights posted their longest winning streak as an NCAA Division I program with 24 straight to close the regular season.
Florida enters the 2019 season on the heels of a 26-7 campaign that ended in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gators are ranked 10th in the AVCA Preseason Top 25.
The 2019 season gets underway for the Black and Gold next weekend at the Rebel Invitational, hosted by Ole Miss. The Knights open against Iowa State on Aug. 30, followed by matchups against Rice and Ole Miss on Aug. 31 and Sep. 1, respectively.