ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF volleyball team (8-5) opened conference play with a sweep over East Carolina (4-6) on Friday night at The Venue with scores of 25-11, 25-17, 25-17.
"It is really nice to get the first one under our belt and being successful while doing it," head coach Todd Dagenais said.
Claudia Dillon continues to find her rhythm as she recorded 10 kills while hitting .625. She also led the team with five blocks on the night and added two aces.
The Knights took a few points to warm up as they were tied 4-4 in the first before taking off on a 7-0 run, to lead 11-4. UCF used 11 kills while hitting .346 and three blocks to dominate the rest of the way to a 25-11 win of the first set.
The Pirates started off strong in the second to lead 7-4 after a few UCF errors, but the Knights found their rhythm to take back the lead 10-8. UCF used a pair of 4-0 runs to chip away to take the second set, 25-17.
UCF used an early 7-0 run to lead 7-2 early and never looked back, leading by 10 at 20-10. The Pirates tried to fight back but were unable to hang on as the Knights secured the sweep with a score of 25-19 in the third.
McKenna Melville led with 11 kills while Tali Marmen added eight. Chloe Scheer led with 16 digs and Amber Olson added 26 assists and two aces. Dresden Pass came in and led the team in aces with three.
TODD'S THOUGHTS
[On ECU]
I thought that first set, offensively, we were cooking a lot. ECU played better as the match went on although I felt that we were in control the entire time. It was a nice way to open up conference.
[On Claudia Dillon]
We knew she was going to be good. She made the team believe in her. It is nice to see her progressing and she's hitting All-American numbers. She brings so much positivity to the floor and I think that makes us a better team.
[On all players seeing the floor]
We were hoping to get to a point where we could get everyone in a conference match. Dresi and Katelyn really helped us in the back row. They have something we like. We know that are ball control is covered. I am pleased with how the starting core group held things together.
Claudia Dillon
[On her performance]
I think I am getting back into my grove a little bit. I've been working with my setters a little more to get that connection and making sure they trust me enough to give me the ball when needed. That connection the past couple of games has been on fire and that is something I really enjoy.
UP NEXT
The Knights are back home on Sunday, September 26, to take on Cincinnati at 1:00pm at The Venue.
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