MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The UCF volleyball team (16-6, 9-1) walked through Memphis (9-13, 2-8) in three-straight sets on the road on Sunday in Memphis, Tennessee with scores of 25-15, 25-21, 25-22.
"Offensively, we played really well putting up the numbers that we did and Memphis is always a scrappy defensive team and they're hungry," head coach Todd Dagenais said, "It's good to be done with back-to-back road trips and it's going to be nice to be back at home."
McKenna Melville led with 19 kills to hit .341 and added eight digs and two blocks. Anne-Marie Watson picked up eight kills with zero errors to hit .500 while Nerissa Moravec had six kills with no errors to hit .600. The pair also put up two blocks each. MaKenzie Chambers picked up five kills, hitting .333.
Claudia Dillon put up a wall all match with five blocks at important times. Amber Olson continues to set a great match with 36 assists. Olson also notched two aces and three blocks. Dresden Pass led from the back row with 10 digs.
The Knights started the match hot and just like that they led 14-6 after a 3-0 run to force a Memphis timeout. From there, UCF grabbed a 12-point lead with two kills and two big blocks. The Tigers fought back with a 4-0 run, 22-14, but it wasn't enough as the Knights held the Tigers to a .000 hitting percentage to take the first set, 25-15.
The second set began with an early battle before the Knights used a 3-0 to lead 9-6. Memphis hung close by to stay within one to two points. Up by one, 22-21, UCF decided to close out the set on a 3-0 run to secure the second set in 25-21. The Knights led 2-0, heading into the third.
UCF controlled the third set early, leading by six at 10-4. But Memphis found some rhythm to go on a 6-0 run to take a 14-12 lead, forcing the Knights to call a timeout. UCF came right back on a huge 4-0 run with a kill, two blocks and an ace to lead 18-17. The Tigers were not going anywhere as they tied the set up 20-20. Watson responded with back-to-back kills followed by an ace from Scheer to lead 23-20 and the Knights went on to secure the win in 25-22.
UCF extends its winning streak to five, including four-straight road sweeps.
TODD'S THOUGHTS
[On overall thoughts]
I thought we did a great job of blocking, and it really limited their confidence in swinging and then they started tipping the ball and it actually started working because we didn't adjust well to it. But I thought we did just enough, made enough great plays and they made just enough errors. It was a lot closer than it looks.
[On third set timeout]
It was pretty simple. They sat down and we said we just got to execute, take a deep breath, and execute the next play. Coach Jenny called the play, we executed and got out of it. Then we had a nice stretch where we didn't make a mental error or serving error and we were able to go on a nice run.
[On the weekend]
It's a relief. It's a relief to go on the road where you have everything stacked against you and go out and perform well enough to win against two good teams in the conference. Now we need rest and to get off our feet.
UP NEXT
UCF is on its final stretch of the season with its final 10 conference matches. The Knights return home next weekend to take on Tulsa and Wichita State for the second time this season. UCF will face the Golden Hurricane on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Shockers on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. from The Venue.
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