CINCINNATI, Ohio – UCF volleyball kicked off its inaugural season in the Big 12 with a 3-1 win (25-17, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23) over Cincinnati on Thursday evening in the Fifth Third Arena.
The Knights (10-2, 1-0) recorded 55 kills along with 10 service aces while the Bearcats (7-4, 0-1) tallied 10 total blocks. Avah Armour led the Knights with a career-high 17 kills marking her second double-double of the season with 12 digs. Emily Wilson tallied 14 kills and five aces. Lauren Clark added in 10 kills and three block assists. On the defensive side, Abby Schomers and Chloe Scheer each had 13 digs.
"We talk about being aggresive on all facets of the game but it starts at the service line," head coach Jenny Maurer added. "I was proud about how we came out of the gates and stayed aggressive throughout the entire match."
The Knights and Bearcats kept it close in the first set until UCF broke away at 3-2 to go on a 6-0 scoring run ignited by a kill from Abby Hansen. Cincinnati was unable to gain control of the lead as the Knights took the first set of Big 12 play, 25-17.
The second stanza was back and forth until 7-7 when the Bearcats took the momentum from three consecutive kills to go on a 4-0 run, 11-7. UCF chipped away at the Bearcats’ lead to tie it up 13-13 following a 5-0 spurt. The Knights and Bearcats fought back and forth with 12 ties and five lead changes, but UCF fought hard to take the second set, 25-21.
"It was a really good team win and we stuck together throughout the whole match," said Avah Armour. "We’re ready to make adjustments when we get to face them again tomorrow, but it was an awesome start to our first season in the Big12!"
In another back-and-forth set, the Bearcats gained some cushion following a 3-0 scoring frenzy to give them the lead, 22-19. Cincinnati took the third set, 25-22.
UCF and Cincinnati once again fought back and forth for points throughout the majority of the fourth frame. The Knights tussled with the Bearcats but came out on top, 25-23 to earn the win.
UCF will have a quick turnaround as they will match up against Cincinnati again on Friday, September 22 with first serve slated for 6 p.m.