ORLANDO- UCF Volleyball wrapped up the UCF Challenge on Sunday afternoon claiming a victory with a three-set sweep over the Alabama State Hornets (25-12, 25-19, 25-16). The Knights finished the UCF Challenge with a 3-1 record.
“We had a pretty sour taste in our mouth after last night,” said head coach Jenny Maurer. “We focused on our productivity and taking care of our side of the net. I was proud of how we bounced back and finished a four-match weekend.”
UCF (6-1) tallied a total of 55 kills and five service aces in the win. Avah Armour led the team with 11 kills, which was an individual season high. Abby Hansen and Claudia Dillon both totaled 10 kills on the afternoon as well. Abby Schomers contributed a team-leading 37 assists on the day, while Hansen also led the match with three blocks.
The Knights started the first set with a quick 5-1 lead, including two early kills each from Hansen and Dillon. The Black and Gold kept the scoring pace throughout the set earning the 25-12 win, complete with 17 total kills.
Alabama State held a 6-5 lead with a 4-0 run early in the second set. After falling behind 15-12, the Knights went on a 5-0 run to take a 17-15 lead including two kills and a service ace from Emily Wilson. Back-to-back kills from Lauren Clark, gave UCF a three-point advantage. Dillion and Armour finished the set with consecutive kills as the Black and Gold took the second set by a score of 25-19.
The third set began with an 8-1 UCF lead ignited by a block from Armour and Hansen. After a timeout by the Hornets, the Knights continued their dominance by asserting a 14-4 lead complete with another Wilson service ace and Hansen’s eighth kill of the game. After Alabama State’s second timeout of the set, the Knights finished off the third set with a kill from Clark to take the 25-16 victory and sweep the match from the Hornets.
The Knights will continue action as they host Florida State and North Texas in the UCF Invitational, starting with a matchup against the Florida State Seminoles on Thursday, September 7 with first serve set for 7 p.m.
UCF Challenge All-Tournament Team:
Emmy Ogogor (Wake Forest)
Jade Sadeiko (FIU)
Lauren Myrick (Mississippi State)
Temperance Chatman (Alabama State)
Claudia Dillon (UCF)
Tournament MVP: Paige Crawford (Wake Forest)