Quick Hits
- This match marked UCF’s first-ever program win against Arkansas State in the schools’ first meeting since 2017.
- Skylar English secured a season high of 13 digs, joining libero Sophia Kotsovolos with vibrant defensive displays.
- The pair each move closer to their career milestones: English is now 20 kills away from 1,000, while Kotsovolos is 15 digs away from 1,000.
- Avah Armour produced her fourth consecutive match with double-digit kills and sixth overall in just seven contests this season.
- UCF secured its second match of the season with 10 blocks, while holding its opponent to a sub-.115 hitting percentage for the fifth time.
How it Happened
The Knights opened the match with a 5-0 run, courtesy of Skylar English’s brilliance at the service line, tallying two aces to set the tone. Avah Armour also started strong, with multiple kills to aid UCF’s run of play, which saw the hosts pull away from the Red Wolves early on. Sasha Cohen joined the fun with a trio of kills, while Abby Schomers boasted 11 assists to supply the Knights’ attack with an impressive .429 hitting percentage to claim the opening set, 25-16.
Mirroring UCF’s previous match against FIU, Arkansas State put up a fight in the second set, with a 14-11 lead going into UCF’s first timeout. However, the Black and Gold didn’t back down, in large part to the attacking efforts of Armour, who fired off three kills in crunch time to complete the comeback and double the Knights’ advantage, 25-23.
The Red Wolves continued their pressure in the third set, yet the Knights found their footing once again. It was a continuous one-point battle between the teams, but UCF pushed forward, containing Arkansas State’s efforts. Reaghan Thompson joined Cohen and English with clutch kills to complete the sweep, 25-18.
