Non-Conference Finale
After a difficult defeat to No. 21 Baylor to open up Big 12 play a full week before the rest of the league commences action, the Knights will finally conclude their non-conference slate with a trip to Tuscaloosa this weekend for the Crimson Classic. UCF boats history with each team, more recently with Memphis after over a decade of play in The American alongside one another. The Black and Gold author a 7-2 record throughout nine non-conference contests, along with a 1-0 record in true away contests after a long win at FIU on Sept. 7 in Miami
Tourney Two in the Books
While a weekend-finale defeat against Brown served as the first loss at home for the Knights in 2025, UCF still claimed the top spot in the second of two tournaments in Orlando. A dominating sweep of Arkansas State on Friday, who were fresh off an upset win over then-No. 15 Missouri a week prior, preceded another triumph over Florida Atlantic 3-1. Across the three contests, the Knights recorded 159 kills and 207 points, continuing their attacking dominance over opponents throughout the early stages of the season. The squad was led by performances from Avah Armour (50 kills, 61.5 points) and Skylar English (42 kills, 41.5 points), while an 80-dig outing vs. FAU on Saturday marked the most in a match since 2021, highlighting the defensive efforts from the back row.
Milestones on Milestones
This past weekend, a duo of Knights surpassed the 1,000 mark in their respective categories. On Saturday, Sophia Kotsovolos’ season-high 20-dig performance against Florida Atlantic propelled her past 1,000 career digs, becoming one of 55 active DI players to hold four digits to their name. A day later, Skylar English reached the 1,000 kills mark with 11 against Brown, becoming one of 50 active DI players with four digits to their name. For English, she also continues her charge towards 200 career aces, as she’s the active DI leader with 195. Of note for Tuesday’s contest with the Bears, Reaghan Thompson sits just one block away from 400 (399), as she strives to become the seventh active DI player with 400 or more career blocks. The Northwestern State transfer has averaged just under a block per set (0.94).
Enjoy the Schow
Embarking on her fourth season with UCF as the longest-tenured Knight on the roster, Abby Schomers has been brilliant through the opening stretch, totaling 316 assists through nine matches. She tallied an even 100 assists during the opening weekend, including 42 against Chattanooga, the Nebraska native averaged 10 per set en route to being named Black & Gold Classic Most Valuable Player. In Miami, a 50-assist performance at FIU marked the second most in a four-set match in her career. The Nebraska native ranks 24th in the nation in assists per set (10.27) and 24th in total assists (339). Schomers also continued her climb up the record books, jumping one spot to seventh with her current career total of 2,365.
Armour Up
After another stellar season in 2024, which saw her lead the Knights in kills (277) and points (324.5), Armour was tabbed to the Big 12 Volleyball Preseason Team (one of 18 athletes), voted upon by the league’s head coaches. Through nine matches, the Colorado native has backed up the expectations with team-leading efforts on offense. This past weekend, Armour secured MVP honors after tallying 129 kills and eight service aces, pacing the Knights with 61.5 points. Against Florida Atlantic, she set career-highs in points (25) and aces (five). She tallied 19 kills in back-to-back contests against FAU and Brown, the most throughout a two-match stretch in her career. Among Big 12 players, she is eighth in both kills per set (3.94) and seventh in points per set (4.46).
English 101
Through her first eight matches in Black and Gold, Skylar English has been instrumental in the Knights’ hot start. The FGCU transfer leads the Big 12 in both total aces (23) and aces per set (0.77, also fifth in the nation), while ranking seventh in points per set (4.46) and 16th in kills per set (3.37). English offered a career-day against FIU to cap off the 305 Challenge, tallying a career-high eight aces and the match-winner, the most aces in a match by a Knight since Tali Marmen secured eight of her own against East Carolina on March 5, 2021. English has led the Knights in kills/points in three of eight contests, surpassing 1,000 career kills with 34 during the Knights Invitational. She is the active DI career leader in aces (193) and fourth in aces per set (0.47).
Attacking Prowess
The Knights rank among the top 40 in four key offensive categories after two weeks of play. Their aforementioned dominance at the service line placed them 33rd in the NCAA in aces per set and first in the Big 12 (1.97). However, the most impressive asspect of UCF’s game thus far as been its efficiency, ranking 24th in the nation and sixth in the Big 12 in hitting percentage (.286), while also sitting 19th in the NCAA and fourth in the Big 12 in kills per set (14.15), and 46th in the nation and sixth in the Big 12 in assists per set (12.62). The Knights are one of nine teams to rank among the top-25 in the NCAA in both kills per set and hitting percentage.
