MIAMI - While the Knights consistently held their own Saturday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, Miami prevailed in a 3-0 sweep to hand UCF volleyball its first loss of the season.
With both teams displaying strong defensive units, the Black and Gold’s (4-1) late charges weren’t enough to deter the Hurricanes (4-1) from taking the contested dual.
We were right there in deuce sets, and you got to play clean and we were pretty sloppy in those moments. We did a great job putting ourselves in position to get to those moments, and just weren't as clean as we needed to be when they came.
Matt BotsfordHead CoachHOW IT HAPPENED
The team exchanged blows early on, as the contest sat at 10-all after the first minutes. At the media timeout, Miami held the slight advantage, with attacking threats from both sides setting the tone. Yesterday’s kills leader, Avah Armour, was at it again with multiple points to keep UCF neck-and-neck.
A firm deadlock withheld multiple lead changes before the Knights called a timeout down 20-21, a decision that would put the squad back in the lead. An ace from Mikayla Porter and a few key defensive plays pushed the match deep in the opening set. However, the Canes eventually pieced together key moments, capped with a block from Dalia Wilson to clinch set one for Miami.
Skylar English led a Knights charge to open the second before Miami responded with points of its own, leading to another stalemate. As the Hurricanes began to pull away, a Knights timeout led to a UCF surge to regain the lead at 15-14. Consistent looks via Abby Schomers began to turn into kills from the Black and Gold’s outside threats.
Down 21-15, English was brilliant from the service line, eventually sparking a comeback that featured stifling defense from the Knights. While the effort was evident, Miami’s fortification at the nets wilded them ahead and to an eventual 25-23 second-set win.
In line with the match thus far, the third set continued to show more of the same from each side. Just as the Hurricanes were eyeing down the victory, the Knights’ resilience propelled them back into the duel and into the lead. Strong serving from Sophia Kotsovolos flipped the script, along with familiar faces providing the points, in turn amassing a 21-16 lead for the Knights.
The tides turned as Miami stormed back courtesy of key blocks and strong play from its attack, with Heredia Colon providing the final blows to a Hurricane sweep.
UP NEXT
UCF has the opportunity to bounce back for the first time under Botsford tomorrow at Noon against hosts FIU.
SINGLE GAME AND SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
UCF volleyball single-match and season tickets are on sale now. Be sure to catch all the action in the program's 50th Anniversary Season. Tickets can be purchased online at ucfknights.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at (407) 823-1000.
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.
