Drama in the Space City
Down multiple match points and an entire set in Houston, the Knights battled back to claim their first five-set victory of the season and third in Big 12 play since joining the conference in 2023. Avah Armour led the charge with a career-high 35.5 points and 17 digs, with her 28 kills serving as the second most by the junior this season. A driving force for the Black and Gold came from the service line, with the squad landing a season-high 14 aces against the Cougars. Abby Schomers was supplying the opportunities, tallying a season-high 52 aces.
Armour Up
Armour was tabbed to the Big 12 Volleyball Preseason Team (one of 18 athletes), voted upon by the league’s head coaches... In front of her family, Armour secured a career-high 30 kills against the Buffaloes in Boulder, the most by a Knight since McKenna Melville did so against Georgia on Sept. 11, 2021, while becoming just the 18th in program history to record 30 or more kills in a single match... The junior led the Knights to a comeback win at Houston behind her career-high 35.5 points on 28 kills and four service aces... Armour has secured 10 or more kills in a match more times than she hasn’t since making her collegiate debut in 2023, with 45 10-plus-kill outings in 69 career matches... Armour ranks eighth in the Big 12 with 4.24 kills per set, while also standing sixth in points per set with 4.80 to her name, each lead the Knights and rank among the top-100 in the nation.
Freshman Sensations
All five of UCF’s true-freshmens have made an impact on the floor, with all five having recorded substantial playing time. The group is highlighted by freshman libero Alexa Haley’s team-leading 190 digs and Mikayla Porter’s 123 assists and 17 service aces (marks that each rank second on the team). Haley and Sarah Mendoza have played in each of the Knights’ 19 contests.
Reaghan Makes History
For the first time in program history, a Knight has secured a Big 12 weekly honor... Announced by the league office on Sept. 23, Reaghan Thompson secured Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors after a brilliant weekend at the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa... The Texas native tallied a season-high 12 blocks against Memphis, the most by a Knight since Nerissa Moravec’s 14 blocks at Houston on Nov. 26, 2021... Moreover, the total propelled Thompson past 400 career blocks, becoming one of 11 active DI players with 400-plus to their name... Her total of 12 against the Tigers propelled the Knights to 14 team blocks during the win, the most in a single-match since another 14-block performance at Houston on Nov. 4, 2023... While her defensive efforts secured her the weekly defensive honor, her attacking ability is what makes her one of one... Thompson is the only active DI player with 800-plus kills (901) and 400-plus blocks (445) in their career.
English 101
English is the nation’s most prolific server, leading the NCAA with 38 service aces through 13 matches, also leading in aces per set (0.87)... the position is fitting to English as she’ll also the active DI leader in career aces (225), having suprassed the 200-mark with a career-high nine aces against Memphis, matching the UCF program record set by Lorin Lukas on Sept. 16, 2006, against Troy... English’s offensive prowess doesn’t end at the service line, as her 3.30 kills per set rank second on the team and 13th in the Big 12, while her 4.34 points per set rank ninth in the conference and second on UCF... Her nine aces against Memphis were the second-most by a player in the NCAA this season in a four-set match, trailing only Alabama’s Hannah Parant who totaled 10 of her own against the Tigers the day prior.
