ORLANDO - Looking to conclude its penultimate Big 12 road swing in style, the UCF volleyball team secured the double over West Virginia, sweeping the Mountaineers for the second time this season Friday night at the WVU Coliseum.
It was a well-rounded display across the board, with the Black and Gold stifling the hosts with 10 blocks and dynamic defense across the board, complementing a balanced UCF attack led by Avah Armour and company.
While we have been very consistent all season long on the defensive end, tonight was just phenomenal in that area. Between our block and backcourt play, I couldn’t be happier with the effort and execution. Combining that with the rhythm our hitters were in and their choices, it was really a complete performance and great response to Wednesdays match.
Matt BotsfordHead CoachQUICK HITS
HOW IT HAPPENED
As both sides found their footing through the early stages of the opening set, the UCF defense began to enforce its presence at the net, with blocks from Armour and Sasha Cohen, along with freshman Nygeria Hart, who subbed in just minutes into the match.
Down 4-6, the Knights eventually charged into the lead, taking 11 of the next 14 points to secure a commanding six-point advantage heading into the media timeout. Chapman, who ranks fourth in the Big 12 in hitting percentage (0.358), tallied a pair of kills before Reaghan Thompson sealed the deal with three consecutive kills to claim the set, 25-18.
The hosts, seeking not to let the contest slip away, jumped out to a 12-9 lead, as multiple kills from Hart and Armour weren’t enough to deter the Mountaineers. A Botsford timeout proved to turn the tide in the set, with the Black and Gold chipping away at the deficit before pulling ahead to grow a 22-20 lead.
Once again, it was Thompson at the center of the final three points, landing two attacks before joining Chapman in denying West Virginia’s Trinity Sheridan to double the UCF lead, 25-22.
Production continued to come from everywhere, as Thompson, Hart and Cohen got the Knights going in the third. While Armour’s nine kills at Cincinnati broke her 14-match double-digit-kill streak, the junior responded with 17 on the night, taking over during stretches of the game.
Thompson’s 13th and 14th kills of the night, nearing her season high of 15, were enough to deter West Virginia late in the set, clinching the sweep with a 25-20 triumph.
UP NEXT
UCF will return to Orlando for its home finale against No. 8 Arizona State on Wednesday, November 19, at 6 p.m.
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.
