LAWRENCE, Kansas - Despite taking the first set at the Horejsi Family Arena on Saturday afternoon, the UCF volleyball team fell in four sets to No. 16 Kansas in its regular-season finale.
Nine service aces from the Knights and 16 kills from Avah Armour highlighted the offensive display, while the defense also notched 11 blocks at the net. In the end, late runs from the Jayhawks propelled the hosts to the victory.
Proud of this team for the progress they have made throughout the season and the toughness they showed today. We put ourselves in some nice spots in “end game” vs a great KU team and came up just a little short. I am so grateful for everyone’s hard work and especially appreciative of our seniors for all they have given to UCF Volleyball.
Matt BotsfordHead CoachHOW IT HAPPENED
Early service errors from the hosts gave the Knights early momentum, eventually growing a 15-11 lead heading into the first media timeout. Looking to build off Wednesday’s triumph at Kansas State, the Black and Gold’s freshman setter, Mikayla Porter, picked up right where she left off in her second career start with multiple assists and a pair of kills.
Out of the break, UCF sustained its pressure, going on a 7-3 run to put itself within three points of a key opening set. The 16th-ranked Jayhawks didn’t go down without a fight despite the eight-point hole, piecing together a 7-1 stretch of their own to make life difficult for the Knights. Familiar with high-stakes conclusions, the visitors kept their composure and fended off the surge via back-to-back kills from Ella Chapman.
While errors from Kansas persisted, their offense began to pick up steam, opening up a 16-11 lead to force a UCF timeout. Reeling and looking for a way back into the set, the nation’s leading server, Skylar English, broke out with three aces in four serves to cut the Knights' deficit to just one.
The streaky nature of the contest was on full display to end the second set, as after English’s sequence, Kansas produced four consecutive points of its own before the Knights clawed back in with a 5-0 run. Level at 22-all, the hosts pulled away with three-straight kills to even the dual at one set apiece.
UCF’s offense stayed hot to open the third, boasting a 15-10 lead after strong play from Armour and English. After a Kansas timeout, the Jayhawks took control of the game, taking 15 of the final 22 points to gain the lead, 25-22.
A valiant effort from the Knights continued in the fourth, though Kansas kept a multi-point buffer throughout, securing the set and the match, 25-20.
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.
