ORLANDO - Coming off a dominant sweep from Wednesday’s matchup against Stetson, the UCF volleyball team, donning its Canaveral blue SpaceU uniforms for the first time in 2026, soared into its first Space game of the season against the Virginia Cavaliers with the squad’s third consecutive sweep.
The Citronauts, led by double-digit kills from Avah Armour and Natasha Casey, as well as a career day from the service line by Casey, executed a commanding three-set victory (25-22, 25-21, 25-21) at The Venue.
"I’m really pleased at our ability to deal with adversity and some runs from them responding to runs of our own and making big plays at the right time," said head coach Matt Botsford. "Defensively, we continue to do a really nice job so we’ve made some progress.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set launched with high energy, as the ‘Nauts gained a nine-point lead by the first media timeout. Three aces were scored in the set, all served by Casey, two of them being back-to-back just before the break to give UCF a 15-6 advantage. The ‘Nauts kept the lead throughout the set, securing the first frame by a 25-22 score.
The ‘Nauts were led offensively throughout the first frame by Armour and Kiki Horne, who notched four kills apiece to give their team the early advantage. Armour, the 2025 AVCA All-American, in recording 10 kills throughout the match notched her sixth double-digit kill performance of the fall in the winning effort.
Fending off a strong attack from Virginia throughout a second set that did not see more than three points of separation between the squads, the ‘Nauts triggered their own attacks, led by five more Casey kills, to pull themselves back in the lead at 20-18.
Two more points registered by Sasha Cohen and Ella Chapman put the Cavaliers on the brink, and Casey’s fourth ace of the match secured the set, 25-21.
After the challenge of the second set, UCF started the third set with a solo block from Abbey Schomers, however the Cavaliers mounted a comeback bid and built a lead of as many as five points midway through the third frame, 12-7.
Following a Virginia attacking error, an Armour ace helped kickstart a 16-9 ‘Nauts run to clinch the final frame, 25-21.
Casey turned the game around and started a five point run which brought the ‘Nauts into the lead. UCF stayed ahead until the end of the set. Casey and Cohen secured the final point with a block assist.
QUICK HITS
- Casey set an early tone in the game with back-to-back aces during the first set, making 10 total for the match for UCF.
- Casey’s seven service aces marked a single-game career high for the freshman, two shy of the Knights’ single-game program record.
- The winning effort extends UCF’s active win streak against the Cavaliers to three straight.
- In addition to her career day from the service line, Casey also notched her third double-digit kill performance of the year and second straight.
UP NEXT
UCF will hit the road next week to Indiana to compete in the Stacey Clark Classic for two road contests against UAlbany on the 18th and No. 14 Purdue on the 19th. The Knights’ contest against the Great Danes is set for 1 p.m. from West Lafayette, Indiana.
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.