ORLANDO - In yet another commanding performance, the UCF volleyball team commenced the Stacey Clark Classic with its fourth consecutive sweep, taking care of business Friday afternoon against UAlbany, 25-15, 25-22, 25-13, at the Holloway Gymnasium.
Kiki Horne paced a balanced Knights’ offense in the win with her 11 kills, marking her third double-digit kills performance of the season. Another five aces from freshman Natasha Casey, who was fresh off a career-high seven against Virginia, headlined the service pressure from the Black and Gold.
QUICK HITS
- For the first time since 2022 and the first under head coach Matt Botsford, the Knights have swept four-consecutive opponents.
- Casey’s 12 serves across her last six sets marked the most by a freshman in a two-match span in program history.
- Casey also paced the Knights in blocks during the win for the first in her collegiate career.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A balanced offensive effort set the tone for the Knights in the first set, as five players tallied their first kills to jump out to a 10-8 lead out of the gates. Currently ranked second in the Big 12 assists per set, Schomers boasted a pair of kills early on to pair with four assists to put UCF up 15-10 at the media timeout.
A 6-0 rub put the Black and Gold in a commanding position before a pair of kills from Kiki Horne and blocks from Natasha Casey and Ella Chapman at the net secured the first set for the Knights, 25-15.
Consecutive kills from Cohen throughout the early stages of the second set, along with her usual blocking prowess at the net, put UCF ahead 12-7 in swift fashion.
Schomers sustained her offensive contribution with another tandem of kills to sustain the Knights’ lead over the Great Danes. With support from Armour, Casey and Horne, UCF fended off a late surge from UAlbany to take the second set, 25-22.
While the Great Danes dealt with Casey’s serve through the first two sets, the first-year sensation found her way in the third, landing five serves to dismantle the UAlbany setup, including four-straight late in the set to put the Knights up 21-10.
Consecutive kills from Armour, her eighth and ninth of the day, preceded the match-winner from freshman Deana Petrov to secure the opening contest for the Black and Gold.
UP NEXT
UCF will embark on its first ranked matchup of the season tomorrow afternoon as it faces hosts No. 11 Purdue at 1 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 2026. 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.