WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - In its first true away game of the 2026 season, the UCF volleyball team fell in five sets to hosts Wake Forest, 25-15, 16-25, 18-25, 25-14, 11-15, Saturday night at the Reynolds Gym.
Despite a dominant opening set, the Demon Deacons took back control with wins in sets two and three before the Knights pushed the contest to a winner-take-all fifth. Balanced efforts from the Knights’ attack, including five or more kills from six different players, fell just short down the stretch.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Knights stormed out of the gates behind some early pressure at the net, tallying four blocks to open up a commanding 18-9 lead. A pair of aces from Natasha Casey, who has shown her prowess at the service line, propelled UCF to the 25-15 triumph to open the match.
While they hit .440 in the opening set, the second proved to be a more challenging task for the Black and Gold as the hosts’ defense stepped up. Four aces from Dhru Lalaji sparked a 9-2 run that eventually turned into a leveling 25-16 set win for Wake Forest.
The Knights fought back in the third set, as Avah Armour came alive with a sequence of kills to keep the bout close. While she finished the set with six, the Demon Deacons continued their prowess offensively, winning the third, 25-18.
Trailing in a match for the first time this season, UCF stepped up to the challenge and disposed of Wake Forest 25-14 to force a fifth. Middles Sasha Cohen and Ella Chapman combined for six kills, while Armour added another three.
However, the Knights’ momentum was immediately halted as the hosts jumped out to a 6-0 lead early on in the fifth. While key blocks from Cohen and Schomers sustained the UCF fight, the Demon Deacons prevailed in the end, 15-11, to take the bout.
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.