ORLANDO - Despite Iowa State fighting back to send the match to five sets, the Knights prevailed in a commanding winner-take-all fifth, besting the Cyclones Thursday night at The Venue, 25-17, 25-13, 18-25, 22-25, 15-5.
In her first match in over two weeks, team leader Abby Schomers commanded the Black and Gold attack, dishing out a season-high 47 assists. Avah Armour and Kiki Horne combined for 32 kills, while Sasha Cohen and Ella Chapman held it down at the net with 13 combined blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A pair of early kills from Armour set the tone for the Knights in the first set, combining nicely with the common presence of Schomers alongside her once again. Horne and Natasha Casey made their presence felt with multiple kills of their own as the Knights took a 15-10 lead into the media timeout.
While the Cyclones were able to land some aces, UCF’s defense held off a late surge to take the opening set, 25-17, as the nation’s best server, Casey, secured it with an ace.
The Knights didn’t look back in the second, enjoying another vibrant offensive display. Six kills from Armour headlined the set, as the hosts pieced together an 11-3 run to double their lead, 25-13.
Iowa State’s defense stepped up in the third, thwarting what looked to be the Knights’ third sweep in four matches, holding UCF to a .147 hitting clip behind a pair of blocks and timely digs. While the Knights looked to find their stride once again, the Cyclones cut the lead in half, 25-18.
The visitors continued their surge back into the match, securing a 15-10 lead at the media timeout. UCF overcame the five-point deficit to level the fourth at 18-all; however, service errors down the stretch opened the door for Iowa State to level the match, 25-22.
Having been in similar situations already this season, once at home to Kansas State and opposite tonight’s opponents, Iowa State in Ames, UCF used tough lessons to completely dismantle the Cyclones in the fifth.
Behind blocks from Casey and Cohen, paired with Horne’s explosive play, the Knights went on a 12-2 run to take the set and the match, 15-5.
UP NEXT
UCF will remain at home for its final Space Game of the season Sunday afternoon against Houston at 1 p.m.
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.