Final Stats vs. Central Michigan
Final Stats vs. Florida Atlantic

ORLANDO, Fla. - After coming so close all season but not being able to get over the hump, the University of North Florida women's volleyball team was able to do exactly what it set out to do since the beginning of the season on Friday at the UCF Invitational - overcome challenges.

UNF (1-8) began the day with a 3-0 loss to a tough 8-0 Central Michigan squad and fell behind 2-0 to Florida Atlantic But with hard work and a never say die attitude, the Lady Ospreys were able to pull out a 19-30, 25-30, 30-19, 30-12, 15-12 win over FAU.

The comeback against the Owls was nothing short of miraculous. The Lady Ospreys stole momentum from FAU with convincing wins in games three and four and knew it their win for the taking. But the Owls jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the fifth game, painting a grim picture for UNF. But the Lady Ospreys regrouped and fed on the confidence head coach Kevin Campbell continued to instill in them to go on a 12-4 run to close out the improbable win. UNF sealed its fate by scoring seven of the last eight points.

Senior outside hitter Amy Stroder showed why she is a preseason all-conference selection in the final game, racking up three kills and a .750 hitting percentage along with scoring the match's final point. Senior right side Claire Yonutas was also a key part in the comeback, notching two kills.

The Lady Ospreys were able to stay with the Owls in the first two games, hitting a respectable .200, but UNF wasn't able to sustain long enough scoring runs. It all changed in the third game when the Lady Ospreys took a 10-4 lead and never let up. UNF was sparked by the marksmanship of freshman middle blocker Kaley Read, who had three service aces in the game.

UNF continued to pelt FAU in game four, using a 13-1 run to take a 27-9 lead. The Owls went on to score the next three points to cut it to 27-12, but a service error on FAU's Kala Abdell gave UNF the sideout. A kill by junior outside hitter Kavie Sturch and an ace by freshman defensive specialist Chelsea Rabe allowed the Lady Ospreys to knot the match.

The Lady Ospreys hit a season-best .255 in the match and forced the Owls to commit 32 errors. UNF's stout defense was anchored by junior middle blocker Bary Rasmussen, who tied her career-high of eight blocks. Read a season-high seven aces and tied her season-best of 11 kills. Stroder finished with 12 kills, while Sturch had 10.

In the day's first match, UNF was able to compete well against Central Michigan but could not find an answer for Chippewa Kate Fissel, who had 14 kills in UCM's 30-25, 30-20, 30-25 win. The Lady Ospreys hit .017 for the match and was led by Stroder's 11 kills.

UNF will try to keep the magic going tomorrow at 10 a.m. in its final match of the UCF Invitational against Montana State.