University of North Florida
-811, 37 ASun
East Tennessee State
-612, 55 ASun
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State | 25 | 22 | 17 | 23 | 1 |
| North Florida | 21 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
UNF Downs ETSU, 3-1
10/10/2009 6:46:00 PM | Volleyball
BOX SCORE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After falling behind 1-0 in the match, the University of North Florida volleyball team regrouped to take the next three sets, defeating Atlantic Sun foe East Tennessee State, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at UNF Arena.
With scores of 21-25, 25-22, 25-17 and 25-23 the Ospreys improve to 8-11 on the season and 3-7 in the A-Sun, while the Bucs fall to 6-12 and 5-5 in the league.
Junior middle blocker Kaley Read led a balanced offensive attack by the Ospreys, tallying 14 kills. Senior outside hitter Agata Dawidowicz added 13 kills and 10 digs while junior outside hitter Danielle Lerch notched 10 kills. Junior setter Jessica Catelano posted a match-high 46 assists and freshman libero Nicole Baran led all defenders with 20 digs.
“I think we passed more confidently in today's match, and that made a big difference,” said UNF head volleyball coach Kevin Campbell. “That helped lead to a really strong offense for our team. Every hitter did something positive for us today. Agata came in and served well and hit well, hit smart. Kaley was really effective, specifically on the slide and Danielle had another consistent performance. I am looking forward to playing that way against JU on Tuesday.”
In the opening set, ETSU led from the start and took its largest lead at 18-10. The Ospreys looked to make a run late, closing the gap to four (18-14) off a service ace by Dawidowicz. ETSU scored on the next two rallies to take the six point lead. The Ospreys again responded to close the gap to two, 22-20, but a pair of UNF errors gave the Bucs the points for the 25-21 win.
The two teams were tied at seven in the second set, but North Florida quickly went to work, going on a 7-2 run, taking a 14-9 advantage. The Bucs pulled to within one at 15-14, but the Ospreys responded, taking their largest lead of the set at 21-15 off another Dawidowicz ace. ETSU would get no closer than three in the final volleys as UNF knotted the match with the 25-22 win.
Pridgeon served the first five points of the third set as UNF took control early in the frame. The Bucs responded, cutting into the Ospreys' lead, 9-7. UNF responded with another service run, this time behind Dawidowicz as the Ospreys went up 14-7. UNF and ETSU traded possessions over the next several rallies, as the Bucs closed to within three (18-15) at one point, but that is as close as they would come.
North Florida fell behind in the fourth set and was behind by seven as late as 20-13. The Ospreys battled back as Baran served the next eight straight, pulling UNF into the lead at 21-20. ETSU would get the ball back on the next rally, but a kill by Read put it back in the hands of the Ospreys. Dawidowicz served an ace followed by a kill from Pridgeon, putting UNF at match point. The Bucs would get a final chance, but Pridgeon knocked down a kill to secure the set, 25-23, and the match for the Ospreys.
ETSU was led by Whitney Cogburn with 15 kills. McKayla Barber added 10.
The Ospreys will return to the court on Tuesday, Oct. 13, when crosstown A-Sun rival Jacksonville comes to UNF Arena. The 7 p.m. contest marks the second meeting between the two teams this season as well as the third between UNF and JU in the 2009-10 edition of the annual SunTrust River City Rumble. UNF will look to even the score in the rumble after dropping a 3-0 decision to the Dolphins earlier in the season.
