BOX SCORE

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida volleyball team fell to Southern Conference opponent Georgia Southern on Tuesday night in a non-conference road match at Hanner Fieldhouse in Statesboro, Ga.

The Eagles picked up the 3-0 win with scores of 25-15, 25-20, 25-20. UNF falls to 7-10 (2-6 A-Sun) on the season while GSU improves to 12-6 (2-1 SoCon).

“We played the best volleyball we have played since Florida Gulf Coast,” said UNF head volleyball coach Kevin Campbell. “The chemistry was there and the energy was there. Marshay is bringing a good vibe to the court, stepping into the middle position. Having her and Nallelis in the mix has energized the team. Jessica set really well tonight. We took a great step forward tonight from this past weekend. Even though our numbers didn't indicate it, we played a great match.  Georgia Southern is a really solid team, one of the best that we have seen this season. They really block well and play great defense.”

Freshman outside hitter Paige Pridgeon had 13 kills. Junior setter Jessica Catelano tallied 25 assists, while freshman libero Nicole Baran posted 11 digs for the Ospreys.

The Eagles were lead by Hanna Nelson and Bethany Sanford with nine kills each. Kate Van Dyke had 34 assists and Cristin Haines had 18 digs.

GSU got off to a solid start in the opening set. The Ospreys kept it close early, not allowing the Eagles to get up by more than three (12-9). But GSU broke open the scoring with a 7-1 run, going up 19-10. UNF was unable to make a late run as the Eagles won 25-15 and took a 1-0 lead in the match.

The Eagles again came out strong in set two, jumping out to a seven point lead, 13-6. The Ospreys fought back and closed the gap to three at 18-15. GSU again extended its lead at 21-16. The Ospreys looked to make a final run, again pulling to within in three (21-18), but GSU held on for the 25-20 win and the 2-0 lead in the match.

Georgia Southern started the third set the same as the first two, taking a seven point lead, 17-10. UNF again surged with a 6-0 run behind the serving of Catelano to close to 17-16. The Eagles regained possession on the next rally, extending their lead to four at 22-18. The Ospreys hoped to make a late run, but GSU maintained the lead to win the set 25-20 and take the match.

The Ospreys will be back in action Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10, for a pair of Atlantic Sun home matches. On Friday, UNF will host Campbell in a 7 p.m. match, while on Saturday, the team will face East Tennessee State at 3 p.m. Both matches will be played at UNF Arena.