JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida freshman outside hitter Paige Pridgeon tallied a match-high 17 kills, but Campbell had three players knock down double-digit kills to lead the Camels past the Ospreys on Friday night in Atlantic Sun action at UNF Arena.
The Camels pick up the 3-1 win with scores of 25-15, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18 to move to 12-7 on the season and 6-3 in the A-Sun. UNF falls to 7-11 and 2-7 in league play.
Pridgeon also posted 12 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Junior outside hitter Danielle Lerch notched 11 kills for the Ospreys. Junior setter Jessica Catelano recorded 32 assists while freshman libero Nicole Baran had 16 digs on the defensive side.
Campbell was led by Emily Werner with 16 kills. Allyson Goldbach had 15 while Caitlin Bendy added 19 kills. Goldbach also notched 13 digs for a double-double. Paige Tortorello had 25 assists, and Sarah Hill had 17 digs for the defense.
UNF and Campbell kept the first set close in the opening rallies and were tied at 12. The Camels broke open the scoring, going on a 7-0 run to take a 19-12 advantage in the set. The Ospreys were unable to overcome the deficit as CU took the first set, 25-15.
In the second set, Campbell took an early 8-3 lead, but the Ospreys fought back, closing the gap to four at 13-9. The Camels extended their lead to eight (23-15). UNF looked to make another run late, closing the gap back to four at 23-19, but a kill and a UNF ball handling error gave the Camels the 25-19 win and a 2-0 lead in the match.
UNF came out strong in the third set as junior outside hitter Kaley Read hit three straight service aces to put the Ospreys on top, 5-1 early in the set. The Ospreys extended their lead, going up by seven (14-7) off a block assists by Catelano and Read. Campbell surged late, pulling within three at 22-19. A kill from Lerch gave UNF set point, but CU would get the ball back. Campbell scored two to close the gap 24-22, but a kill by Catelano on the final rally gave UNF the 25-22 victory.
North Florida and Campbell battled in the fourth set and were tied at nine before the Camels went on a run to take the 15-10 lead. UNF responded to pull within two, 15-13, but that is as close as the Ospreys would come as Campbell closed out the set with a 10-5 run, winning 25-18 and taking the match.
UNF will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 10 when the Ospreys face East Tennessee State. Match time is set for 3 p.m. at UNF Arena.