BOX SCORE
ATLANTA, Ga. – The University of North Florida volleyball team fell to Wright State, 3-0 (23-25, 21-25,16-25) on Friday evening during the opening day of the Georgia State Invitational at the Sports Arena in Atlanta, Ga.
The Ospreys (0-1) were led by sophomore Paige Pridgeon with 12 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore Dagnija Medina added eight kills and freshman Anna Budinska posted six. Freshman Britt Claessens tallied 22 assists while sophomore Nicole Baran had a team high 11 digs.
“I thought we showed a lot of fight in game two,” said head coach Kevin Campbell. “I thought that Dagnija had a very consistent match and brought a lot of good block touches and kills for us. I think we overused Paige a bit in the match which then led to some team frustration. We have a very good freshman setter that needs to work through some kinks. We are very excited to see tomorrow how the team plays against Georgia State and Morehead State.”
Wright State (1-0) was led by Jessica Woods with 11 kills and 12 digs. Molly Dolson posted 21 assists and Kenzie Egan had 13 digs.
UNF and WSU opened the first set trading points. The two teams were tied at 15 before the Raiders went up by two, but the Ospreys pulled back and tied the set at 18. The two teams were tied for the final time at 23, but the Raiders scored the final two points to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
The Ospreys jumped out early in the second set, opening with a 6-1 run highlighted by a trio of blocks. The Raiders closed the gap, tying the set at seven, but UNF again responded with a run, to take a 12-7 advantage behind a service run by Baran. The Ospreys maintained the lead over the next several rallies, but WSU chipped away at the UNF lead, tying the set at 21. Three straight kills and a block gave the Raiders the points to secure the second set and take a 2-0 match lead.
Wright State took an early advantage in the third set, leading 12-6 at the halfway point. UNF would cut the score down to five at 19-14, but that is as close as the Ospreys would come as the Raiders claimed the match.
UNF will be back in action at the Georgia State Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 28 when the team faces host team Georgia State at 1 p.m. followed by Morehead State at 5 p.m.
