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University of North Florida Athletics

Paige_Pridgeon_2011-opener
0
North Florida UNF 0-1
3
Winner Michigan State MSU 1-0
North Florida UNF
0-1
0
Final
3
Michigan State MSU
1-0
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
North Florida UNF 14 11 18 (0)
Michigan State MSU 25 25 25 (3)
2
South Alabama USA 0-2
3
Winner North Florida UNF 1-1
South Alabama USA
0-2
2
Final
3
North Florida UNF
1-1
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
South Alabama USA 21 25 23 25 11 (2)
North Florida UNF 25 15 25 22 15 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Earns Split on Opening Day

UNF-MSU boxscore
UNF-USA boxscore

ORLANDO -- The North Florida volleyball team posted an opening round split Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott/UCF Classic. The Ospreys dropped a 3-0 (14-25, 11-25, 18-25) decision to Michigan State before rebounding with a hard fought 3-2 (25-21,15-25,25-23,22-25,15-11) win against South Alabama.

Anna Budinska and Paige Pridgeon each posted six kills in leading the UNF offense in the season opener against Michigan State. Pridgeon, an All-Atlantic Sun performer, also paced the squad with eight digs. Britt Claessens handed out eight assists while freshman setter Casey Giovanazzi added six assists in her collegiate debut.

The Spartans were led by Jenilee Rathje's 19 kills and 17 digs from Carli Weiler.

In the day's second contest, North Florida used a stronger, more balanced attack en route to earning its first victory of the 2011 campaign. After UNF grabbed the early lead with a competitive 25-21 decision in game one, South Alabama answered, 25-15, in game two behind a .400 hitting performance. Games three and four were closely contested with UNF taking the third frame by just two points and USA tying the match with a three-point victory in the fourth stanza. The Ospreys closed out the match by outhitting the Jags in the final game including an 11-5 advantage in kills.

Budinska and Pridgeon were again a two-headed attack for the UNF offense finishing with 15 and 14 kills, respectively. The Osprey duo collected 12 digs each to post double-double performances. Senior Nicole Barren led the UNF defense with 29 digs and freshman Julie Trembley had 10 digs. As a team, North Florida finished the five-game battle with 81 digs.

Classens had 24 assists and Giovanazzi added 20 while sharing the setting duties for UNF. Junior transfer Carolyn Jenkins posted five blocks in leading the Ospreys to a blocking advantage on the frontline.

USA got a match high 14 kills from Melissa Waelter along with 20 digs by Samia Salomao.

North Florida will conclude its opening weekend of competition against tournament host UCF on Saturday at 7 p.m.

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