Boxscore (pdf)
Final Book
Postmatch Interview (video)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The University of North Florida volleyball team used strong blocking and aggressive serving to earn a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-20) sweep over Presbyterian Saturday night at UNF Arena.
The University of North Florida volleyball team used strong blocking and aggressive serving to earn a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-20) sweep over Presbyterian Saturday night at UNF Arena.
With the win, UNF remains undefeated at home and improves to 4-4 overall on the season. The Ospreys outblocked the Blue Hose, 8.5 to 1, while also collecting five aces and forcing PC into a .104 hitting performance.
Eight different players recorded kills in a balanced Osprey attack that finished the night with a .225 hitting performance including a stellar .355 clip in the decisive third set. Dagnija Median led the way with eight kills followed by five from Julie Trembley.
Defensively, junior libero Nicole Baran paced the squad with 16 digs and Paige Pridgeon added 11. Newcomer Carolyn Jenkins anchored a strong front line with six blocks while Marija Pantovic tallied four.
“Tonight marked our most complete and consistent match of the season so far,” said UNF head coach Kevin Campbell. “We were very business-like and executed our game plan extremely well. I am very proud of the effort and am especially thrilled to earn a pair of home wins. I like that we are continuing to get better each time out.”
The two squads went back-and-forth early in set one before Presbyterian slowly built a five point advantage, 16-11. From that point, Trembley led the Ospreys on a seven point run with her serve to gain a 19-16 lead. The freshman recorded an ace and kept the Blue Hose off balance in their offensive system with a variety of serves. UNF carried the momentum to a 25-19 victory.
The Ospreys raced to a quick lead in set two but PC got their own strong service performance from Caroline Cann to earn a slight edge. The squads traded chances with the lead and much like set one a solid serving run gave UNF the momentum. This time freshman Casey Giovanazzi sparked the surge scoring six consecutive points aided by a trio of UNF blocks.
In the deciding third frame, UNF got a late four-point service run from Britt Claessens followed by a three-point service spurt by Medina to break open a closely contested competition. The Ospreys also clicked offensively in the set finishing with 14 kills and just three errors en route to the sweep.
Cann was the top performer for the Blue Hose finishing with team bests in both kills (11) and digs (11).
After making its home debut, North Florida now returns to the road for seven matches in a row beginning Sept. 16-17 at the College of Charleston Invitational.
