Boxscore (PDF)
 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida volleyball closed out the weekend with a 3-0 (20-25, 24-26, 18-25) loss to Kennesaw State on Saturday afternoon at UNF Arena.
 
“Kennesaw State is a good team that made multiple defensive plays,” said head coach Steve Loeswick. “We didn't execute at the level that I'd hoped for today. We have a week to get ready for our matches at USC Upstate and ETSU, so we'll get back to work on Monday to focus on those two teams.”
 
Paige Pridgeon made a team-high 11 kills for the Ospreys. Casey Giovanazzi and Britt Claessens put up 18 and 15 assists, respectively. Nicole Baran dug 12 balls.
 
Keyaira Stevenson tallied a match-high 20 kills and Turea Jones recorded a 10-kill, 21-dig double-double to lead Kennesaw State. Baylee Strachan added 11 kills, while Sara Metroka had 44 assists.
 
A sluggish start found UNF needing to claw its way back into the first set. Down 19-12, a kill from Pridgeon sparked a four-point run that pulled the Ospreys to within three. UNF attempted to contain Kennesaw State, even capitalizing on an Owl attacking error that made it a 23-20 set, but the Owls got the set's final two points.
 
UNF held a four-point lead midway through the second set, going up 18-14 on a Kennesaw State attacking error. However, the Owls chipped away at UNF's lead and eventually tied the set at 21-21 on a Stevenson kill. A key block by Marija Pantovic and Carolyn Jenkins put the Ospreys at set point, but a Jones kill started a three-point, set-ending run for the Owls.
 
In the third set, the Ospreys had to overcome another slow start. Several Owl runs eventually put UNF down 22-14. UNF chipped away at Kennesaw State's lead, coming to within five on a Cari Whitmire ace, but five points was the closest UNF could get to the Owls.
 
The Ospreys return to the road for their next two matches. UNF visits USC Upstate on Friday at 7 p.m., and then ETSU on Saturday at 3 p.m.