Boxscore (PDF) FORT MYERS, Fla. –
Erin Edwards made a career-high nine blocks and
Courtney Miller and
Abby Fesl each recorded a double-double, but University of North Florida volleyball was unable to hold off Florida Gulf Coast and fell 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-11) Friday night at Alico Arena.
"Although it was not our best offensive night, I really liked the fight we showed the entire night," said head coach Steve Loeswick. "I am excited that this team continues to get better every time we step on the court. We have to put this match behind us quickly because we have to play a talented Stetson team tomorrow."
A seven-point run in the first set allowed Florida Gulf Coast to take a 15-7 lead on the Ospreys. UNF cut the deficit down to three, using a Florida Gulf Coast attack error to make it 17-14. However, Florida Gulf Coast used a three-point spurt to gain a six-point advantage and ultimately won the set on a Mackenzie Allen kill.
A late surge gave UNF the second set and tie the match at 1-1. Down 21-19, a
Tessa Alyman kill started a key three-point run that put the Ospreys up 22-21. After a kill from Jessica Barnes tied the set, a block by
Carina Hoff and Edwards began a set-ending three-point run for UNF.
UNF took advantage of Florida Gulf Coast's poor hitting and six errors in the third set to take a 2-1 advantage in the match. Up by three, an Alyman kill was the first of four-straight UNF points as the Ospreys took a 22-15 lead. A kill from Miller eventually ended the set for UNF.
UNF overcame a four-point deficit midway through the fourth set as the two teams battled for the set win. Down 15-11, a five-point run capped by a Hoff kill allowed UNF to take a 16-15 lead. The Ospreys got up to a three-point, 21-18 advantage on an Eagle attack error, but Florida Gulf Coast answered with a six-point run to go up 24-21. A kill from Miller saved UNF from set point, but the Eagles got a kill from Olivia Mesner on the next rally to force a fifth set.
A costly five-point run late in the fifth set gave Florida Gulf Coast the advantage over UNF. With the Eagles up by one, a kill from Barnes began the run that put Florida Gulf Coast ahead 12-7. UNF came to within three twice, including a 13-10 on an Eagle service error. A kill from Barnes put the Eagles at match point, but UNF answered with a Miller kill to stay alive. However, a kill from Elenora Kazarian on the next point was the match-winner.
Miller had a 16-point, 12-dig double-double, while Fesl added in a 31-assist, 11-dig double-double to lead UNF.
Cari Whitmire tallied a match-best 28 digs. Meanwhile, Edwards' nine blocks were a match best.
UNF hit .156 with 46 kills and 85 digs. The Ospreys also had 10.0 total blocks.
Three Eagles had double-doubles. Kazarian tallied 22 kills and 13 digs, Allen recorded 11 kills and 22 digs and Gigi Meyer had 68 assists and 13 digs. Barnes also added 20 kills, while Whitney Masters made 27 digs. Meanwhile, Mesner hit .528 with 17 kills off 26 attack and only three errors.
Florida Gulf Coast hit .222 for the match, making 73 kills and recording 97 digs.
UNF concludes the weekend on Saturday at Stetson. Match time is set for 3 p.m., at the Edmunds Center.
