Live StatsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The North Florida volleyball team kicks off the second half of the Atlantic Sun Conference schedule Friday at 7 p.m. with a River City Rumble rematch against crosstown rival Jacksonville on the road at Swisher Gymnasium. "It is always exciting and competitive when we play JU," said head coach Steve Loeswick. "The match is important not only because of the rivalry but also because we are moving into the second half of conference play. We have had a really good week of practice and are looking forward to getting back on the court in competition. It should be a good test in a tough environment."
The Ospreys outlasted the Dolphins for a 3-2 victory in the first meeting between the pair at UNF Arena on Sept. 25. UNF enters the rematch with a 16-7 overall record and a 3-4 mark in league play at the halfway point, while JU owns a 4-3 A-Sun record and are 7-12 overall. North Florida's 16 victories is the second most in the conference this season. In the first meeting, Courtney Miller led the way for UNF finishing with a double-double of 17 kills, 18 digs. Offensively, Tessa Alyman and Carina Hoff both chipped in 14 kills in the victory, while Kimberly Ferguson's 20 digs topped a group of four Ospreys with double digits. North Florida's setting duo of Corrine Turner (27) and Abby Fesl (24) combined for 51 assists to pace a solid hitting performance. The Dolphins were led by Emily Laskelle, who had 24 kills, 13 digs, and one service ace. Jizzyan Gesualdo had 42 assists and 16 digs, and Mayara Prestes had 27 digs.
Friday's match opens a challening road stretch for UNF as the team plays five of its next six matches away from home. UNF's only home contest during the span is an Oct. 28 match-up against Florida A&M. Road Warriors: While the Ospreys will play five of their next six on the road, UNF has enjoyed some success away from home posting a 11-4 record (5-2 in true away games / 6-2 at neutral sites). North Florida's hitting percentage also increases to .245 compared to .216 at home.Special Delivery: North Florida utilizes two setters who are averaging 5.00 or more assists this season. Abby Fesl (7.80) leads the team with Carinne Turner averaging 5.80. With 12.39 assists per set as a team the Ospreys rank second in that category in the conference. We're a Hit: The Ospreys rank second in the Atlantic Sun with a .233 hitting percentage highlighted by having a league best four players ranked in the Top 10 (4. Carina Hoff - .322 / 5. Katarina Raicevic - .309 / 6. Erin Edwards - .307 / 9. Morgan Van Alstine - .263). Scouting Jacksonville: With 15.68 digs per set, the Dolphins rank second in that category in the A-Sun. With a 37.71 attacks per set average, the Dolphins are among the top-15 teams in the country in that category, and only behind USC Upstate's 40.70 in the A-Sun... Opposite Hitter Emily Laskelle continues to carry the offensive load for the Dolphins. She registers 4.36 kills per set, which are the most in the conference and 18th most in the nation. She was named Co-Player of the Week following back-to-back 20 kill performances. She has 20 or more kills in four consecutive matches now, the longest streak in the A-Sun.
