Raicevic Sets Career-High in Digs as Spartans Stun Ospreys

Saturday, November 5

Jacksonville, Fla.

5:00 p.m.

University of North Florida

18-11, 8-4ASUN

USC Upstate

12-17, 4-8ASUN

Team	1	2	3	Final F
USC Upstate	26	25	25	3
North Florida	24	17	22	0

Photo by: Todd Drexler

11/5/2016 7:27:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida volleyball came out strong in the opening points of the match, but USC Upstate quickly turned things to its favor as the Spartans stunned the home team, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon in UNF Arena.

QUICK HITS
- It was the first time since 1994 that Upstate won on North Florida's home court.
- The Ospreys 64 digs are tied for the most in a three-set match this season.
- Katarina Raicevic was just one kill shy of her third career double-double, but she had a career-bset 17 digs.
- Freshman Gabby O'Connell recorded her 11th double-double of the season with a game-high 19 kills.

TOP PERFORMERS
Katarina Raicevic - 9 kills, 17 digs, 1 ace
Gabby O'Connell - Match-high 19 kills, 10 digs, 2 blocks, 1 ace
Kimberly Ferguson - 16 digs

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Ospreys had a comfortable 15-8 lead at the media timeout before USC Upstate went on a 10-6 run to force a UNF break. Three straight miscues from the Ospreys pulled the Spartans within one, 22-21. O'Connell and Raicevic kills put UNF at set-point, 24-22, but the Spartans rattled off four straight points to take the opening set.

Set two was very similar as the home team owned a 12-9 lead to force USC Upstate to call a timeout. It was a good call for the Spartans as they then went on a 16-5 run to end the frame and take a 2-0 lead.

In the final frame, USC Upstate ran up a 12-2 lead and never looked back. The Ospreys chipped away at the advantage and eventually with the Spartans leading 23-15, the Ospreys jumped on a 7-1 run to pull within two. O'Connell recorded four kills during the stretch, but it was not enough as USC Upstate got the final kill to sweep the match.

With the win, the Spartans earn their first-ever berth into the ASUN volleyball tournament.

UP NEXT
North Florida closes out conference play on the road at Kennesaw State and Lipscomb. UNF travels to Kennesaw first on Friday, Nov. 11 before taking on Lipscomb the next day. UNF is currently seeded fourth in the ASUN Tournament.