Volleyball | 10/26/2017 9:54:00 AM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida volleyball continues league play this weekend when it welcomes FGCU and Stetson to UNF Arena. UNF partners with the ZTA Fraternity for the Pink Match on Friday.
 

Game Details
Date	Friday Oct. 27 | Saturday Oct. 28
Time	7 p.m. (Friday) | 5 p.m. (Saturday)
Location	UNF Arena
Opponents	FGCU (Fri.) | Stetson (Sat.)
Links	Live Stats (Fri./Sat.) | ESPN3 (Fri.) | Game Notes

OPENING SERVE
The Ospreys look to avenge a three-set loss to the Eagles just two weeks ago, while trying to complete the season sweep of the Hatters on Saturday.

NOTES

• North Florida's attack has been led this season by a pair of hitters who sit among the league leaders in hitting percentage. Alana Shoff sets the standard on offense with a .306 hitting percentage while Taryn Griffey hits at a .299 clip, ranking them fourth and sixth, respectively in the conference.
• Katarina Raicevic leads North Florida with 23 aces, which ties her for fourth in the ASUN. She has 11 aces in league play, including one in each of the past four contests highlighted by three against FGCU.
• Ashley LaBorde continues to spearhead the UNF defense boasting an ASUN leading 411 digs. She is just 47 digs away from 1,000 for her career at UNF. LaBorde looks to become the 13th Osprey to reach this milestone, and first since Kimberly Ferguson did it last year.
• As UNF maintains the conference lead in blocking, Alana Shoff paces the league with her 100 blocks, while Taryn Griffey is third with 74 stops. Hoff also adds to the block line with 69 rejections. 

QUOTABLES

• "Getting the opportunity to play these teams quickly with the flip of the schedules is a unique chance for us to make some adjustments right away and try to improve on what we did the first time. I am excited for a pair of home games. It will be a challenge, but we are looking forward to the opportunity to get a pair of wins. "-- Coach Steve Loeswick
• "I think we are doing a better job now in the second half of the season working harder not just in the matches but also in practices trying to learn and get better. Our coaches are helping by stepping in and challenging us to get better every time we hit the court." – Alana Shoff

OPPONENTS

• FGCU enters Friday's matchup at 17-6 following a three-set win over Stetson last weekend.
• The Eagles are led offensively by Amanda Carroll with her 334 kills, putting her second in the ASUN. She is also second in the league with 4.45 kills per set while adding 23 aces on the attack. Karissa Rhoades paces the defense with 333 digs, ranking fourth in the conference. Maggie Rick leads the league with 853 assists on the year.
• Stetson enters this weekend in Jacksonville at 3-17, after a straight set loss to FGCU their last time out.
• Eva Deisa tops the attack for the Hatters with 191 kills, including 76 coming in ASUN play. Naina Ivanova leads the Hatters with 644 assists, sitting third in the conference. In ASUN play, Chelcie Spence paces the Hatters with 135 digs, ranking second in the league.

SERIES HISTORY

• FGCU has dominated the series against UNF, with the Eagles taking 20 of the last 25 meetings. UNF looks to bounce back from a straight set loss to FGCU just two weeks ago.
• The Ospreys enter Saturday's matchup with the Hatters having claimed the last four meetings while owning a 20-6 all-time series mark. North Florida holds a 10-3 record when hosting the Hatters in Jacksonville.

UP NEXT

• North Florida hits the road for the final time in the regular season next weekend with a visit to  Kennesaw State and Lipscomb. Friday's match with the Owls begins at 7 p.m., before wrapping up the weekend with a 6 p.m. serve against the Bisons in Nashville.