JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Sets one and three could have went either way but the coin turned in favor of the Liberty Flames in both as the Ospreys fell to the ASUN newcomer in the conference opener at the UNF Arena Friday, September 21.
Liberty 3, UNF 0 (23-25, 13-25, 23-25) | Box Score
Behind the Box Score
- UNF (5-11, 0-1 ASUN) trailed for most of the opening set but hot starts from redshirt-sophomore Gabby O'Connell and sophomore Devyn Wheeler helped UNF claim at late lead, 21-20.
- LU's Anna Gragg came out of a Flames timeout with four kills to supplant the deficit and give Liberty the 1-0 upper hand.
- The Flames (4-10, 1-0 ASUN) managed to hit .591 and record a 20-8 run to close out the second set.
- The Ospreys tallied four team blocks to help steal momentum for the majority of the third set, leading by as much as six, including a 21-15 lead.
- Two aces and three kills from LU's Casey Goodwin ignited the Flames late though.
- Goodwin would have had one less kill, but an attack initially ruled out was reviewed and reversed as having grazed the finger of a UNF blocker, giving LU the match point.
Leaders by the Numbers
- O'Connell | 10 kills, four block assists (eighth double-digit kill performance on the season)
- Madilyn McCarty | 18 assists
- Callie Workman | 13 digs
- Goodwin had a game-high 16 kills while LU's Hannah Morris notched 40 assists.
Other Points of Interest
- Liberty hit a season-best .320
- McCarty is 15 assists shy of 3,000 for her career if you include her freshman year at Winthrop.
- This is the first-ever meeting between Liberty and UNF, and LU's first ASUN match.
- UNF honored a number of its recent volleyball alumni in between sets two and three.
Wright's Words
"They [Liberty] passed really well and were able to run their middle and do a nice job," head coach
Kristen Wright said. "We have to do better in the front and backcourt against middles like that, and we have room for improvement. But, tomorrow is a new day and against a completely different team."
Up Next:
North Florida gets back at it when it hosts Florida Gulf Coast tomorrow at 6 p.m.