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University of North Florida Athletics

Gabby O'Connell follows through on attack attempt at the net as two USC Upstate players attempt to get in the way.
O'Connell posted her eighth double-double of the season Sunday.
1
North Florida UNF 6-15, 1-4
3
Winner Kennesaw State KSU 13-4, 4-0
North Florida UNF
6-15, 1-4
1
Final
3
Kennesaw State KSU
13-4, 4-0
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
North Florida UNF 25 15 18 21 (1)
Kennesaw State KSU 23 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Can't Hang On to Early Lead at Kennesaw State

Ospreys Take the Opening Set but KSU Rebounds to Claim the Final Three


KENNESAW, Ga. - The visiting Ospreys forged a furious run in the first set to take an early lead, but the host Owls rallied to claim the final three sessions and the match, 3-1, at the Kennesaw State Convocation Center Sunday, Sept. 30.

KSU 3, UNF 1 (25-23, 15-25, 18-25, 21-25) | Box Score 

Behind the Box Score
  • It was all KSU (13-4, 4-0 ASUN) early as it raced to a 17-9 advantage. The tide turned with three kills from sophomore Devyn Wheeler, two from rookie Kirby Smith and a successful challenge review reversal, helping UNF (6-15, 1-4 ASUN) to a 7-1 run, reducing the deficit to 18-16.
  • The Owls briefly countered, edging to a 22-18 advantage. Junior Taryn Griffey provided a kill, KSU committed an attack error and redshirt-sophomore Gabby O'Connell dropped in a pivotal ace, cutting it the margin to one. Kennesaw stubbed its toe on four attack errors as the Ospreys took a 1-0 upper hand.
  • 12 attack errors stymied UNF's pursuit of a 2-0 lead. The Owls had five blocks in the second set, evening up the contest.
  • North Florida hit a match-high .333, tallying 12 kills and only three errors, but KSU saved its most efficient set for the third frame, posting a .444 percentage for the 2-1 advantage.
  • The fourth set was up for grabs. It featured 14 ties and six lead changes, the most pivotal being KSU's late push to break open what was once a 17-17 tie.

Leaders By the Numbers
  • Griffey | 13 kills (13th double-digit performance), six digs (season high), three blocks
  • Smith | 11 kills, 25 attempts (season high)
  • O'Connell | 10 kills, 13 digs, two aces (ties season high)
  • Madilyn McCarty | 25 assists
  • Kaileen Herman | 15 assists

Notes
  • Smith had a great showing, her best performance of the season. The freshman posted a season-best 11 kills in her first contest since September 8. She also recorded a personal-best attack percentage, .320.
  • O'Connell has eight double-doubles, tied for the team lead.
  • Teams have struggled serving against UNF. Over the last three games opponents have committed 29 service errors.
  • KSU had four players with at least 10 kills. The ASUN assists leader, Lexi Broadwater, paced all players with 46 helpers while registering 11 digs.

Wright's Words
"We played hard again today; we are improving and our squad believes," head coach Kristen Wright said. "It was nice to have Kirby back. She was great in the serve and receive and was very effective. We are eager to get in the gym, and hopefully we'll have Asante Lopez healthy."

Up Next
UNF hosts Stetson for this year's Dig Pink game Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. The Ospreys have an eight-day break following the match with the Hatters.

 
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