JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The North Florida Volleyball team plays its final home non-conference match of the 2019 season when it hosts Florida A&M Tuesday at 6 p.m.
1. Last Time Out
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The first meeting between crosstown foes North Florida (8-12, 2-4 ASUN) and Jacksonville (7-12, 1-5 ASUN) did not disappoint. The Ospreys outlasted the Dolphins, 3-2, behind a slew of memorable performances at Swisher Gymnasium Sunday, Oct. 13.
2. Series History
UNF and FAMU have faced off 18 times since first meeting in 2006 ... The Rattlers took the first four meetings, although UNF turned in its own 4-0 run between 2014 and 2016 ... The Ospreys lead the all-time series in matches played in Jacksonville, 6-4 ... Their last meeting in Jacksonville was in 2017, a sweep for the Ospreys ... UNF is 3-2 over its last five against FAMU.
3. Soli Sets the Record
Sophomore
Solimar Cestero became the latest Osprey to set a single-match record this season. The Toa Baja, P.R., native unloaded for a UNF DI four-set match record 27 kills at Stetson Friday. She wasn't done yet, returning to fuel UNF past JU in five-sets with a 19 kill and 20 dig performance against the Dolphins. Solimar posted back-to-back double-doubles and set new career highs for kills and digs on the weekend. She is just three kills shy of her total from the entire 2018 season. That year she was selected to the ASUN All-Freshman Team.
4. All Hands on Deck
One of UNF's most balanced efforts of the season came Sunday. Junior transfer
Miriam Stingl posted a season high 13 kills on .312 hitting, freshman
Angelie Rosario contributed significant time in five sets of action and freshman
Bria Plante contributed five crucial kills and four important blocks in five sets of work.
5. Scouting Report
FAMU is 6-13 and 4-2 in the MEAC ... The Rattlers went 11-16 and 9-1 in conference play a year ago ... FAMU is coached by Gokhan Yilmaz ... Yilmaz has coached around the nation and around the world, making stops at Florida State, Arkansas, UNC Charlotte, Western New Mexico and more ... A native of Turkey, Yilmaz began his career as a club coach for Eczacibasi Sports Club ... FAMU's five wins have come against Southern, Norfolk State, SC State, Bethune-Cookman and N.C. Central ... UNF swept Jackson State this year, while the Rattlers fell in five ... Maria Yvett Garcia leads FAMU with 212 kills ... Ilayda Nurkan and Elena Dimitrova have handled the setting duties ... They've combined for 582 assists this season ... Alyssa Brown is big on the block, totaling 56 this season ... FAMU has four players with at least 100 digs.
