JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - UNF had six blocks in the fourth set to even things up and force a fifth, but the Bulls (1-0) held on as the Ospreys dropped their season opener, 3-2.
It was North Florida's (0-1) first match since the ASUN Volleyball Quarterfinals Nov. 21, 2019.
UNF 2, USF 3 (25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 25-22, 13-15)
Inside the Sets
- Set 1: 25-23 - Three points was the largest lead for either side in the first set … tied 22-22, Maddie Boyd posted a kill, Gabby O'Connell posted an ace and Solimar Cestero finished the set with a kill after a UNF service error.
- Set 2: 23-25 - Down 16-13, a 3-0 UNF run tied it forcing a USF timeout … two USF aces and a pair of UNF attack errors allowed the Bulls to even it.
- Set 3: 18-25 - USF hit a match-best .312 to produce 15 kills, winning set three.
- Set 4: 25-22 - Julianna had five block assists and UNF had six total while O'Connell provided four kills in a four-set win.
- Set 5: 12-15 - USF went up 2-1 and didn't have an attack error in the deciding fifth set.
Leaders By the Numbers
UNF
- O'Connell posted a 13-kill and 18 dig double-double
- Kailey McKnight led the team with 14 kills in her collegiate debut
- Julianna Askew posted 34 kills, 10 digs and eight blocks
- Rocio Moro paced the match with 33 digs
USF
- USF had two double-doubles
- Agata Plaga had a match-best 19 kills to go with 13 digs. Marta Cvitovkic chipped with with 14 kills and 17 digs.
- Makayla Washington hit .350 for nine kills
Notes
- McKnight, Logan O'Brien, Bre Walp and Jessica Buis made their UNF debuts.
- It was the seventh all-time match between UNF and USF.
- Askew was two blocks short of her second-career triple-double.
- Maddie Boyd had a career-best eight blocks.
- UNF out-blocked USF, 14-13
- Head coaches Kristen Wright and Jolene Shepardson previously faced off when Shepardson was at San Jose State in 2018.
Up Next
UNF goes to Tampa tomorrow for a 4 p.m. first serve to complete the home-and-home against USF.
