JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - After dropping the first set, UNF volleyball (12-1, 1-0 ASUN) rebounded with fortitude to win the next three sets and defeat Central Arkansas (2-8, 0-1 ASUN) in the opening match of the ASUN Crossover at Jacksonville State Friday, Sept. 24.
Dariana Hollingsworth-Santana was a big reason why, as the graduate transfer notched a career-best 21 kills to go with 17 digs.
The Ospreys are now 12-1 on the season and 1-0 in the young ASUN slate. North Florida is 9-8 all-time in ASUN openers.
UNF 3, Central Arkansas 1 (14-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-16) | BOX SCORE
Inside the Sets
- Set 1: After earning the first point of the opening set, UCA tied it 1-1 and then took the lead for good as the Sugar Bears won frame number one … Dariana Hollingsworth-Santana and Maddie Boyd had two kills apiece.
- Set 2: UNF fell behind 5-2, but a 3-0 run evened things up … the short spurt foreshadowed a 10-0 run that put UNF way ahead, 22-12 … Hollingsworth-Santana was on fire in the session, posting seven kills … UCA won seven of the next 10 points, but UNF's lead was too large to overcome … Julianna Askew and Bre Walp sealed the set with a block … UNF held UCA to only six kills on .032 hitting in the second.
- Set 3: After a 4-4 tie, UNF went on a 3-0 run and kept that lead … UCA cut into the lead in the middle of the set … up 16-15, Kailey McKnight tallied a kill and Gabby O'Connell notched one as well … UCA cut UNF's lead to one once more, but O'Connell provided a final kill to win the set.
- Set 4: UNF hit .375 while holding UCA to a .125 clip, creating an 8-5 advantage … a 3-0 run put UNF up 14-11, forcing a UCA timeout … Bre Walp caught fire late, posting multiple kills and a block on consecutive points as the Ospreys rode out the win.
Leaders By the Numbers
Central Arkansas
- Alexis Stumbough | 16 kills, 11 digs
- Anna Myers | 30 assists, 14 digs
- Amari Mitchel | 4 blocks
- Lily Taylor | 3 aces
UNF
- Julianna Askew | 47 assists, 5 digs, 4 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace
- Dariana Hollingsworth-Santana | 21 kills, .400 hitting, 17 digs, 2 blocks, 2 aces, 1 assist
- Rocio Moro | 24 digs, 3 assists
- Gabby O'Connell | 18 digs, 2 aces
- Bre Walp and Maddie Boyd | 4 blocks
Wright's Words
Notes
- This was UCA's first match in the ASUN.
- UNF and UCA volleyball competed against each other for the first time.
- It was the ASUN opener and the first of six matches in the ASUN Crossover format this year.
- Hollingsworth-Santana earned her seventh double-double of the year and 20th in her career.
- Askew registered a season high for assists and blocks.
- UNF has had three players with at least 10 digs in consecutive matches.
- North Florida is 6-0 when notching at least 50 kills.
- Hollingsworth-Santana posted a career-best 19 kills, which was also a season best mark for any Osprey this year.
- O'Connell posted a season best for digs.
- Bre Walp has had at least a block in all 13 matches this year.
- O'Connell is two aces shy of 100 for her career.
- UNF has won five straight for the second time this year.
Up Next
UNF continues action at the ASUN Crossover against host Jacksonville State tomorrow at 7 p.m. EST.
