JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - In a match engulfed by the highs and lows of long runs and perpetual momentum shifts, North Florida volleyball was barely edged in a five-frame thriller against Central Arkansas Friday, Oct. 7.
The Ospreys and Sugar Bears played to 41 tie scores and 20 lead changes across the five sessions, with UNF nearly pulling off a remarkable victory thanks to an astounding rally in the fourth frame.
Down as much as 18-11 in the fourth stanza, North Florida (4-12, 2-3 ASUN) launched itself back into the set with strong serving, blocking and play on the outsides. The resilient Ospreys eventually outlasted UCA (11-7, 3-2 ASUN) before coming up short in the deciding set.
UNF reached 14 blocks for the third time this season and for the second time in as many matches.
Kierstyn McFall was a big reason behind that, as she evened her season-best block total with seven, while also adding a career-high 12 kills.
On the outside,
Solimar Cestero backed up last Saturday's 14-kill night with another such performance.
Kailey McKnight uncorked her third double-double of the year, going for 10 kills and 15 digs.
Both teams had over 150 attacks in a match that spanned two hours and 21 minutes. The contest was hosted at Jacksonville University's Swisher Gymnasium as the UNF Arena continues to undergo renovations.
UNF 2, UCA 3 (23-25, 25-21, 15-25, 27-25, 9-15)
Inside the Sets
- Set 1: Jessica Buis' serving run in the middle of the frame provided UNF some stability as both teams traded runs … UNF and UCA tallied four blocks apiece, although five more kills for Central Arkansas negated a service advantage for the Ospreys … trailing 24-21, UNF nearly erased three-straight set points, but the Sugar Bears got a kill to take set one.
- Set 2: UCA went on a 4-0 run, tying the match up at 11-11 … after nine more tie scores, North Florida gathered itself out of a late timeout and turned the tables, spinning a dominant 6-0 run to end the frame and overturn a 21-19 deficit in a 25-21 set two victory.
- Set 3: The defensive struggle continued into the third frame, although the stanza proved to be the only one-sided frame of the day as UCA won by 10 … the Sugar Bears capitalized on four aces and six more kills.
- Set 4: Trailing 18-11, UNF rattled off one of its most astounding single-set comebacks in recent history, finishing the session on a 16-7 run to even the match up and force a fifth frame … McFall and McKnight chimed in with five kills each, while Moro negated attack after attack during UNF's late-set run.
- Set 5: With the momentum in the Ospreys' grasp, UCA managed to stem the tied as the set favored UCA by just one point at the side change … Even 9-9, UCA went on its own 6-0 run to clinch the deciding frame.
Leaders By the Numbers
UNF
UCA
- Mackenzie Vernon & Jamiryana Hall | 18 kills
- Alexis McDaniel | 25 digs
- Caylan Koons | 42 assists, 6 aces
Notes
- UNF has played three five-set contests this year. North Florida is 2-1 in such matches.
- Moro moved even closer to setting the UNF record for digs in a career. She has 1,893 digs, 37 short of the UNF record.
- Cestero made progress towards her own career records. The fifth-year player passed Lauren Westervelt on the career-kills charts, bringing Cestero to seventh in UNF DI history.
- Cestero is now even with Alysia Kern for ninth all-time in total matches played.
- McKnight has a team-best three double-doubles.
- UNF has outblocked its foes in eight-straight matches.
- North Florida's 68 digs set a team-season high.
- Savannah Cook was one assist shy of consecutive 40-assist nights. She added four blocks in the effort.
Postmatch Comments
Up Next
UNF stays in town to host UNA at 11 a.m. this Sunday back at Swisher Gymnasium.
