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University of North Florida Athletics

UNF Volleyball team at Florida
1
North Florida UNF 0-1
3
Winner Florida UF 1-0
North Florida UNF
0-1
1
Final
3
Florida UF
1-0
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
North Florida UNF 25 23 15 13 (1)
Florida UF 20 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Hangs With No. 15 Florida in Season Opener

Ospreys Take First Set, White With Monstrous UNF Debut

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - North Florida volleyball took the first set in the inaugural meeting between the Ospreys and Gators, but No. 15 Florida (1-0) proved its ranking over the next three frames as UNF (0-1) dropped a hard-fought opener, 3-1, from Exactech Arena Friday, Aug. 26.

Mahalia White had quite the showing in her UNF debut, posting 18 kills on .325 hitting, while setter Jenna Zimmermann posted 32 assists.

UNF 1, #15 UF 3 (25-20, 23-25, 15-25, 13-25)

Inside the Sets
  • Set 1: UNF was unfazed in the first, hitting .364 while dropping in three aces and getting a scorching hot .692 hitting percentage and nine kills from Mahalia White … both sides played efficient volleyball, committing only three attack errors apiece, but North Florida put 15 kills away to UF's 12 as the Ospreys took the set.
  • Set 2: The second frame was marked by both sides trading runs … UNF jumped out to an 8-2 lead behind strong serving and defense from Rocio Moro … the Ospreys maintained that advantage, holding a 17-10 upper hand, but UF finally found its groove offensively as the Gators evened the match up … a net violation proved to be set point for the hosts.
  • Set 3: UF went on a 6-0 run to break a 5-5 tie as the Gators led the whole set and went up, 2-1.
  • Set 4: The Gators found their groove in the fourth, posting 18 kills to seal the match.

Leaders By the Numbers
UNF
UF
  • Marina Markova | 16 kills, .438 hitting
  • Alexis Stucky | 36 assists
  • Elli McKissock | 12 digs
  • Gabbi Essix | 9 kills, 2 blocks

Coach Wright's Comments
 
Notes
  • It was the first-ever meeting between UNF and UF.
  • It was the first time UNF has faced an SEC team since playing at Mississippi State Sept. 19, 2019.
  • It was the first time UNF has opened the year against an SEC team since beginning the season against Missouri in 2012.
  • Florida is the first ranked team UNF has opened the year against since taking on No. 21 Duke to begin the 2014 campaign. 
  • No. 15 UF is the highest ranking of a team UNF has faced to open the year in the program's Division I era.
  • Four Ospreys made their UNF debuts in Mahalia White, Maymie Guthrie, Jenna Zimmermann and Kierstyn McFall.
  • Zimmermann, McFall and White all made their first-career UNF starts.
  • UNF opened the year on the road in Florida for the second time in as many seasons after playing at FAU last year.

Up Next
UNF faces another Power Five foe in Virginia tomorrow at 10 a.m. before finishing the weekend against ETSU at 4:30 p.m.
 
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