KENNESAW, Ga. - North Florida volleyball squared off with rival Kennesaw State for the second time in 2023 with eyes on a season sweep, but the Owls staved that result off as the Ospreys (13-13, 6-6 ASUN) fell on the road at KSU (14-9, 7-5 ASUN), 3-0, Sunday, Oct. 29.
UNF was poised to take the first set, possessing three set points, but KSU rallied to win the frame and carried its momentum into the next two.
Kierstyn McFall was without an attack error over 10 attempts, producing eight kills for the fifth-best hitting percentage in UNF history for individuals with 10-14 attempts.
UNF 0, KSU 3 (25-27, 19-25, 20-25)
Inside the Sets
- Set 1: An early block, beautiful aces from Rocio Moro and Kelly Negron and a 4-0 run help gave UNF a 9-5 lead to force KSU into a timeout … KSU went on a 5-0 run to even things up at 14-14, but Amy Burkhardt came up on an out of system kill to stop the bleeding … Burkhardt came up with important kills at multiple junctures to help carry North Florida to a 24-21 lead … but the runs continued as KSU went ahead, 25-24 … Burkhardt came up clutch again to stave off set point … UNF tried to keep KSU from match point with a challenge, but it would not be overturned.
- Set 2: KSU had the early lead, but UNF would tie it at five … KSU rattled off a 3-0 run to regain some separation … UNF would do the same to tie it up and eventually take a 12-9 lead on a 7-1 run … KSU found some footing, getting a 3-0 run for a 14-13 lead … Kyla Solis and Anna Butler posted the block on Manu Johnsen to get UNF to 15 first … KSU had a five-kill advantage and three-ace advantage to take the second session.
- Set 3: Tied 3-3, UNF went on a 3-0 to take a 6-3 advantage … KSU rallied and maintained a one or two point lead for much of the remainder of the pre-media timeout points … KSU used a .225 attack percentage advantage to take the third set.
Leaders By the Numbers
KSU
- Emma Schurfranz | 15 kills, .591 hitting percentage, 6 aces
- Kourtney Brown | 37 assists, 6 digs
- Manu Johnsen | 11 kills, 6 digs
UNF
Notes
- UNF and KSU split the season series
- McFall's hitting percentage is fifth best in program history for a single match (10-14 attacks)
- It was Moro's first match with under 10 digs since Sept. 19 at Florida State
- Moro tied Solimar Cestero for the most matches played in UNF history (141)
- McKnight played her 100th career match, while also breaking 600-career digs
Up Next
UNF returns to Florida to start a four-match stretch in the Sunshine State Wednesday at JU.
