Volleyball Clipped in Five-Set Marathon Against USC Upstate

Saturday, September 16

Jacksonville, Fla.

2 p.m.

University of North Florida

USC Upstate

Burkhardt paced UNF with 16 kills.

Photo by: Logan Romine

9/16/2023 8:07:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Four Ospreys Post Double-Digit Kill Outings

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - UNF volleyball looked to stay perfect on the season in five-set matches, but visiting USC Upstate (7-5) managed to take the fifth frame as the Ospreys (6-6) dropped a two-hour and 26 minute battle in the finale of the UNF Sunshine Invitational Saturday, Sept. 16.

Four Ospreys went for double-digit kill performances, paced by Amy Burkhardt's 16. Annie Antar notched another double-double with her third 50-plus assist outing and Kierstyn McFall earned all-tourney honors despite the loss.

UNF 2, USC Upstate 3 (18-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 8-15)

Inside the Sets

Set 1: USC Upstate took the 3-2 lead and held it the rest of the way … the Spartans had a two kill advantage throughout the frame, but four USC Upstate aces proved to be a big difference.
Set 2: Burkhardt posted two kills in a three-point span, giving UNF a 12-9 lead … USC Upstate regained a brief lead with an ace at 13-12 … North Florida went on another 3-0 clip, using a successful challenge to take the lead permanently … Kelly Negron notched a timely ace and Burkhardt closed the session with a kill.
Set 3: Burkhardt broke out for six kills in the third frame as both squads went for five kills … once again, a difference at the service line proved to be the three-point margin at the end of the frame.
Set 4: UNF dominated the third frame, hitting .289 while holding the Spartans to a match-low .167 … McFall hit .714 with five kills, while Kailey McKnight notched four of her own in a four-set rout.
Set 5: The decisive set titled in favor of USC Upstate who never trailed … the Spartans won a key challenge late in the frame to hold on.

Leaders By the Numbers
USC Upstate

Ady O'Grady | 15 kills, 3 aces, 4 blocks
Nikki Deslatte | 14 kills, 6 blocks
Kayla Spangler | 46 assists, 5 digs
Ashleigh Nicoll | 12 kills, 10 digs

UNF

Amy Burkhardt | 16 kills
Kierstyn McFall | 11 kills, .381 hitting percentage
Annie Antar | 51 assists, 15 digs
Mahalia White | 15 kills, 4 digs
Kailey McKnight | 14 kills, .429 attack percentage

Notes

It was the 47th meeting between UNF and USC Upstate
North Florida has in four five-set matches this season
It was the second-straight two-hour plus match for North Florida after going five frames Friday against South Florida
Kierstyn McFall earned her first-career non-conference all-tournament honors
McFall went for her third double-digit kill performance
Annie Antar posted her third match of at least 50 assists
Antar went for her third double-double of the season
Mahalia White went for a season-high 15 kills
The match saw 13 tie scores and five lead changes

Postgame Comments

.@CoachKWright12 goes through another five-set marathon today in the Sunshine Tourney finale Saturday #OSPREYWay pic.twitter.com/R5xeB2VHDB
— UNF Volleyball (@OspreyVB) September 16, 2023