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
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
Up Next
North Florida plays in another non-conference tune up at Florida State Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.
