FORT MYERS, Fla. - For the second-straight evening, UNF volleyball was pitted against a long-time in-state rival as the Ospreys (6-9, 0-2 ASUN) feuded with FGCU (9-5, 2-0 ASUN) before coming up just points shy in a 3-2 loss Saturday, Sept. 23.
North Florida toed the three-hour marker for the second time in as many evenings, trading blows with the Eagles for two hours and 47 minutes. It was UNF's second-consecutive five-set affair and fifth in the first 15 matches of the season.
Annie Antar surpassed the 1,000-career assist marker despite the loss, becoming just the 10th Osprey to do so in UNF's DI era.
Anna Butler made her first start of the year, tallying 15 kills while
Kailey McKnight exploded for 19 kills in her 11th double-digit kill output of the season.
Rocio Moro was impenetrable at libero, roaming the court for 25 digs after going off for 32 the night before at Stetson.
UNF 2, FGCU 3 (25-16, 15-25, 25-23, 26-28, 12-15)
Inside the Sets
- Set 1: UNF trailed, 13-10, but a remarkable 10-run on Rocio Moro's serve gave North Florida a healthy cushion to cruise past FGCU in the first frame … North Florida held FGCU to .026 hitting in the first, the lowest mark on the night for the Eagles.
- Set 2: The hosts were able to flip the script in the second session thanks to a .344 attack percentage and five kills from Alexandra Zakutney … the early portions of the frame were even, with the set featuring nine tie scores and three lead changes … FGCU would close the set on a 13-4 run.
- Set 3: UNF was catapulted by a pair of 3-0 runs timed perfectly throughout the set … the first came with things even, 10-10, while the next came at 18 all … FGCU clawed back to tie it, 21-21, but McKnight hit another gear, closing the set with a two kills over the final three points.
- Set 4: Just like the third set, the fourth frame was just as tense, with North Florida dodging three FGCU set points before finally succumbing … UNF did have one of its own, leading 25-24, but an attack error pushed the set along … FGCU finally won the session with a kill and a UNF attack error … 10 tie scores and five lead changes hardly do the ebbs and flows of the frame justice.
- Set 5: Strategy and momentum shifts reigned in the final frame … neither team hit above .160 as the session featured five tie scores … FGCU created some separation with a 4-0 run, going up 11-7 … with its backs against the walls, UNF went on a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to one … that deficit remained, down 13-12, but FGCU got the next two points.
Leaders By the Numbers
FGCU
- Alexandra Zakutney | 19 kills, 12 digs
- Lily Tessier | 45 assists, 10 digs
- Reese Burry | 16 digs
UNF
Notes
- Butler's 15 kills were a season high and her highest mark since posting 17 in a 3-2 win against Virginia Tech in 2021
- It was also Butler's first double-digit kill match of her career
- Butler made her first start of the season
- Moro reached at least 20 digs for the fourth time this year, breaking the 2,400 career dig marker
- Janelly Ceopa made her second-straight start, reaching double-digit digs for the second time in as many matches
- North Florida had its second-most blocks and second-most digs in a single match this year
- McKnight tallied her fifth double-double of the season and second in as many nights
- The match saw 37 ties and 15 lead changes
- UNF reached double-digit aces for the second time this season
Up Next
UNF comes home for a midweek ASUN match against JU Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
