University of North Florida
8-12,2-5ASUN
Eastern Kentucky
13-6,5-2ASUN
Volleyball Drops Home Match To Eastern Kentucky
10/17/2025 9:00:00 PM | Volleyball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida volleyball showed relentless effort, but fell to Eastern Kentucky, 3-0, at UNF Arena on Friday evening.
Freshman setter Sofia Dawson surpassed 500 assists in the second set, and posted a match-high with 29 total assists against the Colonels.Â
UNF 0, EKU 3 (14-25, 27-29, 20-25)
Set 1: North Florida was dominant to start the set, earning an 8-4 lead with kills from junior middle blocker Yarimar Francis Garay and freshman opposite Kendall Newbold. Junior libero Emma Pohlmann added back-to-back aces early in the set. Graduate outside Kailey McKnight, senior middle blocker Kierstyn McFall and freshman outside hitter Leah McDonald tallied kills amid the set, though UNF's deficit was too large to overcome.
Set 2: Four Ospreys (Doctor, Francis Garay, McFall, Newbold) posted kills early to help North Florida take a 5-3 advantage. With the score knotted at 12, McKnight put down a huge kill, allowing the Ospreys to regain a 13-12 edge. Neither side led by more than three points before the set was forced to a win-by-two scenario, where EKU would earn the victory.
Set 3: Facing an early 7-2 deficit, North Florida fought back with a 6-0 run fueled by three kills from McKnight and one from Dawson, allowing the Ospreys to take a one-point lead. However, Eastern Kentucky built momentum in the latter stages, bringing the match to its final margin.Â
LEADERS BY THE NUMBERS
UNF
Kendall Newbold | 8 kills
Sofia Dawson | 29 assists
Emma Pohlmann | 9 digs
Yarimar Francis Garay | 4 blocks
EKU
Addison Burke | 9 kills
Emilee Hill | 18 assists
Cassidy Trahan | 12 digs
NOTES
- Dawson eclipsed 500 assists just midway through her freshman season.
- Newbold has led the Ospreys in kills in 11 of their 20 matches.
- Dawson has led North Florida in assists in 17 of its 20 matches.
- Pohlmann posted a team-high two aces.
- North Florida tallied 51 digs to Eastern Kentucky's 49.
- Three Ospreys (Pohlmann, McKnight, senior libero Maymie Guthrie) notched 10 or more digs.
UP NEXT
North Florida will play in front of its home crowd for the second time in as many days when it hosts Bellarmine on Saturday, Oct. 18. First serve is set for 6 p.m. at UNF Arena.
