JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida volleyball was competitive in its three-set match, falling to Howard, 3-0, as hosts of its final match in the UNF Invitational on Sunday afternoon at UNF Arena.

Freshman opposite Kendall Newbold led the way offensively with eight kills. Junior outside hitter Kaili Doctor rounded out North Florida's offensive outing with seven kills. Freshman setter Sofia Dawson posted a team-high 17 assists.

Defensively, senior libero Maymie Guthrie held it down in the back row with 10 digs and senior middle blocker Kierstyn McFall was a force at the net with three blocks.

UNF 0, HOW 3 (12-25, 19-25, 18-25)

Set 1: North Florida put its talents on display early in the set, commanding a 9-8 lead following two kills by Piester and one from graduate outside hitter Janelly Ceopa. Howard responded with a 7-1 run to earn a 15-10 advantage before taking the 25-12 victory.
Set 2: The Ospreys built momentum early with a pair of kills from Newbold to command a 6-5 lead. Howard answered, going on a 10-1 run amid the set to hold a 15-7 edge. However, North Florida fought back with a 7-1 run of its own that featured three kills by Newbold, and one apiece from junior outside hitter Kaili Doctor and junior middle blocker Yarimar Francis Garay. Howard executed down the stretch, earning the 25-19 win.
Set 3: North Florida refused to go away quietly, utilizing a 6-2 spurt fueled by two kills from Garay that cut Howard's lead to 11-10. Howard ended the set on a 14-8 run, bringing the match to its final margin.

LEADERS BY THE NUMBERS
UNF
Kendall Newbold | 8 kills
Sofia Dawson | 17 assists
Maymie Guthrie | 10 digs

HOW
Rya McKinnon | 11 kills
Leah Reeves | 33 assists
Aziah Buckner | 13 digs

NOTES

• Newbold has led the Ospreys in kills in back-to-back matches.
• Dawson has led the Ospreys in assists in all seven of its matches.
• Graduate outside hitter Kailey McKnight and redshirt freshman setter Evelina Gerogianni each tallied an ace.
• North Florida posted double-digit digs in sets two and three.

 
UP NEXT
North Florida will travel for its third in-season tournament of 2025 to face Winthrop at the Furman Tournament on Thursday, Sept. 11, with first serve set for 3 p.m., at Alley Gymnasium.