University of North Florida
8-5,1-0ASUN
Jacksonville
6-8,0-1ASUN
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Florida | 25 | 14 | 11 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
| Jacksonville | 16 | 25 | 25 | 18 | 12 | 2 |
Volleyball Defeats Jacksonville In Thrilling Five-Set River City Rumble, 3-2
9/26/2026 9:26:00 PM | Volleyball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida Volleyball earned a thrilling five-set road victory in the River City Rumble at Jacksonville , 3-2, at Swisher Gymnasium on Saturday.Â
It marked the first Atlantic Sun Conference win for the Ospreys and the first career ASUN win for North Florida Head Coach Abby Gilleland.
North Florida has now won all three matches that advanced to five sets this season. It marked UNF's first road win at Swisher Gymnasium since 2023.
Senior outside hitter Kaili Doctor posted a match-high 21 kills on .381 hitting to go with 10 digs. Doctor now has 20 or more kills in three matches and 10 or more kills in 12 matches this season.
Sophomore outside hitter Leah McDonald added a double-double with 11 kills on .364 hitting to go with 11 digs. McDonald has now notched 10 or more kills in six-straight matches and has recorded a double-double in four of the last five matches.
Sophomore Haleina Bowers matched her career-high in kills with nine on a .643 hitting percentage.
Sophomore setter Sofia Dawson facilitated the offense with a match-high 46 assists, in addition to a match-high 13 digs. It marked Dawson's second match this season with 45 or more assists and 10 or more digs.Â
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NORTH FLORIDA 3, JACKSONVILLE 2 (25-26, 14-25, 11-25, 25-18, 15-12)
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SET ONE
Three kills from Doctor, McDonald and junior outside hitter Dakota Spurrier helped North Florida take a 6-1 lead. Dawson and senior middle blocker Yarimar Francis Garay posted a combined block, allowing UNF to command a 13-10 advantage. Spurrier served an ace on set-point to give the Ospreys a 1-0 lead in the match.Â
SET TWO
Jacksonville notched 16 kills to North Florida's six to help tie the match, 1-1.
SET THREE
Bowers reached seven kills on eight total attacks for an .875 hitting percentage amid the frame. Jacksonville used a 7-1 run down the stretch to secure the set.
SET FOUR
Francis Garay put down an early kill to tie the frame, 5-5. North Florida went on a 6-0 run fueled by back-to-back kills by Doctor and an ace from Spurrier to give UNF a 12-7 lead. The junior outside hitter, Spurrier, put down two-straight clutch kills on the final two points of the frame to force set five.
SET FIVE
Francis Garay notched a kill to put North Florida ahead, 3-1. Three kills in four points by Doctor helped extend the Ospreys lead to 13-9. McDonald put down a kill on match-point en route to North Florida's win.
UNF
Kaili Doctor | 21 kills
Sofia Dawson | 46 assists
Sofia Dawson | 13 digs
Dakota Spurrier | 2 aces
Sofia Dawson | 3 blocks
ÂJACKSONVILLE
Abbie Tuyo | 16 kills
Ana Nastase | 25 assists
Ana Nastase | 7 aces
ÂNOTES
•      Doctor, McDonald and Dawson all posted double-doubles.
•      Dawson now has 40 or more assists in seven matches this season.
•      Francis Garay tallied seven kills on .500 hitting.
•       Spurrier registered nine kills and eight digs.
•      The Ospreys posted more kills, assists and digs than JU.
ÂUP NEXT
North Florida travels to Nashville, Tenn., for its first road match of ASUN play at Lipscomb on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. ET. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
