University of North Florida
3-1,0-0ASUN
FIU
2-2,0-0CUSA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIU | 21 | 20 | 25 | 19 | 1 |
| North Florida | 25 | 25 | 10 | 25 | 3 |
Volleyball Defeats FIU To Secure First Home Win, 3-1
9/3/2026 9:00:00 PM | Volleyball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida Volleyball secured its first home win of the season at the UNF Invitational presented by Holiday Inn Express and Suites, defeating FIU, 3-1, at UNF Arena on Thursday.
Fourth year outside hitter Kaili Doctor led the way for North Florida with a match-high 21 kills to go with nine digs, four blocks and one ace. Third year outside hitter Dakota Spurrier posted 12 kills, seven digs, two blocks and one ace.
Second year setter Sofia Dawson tallied a match-high 35 assists to go with seven digs and two blocks. Third year libero Julianna Santiago commanded the back row and notched a match-high 20 digs. Fourth year middle blocker Yarimar Francis Garay was a force at the net, turning in a match-high seven blocks.
UNF 3, FIU 1 (25-21, 25-20, 10-25, 25-19)
SET ONE:
Doctor tied the frame in the early going with a kill to knot the score, 2-2. Francis Garay and Spurrier posted a combined block to put North Florida ahead, 5-4. The Panthers took a 13-10 lead in the set, though first year middle blocker Sasha Bespaly put down a kill to bring the Ospreys within two points of FIU. North Florida went on a 7-1 run down the stretch to regain the lead and eventually secure the frame.
SET TWO:
Doctor recorded her seventh kill of the match to tie the score, 3-3. Doctor reached double-digit kills in the match midway through the frame. Spurrier tallied back-to-back kills to put North Florida ahead, 20-19. A 5-0 run to close out the set for North Florida was fueled by two kills from Doctor.
SET THREE:
Florida International notched 11 kills to North Florida's six. The Panthers tallied .308 hitting in the set.
SET FOUR:
North Florida surged out to an 8-3 lead largely behind a pair of combined blocks from Francis Garay, Doctor and Bespaly. A combined block from Spurrier and first year middle blocker Haleina Bowers helped give North Florida an 11-6 advantage. Doctor notched North Florida's final two points of the match and helped seal the victory with her 20th and 21st kill.
UNF
Kaili Doctor | 21 kills
Sofia Dawson | 35 assists
Julianna Santiago | 20 digs
Yarimar Francis Garay | 7 blocks
Emma Pohlmann | 2 aces
FIU
Lana Sesar | 17 kills
Lazzarin Marta | 20 digs.
NOTES
- Dawson has now posted 30 or more assists in 12 matches as an Osprey.
- Doctor has registered 10 or more kills in all four of UNF's matches this season.
- Santiago led North Florida in digs for the first time this season.
- Francis Garay turned in a season-high seven blocks.
- It marked Francis Garay's eighth time recording seven blocks or more as an Osprey.
- Bespaly posted six kills on .400 hitting.
UP NEXT
North Florida remains at UNF Arena to host its second match in the UNF Invitational. The Ospreys will face Duke on Friday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. ET.
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