Volleyball Drops Hard-Fought Match To Duke
9/4/2026 8:00:00 PM | Volleyball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida Volleyball fell in a hard-fought match against Duke at the UNF Invitational presented by Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 3-1, at UNF Arena on Friday.
Second year outside hitter Leah McDonald posted a career-high 10 kills on .412 hitting to go with six digs. Fourth year outside hitter Kaili Doctor tallied a team-high 16 kills.
Second year setter Sofia Dawson registered a team-high 36 assists to go with eight digs and four kills on .571 hitting.
UNF 1, DUKE 3 (17-25, 25-22, 20-25, 23-25)
SET ONE:
Doctor notched North Florida's first kill of the match. Fourth year middle blocker Yarimar Francis Garay posted a block to tie the score, 5-5. Back-to-back kills by third year outside hitter Dakota Spurrier knotted the score at eight apiece. Duke went on a 5-0 run amid the frame to help secure the win.
SET TWO:
The Ospreys opened with a 7-1 run early in the frame fueled by three-straight kills from Dawson, Doctor and second year middle blocker Haleina Bowers. Doctor put down back-to-back kills to extend North Florida's lead to 10-6. McDonald notched a kill to put UNF ahead, 15-12. A clutch kill by Bowers gave the Ospreys a 24-22 advantage before UNF secured the set.
SET THREE:
Duke tallied 15 kills on a .364 hitting to help earn the frame. McDonald led the way for North Florida with three kills in the set.
SET FOUR:
McDonald put down a kill to help North Florida earn a 2-0 edge. A kill by Doctor gave North Florida a 7-5 lead. Bowers put UNF ahead, 14-10, with a kill. McDonald notched a kill that extended North Florida's lead to 21-17. Duke went on a 6-1 run to close out the set, bringing the match to its final margin.
UNF
Kaili Doctor | 16 kills
Sofia Dawson | 36 assists
Haleina Bowers | 3 blocks
Emma Pohlmann | 2 aces
DUKE
Nataly Moravec | 20 kills
Nikki Quinn | 44 assists
Breonna Goss | 7 blocks
NOTES
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Dawson has now posted 30 or more assists in 13 matches as an Osprey.
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It marked McDonald's first time in her career with 10 or more kills.
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Doctor has registered 10 or more kills in all five of UNF's matches this season.
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Fourth year libero Emma Pohlmann led the Ospreys in digs for the fourth time in five matches.
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Spurrier notched 10 kills and nine digs.
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Bowers has recorded three blocks or more in four matches.
UP NEXT
North Florida remains at UNF Arena to host its final match in the UNF Invitational. The Ospreys will face Tulane on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
