The Bulls are back in action on Sunday in Tennessee against Memphis
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 1, 2019 – McKenna Melville had 15 kills and seven digs to lead UCF to a 3-0 (25-14, 26-24, 25-14) victory over the USF volleyball team Friday evening at The Venue.
Freshman Jac St. Cin (St. Petersburg, Fla.) led the USF offense with seven kills and three blocks, while sophomore Lauren LaBeck (Chicago, Ill.) registered a game-high 25 assists to go along with five digs.
UCF (17-6, 10-1) opened the first set with a couple of early runs to jump out to a commanding lead. Jac’cara Walker’s (Gainsville, Fla.) kill early on gave the Bulls an opportunity to gain some momentum coming out of the first timeout of the set, however the Knights were able to gain a secure enough lead to take the set 25-14.
The second set featured a battle as there were 12 lead changes. The Bulls took their first lead of the match on one of St. Cin’s three blocks. The bulls earned their longest run of the night midway through the set when they jumped out to a 4-0 run. Walker gave the Bulls the lead late in the set with back-to-back aces. After trading leads back and fourth throughout the set forcing a win by two scenario the Knights were able to snatch the second set 26-24.
UCF was able to control the third set due to the help of some late runs. USF would grab the early lead on a Labeck ace, but UCF was able to spoil the Bulls lead with an answering 3-0 run. The Knights were able to pull off the sweep with a 25-14 victory in the set.
Quotable
Head coach Courtney Draper on encouraging signs from today’s win…
“The sets were closer than the scores reflected. UCF is a very good team who starts four seniors, where we start four freshmen. We played some strong volleyball tonight, especially in the second set, and did a very good job blocking. There were also many long rallies and great plays throughout the match, we just came up short.”
Notables
- Jac’cara Walker led the Bulls with two service aces that came at a crucial time in the second set to help force a win-by-two scenario.
- Lauren LaBeck is already over 500 assists (576) after recording a game-high 25.
Up Next
USF continues league play on Sunday at 2 p.m. when the Bulls travel to Tennessee to take on Memphis.
About USF Women’s Volleyball
Be sure to follow USF women’s volleyball on social media (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
Head coach Courtney Draper led her team to 20 wins in 2018, the most in her time at USF and the most for the program since 2002. The Bulls appeared in the NIVC, the program’s first postseason trip since 2002. Senior outside hitter Jac’cara Walker led USF with 394 kills and recorded her 1000thcareer kill during the 2018 year, on her way to earning first team All-American Athletic Conference honors. USF returns four starters, including its libero, while welcoming 9 newcomers to the fray in 2019 in the form of two transfers and seven freshmen.
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