Blazers prevail over UCF in five-set battle

The women's volleyball team fell against UAB twice during the UKNIGHT in Pink weekend at The Venue.

Saturday, the Knights (11-7, 3-4) were unable to come up with a win after sending the match into five sets.

UCF dropped the first set, 25-21, then came back to take the second set, 25-19. The Blazers took the third set, but the Knights rallied to win the fourth set 25-19.

UCF had more kills (74-62), digs (73-60) and assists (70-57) than UAB, but the Knights still fell short in the fifth set.

"Goal No. 1 for us today was to play better than we did yesterday. I think we absolutely accomplished that," head coach Todd Dagenais said. "No. 2 was to put ourselves into position to beat these guys, and I think we absolutely did do that. Obviously, No. 3 was to win the match because that is why we are here."

The Knights were without freshman Kayla Keller, who was injured due to an ankle injury she endured last weekend.

Rachel Vukson had a career-best 62 assists and Evija Vilde spiked her career-high 22 kills.

For a second time, Angelica Crump had 20-plus kills. Tory McCutcheon and DeLaina Sarden each had double-digit kills.

On Friday night, UCF fell to the No. 1 team in the league in four sets, (25-16, 18-25, 21-25 and 22-25).

Dagenais said he felt that his team played better than they did against Marshall but has plenty of hope for the rest of the season.

"We have a lot to play for with 14 matches left in the season, and we can still accomplish all of our goals we had set forth," Dagenais said. "Right now it's about getting used to the new lineup on the floor and people assuming responsibility for their play on the court."

The Knights will head to Houston to play Rice and Houston next Friday and Saturday. They return home to play Tulane Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.