PENSACOLA, FLA.- No.13 UWF (15-4, 7-1 GSC) smothered the Lady Flames (8-10, 6-2 GSC) in a four set match (23-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23). The Argos dropped the first set after an attempted comeback, but prevailed in the next three sets for the win. This was a defensive battle between the two teams and the Argos defense dominated while tying a school record for digs in a single match.
The Argos came out in set one trailing behind the Lady Flames until a kill by JoDee Kovanda allowed the Argos to catch up and tie the set 9-9. From there, UWF went back-and-forth with Lee, but could never get ahead. Lee got the two point lead right at the end with back-to-back kills to win 25-23.
In set two, the Argos started off slow, but came to life during a six point run with Taylor Vaneekeren serving to pull away 9-14 before the sideout. UWF went on another small run with Logan Kael back to serve for the Argos building their lead 18-12. UWF put the set away with a kill by Nadine Williams and then Jordyn Poppen to finish the set 25-19.
UWF controlled the third set all the way to the end of it. The Argo's had a sideout percentage of 72% and capitalized on 11 first ball kills. While the Lady Flames could never get hot enough to go on a run, the Argos did it consistently up until 23-18 when Lee when on a three point run to try and come back making it 23-21. UWF called a timeout, and then came out with back-to-back kills by Mackenzie Chrisman and Williams to put the set to rest 25-21.
The fourth set was another good sideout game for the Argos and their short runs of three to four points really paid off in the end. UWF built up a five point lead 19-14, but Lee was not going to fade that fast. A kill by Williams ended Lee's four point run. UWF went point for point with Lee until 23-23 where the Argos blew out the Lady Flames for good with a kill by Poppen followed by a double block by Chisman and Poppen.
UWF's defense was undeniably spectacular tonight. Four Argos tonight had their best digging match of the season. Libero, Logan Kael, led the team with 29 digs followed by Vaneekeren with 21, Williams with 20 and Poppen with 17. During this match, UWF volleyball tied the school record for most digs in a single match with 114 total digs against Lee. The Argos blocking was on fire tonight with Caleigh Morrison leading the team with seven blocks tonight and the team having a total of 10 blocks.
Vaneekeren finished the night with 27 assists followed by Brogan Wallin with 19 assists. Offensively, Poppen led the team with 16 kills, followed by Chrisman with 11 and Williams with 10.
Tonight, the Argos were able share their win with guest coach, Chaz Sublette. Chaz is a native Penacolian and loves UWF volleyball. Chaz is a longtime friend of Head Coach Melissa Wolter and has down syndrome. Tonight was Chaz's 40th birthday and he got to spend his day helping support the ladies to their victory. The ladies then, after the match, surprised Chaz with a birthday party filled with pizza, cake, karaoke and friends.
Coach Wolter shared about tonight's experience with Chaz. "He had no idea that any of this was happening, so when I saw him in the parking lot and got to tell him he was going to be our guest coach he was so excited. Every step of the way in that match he was just incredible, high fiving our players and putting his hand in the middle of breakouts. Days like this are days you don't soon forget and he will never forget tonight."
UWF volleyball will be returning home tomorrow, Saturday Oct. 6th at 1:00pm to host Shorter University for their last home match until October 26th for Senior Night.
#ARGOS#
