Temple University Athletics
Temple University
15-5, 6-2
UCF
14-7, 5-3
Volleyball's Win Streak Snapped on the Road at UCF
10.25.13 | Women's Volleyball
ORLANDO, Fla. - For the first time in the month of October, Temple volleyball suffered a loss as the Owls had a five-match win streak snapped by UCF on Friday night. The Knights (14-7, 5-3) defeated Temple (15-5, 6-2) by scores of 27-25, 25-20 and 25-16 thanks to a strong defensive effort.
UCF recorded 54 digs to the Owls' 31, and was solid at the net with 13 blocks to Temple's eight. Both teams saw their hitting improve as the match progressed, but the Knights were better able to hold a lead after Temple narrowly lost the first set.
"We made too many unforced errors in the first set, especially on serve receive," said Temple head coach Bakeer Ganes. "We were out of our system and that cost us, especially toward the end of the set which was very tight. UCF did a great job executing at the end. Overall we just didn't play well and didn't execute our game plan very well. They did a good job of scouting us...They were able to close down Gabby (Matautia) and we needed others to step up and unfortunately we were not able to do that. UCF had lost a few in a row and they came out really hungry and executed and got this win."
Elyse Burkert and Jennifer Iacobini both recorded a team-best 10 kills for Temple, with Burkert adding six digs. Alyssa Drachslin led the Owls with nine digs, and Sandra Sydlik added five digs to 29 assists.
After a very tight first set that saw 12 ties and seven lead changes, it was the Owls who had the first set point after rallying from a 23-20 deficit. Ashley Gialenios thwarted that set point with a kill, and would go on to the the set again at 25-25 and also knock down the set-winning kill after an error on Temple gave UCF its first set point at 26-25.
There were six ties in the second set, but after the final tie at 15-15, the Knights went on a run before eventually closing out with a 25-20 win. Another UCF run hurt the Owls midway through the third set, and a late Temple rally was not enough to close the gap.
Temple will play again on Sunday, Oct. 27 in a 1:00 p.m. match at South Florida.
