:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61752673/VB-Team.0.0.jpg)
Behind a 20-kill performance from Kristina Fisher and 20-dig evenings each from Jordan Pingel and Erin Olson, UCF Volleyball stunned the #7-ranked USC Trojans in four sets in their second match of the Bulby Invitation at the University of Florida.
So fun to witness a HUGE Power 6 win over #7 USC! #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/znT1lHZPGO
— Brad Stricklin (@Brad_Stricklin) September 2, 2018
Huge performances abounded for the Knights:
- Kristina Fisher: 18 kills on 59 swings
- Amber Olson: 30 assists
- Erin Olson: 28 assists, 22 digs
- McKenna Melville: 15 kills, 13 digs
- Jordan Pingel: 24 digs
- Anne-Marie Watson: 13 kills
This win was huge not only from a headlines perspective but also for the Knights RPI, as Coach Dagenais alluded to in our preview interview with him before the season.
Player reaction was as you'd expect:
Our locker room is lit after that win!! #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/b6ZxUqXRUF
— UCF Volleyball (@UCF_Volleyball) September 2, 2018
Jordan Pingel, the lone senior on the team:
LOVE THIS TEAM https://t.co/tE4JEiRj16
— Jordan Pingel (@JordanPingel4) September 2, 2018
Former Knight DeLaina Sarden, who now works at Wisconsin, added:
THEY DO IT AGAIN!!! I knew it was something special about this team
— DeLaina Sarden (@THEsarden17) September 2, 2018
⚔️#HistoryRepeatsItself https://t.co/xYkat3pi4e
It's the second time UCF has defeated USC. The Knights knocked off the then-#3-ranked Trojans in Fort Meyers in the 2011 season. Head coach Todd Dagenais was an assistant under legendary USC head coach Mick Haley, who was controversially let go prior to this season.
Dagenais took to Twitter for some post-match analysis:
Major credit to TJ Read our Director of Operations for all the video prep, Jenny Maurer for putting our setters in position to run an efficient offense, and Brian Doyon who was the architect of the entire game plan and adjustments. @UCF_Volleyball @UCFKnights #ChargeOn
— Todd Dagenais (@ucfvbtodd) September 2, 2018
Yes a big win, yes I’m proud, but our goals stay the same. Get a little bit better every day. Tonight we took a great step. Even the team will tell you that we are FAR from what we can become. #SoProud #ChargeOn @UCF_Volleyball @UCFKnights
— Todd Dagenais (@ucfvbtodd) September 2, 2018
The Knights get another shot at taking down a ranked team on Sunday when they face #4 Florida in the O'Connell Center to wrap the Bulby Invitational.