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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Kennesaw State volleyball team (8-12, 2-4) dropped its opening match this weekend against North Florida in four sets (23-25, 25-23, 20-25, 11-25).
 
"I felt like our mentality heading into tonight's match was really good," head coach Keith Schunzel said. "We trained really well this week, we prepared for North Florida and competed our butts off. Unfortunately, there were too many times tonight where we put ourselves in great position to win rallies, and we didn't find a way to score when we needed to. We frankly need more than two people killing the ball consistently, and at times this year we've had that third or fourth attacker which really balances the offense. Unfortunately, tonight we didn't have that and against a good blocking team like North Florida, that hurt us."
 
Anaiah Boyer had her second double-double in a row finishing with 15 kills and 13 digs. Kelly Marcinek also had a double-double as she had 12 kills and 11 digs.
 
Kristi Piedimonte collected 36 assists as well as having eight digs.
 
Katarina Morton led the team with 22 digs.
 
The Owls had a lead early in the first set, but the Ospreys came right back with a run. KSU spoiled one set point, but couldn't fend off a second as UNF went on to win the first set.
 
KSU controlled most of the second set after jumping out to a big lead early and then held off the Ospreys late. Boyer clinched the set for the Owls with one of her kills to tie the match at 1-1.
 
The score was tied at 18 all in the third before UNF closed the set on a 7-2 run to take a 2-1 lead. They carried that momentum into the fourth set and grabbed the lead early and didn't give the Owls a chance to come back as they won the fourth set to take the match.
 
The Owls will play the Jacksonville Dolphins tomorrow at 3 p.m.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State volleyball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsVB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
 
Fans are reminded that tickets to all 2014 home volleyball contests are free throughout the year.