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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Eastern Kentucky University’s volleyball team won the third set to keep the match alive, but the Colonels couldn’t complete the comeback in a 3-1 loss at the University of North Florida on Saturday.

UNF won by scores of 25-19, 25-18, 24-26 and 25-19.

Down 7-5 early in the first set, the Colonels scored five unanswered to move in front by three.  A kill from Anna Purichia and an ace off the serve of Audrey Eurton made it 10-7.  A kill by Molly Michalak and an ace from Reilly Lowe later in the set tied it at 19-19 for EKU.  North Florida however scored the final six points to take the first set 25-19.

The Ospreys built a 5-point advantage several times in the second set, going up 10-5 and 15-10.  A UNF service error and a kill by Sarah Mitchell allowed Eastern Kentucky to get withing three, 15-12, but that is as close as the Colonels would get. 

Neither team led by more than two points in the entire third set.  With the set tied 24-24, Michalak registered a kill.  Eurton followed with another kill to give EKU a 26-24 win and send the match to a fourth set.

Eastern Kentucky had an early 9-7 lead in the fourth after a kill from Purichia, but the Ospreys answered by scoring seven straight.  A kill from Solimar Cestero completed a run that turned a two-point deficit into a five-point lead.  EKU battled back and tied it 17-17 on a kill from Purichia.  Out of a time out, North Florida scored two straight and led the rest of the way.

Purichia finished with a team-best 10 kills.  Lowe had four blocks and seven kills.  Eurton posted 30 assists, six kills and seven digs.

UNF hit .230 for the match while holding EKU to a .104 attack percentage.

Dariana Hollingsworth-Santana had a team-best 12 kills for North Florida.

EKU will conclude the ASUN crossover weekend against Kennesaw State on Sunday at 3 p.m.