CF Patriots 3, Gulf Coast 0 (Volleyball)

Central Florida earned its first home-court victory over an NJCAA opponent on Thursday, sweeping visiting Gulf Coast 25-9, 25-16, 25-17.

Reigning FCSAA player of the week Vanessa Benke had 12 kills and 13 digs to pace a balanced CF effort. Amber Wyborny added 11 digs, Eleanora Kazarian notched 8 kills and setters Jordyn Wright and Ellie Harp teed up 16 assists apiece.

The win was a fitting encore to Wednesday's match, in which CF (22-4) recorded its first-ever home-court victory with a 3-set rout of NAIA opponent Warner University. The winning streak erased any stigma from the team's early-season home-court struggles, affirming that the Patriots can protect their own turf with the same ferocity they've displayed on their dominant road trips.

"I think everybody's now relaxed and we don't feel the pressure any more," said head coach Flavia Siqueira. "We played well as a team. I think that's our strength, our team chemistry."

NJCAA No. 16 CF now shifts its gaze to Mid-Florida Conference play. The Patriots host defending MFC champion FSC-Jacksonville on Tuesday at 7 pm. The Stars are likely to be in the mood for payback after upstart CF handed them a 3-set sweep in Jacksonville on Sept. 22, running the first-year program's conference record to 3-0 midway through the six-game MFC schedule.