WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State took the opening set and led midway through the second, but could not hold off a charge from #25 UCF, falling 25-21, 18-25, 23-25, 16-25 on Sunday afternoon at Charles Koch Arena.

The Shockers (11-11, 6-5) led the first set from start to finish, sprinting out to an 8-2 lead that prompted a UCF timeout. The Knights (19-1, 11-1) sliced the lead to two at 11-9, but Wichita State responded with a 6-0 run capped off by a Brylee Kelly service ace that yielded the largest lead of the set at 17-9. Three kills apiece from Kelly, Sophia Rohling and Natalie Foster helped keep the Knights at bay, though UCF did close the gap late to within 23-20. Two attack errors from McKenna Melville clinched the set for the Shockers.

Wichita State again punched first in the second stanza, leading 15-10 into the media timeout. During the timeout, however, UCF correctly challenged the previous point, spurring a 7-0 Knights run that turned the tide. The Shockers never got closer than three the rest of the way, as Melville powered home five kills to even up the match at a set apiece.

The third set was a thrilling back-and-forth affair, featuring 11 ties as the Shockers and Knights traded blows. Melville racked up a staggering ten kills to lead UCF, but the Shockers had four players with three kills apiece to draw even at 23-23 late in the frame. Melville brought the Knights to set point with a termination, and Heidi Bonde provided the winner as UCF grabbed the pivotal third set and a two-sets-to-one lead.

The Knights offense clicked into gear in the fourth set, hitting a match-high .500 in frame thanks to seven kills from Bonde. After the two teams traded mini runs in the early stages, UCF took command with a 5-1 surge to establish an 11-7 lead they would not relinquish.

Melville finished with a match-high 23 kills, and middle Abby Hansen had nine block assists as part of UCF's 15.0 team rejections. Rohling was excellent for Wichita State, putting down 11 balls on a .286 hitting percentage, while Kelly finished with a double-double via ten kills and ten digs. Lara Uyar continued her steady play at libero with a career-best 14 digs.

The Shockers are back in action on the road next week, traveling to East Carolina on Friday night. First serve from Greenville is scheduled for 5:00 pm CT.