Significant win

for UCF, Dagenais

ORLANDO, Fla. — The University of Central Florida volleyball team posted its 11th straight victory Saturday, spilling defending American Athletic Conference champion Wichita State 3-1.

It marked the 200th career victory for coach Todd Dagenais, a native of Escanaba.

The Knights (13-3 overall, 5-0 AAC) lost the opening match 25-20, then won the next three sets 25-22, 25-23, 25-18.

“…I thought we got better and better with each set,” Dagenais said on the UCF website. “I am so impressed with our resolve. We came out flat, and Wichita State is a championship program that took advantage of that.

“We just had the resolve to make the plays to win the match. We still haven’t put together our best match yet, but we continue to take the next step every day.”

The Knights also beat AAC opponent Tulsa Friday, giving them the tiebreaker over both teams for postseason play.

“We defeated a pair of top-75 RPI teams. I was really proud of what we were able to accomplish this weekend,” said Dagenais.

Volleyball district

HARRIS — The Division 3 girls volleyball district tournament will be hosted by Bark River-Harris, but games will be played at several locations based on the pairings.

Manistique opens at Bark River-Harris Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., with the winner going to Ishpeming Westwood Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.

In the bracket’s bottom half, Ishpeming goes to Gwinn Oct. 29 and the winner will host Negaunee Oct. 31.

The championship match is Nov. 1 at 7 p.m., with the site determined by who advances to the finale among BR-H, Manistique and Westwood.

Road race Sunday

ESCANABA — The Fifth Annual Escanaba Diehard four-mile run is set for Sunday at 2 p.m. in Ludington Park. There is no entry fee, but freewill donations are welcome. Registration begins at 12:30 near the tennis courts. For details contact John Vrancic (789-1237).

Cash gets extension

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have rewarded manager Kevin Cash with a contract extension that runs through 2024, plus a club option for 2025.

The 40-year-old Cash had one year remaining on a five-year, $5 million deal he signed when he replaced Joe Maddon after the 2014 season.

Both Cash, who had no previous managerial experience when he was hired, and management said it was an easy decision to continue their relationship after a bounce-back season.