Junior outside hitter Gabby Mallette led the UF offense with 10 kills and freshman middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan posted a .636 hitting efficiency and four blocks as the ninth ranked Florida volleyball squad downed a scrappy Georgia team 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-16) Friday in front of the Orange and Blue faithful for its fourth sweep in conference play. The Gators (11-3, 5-0 SEC) remain one of two teams undefeated in SEC play so far this season.
Playing just their second SEC match in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in the first contest of a weekend home stand, the Gators held the Bulldogs (9-7, 1-3 SEC) to an .022 hitting efficiency as a team, second lowest for UF opponent this season. Florida rattled off 10 straight points, including the last nine under senior libero Holly Pole’s serve to end the first set, with a Pole service ace for set point as the exclamation mark.
Likewise in set two, junior outside hitter Živa Recek served up an ace for set point to give the Gators momentum and a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
Florida’s defense shined in Friday’s sweep, as Pole scooped up 14 digs, while junior setter Mackenzie Dagostino had her second double-digit dig performance of the season, with 10. Senior Maddy Monserez was additionally a staple in the back row with eight digs. The Bulldogs became the ninth opponent this season the Gators have forced to operate below a .200 hitting efficiency, including all five SEC opponents so far.
Gator head coach Mary Wise credited Monserez strong play as one of the keys for success.
“As good as the offensive numbers were tonight, the story of the match was the plays we made in the back row, especially the effort and plays made by Maddy Monserez,” Wise said.
The Orange and Blue now turn their attention to the 19th ranked Texas A&M Aggies (11-4, 3-1 SEC) for a Sunday afternoon match. Florida leads the all-time series, 9-0, and are 7-0 under Mary Wise.
You can catch Sunday’s matinee on ESPN 850 WRUF, with coverage starting at 1:50 p.m.
For postgame comments from Coach Wise, Mackenzie Dagostino, and Gabby Mallette, click below:
Wise on the offensive play and Monserez strong performance
Wise talks about preparing for Texas A&M