Gator Volleyball Downs the Bulldogs, Extends Win Streak to 11 Matches; Continues SEC Dominance

The eighth ranked Florida volleyball got its 11th straight victory Sunday with a 3-0 sweep (25-9, 25-14, 25-16) of Mississippi State in an afternoon clash at the  Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Florida tacked on its 10th SEC victory, improving to 16-3 on the season and an undefeated 10-0 in league play.

Stabilized by the veteran back row and senior Taylor Unroe’s 14 digs, the Orange and Blue posted their eighth SEC sweep – second against Mississippi State — using a team-best 10 kills from freshman Rhamat Alhassan, while junior middle Simone Antwi hit a career-best .875 (7-0-8) against Mississippi State (6-19, 1-9 SEC).

The Gators jumped out to an early lead, and never looked back. Florida did not give up the lead from start to finish, outscoring the Bulldogs 59.0 to 19.0.

A total of 15 Gators saw action in UF’s second meeting with the Bulldogs this season, including freshman setter Abby Detering, who dished out a season-best eight assists.

Junior setter Mackenzie Dagostino added 27 assists, while sharing time with Detering. Seniors Holly Pole and Maddy Monserez combined for 15 digs (11 for Pole, 4 for Monserez) and four service aces (two a piece).

Gator head coach Mary Wise credited her senior back row as a big key to her squad’s success.

“A lot of credit in this win goes to the play of our three seniors: serving, passing and digging, ” Wise said. “They played like the focused, senior veterans that they are.”

Florida held Mississippi State to nine points in a 25-9 first-set decision, the lowest point total for a Gator opponent in a set this season, while the Bulldogs had just 15 kills in the match, the lowest for a UF foe in SEC play since 2012 when MSU had 14 in the Gator-Bulldog match up two years ago.

MSU became UF’s 13th opponent this season under a .197 hitting efficiency, and the second to record a negative team clip (-.012).

Florida will keep the pedal on the gas with its next match, a mid-week tilt Wednesday at Georgia. The Bulldogs and Gators last met in Gainesville October 10th, a 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-16) sweep in favor of the Orange and Blue. The Gators are 57-9 all-time against the Bulldogs, and 54-1 under Mary Wise.

First serve between the Gators and Bulldogs is slated for 7 p.m. from Athens. Catch the call on ESPN 850 WRUF.

For postgame comments from Mary Wise, Abby Detering, Simone Antwi, and Samantha Dubiel, click below:

Wise recaps the Mississippi State match and the impact of the seniors

Wise talks about the play of the back row (Monserez, Unroe, Pole)

Wise talks about the growth of the more experienced players thanks to the younger players (off the court)

Detering talks about her growth as a player throughout the season

Antwi talks about growing as a team after every match

Antwi talks about how the depth comes in handy during two-match weekends

Antwi talks about there not being difference between having Dagostino or Detering at setter

Dubiel talks about waiting for her number to be called on the bench

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