The seventh ranked Florida volleyball squad topped 15th ranked Kentucky 3-1 at Memorial Coliseum Sunday afternoon in Lexington to clinch at least a share of the 2014 SEC title — its 21st league championship in school history.
The Orange and Blue used double-digit kills from three players, 10 blocks and a gritty performance all-around for its 16th straight win as the Gators improved to 21-3 overall and an undefeated 15-0 in SEC play this season.
With a three-match lead now over UK in the SEC standings — and three more SEC contests remaining — one more conference win for the Gators would give Florida the 2014 crown outright.
Florida improved to 4-2 this season against top-25 opponents with the four-set win over the Wildcats (25-19, 14-25, 25-21, 25-16).
Freshman middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan (15), sophomore right side Alex Holston (15) and junior middle Simone Antwi (10) all had double-digit kills for the Gators, while senior Taylor Unroe scooped up 10 digs for the Orange and Blue, her second-most in SEC play this season. Junior setter Mackenzie Dagostino dished out 47 assists, posted three blocks and scooped up eight digs to contribute all over the floor. Alhassan and Holston led UF with four blocks each, while Holston served up three of UF’s five service aces.
Gator head coach Mary Wise credited her entire squad for coming together to overcome issues on the court.
“There are so many pieces to this victory because so many different players contributed to this win,” Wise said. “To beat a top-25 team on the road, that’s what it takes.”
Florida will now head to Ole Miss and Arkansas next weekend before returning home for South Carolina. First serve between the Gators and Rebels is 7:30 p.m Friday, while Florida and Arkansas will match up at Arkansas at noon.
You can catch all these matches on ESPN 850 WRUF.
For post game comments from coach Wise, click below:
Wise recaps the match against Kentucky
Wise talks about the play of Alex Holston