SEC Volleyball Preview: Florida vs. Kentucky

With two SEC matches behind them, the No. 5 Florida Gator Volleyball team (12-1, 2-0 SEC) is set for its first SEC home match of the season against the Kentucky Wildcats (9-4, 2-0 SEC).

Both teams are coming off of winning two straight conference matches. The Wildcats started conference play last Wednesday at home against Georgia, where they defeated the Bulldogs 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-14). They followed up that win with another one on Sunday when Mississippi State came to town and fell to Kentucky 3-1, (25-21, 22-25, 25-14, 26-24). The Wildcats have certainly been playing well as of late, as they are headed into Gainesville on a six-match win streak.

The Gators welcome the Wildcats as owners of the second-longest win streak in the nation (12-0). Just like Kentucky, Florida has two conference wins under their belt. Florida began SEC play last Friday, when they traveled to Mississippi for their match against Ole Miss. It took four sets, but the Gators were able to defeat the Rebels 3-1, (24-26, 25-12, 25-15, 25-16). The Gators traveled to Alabama on Sunday and left with their second conference win, 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-19).

Gator volleyball head coach Mary Wise singles out Kentucky as being a team she felt used their off-season time wisely.

Florida continues to lead the conference in assists (13.59/s), kills (14.43/s), and blocks (2.93/s) this season. Kentucky’s Leah Edmond ranks fifth in points in the SEC (187.5, 4.36/s). Right behind her as number six in the conference is Florida’s Alex  Holston (186, 4.33/s). Both teams are in the top-5 in hitting efficiency, with the Gators at number one with .352 and the Wildcats in the number five spot with .252.

Wednesday night’s match is set for 8 p.m.

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