No. 4 Florida Volleyball Wraps Regular Season on 10-Game Streak

At the end of a long rally in the second set, Brooklyn Briscoe and Logan King met Alabama’s attack at the net and sent it back. One point later, they did it again.

The consecutive blocks tied the score at 16 and then gave Florida its first lead of the set. They came during a 6-0 run that turned a four-point deficit into an 18-16 advantage, showing the defense that helped the Gators win the SEC title.

No. 4 Florida (23-2, 14-1 SEC) swept Alabama (10-14, 2-13 SEC) 25-16, 25-21, 25-17 Sunday in Tuscaloosa, closing the regular season with its 10th consecutive victory. After securing its first outright SEC title since 2014, according to Florida Athletics, on Friday at Mississippi State, Florida got right back to business.

The difference was not the number of kills. Florida held a narrow 38-34 advantage but committed just six attack errors, compared with 28 for Alabama, hitting .364 while holding the Crimson Tide to .058. The Gators also outblocked Alabama 12-1.

Florida entered the weekend leading the SEC in blocks per set (2.80) and opponent hitting percentage (.160).

Briscoe led Florida with seven blocks and added eight kills. Kamryn Chaney finished with a match-high 14 kills, while Alec Rothe contributed eight and reached 300 career blocks. She became the 22nd Gator to reach that milestone. Taylor Parks directed the offense with 31 assists.

Florida established its presence at the net on the opening point when Briscoe and Parks combined for a block. Later in the first set, Briscoe delivered consecutive kills and a solo block during a 4-0 run that forced an Alabama timeout at 12-6.

The set ended the way it began. Briscoe teamed with reserve setter Olivia Klimis for another block, Florida’s seventh of the frame, to close a 25-16 win. Klimis’ appearance also came against a familiar program, as her mother, Allison Lange, played volleyball at Alabama.

Coming off a four-set victory against rival Auburn, Alabama tested Florida early in the second set. Kills from Audrey Simpson, Laney Hennessee and Kaleigh Palmer, along with a Leilia Toailoa ace, gave the Tide a 4-0 lead. Alabama extended it to 7-2 and eventually led 16-12.

An Emerson Hoyle ace brought Florida within one before the consecutive blocks by Briscoe and King put the Gators ahead. Alabama answered. Maggie Kyriakides landed her first career ace just inside the end line, and Palmer followed with a kill to put the Tide up 19-18.

A setter dump by Hannah Parant later gave Alabama a 21-20 advantage. Florida responded with five straight points, starting with a Briscoe kill. Chaney added another before Rothe finished the set, 25-21.

Briscoe opened the third set with a kill, and Florida quickly built an 11-4 lead. Alabama recorded its first block of the match while trailing 14-7 but struggled offensively, finishing the frame with seven kills and eight attack errors.

Brianna Holladay recorded her first kill since Sept. 13 to give Florida match point. Chaney eventually ended the match with a kill, completing the 25-17 victory.

Palmer led Alabama with 11 kills. Florida also extended its winning streak against the Crimson Tide to 57 consecutive matches.

The Gators enter the SEC Tournament in Savannah, Georgia, as the No. 1 seed with a double bye. Florida will open play in the Nov. 22 quarterfinals at noon, facing the winner of Saturday’s second-round matchup involving the No. 8 seed.

Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Volleyball