The walls of Tully Gymnasium echoed Florida State’s “war chant” throughout the entire match, but it was the Gators who eventually reigned supreme.
On Friday, No. 10 Florida volleyball defeated Florida State in a hard-fought four-set match, 25-22, 21-25, 27-25, 25-20.
The win improved Florida to 8-1 on the season. The Gators also extended their all-time series lead over Florida State to 47-21 and improved to 17-11 in Tallahassee.
The numbers reflected just how tightly contested the match was. Florida and Florida State finished even with 58 kills apiece, while the four sets featured 28 ties and 12 lead changes.
Florida entered the match ranked 13th nationally with a .297 hitting percentage and finished at .257. The Gators committed 20 attacking errors, but their defense at the net helped make the difference.
That has been a strength for Florida throughout the early part of the season, as the Gators headed into the match leading the SEC with 2.75 blocks per set. Against the Seminoles, Florida finished with a 14-6 blocking advantage while holding FSU to a .199 hitting percentage.
Logan King and Alec Rothe each recorded seven blocks, while Brooklyn Briscoe added five.
Florida established an early advantage in the opening set behind King, Rothe and Kamryn Chaney, building a 10-5 lead before Florida State battled back.
The Seminoles used attacking errors from the Gators to erase the deficit and tie the set at 19. Chaney responded with three kills down the stretch, finishing the frame with six as Florida regained control and took the opener 25-22.
Florida State answered back in the second set.
The teams went back and forth throughout the frame, with the score tied eight times. Both sides finished with 16 kills, but the Seminoles found success late behind hitters Nenu Kpea, Kyleene Filimaua, Bailey Higgins and Sofia Moss.
Florida State pulled away from a 17-17 tie and closed out the set 25-21 to even the match.
The third set became the most competitive frame of the night, featuring 14 ties and eight lead changes.
Florida held a 12-10 advantage before four consecutive attacking errors helped FSU go on a 5-0 run and take a 15-12 lead. The Gators quickly responded to tie the score, and neither team was able to create much separation from there.
Florida eventually faced set point trailing 25-24.
Chaney responded with back-to-back kills to put the Gators ahead. Lily Hayes then made key defensive plays during an extended final rally before Florida forced the Seminoles into an error to secure the 27-25 win.
Chaney’s finish proved important after an up-and-down third set in which she committed six attacking errors. She still delivered in the biggest moments and finished the night with a match-high 17 kills and 17.5 points.
With momentum on its side, Florida created more separation in the fourth set.
The Gators built a 17-11 advantage before Florida State made another push, cutting the lead to 20-18. Florida responded out of a timeout and closed the match on a 5-2 run to win the set 25-20.
The match also featured the return of Selena Leban, who had not played since Florida’s 3-0 victory against Miami. Her return brings back another key attacking option for Florida’s lineup.
Rothe continued her efficient start to the season with 13 kills and a .440 hitting percentage. She entered Friday ranked 13th nationally with a .463 season hitting percentage.
Taylor Parks directed the offense with 44 assists and added 14 digs, while Hayes finished with a team-high 15 digs.
For Florida State, Filimaua led the team with 12 kills and 15 digs. Moss added 11 kills and 11 digs, while Higgins recorded 10 kills and hit a match-high .455 hitting percentage. Middle Blocker Kpea added five blocks.
For Florida, the win showed its ability to handle momentum swings in a difficult road environment.
Florida will return home Wednesday to face Jacksonville at 6:30 p.m. at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center before opening SEC play on the road against Oklahoma on Sept. 27 at 3 p.m.
