Gators Volleyball Caps Dominant Weekend in Lone Star State
No. 7 Florida volleyball closed out its weekend in the Lone Star State with another ranked victory by battling past No. 12 Texas in five sets Sunday night.
The Gators defeated the Longhorns (21-25, 25-16, 24-26, 25-23, 15-11) at Gregory Gymnasium to secure their second win against a team ranked in the top 20 after defeating No. 19 Texas A&M on Friday.
Florida improved to 15-2 overall and 6-1 in SEC play, while Texas fell to 9-7 and 5-3. The victory handed the Longhorns their first home loss of the season and marked Florida’s third win in its four-match road trip.
The opening set showed the different strengths of both teams. Florida outblocked Texas 4-1, but the Longhorns recorded 17 kills on .371 hitting to take the set 25-21.
Florida responded with its most efficient offensive set of the match, hitting .457 with 18 kills and just two attack errors. Middle blocker Alec Rothe contributed six kills as the Gators took the second set 25-16.
The third set featured 11 ties and five lead changes. Florida held a 20-18 advantage before Texas scored five consecutive points to move ahead 23-20. The Gators answered with four straight points to reach set point at 24-23, but the Longhorns responded with three unanswered points to win 26-24.
Florida faced another late deficit in the fourth set after Texas erased an 18-14 Gator lead to move ahead 23-21. However, the Gators scored four consecutive points, including kills from Rothe and Kamryn Chaney, before a reviewed call and Texas attack error forced a fifth set.
The deciding set featured six ties and one lead change. Florida trailed 6-4 before scoring four straight points to take an 8-6 lead. Texas tied the set at eight, but the Gators regained control behind three fifth-set kills from Logan King.
With Florida leading 14-11, Rothe and Chaney combined to block Texas’ Cari Spears for the final point, securing the 15-11 victory.
Florida entered the weekend leading the SEC in blocks per set (2.77) and opponent hitting percentage (.164). That defensive strength continued Sunday, as the Gators outblocked Texas 13-8.
Rothe led Florida with 17 kills on .419 hitting and eight blocks. Chaney also recorded 17 kills, while King added 16 kills on .433 hitting, 12 digs and five blocks.
Setter Taylor Parks finished with 59 assists and three service aces, while libero Lily Hayes led the Gators with 22 digs.
Florida finished with 72 kills on .287 hitting, compared with Texas’ 62 kills on .256 hitting. The Gators also held a 7-4 advantage in service aces and a 64-61 edge in digs.
For Texas, Torrey Stafford, who entered the match ranked 13th nationally in kills per set (4.50), finished with 14 kills on .160 hitting. Spears added 13 kills, while Nya Bunton recorded 12 on .550 hitting.
Florida returns home Friday to face LSU (8-9, 3-5) at 7 p.m. (SEC Network+, and WRUF 98.1-FM, 850-AM starting at 6:45 p.m.).
Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Volleyball
