Gators Sweep Wildcats in Pivotal SEC Matchup

Box Score

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 10th-ranked Florida volleyball team put on a stellar performance in front of a great crowd at Exactech Arena, sweeping the 18th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday afternoon.

The Gators have now won six-straight matches, improving to 21-4 on the year and 13-2 in the SEC. Kentucky drops to 17-7 overall and 12-3 in league play.

Florida remains atop the SEC standings, with now a one-match lead over the Wildcats.

UF cruised to the 25-18 victory in the first set and then followed with a 25-21 victory in the second to pull ahead 2-0 in the match. Florida then clinched the match with a come-from-behind 25-21 win in the third.  

The Gators held the Wildcats – the sixth-ranked team in the nation in hitting percentage – to just a .135 clip on the night. It was the 12th opponent Florida has kept below a .150 hitting efficiency this season.

As a team, Florida tallied 8.0 blocks in the three-setter, led by five from Gabrielle Essix. Marina Markova added four of her own in the win, while Merritt Beason and Bre Kelley each posted three in the match.

Sofia Victoria led the offensive attack for the Gators on Saturday evening, finishing with 13 kills and a .579 clip. Markova added 11 of her own, while Beason and Kelley each pitched in a six-kill effort.

Freshman setter Alexis Stucky dished out 35 assists in the match, leading the team to a .310 hitting efficiency. She also added nine digs – just one off a double-double – and tied her career-high with five kills.  

Elli McKissock came up with a team-high 15 digs in the backcourt for Florida, while Emily Canaan posted 10 in the victory. Trinity Adams and Beason each registered six digs to help secure the victory for UF.

The Gators are right back in action on Sunday to close out the regular season at home against Kentucky. First serve is slated for 2 p.m. on the SEC Network, with Courtney Lyle and Missy Whittemore on the call.

Records
No. 10 Florida (21-4, 13-2 SEC)
No. 18 Kentucky (17-7, 12-3 SEC)

How It Happened

• After the Wildcats took the 15-13 lead into the media timeout,…