Special to Gatorsports.com
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The 12th-ranked Gators fell just short to the 15th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday, dropping the match in five sets.
Kentucky (11-4, 4-0 SEC) took the first set 25-12, but the Gators (11-3, 2-1) battled back in the second set, winning 25-19 to even the match up at one apiece. Florida won the third set, 25-22, before falling in the fourth, 25-19. Kentucky closed out the match with a 15-8 win in the final set.
Thayer Hall led the way offensively with 17 kills, followed by 16 from Rachael Kramer. Holly Carlton pitched in eight kills, while Paige Hammons added seven.
Marlie Monserez dished out 44 assists on the afternoon. Allie Gregory led the backcourt defense, posting 20 digs in the match. Hall added 19, tying her career-best mark, while Monserez and Hammons each pitched in 13 apiece.
As a squad, the team recorded 16 blocks, led by a career-best seven by Lauren Dooley. Monserez added a personal-best five blocks, while Hall pitched in four on the afternoon.
The Gators are back in action Friday when the team heads to Fayetteville, Ark. for a matchup with the Razorbacks. First serve is slated for 8 p.m. ET.
