COLUMBIA, S.C. — The No. 11 Florida volleyball team defeated South Carolina in five-sets Friday night.
The Gators (16-3) extend their winning streak to 12 consecutive matches and are 7-0 in the SEC. The Gamecocks fell to 14-3 and 5-2 in the conference.
“It was a great effort on both sides of the net,” UF coach Mary Wise said. “South Carolina played really well and it took contributions from the whole team to be able to win this match on the road.”
Florida won the first set, 25-17, then followed that up with a 25-15 win in the second set. South Carolina took the next two sets, 25-18 and 26-24 to force a deciding fifth set. It was a back-and-forth battle in the final set, but Florida pulled out the 15-12 win to stay undefeated in the league.
Thayer Hall led the way offensively for Florida, registering 16 kills on the night. Holly Carlton followed with 13 kills of her own and Rachael Kramer pitched in 11. Allie Monserez controlled the setting game for the Gators, dishing out 24 assists on the evening. Marlie Monserez registered 18 on the match.
Allie Gregory and Allie Monserez both controlled the backcourt for Florida, each posting 14 digs on the night.
The Gators finished with 10 team blocks, led by a career-best nine blocks by Rachael Kramer. Allie Monserez posted a double-double for Florida — her eighth of the season. She registered 24 assists and 14 digs.
Florida returns home Sunday to face Alabama for the second time this season. The match is slated for a 1:30 p.m. start.
Florida-Alabama volleyball, the single biggest series mismatch in any sport in the SEC. Mary Wise is well versed in coach speak and diplomacy, but I’m really curious what she tells the team when Florida plays the very little sisters of the poor this weekend.