VB Splits With Georgia Tech In Third Spring Outing
Saturday, April 5, 2008 | Volleyball
The University of Florida volleyball team split a pair of three-set matches with Georgia Tech on Saturday, as rising redshirt freshman Kristy Jaeckel (Littleton, Colo.) posted a team-high 25 kills on the day to lead the Gators in that category for the third time in as many contests this spring.
“Last year's freshman have shown signs of improvement throughout the spring, which is certainly encouraging,” Florida head coach Mary Wise said. “We've also gotten solid play from our most experienced players, especially Kelsey Bowers and Elyse Cusack.”
UF captured the opening set of the morning session by a count of 25-22, but dropped the next two by scores of 25-20 and 25-18, respectively, to head into the break down 1-0. Running with a 6-2 formation in the afternoon, Florida again won the opening set, 25-17, before dropping the second by a 25-21 score. The afternoon session went to a decisive third set, which the Gators pulled out by a score of 15-13 to leave Atlanta with a 1-1 mark on the day.
Jaeckel maintained her torrid offensive play with 25 kills to pace a quartet of UF players in double figures on Saturday. Rising sophomore opposite hitter Lauren Bledsoe (Long Beach, Calif.) notched 18 kills, her highest total of the spring, while rising senior middle blocker Kelsey Bowers (Gainesville, Fla.) had 14 and rising sophomore outside hitter Callie Rivers (Winter Park, Fla.) chipped in with a dozen.
Florida was also stout around the net against the Yellow Jackets, as Bowers posted seven blocks to supply the majority of the Gators' 11 on the day. Bledsoe added a pair, and Jaeckel and rising junior setter Alli Cecchini (Brentwood, Calif.) each recorded one.
UF's final home date of the spring season will be the inaugural SEC Coaches Beach Volleyball Championships on April 12. The all-day event, which is free and open to the public, will be the first beach volleyball tournament ever hosted by a Division I conference. The action will commence with pool play at 8:30 a.m. ET, with the medal matches slated to begin at 4 p.m. ET.
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