Florida Gators
Alabama
No. 7 Gators Roll Past Crimson Tide in Straight Sets
Saturday, November 8, 2014 | Volleyball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida sophomore right side Alex Holston posted a season-best .600 hitting efficiency with 16 kills to lead the No. 7 Gator volleyball squad to a sweep of Alabama (25-13, 25-23, 25-20) in front of a raucous O'Dome crowd of 2,712 Friday evening. Holston added four digs, four blocks and an assist in UF's 11th SEC sweep as the Gators improved to 19-3 overall, 13-0 in conference play with their 14th consecutive victory.
The Orange and Blue had impressive contributions all around in the win over the Crimson Tide (19-6, 7-4 SEC) as senior libero Holly Pole had a career-tying four of Florida's seven service aces, including three in the first set while UF rattled off eight straight points under her serve. Junior middle blocker Simone Antwi posted a season-tying six blocks to lead UF in roofs against Bama. Alabama's .169 hitting efficiency Friday marked the 16th match this season the Gators have held their opponent under a .197 hitting efficiency, including 12 of 13 conference contests. Florida has 11 SEC sweeps and has now won 21 straight sets dating back to Oct. 15 at South Carolina.
The Gators will be back in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Wednesday in their second-to-last home match versus Auburn, with first serve slated for 7 p.m. on the SEC Network with Adam Amin and Maria Taylor.
GETTING WISE
“What we saw tonight all started long before we stepped on the court with the preparation, the attention to detail and the focus the players had in practice all week. The execution and effort were both on point tonight.”
BY THE NUMBERS
40: straight wins for the Gators against the Crimson Tide. UF is undefeated all-time against Bama, including 38-0 under head coach Mary Wise. The Gators own a 36-0 record three-set matches against the Crimson Tide
21: straight sets won for the Gators. The Orange and Blue have now won 21 straight sets dating back to Oct. 15 when Florida won the last three sets of a 3-1 win at South Carolina
16: kills for sophomore right side Alex Holston, who hit .600 against the Tide, a season-best clip. Holston added four digs, four blocks and an assist Friday night as well.
16: matches the Gators have forced their opponents to operate below a .197 hitting efficiency, including 12 of 13 SEC matches. Florida held the Crimson Tide to a .169 clip Friday evening, including just .100 in the first set
14: straight wins for the Gators, extending UF's longest win streak of the season and the longest of any team in league play. Florida's last 14-match win streak was in 2012 (9/7-10/21)
13: straight SEC wins to start conference play. Florida is the only undefeated team in SEC play. UF has 12 undefeated SEC seasons all-time in program history, with the last coming in 2010
11: SEC sweeps following Friday's three-set win against the Crimson Tide (Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Georgia, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi State, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama). Florida has dropped just two sets in SEC play, both on the road -- one to LSU and one to South Carolina (both on the road)
8: points for freshman Carli Snyder on eight kills, her most in conference play so far. Snyder also had two digs and an assist
7: service aces for the Orange and Blue against the Crimson Tide. UF has now had seven or more service aces in seven contests this season
6: blocks for junior middle blocker Simone Antwi, a season-best output. Antwi has now led the Gators in blocks in four matches this season
4: service aces for senior libero Holly Pole, tying a career high (Missouri, 10/20/13)
0: reception errors for the Gators for the seventh time this season, five times in SEC play. Florida last had zero reception errors against Missouri Oct. 24
UP NEXT
Florida will return to the O'Dome for their second-to-last regular-season match against Auburn Wednesday, Nov. 12. The Gators and Tigers will meet for the second time this season after clashing in Auburn in both team's SEC opener on Sept. 26. UF owns a 42-1 overall record against AU, including an undefeated 19-0 mark at home in Gainesville. First serve Wednesday is slated for 7 p.m. and the match will be broadcast live on the SEC Network with Adam Amin and Maria Taylor on the call.
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