Florida Gators
Miami (Fla.)
Florida Advances to NCAA Regional Semifinals in Ames, Will Clash with Illinois in Sweet 16
Sunday, December 7, 2014 | Volleyball
Post-Match Press Conference | 2014 NCAA Volleyball Interactive Bracket | UF vs. Miami Box & Quotes
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The No. 8 seed Florida volleyball team used a total team effort, including a team-leading 19 kills from sophomore right side Alex Holston and six or more digs from six different Florida players, to weather the Miami Hurricanes 3-1 Saturday at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center and earn a trip to the NCAA Regional Semifinals for the 22nd time in program history. Florida (27-3) advances to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2012 and will travel to Ames, Iowa, for a tilt with No. 9 seed Illinois (26-7) on Friday, Dec. 12, on ESPN3.
Three Gators reached double-figure kills in UF's win over the Hurricanes (22-9), including Holston (19), junior outside hitter Gabby Mallette (12) and freshman middle Rhamat Alhassan (10). Alhassan posted four roofs to lead UF for the 28th match this season. After the Canes took the first set, 25-13, Florida rebounded to win the next three in a row 25-22, 25-20, 25-21. Junior setter Mackenzie Dagostino set up the UF offense with 51 assists and contributed nine digs defensively. In addition to Dagostino, seniors Taylor Unroe (9), Maddy Monserez (7), Holly Pole (7), Holston (6) and freshman Carli Snyder (6) all had six or more scoops to strengthen UF's defense.
Pole served up all four of UF's service aces against the Canes to tie a career high.
The Orange and Blue are riding a 22-match win streak into the Regional Semifinals, its longest streak since 2010. Florida made the Sweet 16 in 2012 and last advanced to a Regional Final in 2011 when the Gators took on Illinois in Gainesville.
BY THE NUMBERS
61: NCAA Tournament wins for the Gators following Saturday's win, including 60 under head coach Mary Wise
22: The Gators entered the 2014 NCAA Tournament riding a 20-match win streak, the program's longest in 2010, and added its 22nd victory with the win over Miami
22: Florida is now 22-2 in NCAA second-round action following tonight's win
22: NCAA Regional Semifinals appearances for the Gators, as UF is headed to the Sweet 16 to face Illinois next weekend. Florida has advanced to the Regional Semifinals every year under Wise except 2004 and 2013
19: Kills for sophomore right side Alex Holston, her 10th double-digit kill performance in UF's last 11 matches
9: Senior Taylor Unroe and junior Mackenzie Dagostino led the Gators on defense with nine digs apiece. Unroe and Dagostino were two of six Gators to have six or more scoops Saturday evening
4: Service aces for senior Holly Pole, tying her season and career high
4: Blocks for freshman Rhamat Alhassan to lead the team. Alhassan, the nation's leading hitter, has led or tied UF in blocks in 28 of 30 matches this season
FLORIDA NCAA-TOURNAMENT SPECIFIC NOTABLES
· No. 8 seed Florida was 9-3 during the regular season against teams in the 2014 NCAA Tournament field
· The Gators have now made 22 Regional Semifinals in school history, last in 2012 vs. Texas in Austin
· Florida has made seven Final Four appearances, last in 2003, when the Gators played for the National Championship
· The Gators' 2014 NCAA Tournament appearance is its 24th consecutive and the 25th in program history and UF played host to opening round contests for the 22nd time in the last 24 years
· Florida head coach Mary Wise is 60-23 (.723) all-time in the NCAA Tournament, with all postseason appearances occurring at the University of Florida
· The Gators are 61-24 (.718) all-time in the NCAA Tournament
· UF is 48-7 (.873) all-time at home in NCAA Tournament play
· The Orange and Blue are additionally 18-0 all-time in the NCAA First Round and 22-2 all-time in the NCAA Second Round
· In 2013, the Gators went 1-1 in the NCAA Tournament, sweeping Jacksonville in First Round action (25-19, 25-15, 25-16) before falling in five to FSU (15-25, 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 9-15)
· Florida played for the National Championship in 2003 and last reached a NCAA Regional Final in 2011
· The 2014 NCAA Volleyball Final Four is slated for December 18 (National Semifinals) & 20 (National Championship) in Oklahoma City, Okla., and will be hosted by the Big 12 Conference and the Oklahoma City All Sports Association at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The National Semifinals and Finals will be broadcast live on ESPN2
· Florida enters the 2014 NCAA Tournament having notched its 24th consecutive 25-win season. The Gators downed No. 3 Texas in Austin Saturday to cap of the regular season at 25-3 overall after going an undefeated 18-0 in SEC play to claim the program's 21st SEC Championship. Florida's undefeated SEC season was its 13th in school history
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