Box Score
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In the 2014 edition of the Sunshine State volleyball showdown, the No. 11 Gators fell short in five after a gritty battle against the No. 8 Seminoles in front of a boisterous crowd of 1,408 at Tully Gym. UF moved to 3-1 on the young season, while FSU added its third victory (3-0) of the campaign with the 3-2 win. The Gators and Noles played five in Tallahassee (30-28, 21-25, 25-23, 23-25, 9-15) for the first time in the rally-scoring era, and the first time overall since 1993.
The first set, which extended 30-28 in favor of the Orange and Blue, was a preview of the battle that would ensue between the Gators and Noles, and on Florida's side of the net, right side Alex Holston couldn't be stopped. The sophomore lefty put up a career-best 24 kills and added three blocks to lead UF with a career-best 25.5 points. Holston hit a team-best .447 on the night, while junior middle blocker Simone Antwi posted double-digit kills (11) for the third straight match. Junior outside hitter Noami Santos-Lamb chipped in a career-tying 12 kills and fellow classmate Mackenzie Dagostino dished out a career-best 55 assists, her second consecutive match over 50.
UF will now turn its attention towards a date with No. 3 Texas at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Sept. 6. First serve is slated for 7:30 p.m., admission is free with a UF vs. Eastern Michigan football ticket and the Gators are aiming for 6,000 fans – with the milestone, fans with a student ID, football vs. Eastern Michigan ticket or volleyball vs. Texas ticket will receive half off their meals at Moe's Sunday (9/7).
BY THE NUMBERS
· 1.000: freshman middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan's hitting efficiency in the third set (4-4), where she slammed down nearly half her kills on the night. Alhassan hit .333 and also led the Orange and Blue with a team-best four blocks against the Noles
· 798: career win total for head coach Mary Wise (798-148, .844), just two victories away from the 800-win milestone. Wise will be the fifth Division I female head coach -- and the only active female head coach -- to reach 800 career victories
· .406: the Gators' hitting efficiency in their first and third-set wins
· 65: kills for Florida at Florida State, the most for the Gators this season. UF's .297 hitting efficiency was also its highest of the year so far
· 55: assists for junior setter Mackenzie Dagostino against FSU, a new career high and her second-straight match with over 50. Dagostino also led UF with nine digs
· 8: kills for Holston in the third set, where she hit .545 after moving to the back row
· 4: Gators with double-digit points (Alhassan 12.5, Antwi: 13.0, Holston: 25.5 & Santos-Lamb: 13)
· 2: straight five-set matches for the Gators after also going the distance with Oklahoma Aug. 30. UF is now 1-1 this season in five setters
GETTING WISE
“It was a great match this early in the season. Credit Florida State with how well they played in making the plays at the end, but we couldn't be more proud of our team's effort. There are lots of positives to take from it; we'll be a better team down the road from playing in this environment and playing as gritty and tough as we did.”
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE
· Six of Florida's first eight matches have been, or are, against opponents ranked or receiving votes in the AVCA Preseason Top 25 (in order of schedule): Oklahoma (rv), No. 8 FSU, No. 3 Texas, No. 15 San Diego, No. 6 USC & Marquette (rv)
· Seven of Florida's first eight opponents made the 2013 NCAA Tournament: add Georgia Southern to the above list. The Eagles were in the Gainesville sub regional last December
FLORIDA VERSUS TEXAS
No. 3 TEXAS | SEPTEMBER 6 | O'DOME | 7:30 p.m. ET
· 2014 Overall Record: 3-0
· Series Record: Florida leads, 12-7 (12-6 under Mary Wise)
· 3-set: 3-4; 4-set: 2-2; 5-set: 7-1
· Home: 6-3 | Away: 4-3 | Neutral: 2-1
· Last Time Out:
• 2012 (NCAA Regional) | L, 3-0 (22-25, 24-26, 17-25)
· Last Win at Gainesville:
• 2010 (3-2: 25-11, 27-25, 16-25, 20-25, 16-14)
PREPPING FOR UF vs. TEXAS
The University of Florida volleyball will now return home to the friendly confines of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Saturday to host No. 3 Texas in the first of two matches between the Gators and Longhorns this season.
Let's Pack The Dome! We want to see 6,000 fans in the O'Connell Center Saturday night -- if so, 50 percent off your meal at Moe's in Gainesville Sunday! Free admission for fans with a valid Florida vs. Eastern Michigan football ticket. Enter the O'Dome at Gate 1 or 2 entrances along Gale Lemerand Drive.
First serve between Florida and Texas is at 7:30 p.m. and Gator fans are encouraged to arrive early with football also taking on Eastern Michigan Saturday at 4 p.m.
PARKING INFORMATION
Following Florida football kickoff at 4 p.m., volleyball fans may access the Stephen C. O'Connell Center flat surface and parking garage via SW 2nd Avenue, as well as the Pressly Stadium Track & Soccer parking lot (corner of SW 2nd Ave. and SW 23rd St.) and the Levin College of Law parking area along SW 2nd Ave.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the Florida vs. Texas showdown, as SW 2nd Ave. will shift to a one-way exit operation following the conclusion of the Florida vs. Eastern Michigan football game.
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS | FLORIDA vs. TEXAS
· Presenting sponsor: WCA Waste Corporation
· It's Great to Go Green Sustainability Game: UF Office of Sustainability, Neutral Gators and WCA will all be on hand for our green match!
· Free Admission
Football fans who bring their Eastern Michigan ticket receive free admission into the volleyball game.
· Rowdy Reptile Check-In
Students who check-in using their Rowdy Reptiles App between 7:30 and 9 PM receive 6 points towards their Rowdy Reptile Rewards.
· Moe's Milestone - 6,000
Goal – 6,000 fans in attendance. Reward – 50% off Moe's in Gainesville on Sunday (9/7).
· LSU Football VIP Experience
Students have the chance to enter and win an LSU Football VIP Experience for the October 11th game vs. LSU. Presented by Canopy Apartments.
· Post-Match Autographs
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