Florida Gators
14-4, 6-3SEC
Arkansas
13-6, 3-4SEC
No. 15 Gators Stifle Razorbacks, 3-0
Saturday, October 24, 2015 | Volleyball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Sophomore middle Rhamat Alhassan hit .684 with a floor-high 14 kills and four blocks to guide the No. 15 Florida Gators to a three-set sweep (25-10, 25-16, 25-16) over Arkansas Friday in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. The Gators improved to 14-4 on the season and 6-3 in conference play to match a season-best five-match win streak.
Sophomore outside hitter Carli Snyder slammed down an error-free nine kills for a .500 hitting efficiency, while junior right side Alex Holston notched a .467 clip with eight kills. Senior libero Nikki O'Rourke had 13 digs, the most on the floor Friday night in the clash between the Gators and Razorbacks (13-6, 3-4 SEC), as Florida has avenged two of its three SEC losses so far, with a re-match against the Missouri Tigers slated for Sunday for UF's PINK MATCH.
The Orange and Blue had their second-lowest attack error outing of the season -- with seven -- while limiting Arkansas to an .067 offensive efficiency and forcing 19 errors.
Florida started off hot in the first set against Arkansas thanks in part to a senior Simone Antwi slam followed by two consecutive senior Mackenzie Dagostino aces as the Gators continued to cruise to a 25-10 win. The second and third frames were closer contested, as Arkansas held Florida at bay for a 12-12 tie in the second before using a 13-4 run to pull away for the 25-16 win and a 2-0 lead at the break. The third was all Florida after an early 1-1 tie, but the Gators never looked back. Senior outside hitter éiva Recek got in on the back-to-back ace action for UF's 21st and 22nd points in a 25-16 final-set win.
Dagostino, who distributed Florida's offense all over the court, turned in a season-best eight points thanks to four kills on five errorless swings (.800), two aces and four blocks.
Florida went to five sets with the Tigers last time out. Missouri enters the match after defeating Mississippi State at home Friday evening in four to improve to 18-2, 6-1 SEC. First serve between the Gators and Tigers (18-2, 6-1 SEC) is slated for 1:30 p.m. on SEC Network + with Tom Collett and Missy Whittemore on the call. The first 500 fans to the UF-Mizzou match receive a pink t-shirt.
MARY'S MINUTE
“The match tonight really exemplified where this team has gotten better from the early part of the SEC schedule. We showcased our improvements from both a defensive standpoint and offensive standpoint.”
BY THE NUMBERS
· 17 | Matches this season sophomore Rhamat Alhassan has led the Gators in blocking. Alhassan posted four blocks to tie for the team lead Friday alongside senior setter Mackenzie Dagostino
· 17 | Florida moved to an undefeated 17-0 all-time at home against Arkansas
· 10 | Times this season UF has limited its opponents to a .200 efficiency or lower. Florida limited the Razorbacks to an .067 clip Friday
· 9 | Sweeps for Florida in 2015, including five in conference play
· 7 | Attack errors for the Gators, their second-lowest error outing this season
· 5 | Aggressive behind the service line, the Gators have served up four or more aces in all but four matches this season, including five against the Razorbacks. Seniors Mackenzie Dagostino and éiva Recek had two each, while freshman setter Abby Detering had UF's fifth ace
· 5 | Gators that hit above a .333 efficiency Friday (Alhassan: .684, Dagostino: .800, Snyder: .500, Holston: .467, Antwi: .333)
FLORIDA VS MISSOURI BROADCAST INFORMATION
Missouri Tigers (Oct. 25)
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
Live Stream: SEC Network + (Tom Collett and Missy Whittemore)
Radio: ESPN Gainesville
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
UF | MISSOURI SERIES HISTORY
· 2015 Record: 18-2, 6-1 SEC
· Series Record: Florida leads, 4-3 (all under Mary Wise)
· 3-set: 3-1; 4-set: 1-1; 5-set: 0-1
· Home: 2-1 | Away: 1-2 | Neutral: 1-0
· Last Time Out: Sept. 30, 2015 at Columbia | L, 3-2 (25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 19-25, 10-15)
MISSOURI PROMOTIONS
Sunday, October 25, 1:30 PM vs. Missouri
· Presenting sponsor: UF Health
· Pink T-Shirts
The first 500 fans will receive Pink T-Shirts courtesy of UF Health
· Pink Match
Any cancer survivors or those currently battling cancer will receive free admission to the match. We will also be honoring all those cancer survivors and those currently battling cancer throughout the match
· Kids Corner
Sundays are Kids Days at Florida Volleyball Matches. Stop by the Kids Corner to meet your favorite mascots, spirit squads, play games, make posters and partake other exciting promotions. Located on the inter concourse between gates 3 and 4
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