Florida Gators
9-4, 1-3
Arkansas
13-2, 3-0
Gators Drop Five-Set Decision at Arkansas
Sunday, October 4, 2015 | Volleyball
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Florida and Arkansas went wire-to-wire Sunday in Barnhill Arena, including a fifth that required extra points, but the No. 9 Gators fell 3-2 in a five-set decision to the Razorbacks to move to 9-4 on the season, 1-3 in SEC play.
Sophomore setter Abby Detering put on a gutsy setting performance through the final three frames with a career-high 30 assists, while senior outside hitter éiva Recek put up a double-double (14K, 12D) as Florida and Arkansas (13-2, 3-0) traded sets: Hogs the first, third and fifth, the Gators sets two and four. Florida played a five-setter (23-25, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 16-18) for a second consecutive match and for the third time this season.
While the Razorbacks won a close first set 25-23 on their home court, the Gators were resilient to tie the match in the second. Following a bit of a slow start, the Gators were able to string four points together under senior libero Nikki O'Rourke's serve to give Florida a 5-3 boost. The Orange and Blue hit the gas behind four blocks and five Gabby Mallette kills in the frame for a 25-15 win to tie the match 1-1 heading into the locker room at the break.
In the back and forth battle, Arkansas hit .400 in the third and served up four service aces en route to a 25-19 set win for the 2-1 advantage in the match. Recek took control for the Gators in the fourth with five kills, while Florida was able to string together five straight points at a crucial point for a 19-12 lead under O'Rourke's serve. UF limited the Razorbacks to a .088 efficiency and hit .344 to pick up a 25-18 victory to force a fifth at Barnhill.
The fifth featured seven ties and the Gators battled to fend off five Razorback match points, but Arkansas posted six blocks and held UF to a -.071 hitting efficiency in the final frame to pull away for its second win over Florida in Fayetteville.
O'Rourke had her fourth 20+ digging performance of the season, with 21, to lead UF's back-row efforts, while the Orange and Blue had four Gators with double-digit kills and five with double-digit points. Sophomore middle Rhamat Alhassan led Florida all players on the court with eight blocks. Florida held Arkansas to a .144 hitting efficiency through the match.
MARY'S MINUTE
“Really gutsy performance by Abby Detering to come in off the bench and do what she did. We had a chance, but Arkansas' blocking in the fifth set deserved the win.”
BY THE NUMBERS
· 30 | Assists for sophomore setter Abby Detering, who took over for Mackenzie Dagostino the third, fourth and fifth sets to notch a new career high
· 22 | Career double-doubles for senior outside hitter éiva Recek, who notched her second this year Sunday. Recek had 14 kills and ranked second on the team with 12 digs
· 12 | Kills for senior outside hitter Gabby Mallette, a season high. Mallette joined three other Gators with double-digit kills and five others with double-digit points
· 12 | Blocks for the Gators. Florida has posted double-digit blocks as a team in 10 straight matches and in 12 of 13 matches this year
· 6 | UF has limited its opponents to a .200 efficiency or lower on six different occasions, and Sunday was no exception as the Gators held the Razorbacks to .144 on the match
· 3 | Matches Florida has played five sets this year
NEXT UP
Florida returns home to the friendly confines of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center for a weekend set against Texas A&M and Auburn Friday and Sunday Oct. 9 & 11.
FLORIDA VS TEXAS A&M PROMOTIONS (Oct. 9)
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· Mini American Flags
2,000 Mini America Flags will be given away to Gator Fans!
· Saluting Those Who Serve
Florida Volleyball will be Saluting Those Whose Serve as we honor those who have served this country
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