No. 17 Gators Saluting Those Who Serve Friday Versus Texas A&M, Host Auburn Sunday
Friday, October 9, 2015 | Volleyball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- No. 17 Florida will Salute Those Who Serve Friday night in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center as the Orange and Blue take to the court against Texas A&M looking to get back to the wins column. The 9-4 Gators will host the 9-5 Aggies in a 7 p.m. SEC Network + tilt, with familiar faces Tom Collett and Missy Whittemore on the call.
The first 2,000 fans Friday will receive mini American Flags, as all Military Personnel and First Responders receive free admission to the match. Pepsi, Friday's presenting sponsor, will additionally give away Florida Volleyball t-shirts to the first 500 fans.
Florida is an undefeated 10-0 all-time against Texas A&M, including an 8-0 tally under head coach Mary Wise, while the Gators are additionally undefeated under Wise (39-0) against the Auburn Tigers (10-5), who visit Gainesville Sunday. At Sunday's Green Match, the first 500 fans will receive an orange Gator Volleyball tumbler.
While Florida opened SEC play two weeks ago with a sweep of Ole Miss at home, the No. 17 Gators have uncharacteristically dropped three straight conference matches -- to No. 24 Kentucky, 3-1, (last Sunday), at Missouri, 3-2, (Wednesday) and at now No. 22 Arkansas 3-2 this past Sunday. Florida is in unchartered waters, as the Gators have never lost three straight under Wise. Florida will have a chance at redemption as the Orange and Blue face Kentucky (in Lexington 10/18), Missouri (home 10/25) and Arkansas (home 10/23) again in the coming weeks as the SEC schedule unfolds.
While a one-match-at-a-time mentality is the approach, Florida looks to get even in the SEC after going 8-1 through a tough non-conference slate that featured four top-20 tilts and seven road matches.
NOTABLES | Florida vs. Texas A&M and Auburn Match Notes | Head Coach Mary Wise Media Availability (10-5)
· Florida ranks No. 6 in the nation in blocks per set (3.07) and No. 7 in hitting efficiency (.296) entering Sunday's clash at Arkansas
· Gator sophomore middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan paces the nation with 2.02 blocks per set and 101 total blocks. Alhassan also checks in seventh in the country in hitting efficiency at .439
· Senior middle Simone Antwi ranks 26th in the nation with her .410 clip
· Senior setter Mackenzie Dagostino ranks 29th in the NCAA with 11.07 assists per set
· As a team, the Gators lead the SEC overall on the season in hitting efficiency (.296), kills per set (13.86) and blocks per set (3.07)
· The Gators have posted double-digit blocks as a team in 10 straight matches and in 12 of 13 matches this year with a season high 16.5 against Texas at the VERT Challenge in Austin
· UF has limited its opponents to a .200 efficiency or lower on five different occasions, while Florida boasts a season-best efficiency of .440 against Oregon at the VERT Challenge
· Aggressive behind the service line, the Gators have served up four or more aces in all but two matches this season and dropped a season-high seven against Sunshine State rival FSU a week and a half ago
· Florida is 3-2 against top-25 opponents so far this season
FLORIDA VS TEXAS A&M BROADCAST INFORMATION
Texas A&M Aggies (Oct. 9) at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live Stream: SEC Network + (Tom Collette & Missy Whittemore)
Radio: ESPN Gainesville
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
No. 17 UF | TEXAS A&M SERIES HISTORY
· 2015 Record: 9-5, 2-1 SEC
· Series Record: Florida leads, 10-0 (8-0 under Mary Wise)
o 3-set: 4-0; 4-set: 4-0; 5-set: 2-0
o Home: 5-0 | Away: 4-0 | Neutral: 1-0
· Last Time Out: Oct. 12, 2014 at Gainesville | W, 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-17)
FLORIDA VS TEXAS A&M PROMOTIONS
· Presenting sponsor: Pepsi
· Mini American Flags
2,000 Mini America Flags will be given away to Gator Fans to help show their support for those who serve!
· Pepsi Volleyball T-Shirt
The first 500 fans will receive a Florida Volleyball T-Shirt courtesy of Pepsi.
· Saluting Those Who Serve
Florida Volleyball will be Saluting Those Whose Serve as we honor those who have served this country.
FLORIDA VS AUBURN BROADCAST INFORMATION
Auburn Tigers (Oct. 11) at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network (Tiffany Greene & Missy Whittemore)
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: ESPN Gainesville
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
No. 17 UF | AUBURN SERIES HISTORY
· 2015 Record: 10-5, 2-1 SEC (play Friday at South Carolina)
· Series Record: Florida leads, 43-1 (39-0 under Mary Wise)
o 3-set: 33-0; 4-set: 8-1; 5-set: 2-0
o Home: 20-0 | Away: 20-1 | Neutral: 3-0
· Last Time Out: Nov. 12, 2014 at Gainesville | W, 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-10)
FLORIDA VS AUBURN PROMOTIONS | GREEN MATCH!
· Presenting sponsor: WCA
· Gator Volleyball Tumblers
The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Gator Volleyball Tumbler
· Rowdy Reptiles Check-In
Sunday will be a Rowdy Reptiles Check-In and Prize Pickup 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
FOLLOW THE GATORS | Preseason SEC Favorites
