Florida Gators

Photo Gallery | 2015 NCAA Volleyball Interactive Bracket | Post-Match Press Conference | Box Score & Quotes | Match Video Recap | Match Highlights
 
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- A 23rd trip the Regional Semifinals awaits the No. 11 seed Gators (24-6), who put together arguably their best performance of the campaign in a classic clash against Sunshine State foe FSU (25-8) when it mattered most. No. 16 UF defeated No. 19 FSU, 3-1, in front of an electric crowd of nearly 2,000 in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center to earn the program's 10th trip to the regional round the last 11 years.
 
After facing a 1-0 deficit in the match (23-25), Florida went on to win the next three sets (25-19, 25-23, 25-19) -- including an epic come-from-behind set three -- to earn a Sweet 16 match up with No. 6 seed Wisconsin at Gregory Gym in Austin Dec. 11. The host Longhorns advanced with a 3-1 win over Purdue at home and await their Regional Semifinal opponent to be determined Saturday in LA.
 
Senior outside hitter Živa Recek put the Gators on her back and to her game took another level with her eighth double-double this season, a team-high 16 kills and 17 digs, four blocks and one of UF's staggering 10 service aces. It was a total team effort as sophomore outside Carli Snyder had a season-best 19 points thanks to 16 kills, a pair of aces and a clutch roof. Add 12 digs for Snyder's sixth career double-dip. Classmate Rhamat Alhassan paced the Gators with seven stuffs and chipped in 12 kills thanks to the help of the Gators' offensive director, senior setter Mackenzie Dagostino, who also got in on the double-double action with 49 assists, 12 digs.
 
It was redshirt freshman Lindsey Rogers who came through in the clutch for Florida with a game changing performance and career match. Tied 1-1 and facing a 22-17 deficit in the third, the Gators kicked it to another gear behind an enthusiastic crowd to crash the Noles party with an 8-1 come-from-behind run for the eventual 2-1 lead in the match. Rogers served out the last five points, including a career-best back-to-back service aces at points 21 and 22 for a complete momentum shift.
 
Rogers struck with another five-point serving run early in the fourth, sophomore Abby Detering got in on the fun with back-to-back aces herself in the final frame, and the Gators ran away with the final set for the program's second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance.
 
The Gators and Badgers will match up at Gregory Gym in Austin Dec. 11. Stay posted to www.GatorZone.com for more information in the coming days.
 
MARY'S MINUTE | All Quotes
"What a game. A true Florida/Florida State matchup that lived up to its name. It was very reminiscent of our experience in 2013. For this group, we've had our rough moments. We had a gut check in the third set and to make the run, to make the service run that Lindsey (Rogers) did for us, we could see the momentum change. The crowd was absolutely terrific; I have to give a huge shout out to the crowd. I think it's a shame that Florida and Florida State have to play each other this early. That's a great match. That's a regional match. I feel very fortunate that we were able to play well and we're fortunate enough to advance."
 
MATCH NUMBERS OF NOTE
UF's 10 service aces against the Noles were third-most for the Gators in a NCAA match…Florida extended its home win streak this season to 10 matches in the last match in the O'Dome until 2017…The Gators moved to 5-3 this season against top-25 opponents with Friday's 3-1 win over the Noles…Lindsey Rogers' two service aces were a career high…Abby Detering's three aces tied a career high after she also dropped over three against the Wildcats Thursday…The Noles became Florida's 17th opponent this season under a .200 efficiency as FSU hit .172 Friday.
 
UP NEXT
The Gators' second trip to Austin, Texas, this season. Florida will clash with No. 6 seed Wisconsin in the program's 23rd Regional Semifinal. The Badgers swept Iowa State to advance to Austin. The host Longhorns also advanced Friday evening with a 3-1 win over Purdue at home and await their Regional Semifinal opponent. UT will face either Michigan or the winner of UCLA-Lipscomb, to be determined Saturday in LA. Florida is 1-0 all-time against Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament and 4-4 against Texas, 4-3 against the Longhorns under Mary Wise, in tourney play.
 
FLORIDA NCAA TOURNAMENT NOTABLES & NUMBERS OF NOTE

 
GATOR NOTABLES
·         League Best Five Gators Named All-SEC Volleyball Selections
·         Simone Antwi voted into University of Florida Student Senate
·         Živa Recek earns AVCA Coaches 4 Coaches Scholarship
·         Shaïnah Joseph Named to 2015 SEC Community Service Team
 
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