GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida middles Rhamat Alhassan and Simone Antwi combined for 26 kills, 15 blocks and senior Nikki O'Rourke had 24 digs as the No. 5 Gator volleyball squad used a total team effort to chalk up its third top-20 win this season with a 3-1 victory over No. 18 FSU Sunday.
In front of an electric O'Dome crowd of over 3,600 and a live television audience on the SEC Network, Florida improved to 8-1 on the season Sunday evening in the SEC Network's 2015 volleyball debut. After the Noles (7-4) battled to grab set one 25-22, Florida rebounded to win the next three 25-18, 25-21, 25-20 in another thrilling Gators vs. Seminoles clash.
Double-doubles from Alhassan (12K, 10B) and Carli Snyder (11K, 12D), 10 kills from senior Gabby Mallette, and 48 assists from the Gators' quarterback Mackenzie Dagostino, who nailed four kills of her own, helped guide the Gators through a gutty performance against a talented FSU squad.
While both teams had 59 kills in the four-set affair, blocks and services aces were the difference, as the Orange and Blue posted 15 blocks to Florida State's six, and seven aces to the Noles three. O'Rourke tied her career high with three service aces, while Dagostino served up two including set point in the second.
Florida will open 2015 SEC play Friday (9/25) and Sunday (9/27) in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center with Ole Miss and its fifth top-25 opponent of the season, No. 24 Kentucky.
MARY'S MINUTE
“Another great Florida, Florida State match in terms of the emotion. The crowd was fantastic today. Both teams battled toe-to-toe. We're fortunate we got such great play by so many individuals, whether it be our two middles and the big points they put up by hitting and blocking, the digs by Nikki O'Rourke; the serve receive and ball distribution all combined allowed us to be successful.”
BY THE NUMBERS
71 | Florida's 71 digs tied for the most this season, paced by senior Nikki O'Rourke's 24, which were just two shy of her career high. Three Gators notched double-digit scoops, including a career-high for both junior Alex Holston (15) and sophomore Carli Snyder (12)
15 | Blocks for Florida compared to FSU's six. UF has double-digit roofs in six straight matches, eight of nine contests this season. Fifteen are second to just UF's 16.5 at Texas
14 | Kills for senior Simone Antwi to lead all Gators on the floor. Antwi hit a team-best .542, her third time with a .500 hitting efficiency or better this season
10 | Block assists for sophomore middle Rhamat Alhassan, her second-most this season. Alhassan had 14.0 in the Gators' season-opener at James Madison
7 | Service aces for the Orange and Blue against the Seminoles, the most for UF in a match this season. Senior Nikki O'Rourke had a career-tying three aces
3 | Sunday's victory over No. 18 FSU marked UF's third top-20 win of the season. UF is 3-1 against ranked foes in 2015 and will face its fifth in No. 24 Kentucky next Sunday
NEXT UP
Next up, a new season starts as the Orange and Blue welcome Ole Miss (9/25) and No. 24 Kentucky (9/27) to Gainesville for the start of Southeastern Conference play. Last season, Florida put together its 13th undefeated conference slate and won the program's 21st SEC title.
OLE MISS PROMOTIONS (9/25)
· Gator Football Tailgate: Any fan with a valid ticket to the Sept. 6 Gator football game vs. Tennessee will get free admission to the Gators vs. Rebels volleyball match!
· Gator Volleyball Croakies to the first 500 fans!
FOLLOW THE GATORS | Preseason SEC Favorites
GatorZone.com
Twitter
Instagram
Coach Mary Wise on Twitter | On Instagram
Facebook
