Florida Gators

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Junior outside hitter Carli Snyder, who posted double-doubles in Florida's first two matches of the season, is home in The Mitten State. Snyder and the No. 7 Gators continue an eight-match opening road swing this weekend in East Lansing at the Auto-Owners Spartan Invitational with three tilts on the schedule – two Saturday, capped off by a finale Sunday at 3:30 p.m. against host Michigan State (3-0), which is receiving votes in this week's AVCA Top 25 Poll.
 
Florida will first take on Central Michigan (1-2) at 10 a.m. at Jenison Field House Saturday, follow by a clash with Morgan State (0-4) at 4:30 p.m., marking the first time UF will play both the Chippewas and Bears in program history.
 
All three matches this weekend will have live streaming, with Sunday's Gators-Spartans showdown scheduled to stream on BTN+ or via the BTN2Go app.
 
Auto-Owners Spartan Invitational Tournament Central
Read: Florida Match Notes
Watch: Mary Wise Monday Press Conference
 
FLORIDA ENTERING THE SPARTAN INVITATIONAL
Florida, which started four players for the first time last weekend at the VERT Challenge and saw five freshmen get their toes wet in collegiate play, will look to build off a solid opening-weekend test against two of the top teams in the country. The Gators split their opening weekend slate, defeating host Oregon 3-1, while falling to defending national champion Nebraska by the same 3-1 deficit.
 
The Orange and Blue will continue to rely on offensive threats Rhamat Alhassan, Alex Holston and Snyder, all three of whom smashed double-digit kills in both matches in Eugene -- Snyder with two double-doubles. Reigning SEC Setter of the Week Allie Monserez will look to be a stabilizer her second week as the Gators' starter, while serve-receive will continue to be a point of emphasis heading into East Lansing, headed up by libero CK (Caroline Knop) and reinforced UF's depth in the back row.
 
The Spartan Invitational offers a unique chance for the hot hitting Snyder, a Macomb, Michigan, product, to play in front of family and friends. Juniors Sam Dubiel (Wheaton, Ill.) and Shainah Joseph (Ontario, Canada) are also expected to draw a crowd with their proximity to home. Monserez had her best weekend as a collegiate setter at the VERT Challenge to nab conference Setter of the Week honors -- she ranks fifth in the nation in assists per set (12.50), which is also tops in the league entering the week of competition. As a team, Florida ranks 18th in the country in assists per set (13.75), 22nd in kills per set (14.63) and 27th in hitting percentage (.298) heading into East Lansing.
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Saturday, Sept. 3 vs. Central Michigan (10 a.m.)
Radio Stream (Tom Collett) + live on ESPN Gainesville (95.3 FM, 850 AM) | Live Stream | Live Stats
 
Saturday, Sept. 3 vs. Morgan State (4:30 p.m.)
Radio Stream (Tom Collett) | Live Stream | Live Stats
 
Sunday, Sept. 4 at (rv) Michigan State
Radio Stream (Tom Collett) | Live Stream (BTN+/BTN2Go) | Live Stats
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
vs. Central Michigan (Sept. 3 – 10 a.m.) | 1-2 overall in 2016
Florida and Central Michigan will meet for the first time this weekend in East Lansing
 
vs. Morgan State (Sept. 3 – 4:30 p.m.) | 0-4 overall in 2016
Florida and Morgan State will meet for the first time this weekend in East Lansing
 
at (rv) Michigan State (Sept. 4 – 3:30 p.m.) | 3-0 overall in 2016
Florida and Michigan State will meet for the second time in program history Sunday at Jenison Field House
• Florida leads the series: 1-0 (1-0 under Mary Wise)
• 3-set: 0-0 | 4-set: 1-0 | 5-set: 0-0
• Home: 1-0 | Away: 0-0 | Neutral: 0-0
• Last Time Out: Dec. 13, 1996 at Gainesville (NCAA Regional Final) -- Florida advanced to the NCAA Final Four with the win --> W, 3-1 (7-15, 15-7, 15-9, 17-15)
 
BIG PICTURE
The Gators finished the 2015 season 25-7 overall, 13-5 in the SEC (fourth). UF made its 26th NCAA Tournament appearance and owns the fourth-longest streak in the nation for consecutive NCAA appearances. Florida advanced to the program's 15th Elite Eight last season, owns 21 Southeastern Conference Championships and is led by renowned head coach Mary Wise, who enters her 26th season in 2016. Wise is the third-winningest active Division I head coach in the country and owns the most victories among DI women's head coaches. She enters this year with a career record of 849-159 (.842) and a UF record of 768-96 (.890), has guided Florida to seven Final Fours, a National Championship Match berth in 2003 and has tutored all 35 Florida All-Americans to 90 All-America honors.
 
FOLLOW FLORIDA VOLLEYBALL
FloridaGators.com
Twitter
Instagram
Coach Mary Wise on Twitter | Coach Mary Wise on Instagram
Facebook