Gators Grind Out Victory over Texas A&M

Wednesday, October 4

Gainesville, FL

7 PM

Florida Gators

Texas A&M

Shainah Joseph had one of the most efficient and highest-scoring nights of her career.

Gators Grind Out Victory over Texas A&M

Wednesday, October 4, 2017 | Volleyball

Box Score

Mary Wise became the all-time Division I wins leader among female head coaches

By: Zach Dirlam

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It was a struggle much of the night, but the top-ranked Gators hit their stride in the fourth set to halt Texas A&M's upset bid. Florida improved to 12-0 overall and 4-0 in Southeastern Conference play with the win.

Wednesday (Oct. 4) also marked the 887th victory of Mary Wise's 31-year head coaching career, surpassing BYU legend Elaine Michaelis (1969-2001) for the most all-time wins by a female head coach in Division I history. Wise's win also moved her past Michaelis for the eighth-most wins in Division I history and 14th-most wins in NCAA history (all three divisions).

Despite 20 errors, the Gators hit .295 on the match. They also tied their season high with 10 service aces, three of which came from freshman outside hitter Paige Hammons.

Senior outside hitter Carli Snyder logged a match-high 16 kills and 19.5 points, but fifth-year senior right side Shainah Joseph starred for Florida's offense. Joseph hit .481, posting a career-high 15 kills and just two errors on 27 attacks.

Three-time All-American Rhamat Alhassan added 12 kills, two service aces and five blocks. Defensively, senior libero Caroline Knop led the way with 20 digs, while sophomore middle blocker Rachael Kramer had a season-high seven blocks.

A dramatic first set featured nine ties and four lead changes, the last of which came after Florida ripped off a 5-2 run and erased a 22-21 deficit to win, 26-24. Set two saw seven tie scores, but the Gators won three of the final four points to take the frame, 25-23. The third set saw the Gators commit 10 errors, leading to a 27-25 setback, despite a gritty rally that washed away a 23-20 deficit. Florida returned to form in the fourth, though, winning the set, 25-10, with an absurd .583 hitting percentage (14 kills, zero errors, 27 attacks).

NOTABLES

Florida has held 11 of its first 12 opponents under a .185 hitting percentage
The Gators totaled 12 blocks for the fourth time in their last six matches, and reached double-figures for the ninth time this year
Shainah Joseph hit above .385 with at least 20 attacks for the first time in her collegiate career
Joseph hit over .425 with at least nine attacks for the sixth time this year
Joseph's previous career high for kills was 12 in a four-set win over UCF on Sept. 21, 2014
Joseph's previous career high for points (16) also came in that match (she had 17 Wednesday)
Allie Monserez posted 31 assists and 10 digs for her second double-double of the season
Cheyenne Huskey tallied a career-high five kills
The Gators have never lost a match during the regular season as the nation's No. 1 team (25-0 record) and boast a 30-2 all-time record at No. 1
Florida improved its all-time record against Texas A&M to 13-1, along with a 11-1 mark under head coach Mary Wise
Florida's 12-0 start is the fourth-longest winning streak to open a season in school history, trailing 16-0 starts in 1987 and 2007, as well as the 28-0 start to the 1995 campaign

NEXT UP
Florida concludes its four-match homestand Sunday (Oct. 8) against Georgia. SEC Network + will stream the match via Watch ESPN, and a radio broadcast will air on ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM. First serve in the O'Dome is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET.

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