Gators Host Trio of Non-Conference Opponents

Friday, September 15

Gainesville, FL

12 PM

Florida Gators

Florida A&M

Florida is seeking a 7-0 start prior to its showdown with in-state rival Florida State.

Gators Host Trio of Non-Conference Opponents

Thursday, September 14, 2017 | Volleyball

Florida returns to action following schedule shuffling due to Hurricane Irma

By: Zach Dirlam

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After a hectic weekend of cancellations and rescheduling due to Hurricane Irma, the Florida volleyball team is ready to get back on the court. The Gators, down to No. 3 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll, host the Gator Invitational Friday (Sep. 15) and Saturday (Sep. 16), featuring matchups with Florida A&M, Northern Kentucky, and Lipscomb, a 2016 NCAA Tournament qualifier.

Even after a weekend without a match, Florida is still one of three teams in the nation with three wins over ranked opponents (including two top-five wins).

One of the prevailing storylines surrounding this weekend's matches is head coach Mary Wise's chance to win her 799th and 800th match with the Gators.

Wise, now in her 27th year at Florida and 31st season of her head coaching career, could become the fourth coach in NCAA history (the first season of which occurred in 1981) to win 800 matches at the same Division I school. She would also become the 11th coach in any NCAA division to win 800 matches at one school.

If the Gators win all three matches this weekend, Wise's career total will rise to 882, tying longtime UC Santa Barbara head coach Kathy Gregory for the ninth-most victories in Division I history.

STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE DONATION DRIVE
In addition to the University of Florida and University Athletic Association asking everyone able to donate to those impacted by Hurricane Irma via "One America Appeal", fans can aide hurricane relief efforts by donating the following items at Friday night's match against Northern Kentucky (the donation bin will be outside Gate 1):

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Friday, Sep. 15 vs. Florida A&M | 12 p.m. ET
Stream: SEC Network + / Watch ESPN | Radio: Audio Stream, also available via ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM | Live Stats

Friday, Sep. 15 vs. Northern Kentucky | 7 p.m. ET
Stream: SEC Network + / Watch ESPN | Radio: Audio Stream (Tom Collett & Josh Crow), also available via ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM | Live Stats

Saturday, Sep. 16 vs. Lipscomb | 7 p.m. ET
Stream: SEC Network + / Watch ESPN | Radio: Audio Stream (Tom Collett & Josh Crow) | Live Stats

PROMOTIONS

Clear Tote Bag Giveaway (Friday) – First 200 fans
Kid's Korner at Gate 4
Post-match autographs (Friday)

PARKING INFORMATION
Parking restrictions for the garage in the main O'Dome lot will be lifted Friday for those wishing to attend the morning matches. Restrictions on all campus parking lots are lifted at 3:30 p.m.

Fans attending Saturday's matches can utilize campus parking lots west of the O'Dome, as well as the main O'Dome lot, after 3:30 p.m.

NOTABLE NEWS & NUMBERS

Rhamat Alhassan reached both the 1,000-kill and 500-block career plateaus in Florida's last match (a 3-0 win over No. 16 North Carolina on Sep. 3)
- Should Alhassan finish her career with a hitting percentage of .400 or higher (currently .426), she will be the 11th player in Division I history to log 1,000 kills, 500 blocks, and hit .400 or higher
Alhassan leads the SEC and ranks seventh nationally in blocks per set (1.67), while setter Cheyenne Huskey ranks third in the SEC and tied for 33rd nationally
Rachael Kramer ranks sixth nationally in hitting percentage (.494), up three spots from last week
Carli Snyder ranks third in the SEC and tied for 27th nationally in service aces per set (0.53)
Florida ranks 18th nationally in digs per set (17.67), a category it ranked 208th in a year ago (14.24)
The Gators also rank 24th nationally in blocks per set (2.80)

SCOUTING THE RATTLERS
Florida A&M (1-6) | 2016 synopsis: 17-10 overall, 10-0 MEAC; MEAC Tournament runner-up

Florida leads: 10-0 (7-0 under Mary Wise)
3-set: 10-0 | 4-set: 0-0 | 5-set: 0-0
Home: 7-0 | Away: 2-0 | Neutral: 1-0
Last Time Out: Sep. 16, 2016, in Gainesville – W, 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-16)

SCOUTING THE NORSE
Northern Kentucky (4-2) | 2016 synopsis: 18-11 overall, 11-5 Horizon League

First meeting
Notable: Florida's started 25 new series since 2005 and won all those first-time meetings, including 23 via sweep

SCOUTING THE BISON
Lipscomb (4-5) | 2016 synopsis: 22-8 overall, 12-2 ASUN; ASUN Tournament and regular season champions, NCAA Tournament qualifier