Bayamon, P.R. – Florida's defense carried it to a pair of top-five upsets last weekend, but the offense came around Saturday (Sep. 2) in a sweep of N.C. State at the SEC-ACC Challenge in Puerto Rico.
 
The Gators, who led the nation with a .338 hitting percentage a year ago, posted a season-best .354 hitting percentage. Three-time All-American Rhamat Alhassan and fifth-year senior Shainah Joseph led the way in terms of efficiency, combining for 18 kills and zero errors on 27 attempts—good for a .667 clip. Joseph added four blocks to her line.
 
Two-time All-America honorable mention Carli Snyder logged a match-high 14 kills and 15.5 points. Fellow All-America honorable mention Caroline Knop tallied a match-high 17 digs. Sophomore Rachael Kramer only notched seven kills, but she was a force at the net, racking up six blocks.
 
Florida concludes its Puerto Rico trip Sunday (Sep. 3) against No. 16 North Carolina at 8:30 p.m. The Gators could become the only team in the nation with three wins over top-20 opponents this season. Only one team in the nation amassed three wins over top-20 opponents the first two weeks of last season: Stanford, which won the NCAA title.
 
FloVolleyball will provide live streaming (paid subscription required), while the Gators' audio stream will be available on FloridaGators.com and on the radio via ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM.

 
(COACH) WISE'S WORDS
"It was a night where our defense remained steady. We had some highlight performances offensively, especially the play of our seniors—Rhamat, Carli, and Shainah. It's a work in progress, as are all teams this early in the season." –Head coach Mary Wise on the win tonight


NOTABLES

• Florida improves its all-time record against N.C. State to 7-1, and to 4-0 under Mary Wise
• The Gators have posted no less than eight blocks in any match this year (they had exactly eight Saturday)
• Allie Gregory matched her career high in service aces (two) for a fifth time

 
BROADCAST INFORMATION | Match Notes
Sunday, Sep. 3 vs. No. 16 North Carolina | 8:30 p.m. ET
Stream: FloVolleyball ($30) | Radio Stream (Tom Collett & Josh Crow) + live on ESPN Gainesville (98.1 FM / 850 AM)

 
SCOUTING THE TAR HEELS
No. 16 North Carolina (0-3) | 2016 synopsis: 29-4 overall, 19-1 ACC (champions), NCAA Regional Semifinalist

• Florida leads: 11-1 (6-0 under Mary Wise)
• 3-set: 5-1 | 4-set: 4-0 | 5-set: 2-0
• Home: 4-0 | Away: 4-1 | Neutral: 3-0
• Last Time Out: Aug. 27, 2011, Gainesville – W, 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-14)

 
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