Box Score | Highlights | SEC Network Sit-down with Thayer Hall

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 11 Florida Gators defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in a hard-fought five-setter on Sunday afternoon in Exactech Arena.

Florida took the first set, 25-13, then dropped both sets two and three, 25-22. The Gators battled back to win the fourth set, 25-21 to force a deciding fifth set. Florida took over the fifth frame, winning 15-9 to extend its winning streak to 11 matches.  

The blocking proved to be the determining factor for Florida, with the Gators racking up 20 as a team. That mark is the third-highest total in program history and second-best total in the rally scoring era (21.0 vs. Tennessee – 10/22/04 and 11/21/04).

Taelor Kellum posted a career-high 12 blocks in the match. The last time a Gator recorded 12 blocks was on Sept. 16, 2017, when Rhamat Alhassan did so against Lipscomb.

Mia Sokolowski also posted a career-best eight blocks during the match and Rachael Kramer added a season-best seven.

With 17 kills on the afternoon, Holly Carlton paced the Gators' offense. Paige Hammons added 13 kills and Thayer Hall pitched in 11 to secure to the victory for the Gators.

The Monserez sisters combined for 48 assists on the day, with Allie Monserez dishing out 29 and Marlie Monserez pitching in 19.

Three players recorded double-doubles during the match: Allie Monserez (29 assists, 11 digs), Paige Hammons (13 kills, 13 digs), Thayer Hall (11 kills, 11 digs)  

The Gators move to 6-0 in the SEC for the 22nd time under head coach Mary Wise.

Florida travels to South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks on Friday at 7 p.m. on the SEC Network +.

How it Happened

• The Gators controlled the first set from the get-go, going on a 10-1 run to take a 14-5 lead behind the serves of Holly Carlton and Paige Hammons. Georgia chipped away at the deficit just a bit, bringing themselves to within seven points at 15-8, but Florida closed out the frame on a 10-5 run to secure the victory.
  • Florida hit .292 in the first set and held Georgia to a -.147 hit clip. Rachael Kramer and Holly Carlton both notched three kills during the frame, while Thayer Hall added two. UF took advantage of 13 Georgia attacking errors in the set.
• The first half of the set was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. With the two squads tied at 14-14, Georgia went on a 6-0 run to take the 20-14 lead.  Florida began to chip away at the lead and was within three points at 24-21, but a UGA kill secured set point.
  • The Gators collected eight kills in the second set, with two from Paige Hammons, Taelor Kellum and Holly Carlton. Florida recorded six blocks in the frame, with Kellum recording six of her own.
• Georgia controlled the third set from the start, taking a 13-6 lead early. Florida got to within two at 15-13 and again at 23-21, but the Bulldogs were able to hold on to their lead and go up 2-1 in the match.
  • Florida hit .268 in the third frame, but it wasn't enough to close it out. The Gators recorded 15 kills, including four from both Paige Hammons and Holly Carlton.
• The Gators trailed only once in the fourth set, but quickly regained the lead and the momentum. With the score tied 12-12, the Gators put together a string of seven kills and four blocks to secure the game and force a fifth set.
  • UF registered 15 kills as a team in the fourth set, hitting .243. Holly Carlton led the way with five kills in the frame, followed by three from both Paige Hammons and Rachael Kramer.
• The fifth set was a nail-biter, with both teams being tied 7-7 midway through. Chanelle Hargreaves came in clutch during the final eight points, leading a five-point service run to put Florida up 13-8. The Gators were able to close it out with kills from Thayer Hall and Holly Carlton.
  • UF hit .233 in the set with 11 kills – led by three from Paige Hammons, Thayer Hall and Holly Carlton.

Notables

• Taelor Kellum recorded a career-high 12 blocks in the match, passing her previous personal best of seven
• Mia Sokolowski also recorded a personal-best at the net, finishing with eight blocks
• The 20 blocks as a team were the most since the 2004 season against Tennessee
• Holly Carlton (17), Paige Hammons (13) and Thayer Hall (11) all finished with double-figure kills
• Allie Monserez, Paige Hammons and Thayer Hall each posted a double-double during the match
• The Gators move to 63-9 all-time against Georgia
• Florida improves to 4-3 in five-set matches against the Bulldogs
• UF moves to 15-3 overall and 6-0 in the SEC
• The Gators are 6-0 in SEC play for the 22nd time under head coach Mary Wise
• Florida moves to 2-2 in five-set matches this season
• The Gators are now 4-2 in nationally televised matches in the 2018 campaign

Thoughts from Coach Wise

• "It was the second match in a row where we were fortunate to win while playing some of the best arms in the league. Georgia played very well and we are very glad that we made enough plays, especially in the fifth set, to win."

Players' Corner
Chanelle Hargreaves

• "We knew Georgia had fight in them; we have seen them in film all week and we knew how they could play. We just had to come out and play how the Gators can play in order to battle back."

Mia Sokolowski

• "It was very exhilarating to be involved in a match like this. Georgia did a fantastic job in what they were doing and it is going to be another battle when we go back to Athens."  

Up Next

• The Gators face South Carolina on Friday at 7 p.m. in Columbia, S.C. in an SEC battle
• The match will be streamed on the SEC Network +
• Florida holds the 42-4 series advantage over the Gamecocks, including a 25-5 record at South Carolina

 
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