Box Score | Match 1 Recap

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The No. 8 Florida Gators fought until the very end with Northern Arizona, but the Lumberjacks came out victorious in five sets.

Florida dropped the first set 25-19 in a packed Rolle Activity Center, but battled back to take set 2, 25-22. Northern Arizona came back to win the third set, 25-20, and Florida forced a deciding set five after winning the fourth, 25-20. The Lumberjacks won the final set, 15-13, in a point-for-point battle.

Redshirt sophomore Holly Carlton posted a career-best 19 kills in the loss, followed by a 17-kill performance by both Rachael Kramer and Thayer Hall.

Kramer also had a day at the net, recording six blocks. Paige Hammons added four to that total and Thayer Hall and Taelor Kellum each pitched in three.

Allie Monserez dished out a season-best 47 assists and Allie Gregory finished with a career-high 22 digs.

The Gators are back in action on Saturday against the Southern Illinois Salukis at 12 p.m. EST / 9 a.m. MST. Live stats will be available for the match.

Florida has faced Southern Illinois only once in program history, back in 1985 before the Mary Wise-era. UF fell in five sets in Orlando, Fla. (15-7, 16-14, 4-15, 9-15, 2-15).

How it Happened

• The Gators dropped the first set to the Lumberjacks, 25-19. Florida held a 6-2 lead early in the set after racking up six kills, but Northern Arizona kept battling for every point. After leading 13-8, the Lumberjacks went on a 17-6 run to clinch the first set.
  • Florida hit .233 in the frame and Rachael Kramer led the way with five kills. Taelor Kellum, Holly Carlton and Thayer Hall each pitched in three of their own.
• Similar to the first set, Florida found itself up 6-3, but NAU fought back to take an 11-8 lead over the Gators. The squads would battle for points until a 6-0 service run by freshman Paula Cerame gave UF the 20-17 lead. Two kills by Kellum and a kill apiece from Carlton and Kramer over the final five points helped the Gators secure the set and even the match at 1-1.
  • UF hit .281 in the frame with 14 kills as a squad. Kramer notched four, while Kellum and Hall each recorded three apiece in the frame.
• Florida got out to another early lead in the third set, this time holding a 10-6 advantage over NAU. The Lumberjacks chipped away at the deficit though, tying the set at 11-11. From there on, Northern Arizona went on a 9-4 run to take the sizable five point lead and take control of the frame. The Gators fought for every point, staving off set point three times, thanks in part to two kills by Holly Carlton.
  • The Gators only hit .156 in the frame with 12 kills, but racked up seven errors.
• UF was down 5-1 in the fourth set, but found its rhythm to go on a 9-4 run – giving the squad the 10-9 advantage. Allie Monserez then led the Gators on a five-point service streak, putting Florida up 15-12. The Gators were able to hold on to that score, with NAU never getting closer than four points the rest of the set.
  •  Florida hit .267 in the set, while Thayer Hall and Holly Carlton recording seven and six kills, respectively.
• Florida had control of the fifth set early on, but NAU dug itself out of the hole to tie it at 5-5. From then on, neither team would have a lead of larger than three points. With the score tied at 13-13, the Lumberjacks got consecutive kills from Kaylie Jorgenson to close out the frame and the match.
  • UF got three kills from both Rachael Kramer and Thayer Hall during the set, and hit .350 as a whole collective.

Notables

• Holly Carlton finished with 19 kills, a new career-best for the redshirt sophomore
• Rachael Kramer and Thayer Hall both finished with 17 kills apiece and Taelor Kellum added nine
• Kramer hit .600 on 17/2/25, a season-best percentage
• Allie Gregory recorded a career-best 22 digs
• Allie Monserez dished out a season-best 47 assists
• Paula Cerame came in off the bench to record a career-best two service aces
• Florida drops to 0-1 all-time against Northern Arizona

Up Next

• The Gators close out the Lumberjack Invitational against Southern Illinois on Saturday at 12 p.m. EST.
• All broadcasting information can be found below

No. 8 Florida vs. Southern Illinois Broadcast Information
Time & Date: Saturday, Sept. 8 | 12 p.m. EST  
Live Stats: Statbroadcast | Radio: ESPN 98.1FM/850AM

Series Information – No. 8 Florida vs. Southern Illinois
Salukis | 2018 season synopsis: 3-5

• This is the second meeting between the Gators and the Salukis
• Florida trails: 1-0
• 3-set: 0-0 | 4-set: 0-0 | 5-set: 0-1
• Home: 0-0 | Away: 0-0 | Neutral: 0-1
• Last Time Out: Sept. 7, 1985 | Orlando, Fla. | L, 2-3 (15-7, 16-14, 4-15, 9-15, 2-15)

 
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