Gators Kick Off 2021 Season with Hornet Invitational

Friday, August 27

Sacramento, CA

7 PM

Florida Gators

San Francisco

Gators Kick Off 2021 Season with Hornet Invitational

Thursday, August 26, 2021 | Volleyball

Florida heads to Sacramento, Calif. to face off against Sacramento State, UC Davis and San Francisco

By: Katie Callahan

Match Notes | Tournament Central

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The sixth-ranked Florida volleyball hits the road to start the 2021 campaign, competing in the Hornet Invitational in Sacramento, Calif. from Aug. 27-28.

The Gators are set to take on San Francisco on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, followed by a two-match slate on Saturday against UC Davis (1 p.m. ET) and host Sacramento State (10 p.m. ET). All three matches will air on ESPN+.

Of the three teams, Florida has only previously faced San Francisco, winning a three-setter on Sept. 8, 1995 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Five Things to Know About the 2021 Gators

Streaking in the Top-15. Florida debuted at No. 6 in the AVCA Division I Coaches' Poll on Aug. 16, marking the 30th consecutive season the Gators are a preseason Top-15 team. The streak runs all the way back to 1992, and only Nebraska boasts a longer active streak.
Gators in the SEC. After finishing second in the league during the 2020-21 campaign, the 2021 Gators were picked to finish second in the conference, just one point behind reigning national champion Kentucky for first place. The Gators had four members named to the Preseason All-SEC Team, the most of any team in the league. T'ara Ceasar, Lauren Forte, Thayer Hall and Marlie Monserez each found themselves on the nine-person squad.
Seasoned Squad. This Gator squad lost four seniors to graduation, but returns five seniors and four sophomores to the court this fall for a plethora of experience. Between the returners, there are four AVCA All-Americans and four All-SEC honorees. Florida returns .805 percent of its kills, .627 percent of its service aces, .893 percentage of its solo blocks, .777 percent of its block assists and .904 percent of its assists.
Freshmen Phenoms. Florida welcomes four newcomers to the 2021 roster: Trinity Adams, Merritt Beason, Gabrielle Essix and Bre Kelley. The four freshmen bring in numerous accolades, national team experience and Under Armour All-American honors.
Among the Elite. Mary Wise is one of two coaches to have been named AVCA Coach of the Year at least three times in their career (Russ Rose, Penn State, five times). Since Wise took over the program in 1991, no other team in the nation has won as many matches, with the Gators sitting at 898. Penn State has won 897, with the next closest being Nebraska at 857. Florida sits third all-time in program wins since 1984 with 1,054. That trails only Penn State and Nebraska for the most in the nation.

Fan Information

Fans are allowed to attend the matches, but must wear a face covering per Sacramento County health order
Ticket prices – One-day passes:
- Adult: $12
- Youth (ages 3-17): $6
- Senior (ages 65+): $6

No. 6 Florida vs. San Francisco Broadcast Information
Date & Time: Aug. 27 | 7 p.m. ET
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

Series Information – No. 6 Florida vs. San Francisco
Dons | 2020-21 season synopsis: 8-10, 8-10 WCC

This is the second meeting between the Gators and the Dons
Florida leads 1-0 (1-0 under Mary Wise)
3-set: 1-0 | 4-set: 0-0 | 5-set: 0-0
Home: 0-0 | Away: 0-0 | Neutral: 1-0
Last Time Out: Sept. 8, 1995 | Santa Barbara, Calif. | W, 3-0 (15-3, 15-7, 15-3)

No. 6 Florida vs. UC Davis Broadcast Information
Date & Time: Aug. 28 | 1 p.m. ET
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

Series Information – No. 6 Florida vs. UC Davis
Aggies | 2020-21 season synopsis: Did not compete in the 2020-21 campaign

This is the first meeting between the Gators and the Aggies

No. 6 Florida vs. Sacramento State Broadcast Information
Date & Time: Aug. 28 | 10 p.m. ET
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

Series Information – No. 6 Florida at Sacramento State
Hornets | 2020-21 season synopsis: 10-7 overall, 10-6 Big Sky

This is the first meeting between the Gators and the Hornets

The Gators open the home portion of their schedule on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Single-match tickets are still available to the public for Florida's 14 home matches in the fall.

TICKET INFO | Gator Ticket Office Online | Call: 352-375-4683 x6800 (Open M-F, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)

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