Gators Welcome Tigers, Crimson Tide to Exactech Arena

Friday, October 6

Gainesville, Fla.

7 PM

Florida Gators

Auburn

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Gators Welcome Tigers, Crimson Tide to Exactech Arena

Thursday, October 5, 2023 | Volleyball

Florida is set to take on No. 25 Auburn on Friday night, followed by a Sunday afternoon matchup against Alabama

By: Katie Callahan

Match Notes

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The ninth-ranked Florida volleyball team (11-2, 3-1 SEC) plays host to two league matches this weekend, competing against No. 25 Auburn (12-3, 2-2 SEC) and Alabama (10-5, 0-4 SEC).

Florida's first serve against Auburn is slated for Friday at 7 p.m. on SEC Network + and ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM/850 AM with Tom Collett and Nick Cheronis on the call.

The Gators then return to action to face the Crimson Tide on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Exactech Arena. The match will also air on SEC + and ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM/850 AM.

Florida is coming off a four-set victory at South Carolina last Sunday, while Auburn topped Georgia in four sets in its last contest. Alabama had a midweek match against Tennessee on Wednesday, where the Lady Vols defeated the Crimson Tide in straight sets.

The Gators hold the advantage in both series: 54-2 (50-1 under Wise) against Auburn; 51-0 (49-0 under Wise) against Alabama.

Promotions

Friday:
- Celebrating the 2003 Florida volleyball team
- Giveaway: First 250 students in attendance will receive an '03 tank top
- Giveaway: 2023 Schedule Magnets
- Post-match mingle on the court with the team
Sunday:
- Sunday will serve as Florida's Dig Pink match to support breast cancer awareness
- Giveaway: 500 Pink Headbands
- Giveaway: 2023 Schedule Magnets
- Post-match mingle on the court with the team

Block Party

Following the first 13 matches, the Gators are averaging 2.63 blocks per set, putting them second in the conference. Three Florida players are ranked in the Top-10 of the conference: Nnedi Okammor (7th | 1.19), Kennedy Martin (10th | 1.07) and Anna Dixon (10th | 1.07)
The Gators finished the 2022 season averaging 2.73 blocks per set, good for first in the conference and eighth in the nation
In the 2021 season, the Gators averaged 2.63 blocks per set (19th in nation), in the 2020-21 season, the Gators averaged 2.75 blocks per set, putting the squad 12th in the nation. In 2019, Florida averaged 2.49 blocks per set; in 2018 UF averaged 2.82 blocks per set (11th in the nation); in 2017 the Gators averaged 2.93 blocks per set (ninth in the nation)
In 10 out of the last 12 seasons, Florida has been among the top-3 in the conference in blocks per set

National Spotlight

As a team, the Gators are ranked in the Top-35 in the nation in the following:
- Hitting percentage (34th | .263)
- Blocks per set (21st | 2.63)
Kennedy Martin is ranked in the Top-50 nationally in the following:
- Points per set (30th | 4.73)
- Kills per set (47th | 3.87)

No. 9 Florida vs. No. 25 Auburn Broadcast Information
Date & Time: Oct. 6 | 7 p.m.
Live Stream: SEC+ | Live Stats: Statbroadcast | Radio: 98.1FM/850AM | Tickets: FloridaGators

Series Information – No. 9 Florida vs. No. 25 Auburn
Tigers | 2023 season: 12-3, 2-2 SEC

This is the 57th meeting between the Gators and the Tigers
Florida leads 54-2 (50-1 under Mary Wise)
3-set: 40-0 | 4-set: 12-1 | 5-set: 3-1
Home: 26-0 | Away: 26-2 | Neutral: 3-0
Last Time Out: Sept. 23, 2023 | Auburn, Ala. | W, 3-2 (20-25, 26-24, 24-26, 25-19, 17-15)

No. 9 Florida vs. Alabama Broadcast Information
Date & Time: Oct. 8 | 1 p.m.
Live Stream: SEC+ | Live Stats: Statbroadcast | Radio: 98.1FM/850AM | Tickets: FloridaGators

Series Information – No. 9 Florida vs. Alabama
Crimson Tide | 2023 season: 10-5, 0-4 SEC

This is the 52nd meeting between the Gators and the Crimson Tide
Florida leads 51-0 (49-0 under Mary Wise)
3-set: 47-0 | 4-set: 4-0 | 5-set: 0-0
Home: 26-0 | Away: 22-0 | Neutral: 3-0
Last Time Out: Sept. 21, 2022 | Gainesville, Fla. | W, 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-17)