Sunday, October 19
Lexington, Ky.
3 PM
Florida Gators
at
Kentucky
Outside hitter Jordyn Byrd was among 17 players added to the AVCA National Player of the Year Watchlist, presented by Nike Volleyball.
Gators Gear Up for Ranked Matchup at No. 3 Kentucky
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | Volleyball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida volleyball team faces its second-straight ranked opponent this week, traveling to Lexington to take on No. 3 Kentucky on Sunday, Oct. 19. First serve is set for 3 p.m. inside Memorial Coliseum and will air live on ESPN with Sam Gore, Missy Whittemore and Leah Edmond on the call.
at No. 3 Kentucky
3-set: 37-12; 4-set: 9-4; 5-set: 7-7
Home: 26-12; Away: 23-10; Neutral: 4-1
In the last ten contests against Kentucky, the Wildcats have won seven, with Florida's last road win coming in 2017 when the Gators won in three.
On Florida Volleyball:
FloridaGators.com
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at No. 3 Kentucky
- Date & Time: Sunday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. ET
- Venue: Historical Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Talent: Sam Gore (PxP), Missy Whittemore (Analyst) and Leah Edmond (Reporter)
3-set: 37-12; 4-set: 9-4; 5-set: 7-7
Home: 26-12; Away: 23-10; Neutral: 4-1
In the last ten contests against Kentucky, the Wildcats have won seven, with Florida's last road win coming in 2017 when the Gators won in three.
On Florida Volleyball:
- The Gators received 70 votes in this week's AVCA Coaches Poll and have won three straight matches, defeating then-No. 25 Missouri, Vanderbilt, and No. 16 Tennessee in five sets on Wednesday. Florida holds an RPI of 38 and stands 4-3 against Top-25 opponents this season.
- Against the Lady Vols, setter Alexis Stucky registered her ninth double-double of the season after finishing with 52 assists and 11 digs to direct Florida's offense to a .276 hitting clip, as outside hitter Jordyn Byrd led the Gator attack with 23 kills. The Sarasota native finished with a personal-best five blocks, four digs and one assist for a career-high 26.5 points.
- Freshman libero Lily Hayes was named the SEC's Co-Freshman of the Week on Oct. 13, making her the 20th player in program history to garner the award and the first defensive player to do so since Elli McKissock in 2020. It also marks Florida's first SEC weekly accolade of the 2025 season.
- In conference play, the Gators rank fifth in digs per set (14.45), in kills per set (13.77), in assists per set (12.48) and in hitting percentage (.257), while sitting seventh in opponent hitting percentage (.224).
- Three players represent Florida among SEC leaders, with Stucky averaging 10.58 assists per set to rank third in SEC play. Hayes sits 10th with 3.55 digs per set, while freshman Milica Vidacic currently ranks 10th in hitting efficiency (.336)
- After a standout start to the 2025 season, Byrd was among 17 players added to the AVCA National Player of the Year Watchlist, presented by Nike Volleyball, joining the 30 nominees originally announced in August. The Sarasota native currently leads the Gators in kills (253) and points (271.5), while adding 32 blocks, having played only 16 matches in her collegiate career.
- UK has won eight-straight SEC Championships.
- In his 21st year at the helm of the Kentucky Volleyball program, Craig Skinner boasts a 13-2 record with wins against SMU and Louisville, and a perfect SEC slate thus far.
- Brooklyn DeLeye is a returning All-American for UK wearing the Wildcat jersey. Eva Hudson, who played 2022-24 at Purdue, is also a returning All-American for the Wildcats at the outside hitter position. They are two of the best in the nation. DeLeye averages 4.67 and Hudson 4.44 kills per set. The duo is a major reason why setter Kassie O'Brien is averaging 9 assists per set.
- The No. 3-ranked Wildcats are second in the country in assists per set (13.75) and second in kills per set (14.81). Kentucky also ranks in the top five in the SEC in seven different categories: 2nd in hitting percentage (.288), opponent hitting percentage (.149), assists per set (13.70), kills per set (14.90), 3rd in digs per set (14.55) and 5th in blocks per set (2.60).
- Defensively, libero Molly Tuozzo sits fourth in the SEC at 3.95 digs per set, while middle blocker Lizzie Carr sits sixth in blocks per set (1.40).
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Players Mentioned
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OPP
/ VolleyballCarwash Convos: Alexis Stucky
Friday, October 17
Jordyn Byrd Post-Match Interview
Friday, October 17
Alexis Stucky | Carwash Convos
Friday, October 17
Jordyn Byrd Post-Match Interview
Sunday, September 28
