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The No.7 Florida Gators had a hard earned win over the No.25 Missouri Tigers earlier today in the first of two matches in the series.

The two-match series was originally scheduled for February, but due to a positive COVID–19 test, the Tigers and the Gators had to postpone the series. Since the originally scheduled match, the Tigers fell in the rankings from 16 to 25 and the Gators moved up from 10 to 7.

This was not even close to an easy victory. Both teams fought tooth-and-nail to attempt to claim a Top 25 matchup win.

How it happened

Set 1: 25-19 Missouri

Despite Florida taking the first point, the beginning of the first set was Missouri’s game. After some early back-and-forth action, Missouri established a 8-3 lead on Florida. Florida had a difficult time bouncing back as the Tigers held on strong to their lead going up 13-6 and forcing a Florida timeout. However, Florida recuperated in the timeout as they began to diminish Missouri’s hold over them and minimized the lead to 14-12. Missouri held Florida back as they kept a consistent two- to three-point lead over the Gators going into the upper portion of the set. However, the Gators were able to catch up at 20-19, and they forced a Missouri timeout. Missouri was able to finish out the set strong and keep their lead over Florida. The Tigers took the first win.

Set 2: 25-23 Missouri

The two teams started off the second set with some toe-to-toe action. The two teams were tied 4-4 when the Tigers began to take off again. Missouri went up 10-6 before Florida began to catch up again. The Tigers and the Gators ties again were tied at 11-11 when Missouri called a timeout. For the middle part of the set, Missouri was able to hold a small lead over Florida. When the lead gap widened to 19-15, Florida was forced to call a timeout. Coming out of their timeout, the Gators repeated their actions. Florida was able to trail closely behind Missouri before the Tigers pulled ahead. This caused another Florida timeout with a score of 23-19. The Gators came out of their timeout to yet again close Missouri’s lead which caused a Missouri timeout at 24-22. However, Missouri came out of the timeout with a final kill to grab their second win of the day.

Set 3: 25-19 Florida

Both teams came out fighting in the third set of the day. The two teams were back-and-forth in their action, often tying the game up. The two teams were 11-11 when Florida was finally able to come out with a lead over the Tigers. The score was 14-11 when Florida won a challenge that a ball was in when it was declared out. At the 15-11 mark, the two teams took a timeout for media. Coming out of the timeout, Florida continued to soar. The Gators were able to advance their lead to 17-12 when Missouri called a timeout to reassess. However, this timeout was not enough as the Gators came back and worked to strengthen their lead. The score was 22-14 when Missouri was forced to call yet another timeout. Missouri was able to tick down the lead held by the Gators some, and this caused a Florida timeout. However, Florida was able to finish strong and cinch their first win of the day.

Set 4: 27-25 Florida

Similar to the third set, the two teams showed equal action in the beginning with neither team grabbing a lead. Florida began to grab a small lead at 10-6, but Missouri did not let them hold on the lead as they tied the game back up at 10-10 after Florida lost a challenge that claimed a ball was in. The tables turned as Missouri came out of the tie with a slight edge. Throughout the middle portion of the set, the two teams followed closely behind each other. They tied again at 18-18, and Missouri called a timeout. Coming out of the Missouri timeout, not much changed as the Tigers and the Gators continued to show that same toe-to-toe action going into the final few points. Missouri challenged a block and lost the challenge, putting the score at 22-20 Florida. Missouri called an additional timeout as the score narrowed to 20-23. Then, Florida called their own timeout as they reached set point. Florida then lost a challenge that a ball was in. The two teams then tied again at 25-25. Florida escaped with a win. A kill from Ceasar and Hall helped them to cinch their second win and force a fifth set.

Set 5: 15-13 Florida

Coming into the final set of the day, Missouri cinched an early lead right off of the bat. The Tigers were up 5-3. However, the Gators came back to tie up the game. Missouri called a timeout at 9-8. Florida followed suit with a timeout at 10-9. The Tigers were able to hold a small lead over the Gators getting into the midway point of the set which forced a Florida timeout. Florida began to eek away the lead which forced another timeout, this time by the Tigers. The two teams were met with another tie at 13-13. Florida went on a 5-0 scoring run to establish their lead over Missouri. The Gators were able to come out with a win.

Leaderboard

Aces

Hammons, 4

Carlton, 1

McKissock, 1

Kills

Ceasar, 24

Hall, 24

Carlton, 12

Digs

Monserez, 20

McKissock, 15

Ceasar, 12

Blocks

Dooley, 6

Hall, 5

Forte, 5

What’s Next?

The Gators will be back in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center again March 13 to take on the Missouri Tigers for the second game of their two-part series. The match is slated to begin at 4 p.m.