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The Florida Gators women’s volleyball team won an extremely tough matchup Friday afternoon against the Kentucky Wildcats. The Gators snapped the Wildcats 15 game win streak in the process. The final score was 3-2 Florida.

Background

Coming into this game, Florida was ranked No. 7, and Kentucky was ranked No. 3, making this a massive top 10 matchup. Kentucky came into this match undefeated with 15 wins under their belt, meanwhile Florida was on a 11-game win streak and had not lost since playing the Georgia Bulldogs in Nov. 2020. In this match, four of the top 10 kill producers in the country took the court.

How it happened

Set 1: 25-18 Kentucky

As expected, both teams came out strong as they matched each other’s action. However, three consecutive points and a failed challenge by Kentucky gave Florida the slight edge. The Gators were able to hold on to their small, two-point lead going into the middle of the set with a score of 14-12. Kentucky was able to regain their ground here and not only tie the game up, but surpass Florida. The Gators called a timeout when the Wildcats lead 17-14. Coming out of the timeout, Florida was never able to quite regain their ground, meanwhile Kentucky flourished. The Wildcats were able to hold the Gators back despite the additional Florida timeout, and Kentucky finished the set with a major 7-point lead and the first win of the day.

Set 2: 27-25 Florida

The second set resembled the first. The two teams came back out with toe-to-toe action until the Gators gained a slight two-point edge at 7-5. Kentucky once again caught up to Florida and tied the game up at 7-7. The next few points went back-and-forth between the teams until Kentucky starting pulling ahead 14-12 which caused a Florida timeout. Coming out of the timeout, the Wildcats were able to strengthen their lead to 18-13 until Florida was forced to call another timeout. This time the Gators came back ready to tick away the Wildcat’s lead. Florida rallied to catch up with Kentucky as it became a one-point game at 20-19 which forced a Kentucky timeout. To no avail by the Wildcats, the Gators were able to pull ahead 23-22 and cause an additional Wildcat timeout. The teams continued to swap leads as they both reach match points. In the end, the Gators cinched the win and their first of the day.

Set 3: 25-17 Kentucky

Both teams went back-and-forth, consistently tying up the game. Kentucky was able to gain a slight advantage at points, but Florida was able to meet back up with them. Kentucky began to create a bigger lead after a media timeout that put them up three points over Florida at 17-14. This forced a Florida timeout to reassess their action plan. To no avail for the Gators, the Wildcats came back from this break fighting, and this caused them to jump ahead of the Gators. At a score of 21-16 Kentucky, Florida called another timeout in attempt to try to catch back up in this set. However, despite their efforts, Kentucky held it together to take the set win.

Set 4: 25-16 Florida

Florida came into the fourth set ready to battle. They immediately put up three points on Kentucky until Kentucky challenged a touch-no touch call and won. This helped to reverse the edge as Kentucky worked to gain a two-point lead at 5-3. However, Florida made a point to tie up the game at 6-6, and worked to regain advantage with a four-point lead at 11-7. This reversal of leads forced a Kentucky timeout. Despite a Kentucky timeout, Florida began to widen their lead and even hit a 4-0 run to put them up 16-9. The Wildcats called a second timeout. Florida continued to dominate the set and even put up a 10-point lead over Kentucky at 21-11. The Gators were able to close out the set with a nine-point lead and their second win of the day.

Set 5: 17-15 Florida

Coming right back out, the teams initially kept pace with the other. However, after a tie at 4-4, Florida began the process of pulling away. The Gators were up 8-6 at a media timeout. With the return of play, the Gators held their own and kept their lead. Kentucky knew it was time for a timeout when Florida went up 13-10. Florida’s strength prevailed and a won call challenge by the Gators did not help the Wildcats either. Kentucky called another timeout as Florida neared winning the final set and thus, the match. Kentucky pulled it together and tied the set 14-14. However, Florida kept their fire going and won a hard earned match.

Leaderboard

Kills

Ceasar, 20

Forte, 12

Aces

Ceasar, 3

Carlton, 3

Digs

McKissock, 23

Ceasar, 12

Hall, 9

Blocks

Carlton, 4

Dooley, 4

What’s Next?

The Florida Gators return March 20 to take on the Kentucky Wildcats yet again for the second game in the two-game series. The match is slated to begin at 4 p.m. in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.