VB: Gators Drop Back-to-Back Home Matches Against No. 17 Baylor

Match One

The Gators lost the first match of the weekend home series in four sets. Florida held a five-point advantage midway through the first set before Baylor closed the gap and knotted it up at 25. Consecutive attacking errors on Florida gave the Lady Bears the opening set, but the Gators bounced back in the second set in which they maintained a narrow advantage en route to a three-point victory. Though neither team’s hitting percentage eclipsed .125 in the first two sets, both offenses landed more kills with fewer errors in each of the final two sets. Baylor tallied 33 kills combined with just 10 errors (.307 hitting percentage), while Florida racked up 27 kills combined with only eight errors (.268 hitting percentage). Four different Gators served at least one ace, but it was the second straight match in which Florida committed double-digit swerving errors. Florida middle blocker Lauren Dooley was a menace near the net where the 6-foot-6-inch senior recorded a season-high nine block assists.

Box Score

No. 17 Baylor: 27-22-25-25

No. 7 Florida: 25-25-18-23

Stat Leaders

Aces

Hall/Monserez/McKissock: 2

Kills

Ceasar: 15

Hall: 13

Forte: 8

Assists

Monserez: 36

McKissock: 4

Ceasar: 1

Digs

McKissock/Monserez: 10

Ceasar: 9

Blocks

Dooley: 9

Beason: 6

Monserez: 3

Match Two

Florida failed to seek revenge Saturday night at the O’Connell Center where Baylor prevailed in straight sets. The Lady Bears dominated around the net where they out blocked the Gators 12-5. Florida’s offensive efficiency hit rock bottom as its hitting percentage fell below .200 in all three sets. The Gators played an extremely sloppy third set in which they committed 11 errors while landing only 11 kills (.000 hitting percentage). The match marked a season-low in Florida’s team hitting percentage (.111). Outside hitter T’Ara Ceasar provided Florida’s lone offensive spark as she notched her second double-double in the past week with 19 kills and 10 digs.

Box Score

No. 17 Baylor: 25-25-25

No. 7 Florida: 19-18-16

Stat Leaders

Aces

Victoria: 1

Kills

Ceasar: 19

Hall: 8

Beason: 3

Assists

Monserez: 34

McKissock/Hall: 1

Digs

McKissock/Ceasar: 10

Hall: 5

Blocks

Dooley: 4

Hall/Beason: 1

Next Up

The Gators will return to the court Wednesday in Tallahassee to face Florida State. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m and will air on the ACC Network.