The Gators Volleyball team defeated SEC opponent Alabama at Exactech Arena Sunday afternoon. The 3-0 sweep improves their record to 4-2 in the conference and 12-3 on the season.
In the first set of the match, Florida held an early 6-4 lead. Kennedy Martin and Anna Dixon provided the spark offensively. The Gators came out with a sense of urgency in the match and looked dominant throughout the opening set.
UF held their momentum to go on a 7-3 run which extended their lead to 13-7. Alabama showed competitiveness as they forced a Florida timeout when they cut their deficit to just one point as they trailed 18-17.
The Gators regrouped after the break and cruised to a 25-22 victory in the first set.
The second set was intense as Florida escaped with a 29-27 win. The two teams were neck-and-neck throughout the entire set and neither team was able to gain a significant advantage. UF was pushed to set-point when the Crimson Tide held a 27-26 advantage.
Florida flipped the script and scored three-straight points as AC Fitzpatrick slammed the door on set two with a service ace.
In the third and final set, the Gators completed the sweep. Fitzpatrick carried the load offensively in the third set tallying numerous kills. Martin added a kill to the stat sheet which contributed to the Gators pulling away with a 20-12. The Gators held control the rest of the set to win 25-19 to secure the sweep.
Fitzpatrick led the Gators on offense with 14 kills as Martin pitched in 11 in the victory. Defensivley, Elli McKissock held down the backcourt for UF recording 17 digs. A trio of Gators tallied a combined total of 10 blocks at the net. Sofia Victoria and Gabrielle Essix posted four blocks and Nnedi Okammor tallied three of her own.
The Gators will be back in action on Friday as they travel to Mississippi State for their next match. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.