The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference
The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference

No. 15 Florida rolls past Alabama

2684 days ago

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Behind a floor high 17 kills from junior right side Alex Holston and an error-free, 11-kill outing from senior middle Simone Antwi, the No. 15 Gators chalked up their 14th sweep of the season against the Crimson Tide (25-22, 25-23, 25-16) Friday night in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center to maintain their perfect 41-0 record all-time against Alabama (13-14, 7-6 SEC).

Florida (19-5, 11-4 SEC) hit .414, served up a season-high eight service aces -- including a career-tying three from senior outside hitter Živa Recek -- and chalked up its seventh low attack-error match in the last 11 outings with just eight Friday. Senior setter Mackenzie Dagostino added her eighth double-double of the campaign with 42 assists and a team-leading 10 digs. Antwi and Holston accounted for 28 of the Gators' 49 kills in Friday's sweep.

After taking a competitive first frame 25-22, the Gators were forced to dig deep down 22-20 to the Crimson Tide in a tight second. Back-to-back kills from sophomore middle Rhamat Alhassan and Antwi tied the set at 22-22, while an Alabama attack error and sophomore Carli Snyder slam gave Florida set point to set up the eventual 25-23 result.

The Orange and Blue came out of the locker room at the break ready to cruise, using a 7-1 run in the heart of the third with the help of sophomore setter Abby Detering's serve to take a 13-5 lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Antwi's 11 slams propelled her to her second-best hitting efficiency of the season with a .786 clip, while Snyder hit .462 with seven kills on 13 swings with just one error. Holston finished the night with a team-high 18 points with 17 kills and a service ace to her name, while fellow DC native Alhassan finished the night with a .438 hitting efficiency on nine kills along with two blocks.

Next up, Florida will ready for its second meeting with the Tennessee Vols in the second-to-last regular-season match in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Sunday. First serve between the Gators and Vols is 1:30 p.m.

Next up Florida will look to make it back-to-back wins with their second clash of the season against Tennessee Sunday in the O'Dome on SEC Network +. UF is 24-6 all-time at home against Tennessee and swept the Vols on Oct. 14 in Knoxville. The Gators have just four more regular-season matches remaining -- including Senior Day in the O'Dome Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. The 2015 NCAA Selection Show will air at 9 p.m. Nov. 29 on ESPNU.