Match 1: Florida 3, CSUN 0

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The No. 8 Florida Gators started the Lumberjack Invitational on a high note, sweeping CSUN on Friday morning.

Florida controlled the first set, hitting .375 to win the frame 25-12. The Matadors battled back in the second set, but UF held on to secure the set 25-18.

The Gators once again looked in control during the third frame, hitting .522 to win the set, 25-12.

UF held CSUN to a .025 hitting percentage, the lowest allowed through the season thus far, while hitting .409 themselves as a whole - the best on the year.

Thayer Hall and Holly Carlton led the way offensively for Florida, coming up with seven kills apiece. Rachael Kramer and Haley Warner were not far behind, both adding six kills of their own.

"In a match where we have the size advantage, the stat line we would hope to see show up is blocks and it did today," said coach Mary Wise. "This was one of our better blocking performances this early in the season."

Match 2: Northern Arizona 3, Florida 2

The No. 8 Florida Gators fought until the very end with Northern Arizona, but the Lumberjacks came out victorious in five sets.

Florida dropped the first set 25-19 in a packed Rolle Activity Center, but battled back to take set 2, 25-22. Northern Arizona came back to win the third set, 25-20, and Florida forced a deciding set five after winning the fourth, 25-20. The Lumberjacks won the final set, 15-13, in a point-for-point battle.

Redshirt sophomore Holly Carlton posted a career-best 19 kills in the loss, followed by a 17-kill performance by both Rachael Kramer and Thayer Hall.

Kramer also had a day at the net, recording six blocks. Paige Hammons added four to that total and Thayer Hall and Taelor Kellum each pitched in three.

Allie Monserez dished out a season-best 47 assists and Allie Gregory finished with a career-high 22 digs.

The Gators are back in action on Saturday against the Southern Illinois Salukis at 12 p.m. EST / 9 a.m. MST. Live stats will be available for the match.

Florida has faced Southern Illinois only once in program history, back in 1985 before the Mary Wise-era. UF fell in five sets in Orlando, Fla. (15-7, 16-14, 4-15, 9-15, 2-15).