If playing five sets is in style, then the Gators have been very fashionable this week.
In its third consecutive match to go the distance, No. 7 Florida (7-2, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) fell 3-2 (17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 13-15) to No. 3 Stanford (6-0, 0-0 Pacific 12 Conference).
Saturday’s loss came on the heels of a five-set defeat to No. 17 Iowa State Monday and a five-set victory over No. 10 Texas Friday.
Much like their Labor Day loss to the Cyclones, the Gators found themselves down 2-0 before rallying to notch the match at two sets apiece.
Then, UF lost a tightly contested fifth set each time due to multiple mistakes on its part.
On Saturday night in Palo Alto, Calif., three hitting errors — including two back-to-back by senior Kristy Jaeckel and sophomore Chloe Mann at the very end — and a net violation cost the Gators.
However, despite the disappointing end to the match, Florida looked very good on paper.
Leading the statistical charge was senior Kelly Murphy, who recorded her 24th career triple-double (14 kills, a team-leading 29 assists and 16 digs).
Jaeckel chimed in with a double-double (20 kills, 16 digs), earning a spot along with Murphy on the Nike Big Four Classic All-Tournament Team.
Also putting in strong performances were sophomore Chanel Brown (28 assists), junior Tangerine Wiggs (career-high 18 kills), and redshirt freshman Taylor Unroe (career-high 22 digs).
Florida will open its conference schedule in its next contest, a road tilt with Mississippi State Friday night in Starkville, Miss.
