The Florida volleyball team is getting used to downing its opponents in three games, and Sunday's match against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., was no different.
After a 3-0 win against Ole Miss on Friday, the Gators finished their weekend on the road with yet another straight-set victory (25-21, 25-16, 25-13) against the Crimson Tide.
The win marked Florida’s sixth straight sweep as well as a continued winning streak in Tuscaloosa, as the Gators now hold a 35-0 record on the road at Alabama.
Senior Kelly Murphy shined for Florida in a nine-kill, nine-dig and 22-assist performance that left the hitter/setter combo just shy of another triple-double. Murphy also registered a .538 hitting percentage, as the offense combined for a .386 hitting performance.
Although the Tide started off strong and even managed to lead the Gators by one in the middle of the second set, Florida’s defense warmed up and stuffed Alabama’s chances at a comeback soon after with a 6-0 run and a dominant third set.
Murphy and the rest of Florida’s attack found success defensively by keeping pressure on the Tide with a block so successful that it pushed Alabama’s attack percentage to a meager minus-.048 in the third set.
The Gators (15-3, 8-1 Southeastern Conference) out-blocked Alabama (10-11, 3-7 SEC) 7-3 in the match to limit the Crimson Tide’s attack percentage to .135 overall.
But blocking wasn’t the only factor in the Gators' defensive stronghold.
Florida’s backcourt proved to be similarly strong, and has continued to improve in recent matches after coach Mary Wise pointed to defense as a team focal point.
Defensive specialist Taylor Unroe led the team with her 13-dig contribution to the win, while outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel finished not far behind with 10.
Jaeckel also led the team with 14 kills and earned two service aces to keep Alabama’s backline guessing on return.
Florida will continue its SEC road play on Wednesday as the team heads to South Carolina.
