For the second game in a row, Florida’s season looked in doubt at the end of the first set. The nation’s most efficient offense was out-worked and defeated 25-16 at the hands of Northern Iowa.
The Panthers doubled UF’s kills number and were able to suffer just one attack error in comparison to the Gators’ four.
But with a return trip home to Gainesville next weekend as added motivation, Florida turned things around, winning the next three sets for a four-set victory (16-25, 25-14, 25-14).
After enduring one of its worst single-set losses of the season to open the match, the Gators largely dominated the final three sets.
“Northern Iowa came out with all cylinders clicking,” UF associate head coach Dave Boos said. “That first set was ridiculous. We didn’t play badly in the first set, they just played so well. After that, it takes a team that decides, ‘You know what? We’re not going down like this.’ We came out and played amazing.”
Fueled by its two premier senior leaders, Kristy Jaeckel and Kelly Murphy, unseeded Florida out-hit No. 6 seed Northern Iowa .281 to .187 and ended the match with 19 fewer attack errors.
Jaeckel had 13 kills, no errors and four service aces while Murphy stepped up in a major way by coming just one dig short of a triple-double. Murphy had 15 kills, 20 assists and nine digs, all while registering a hitting mark of .452.
“Huge,” Boos said. “Murphy carried us for a while. … Those are two senior studs, hopefully all-Americans this year. They deserve it. They’re just fantastic athletes.”
Redshirt freshman libero Taylor Unroe also was a major factor in the final three sets. Unroe had a game-high 16 digs against a Panthers team that was successful all year with a fast offensive attack. She also played a crucial part in the serving game by picking up two service aces.
Northern Iowa’s best player, junior setter Bre Payton, was limited to just a .160 hitting percentage.
The Gators now move on to the NCAA Regionals, which will be held in the O’Connell Center Friday and Saturday.
“I know we’re looking forward to getting back to Gainesville for the regional,” Boos said.
