As No. 15 Florida (6-2) took on Louisiana Lafayette (4-5), it did something it hasn’t done so far this season in the O’Connell Center. The Gators narrowly missed the sweep as they dropped a set to the Ragin’ Cajuns.
“Every match is going to be a grind,” coach Mary Wise said.
After winning the first two sets, Florida dropped their third in a close 23-25 battle. However, they bounced back quickly as they took the fourth set to win 3-1 (25-15, 25-14, 23-25, 25-12).
Although they lost a set against Louisiana Lafayette, it was Georgia Tech (7-2) that gave Florida its biggest test.
“Georgia Tech played very well,” Wise said. “That’s a team with 5 seniors and 2 juniors. They came in here and played lights out with no fear.”
The Gators got off to a quick lead in the first set, but the Yellow Jackets responded with a 6-0 rally to put them ahead 8-4. Once Georgia Tech got the lead, Florida wasn’t able to retake it and lost the set 22-25.
In the second 3-1 (22-25, 25-15, 25-21, 25-22) win of the day, the Yellow Jackets came the closest to beating the Gators at home than any other team in 2012.
“Our team responded after the first set,” Wise said. “The difference in the match was when we started blocking balls. Blocking can come in streaks, and I think Chloe (Mann) and Betsy (Smith) really anchored our defense.”
Seniors Betsy Smith and Tangerine Wiggs and junior Chloe Mann all led the Gators as they set a season high in blocks per match against Georgia Tech with 11 blocks. Their previous record was 8.5, which came against Florida Gulf Coast in the first weekend of the season.
As the Gators wrap up the Active Ankle Challenge, they will get ready as they hit the road to open up Southeastern Conference play against Arkansas on Friday and Kentucky on Sunday.
According to Wise, she will need Smith, Wiggs and Mann to continue their dominant front row defense to help them win.
“It will come down to can we keep other teams from killing the ball,” Wise said. “Our blocking and digging is going to be so important. It’s not easy to win on the road and that will be a huge challenge for us to start the SEC on the road against Arkansas and Kentucky.”
Contact Katie Agostin at kagostin@alligator.org.
Senior middle blocker Betsy Smith combined with Tangerine Wiggs and Chloe Mann to record a season high in blocks per match. Florida defeated Louisiana Lafayette and Georgia Tech Saturday in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
