Florida waited 293 days for a second shot at Alabama.
After the Crimson Tide beat the Gators by .075 points at the 2012 NCAA Super Six to claim last season’s national championship, Florida finally got another chance at its Southeastern Conference rival on Friday. And the Gators put it all on the floor.
No. 1 Florida’s floor routine has been a project in the works for much of the season. But against No. 5 Alabama on Friday, it looked less like a weakness and more like a strength.
The Gators peaked facing their best opponent this season.
Florida’s floor combination strung together four consecutive scores of 9.9 or better in its final event to seal a 198.1-196.85 victory over Alabama.
UF registered scores of at least 49.4 in each of the four events but saved its best for the floor routine. Florida entered the contest averaging 49.19, and Friday’s 49.65 score is .375 more than its season-high against Arkansas on Feb. 1.
"It was a great overall floor performance," coach Rhonda Faehn said. "Probably still not 100 percent at what we’ll probably do at the end but … pretty incredible."
Prior to the exercise, Faehn asked Randy Stageberg to perform a double tuck instead of a full in her first pass, as Kiersten Wang was set to open her routine with a double layout for the first time.
"It was nice to be able to see Randy humbly take the hit knowing that she wasn’t going to be doing what she normally would and still do an amazing routine," Faehn said.
The competition wrapped up with the four strongest contenders on Florida’s roster: Bridget Sloan, Ashanee Dickerson, Marissa King and Kytra Hunter. Each registered a score of 9.9 or higher, with Dickerson’s 9.975 the eighth near-perfect score on floor in UF history.
"That was the best routine of Ashanee’s four years here," Faehn said. "It really was."
Closing out the rotation was Kytra Hunter, who was battling the stomach flu and recovering from a ligament strain in her left ankle. She recovered from disappointing beam and bars routines to score a 9.95, her best mark of the season.
Even with an injury-laden roster, Florida put on its best showing to date. With a strong effort on floor, UF progresses towards deploying full-strength lineups.
"This is my first time being a part of a 198," Dickerson said. "And I would’ve never thought we could do it."
Senior Ashanee Dickerson performs her floor routine in Florida’s 198.1-196.85 win against Alabama on Friday in the O’Connell Center. Dickerson recorded a career-best 9.975 score on floor in the Gators’ victory.
