Ziva Recek got off to a slow start against South Carolina on Wednesday night.
The senior outside hitter opened the game with an attack error, which gave the Gamecocks their first point.
But both Recek and UF bounced back. The Gators (23-2, 12-1 in Southeastern Conference) swept the Gamecocks in three sets 25-15, 25-9, 25-22.
“I’d like to that think the first two sets were more indicative of the progress we’ve made and taking advantage of a weekend of not playing,” coach Mary Wise said.
Consecutive service aces from Recek in the second set helped Florida grab a commanding lead.
Those were just two of Recek’s three service aces on the night. She also led the team with 15 kills. Recek contributed three of Florida’s 13 attack errors.
“I was just staying focused through the whole game,” Recek said.
“I was not worrying about if I made some silly mistakes. I was just like keep playing, keep swinging high and hard.”
The Gamecocks attempted to make a comeback in the third set.
“The very first rally we won the point, but the effort level by South Carolina showed me right away this one’s going to be much tougher,” Wise said. “South Carolina played so hard, and we made some unforced errors that gave them a chance to get that early lead.”
Florida committed four of its eight service errors in the third set, along with eight of the team’s 13 attack errors.
The errors helped the Gamecocks lead more than they had all night.
But their effort was short lived. The Gators took the lead at 21-20 for the first time since scoring the first point of the set.
A service ace from junior Taylor Unroe won the game for Florida.
Wednesday’s match was just the first in a series of three hurdles the Gators will face this week.
Florida will host Missouri on Friday night. The undefeated Tigers are currently sitting atop the SEC and are one of two teams that have beaten the Gators this season.
“Friday night, it’s going to take the entire kitchen sink,” Wise said. “This Missouri team is as talented a team that we’ve faced in the O’Connell Center in years.”
Follow Erica A. Hernandez on Twitter @EricaAlyssa.
Ziva Recek reaches for the ball during Florida’s three-set victory against Tennessee on Oct. 27 in the O’Connell Center.
