Florida could taste the victory.
The Gators were up 24-16 in the third set, one point away from its 14th straight win of the season and sixth consecutive shutout.
Then, Alabama scored four straight points.
“They (weren’t) going to die, so we had to make them,” setter Mackenzie Dagostino said.
Mary Wise called a timeout, and then the Gators took the set point.
No. 7 Florida (19-3, 13-0 Southeastern Conference) swept Alabama (19-6, 7-4) 3-0 largely due to the play of Dagostino and right-side hitter Alex Holston.
Dagostino ended the match with 30 assists, six digs and a service ace against Alabama’s staunch defense.
“(Mackenzie) makes plays that, whether it’s the coaches, her teammates, or the crowd, they have a chance to really understand how elite it is,” Wise said.
Holston finished the night with a team-high 16 kills, four digs and four total blocks.
She also hit .600 from the floor.
“From the air, I think,” Wise said. “She just had a hot hand tonight. Alex’s strengths are her ability to move the ball and her vision, and she used both very well tonight.”
Alabama was unable to slow down Florida’s offense early, and the Gators cruised to a 25-13 first set win.
The second set was neck and neck, as neither team gained more than a three-point lead over the other. Florida finally took a 2-0 match lead with a 25-23 victory.
“Our main focus was come out and play the best that we have ever played, and we definitely did that in the first set,” Dagostino said. “Second and third set, we didn’t back down at all. We just saw Alabama step it up a couple notches too.”
The third set was just as closely contested as the second. Florida pulled ahead by eight points late before Alabama rallied to make it 24-20. Eventually, Florida completed the sweep to remain undefeated in SEC play.
The win was a crucial one for UF, as Alabama sits in fourth place in the SEC and is similar to the level of teams the Gators will face in the postseason.
Florida was able to secure the victory despite a strong performance from Alabama’s Krystal Rivers, who finished with a team-high 12 kills, six digs and four total blocks.
“(Alabama) is as physical a team as we’ve played in some time,” Wise said. “We’re gonna play teams in (the tournament) that are maybe as physical and as hard hitting, but even more experienced.
“If you had to play against (Alabama) and Rivers everyday, you better bring your helmets.”
Follow Ian Cohen on Twitter @IcohenB
Mackenzie Dagostino sets the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Alabama on Friday in the O'Connell Center.
