The Gators threw a block party Friday night, and Simone Antwi hosted it.
After totaling just seven total team blocks over its last six sets, Florida busted out of its defensive slump for 14 blocks against LSU.
Antwi, a senior middle blocker, tied a career-high with seven blocks, as the No. 14 Gators swept the Tigers (25-22, 25-20, 25-13) Friday night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Sophomore middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan matched Antwi’s block total — three of which were solo blocks — to help UF (21-5, 13-4 Southeastern Conference) edge LSU (9-17, 5-10 SEC).
“Our two middles, Rhamat and Simone, were so good,” head coach Mary Wise said. “We spent a lot of time on the blocking.”
Florida has won and swept its last three matches.
The Gators came out a bit sluggish in the first set but kept it close before pulling away toward the end.
After an LSU serving ace put UF down 11-9, Wise called a timeout to recollect her players.
Once Florida tied it at 13-13 on an Alex Holston service ace, the Gators went on a 12-9 run to win set one.
Set two played out similarly.
Both teams were neck-and-neck until UF gained some breathing room when Ziva Recek slammed a kill to put Florida up 14-10.
After a bad pass and a miscommunicated set on UF’s side of the court, the Tigers found themselves within one at 14-13.
But then Florida used an LSU service error and kills from Holston and sophomore outside hitter Carli Snyder to win three straight points as part of an 11-7 run to take the second set.
Holston, a junior right-side hitter, led the match with 14 kills, while turning out nine digs as well. The Olney, Maryland, native has tied or led the team in kills in each of UF’s last five matches.
Florida flew out to a 6-0 start in set three, which was dominated by the Gators.
Senior defensive specialist Nikki O’Rourke, who served the set’s first six points, also put together another key run in the set.
Ahead 14-8, Florida won five straight with the Clearwater native behind the service line.
Ultimately, the Tigers couldn’t claw back, and UF breezed on to take set three 25-13.
Wise said the sweep didn’t tell the whole story of the match. She also credited LSU’s defense for the way they dug the ball.
“We got a little impatient from the offensive standpoint,” she said in a release. “But in the third set regrouped and were very productive both offensively and defensively.”
Florida will next square off against Texas A&M on the road on Sunday at 2 p.m. to conclude conference play. The Aggies, who sit atop the SEC standings, have won 11 straight matches since UF swept them on Oct. 9.
A radio broadcast contributed to this report.
Follow Patrick Pinak on Twitter @Pinakk12
UF middle blocker Simone Antwi swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-1 win against Florida State on Sept. 20, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.
