Carli Snyder — who leads the SEC in service aces — went almost three full sets without one.
Then, with Florida up 23-19, the senior smashed consecutive aces to ice the team’s SEC home opener against Tennessee.
No. 1 Florida (10-0, 2-0 SEC) beat the Vols (8-4, 1-2 SEC) behind a balanced team effort that saw five Gators record at least five kills.
Each set started out close, but Florida always found a way to pull away down the stretch.
“Being No. 1, we know that we’re going to get everyone’s best shot,” Snyder said after the game. “If you’re going to give us your best Tennessee, then we’re going to give you our best Florida.”
Florida’s sweep of Tennessee (25-17, 25-18, 25-19) was not indicative of the two teams’ defenses, which both ranked among the SEC’s best.
Florida lead the SEC in blocks and opponents hitting percentage, while Tennessee was third in both.
The Gators offense was rolling, scoring early and often. For Tennessee, it was a different story.
“Whatever lineup they had, I thought our team did a good job adjusting to it,” coach Mary Wise said.
Florida held major advantages in hitting percentage (.252-.098) and blocks (13.0-3.5).
Sophomore Rachael Kramer led the Gators with 10 kills—six of which came in the first set—while hitting .529 with just one attack error.
Senior Rhamat Alhassan added nine kills and six blocks, and sophomore Cheyenne Huskey led all players with eight blocks.
Huskey nearly recorded a double-double, netting 15 assists along with her blocks total.
“I can’t really take all the credit,” Huskey said. “I really thrive off of what they’re doing. Most of my success comes from the team and what the coaches teach me.”
Snyder and redshirt senior Shainah Joseph both added six kills and combined to account for a third of Florida’s digs on the night.
Freshman Paige Hammons also pitched in with five kills and nine digs.
The win extends Florida’s series lead to 49-12, and 45-7 under Wise.
It also improved Florida’s record to 28-2 when ranked No. 1.
The Gators will have a short turnaround as they face LSU (11-3, 2-1 SEC) at home on Sunday at 3 p.m.
You can follow Andrew Huang on Twitter @AndrewJHuang, and contact him at ahuang@alligator.org.
UF coach Mary Wise talks with her players during Florida's 3-1 win over Marshall on Sept. 17, 2016, in the Lemerand Athletic Center.
