Football in the SEC is a staple for its fanbase, and it’s no different in Gainesville during Saturdays in the Fall. However, UF is a premier athletic institution from top to bottom and rolls out exceptional talent across the board.
Incoming freshmen will undoubtedly be drawn to game days inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. However, new students on campus should be well aware of the other games, meets, matches and tournaments UF’s elite programs compete in annually.
The Gators will show out in numerous sports this Fall including volleyball, tennis, soccer, cross country, swimming and diving as well as men’s and women’s basketball.
Volleyball: Who to watch
Florida volleyball is coming off a solid 2023 campaign. The Gators finished 19-10 despite losing one of its most talented players midway through the season, redshirt sophomore setter Alexis Stucky due to a knee injury. With a healthy Stucky returning, UF is ranked No. 2 in the conference heading into 2024 according to the SEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Sophomore outside hitter Kennedy Martin will be a star for the Gators this season. The 6-foot-6 Preseason All-SEC nominee set the program record for the most kills by a freshman in Florida history with 492 en route to AVCA Second Team All-American honors.
UF volleyball will begin its season hosting a Fan Day in a scrimmage against Georgia Southern at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Aug. 24 at 2 p.m.
Gators’ basketball teams take the hardwood
With a strong core of players from last year’s 24-12 squad coming back, along with impactful transfer additions, Florida men’s basketball head coach Todd Golden has a team with high hopes in 2024-25.
Senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. postponed his NBA dreams to return for one last season in the orange and blue. He is coming back as the leading scorer averaging 17.6 points per game in his junior campaign.
He’ll be joined in the backcourt by fellow senior guard Will Richard and senior FAU transfer guard Alijah Martin, rounding out a prolific UF offense as the Gators come off their highest-scoring season in program history.
The home opener for the men’s basketball team will be against Jacksonville at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Nov. 7. A big time non-conference matchup will await the Gators just before finals week as UF takes on Virginia in the SEC-ACC Challenge at the O’Dome Dec. 4.
Leading the way for the women’s basketball team will be senior guard Aliyah Mathura, who averaged a team high 19 points per game while totaling 81 steals defensively as a junior.
A highly sought after freshman recruit will make her debut for the Gators this November. Me’Arah O’Neal, daughter of Shaquille O’Neal, enters the program ranked No. 33 in her class according to the ESPNW Top 100. The 2024 McDonald’s All-American forward will have the chance to make an immediate impact on the court for Florida.
The women’s basketball squad will debut its 2024-25 slate against Florida Atlantic in the O’Dome Nov. 4.
Student admission to regular season volleyball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball games are free with a student season pass. Active students can claim their free pass at the Florida Gators website under the student tickets tab.
Soccer season kicks off
Moving to the pitch, the Florida soccer team wrapped up its preseason exhibition schedule with a 0-0 tie against Georgia Southern Saturday following a 2-1 victory over South Florida Aug. 3.
“The team is definitely better,” head coach Samantha Bohon said. “We’re really excited again with the process. We know it’s not a quick fix. We are progressing through this preseason really well.”
Sophomore forward Megan Hinnenkamp started all 17 games for the Gators last season and led the team with eight goals. Bohon thinks the versatility of this year’s roster could lead to a potent offense.
“We'll spend next week working a little bit more on attack,” Bohon said. “We have some different dimensions and options this year that are exciting. There are a couple different ways we can attack this year.”
UF’s first regular-season game will be Friday against Western Carolina at Donald R. Dizney Stadium at 7 p.m.
Gator olympians return to UF
Florida's cross country and swimming and diving teams will have athletes and coaches fresh off an appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, who will be putting their talents on display this Fall.
Coming off a pair of third-place national championship finishes in 2024, the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will be determined this Fall with multiple Olympians returning to its rosters.
Rising junior Aleksas Savickas represented Lithuania in Paris, swimming in the men’s 200 meter backstroke. Savickas is a five-time All-American and was named first-team All-SEC in 2024.
Head coach Anthony Nesty enters his seventh season at the helm of the men’s team and fourth season coaching the women’s squad. The eight-time NCAA champion was also the head coach of the 2024 US Olympic men’s swim team to cap off his resume.
Rising senior Emma Weyant will return to campus off the back of her second Olympic appearance swimming in the 400 meter IM. The two-time Olympic medalist and 2024 800 meter freestyle relay champion will be at the forefront of one of the most dominant athletic programs at UF.
Tennis seeking to build momentum
On the tennis court, the men’s team will look to bounce back after an up-and down 2023-24 season resulting in a 13-12 record. Head coach Adam Steinberg returns sophomore Kevin Edengren who won the second most singles matches on the team last year.
The Gators women’s tennis team will be led by rising junior Rachel Gailis. The Florida native posted a team-high 22 singles victories as a sophomore and was a first-team All-SEC selection in the spring.
Florida’s women’s basketball, cross country, tennis and swimming and diving teams have not yet announced their 2024 schedules. UF men’s and women’s golf will not host an event in Gainesville this fall.
Students and the general public wishing to attend cross country, tennis, soccer or swimming and diving events this Fall can gain entrance free of admission.
Contact Max Tucker at mtucker@alligator.org. Follow him on X @Max_Tuckr1.
Max Tucker is a junior transfer student at UF. After obtaining his A.A. in Journalism from Santa Fe College in 2023, he chose further his education at Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. Max is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a specialization in sports and media. He enjoys golfing and going to the beach with his friends in his free time.
