It was the best pregame in town Saturday afternoon as the Gator faithful in the Stephen O’Connell Center chomped along to “The Orange and Blue”.
Off the initial Southern Indiana serve, the ball found its way to freshman setter Taylor Parks, who set up redshirt senior outside hitter Isabel Martin.
Martin then slammed the ball for a kill, sending the Stephen O’Connell Center crowd into a frenzy.
And from that first point of the match, the No. 11 Florida volleyball team was in control of the action.
No. 11 Florida (4-1) responded from a Friday loss to South Florida in resounding fashion, sweeping the Screaming Eagles (2-3) 3-0 on Day 2 of the Florida Invitational.
Florida’s fifth-year outside hitter AC Fitzpatrick had a strong afternoon to help power Florida to the win. Fitzpatrick recorded a season-high 18 kills in the match, serving as the centerpiece of a high-powered Gator offense.
Florida’s fifth-year libero Elli McKissock also showcased her leadership today, recording a team-high 16 digs while leading the UF huddles
The veteran players’ efforts were crucial given that Florida remained down two crucial players: redshirt sophomore setter Alexis Stucky and sophomore outside hitter Kennedy Martin.
Stucky is set to return in September as she continues to recover from a torn ACL last season. Meanwhile, Martin’s timeline remains unclear after she suffered a left leg injury in UF’s win over Northern Colorado Aug. 30.
Florida’s freshmen also received an expanded role due to Stucky and Martin’s absences, and they stepped up in a big way.
Parks, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Week, led the Gators with 40 assists. Fellow freshmen middle blockers Alec Rothe and Jaela Auguste also started for Florida on Saturday afternoon, combining for 10 blocks in the match.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair that featured eight ties. However, McKissock took over and recorded seven kills, including Florida’s final two kills, to claim the first set 25-21.
The Gators kept their rhythm entering the second set, grabbing an early 11-2 and never let the Screaming Eagles a chance to crawl back. Ultimately, Florida won the set 25-16.
UF went on to control the third and final set of the match with ease. Florida never surrendered its lead, despite six ties in the set. UF’s 25-19 third set win capped off a stellar performance for the Gators.
The Gators will wrap up their weekend at the Florida Invitational against Ohio State Sunday at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center at 4 p.m.
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X @maxbernstein23.
