In her first match since setting a personal career-high kill record, UF sophomore outside hitter Kennedy Martin reached a new milestone.
Kennedy Martin made Florida volleyball history by recording 31 kills in the Gators' match against Tennessee, tying UF’s program’s record for kills in a single match.
Florida (15-5, 5-3) beat Arkansas (14-7, 4-5) Wednesday in Fayetteville.
Arkansas pulled ahead quickly in the first set following various Florida attack errors and a string of kills, leading to UF head coach Mary Wise calling a timeout as the Razorbacks led 13-8 in the first set.
Coming out of the timeout, Arkansas missed a serve, costing them a point. Despite its error, Arkansas’ momentum continued.
The Razorbacks went on two 3-0 runs midway through the first frame, pushing their lead to 19-10.
Arkansas continued its pattern of success and went on yet another 3-0 run, consisting of two Gator attack errors. Florida called a much-needed timeout in a final attempt to save the set.
When play resumed, Arkansas tallied three consecutive kills, closing out the set with a 25-11 victory.
The Razorbacks and Gators started neck-and-neck in the second set
In the first 14 points of the frame, there were seven ties. Florida redshirt senior outside hitter Isabel Martin posted three straight kills to give the Gators a 10-9 edge.
The set remained close until kills from UF junior middle blocker Amaya Thomas and fifth year outside hitter AC Fitzpatrick, in addition to an ace from Kenedy Martin, pushed Florida to a 15-12 advantage.
Following an Arkansas attack error and a kill from year position Jaela Auguste, Florida’s lead extended to 17-12, eliciting Arkansas to call a timeout.
Arkansas climbed its way back up 23-17, working in three kills to narrow its deficit..
With the Razorbacks in close proximity, the Gators closed out the set 25-19 after an Arkansas service error and another kill from Kennedy Martin .
Kennedy Martin and Thomas added kills early in the third set, giving Florida an early 3-2 lead.
The Gators pulled ahead 9-6 after kills from Auguste, Fitzpatrick and Kennedy Martin. However, Arkansas tied the set 10-10 after a three-kill streak.
An ace from Isabel Martin, a kill from Auguste and a joint block from Isabel Martin and Thomas gave the Gators a 15-13 edge.
Florida lost its lead after an attack error, bringing Arkansas to a 17-16 advantage, causing Wise to call another timeout.
Kennedy Martin stepped up when Florida needed her the most, recording back-to-back kills out of the timeout to give the Gators some breathing room.
Three more kills from Kennedy Martin brought the Gators to set point, and a kill from year position Taylor Parks awarded Florida the third set 25-21.
Parks totaled 49 assists, having taken redshirt sophomore Alexis Stucky’s spot in the last three sets.
Arkansas gained some momentum in the fourth set en route to a five-point run.
Fitzpatrick, Thomas, Isabel Martin and Kennedy Martin tallied kills in response, putting Florida back in front with a 15-14 lead.
Arkansas tied the fourth set at 22 apiece, but the Gators pulled ahead after a kill from Kennedy Martin.
An attack error from Florida put Arkansas in the lead 23-22, cutting the set close and leading to a Florida timeout.
After a duo of Razorback attack errors of their own, Florida reached match point. The Gators went on to claim the fourth set 25-23, and the match 3-1.
Florida will next face Mississippi at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Sunday at 1 p.m.
Contact Shaine Davison at sdavison@alligator.org. Follow her on X @shainedavison.
