Florida played its final regular season home match Sunday in the O’Connell Center, defeating Alabama (10-17, 2-15 Southeastern Conference) in straight sets 3-0 (25-17, 25-10, 25-17).
The No. 1 Gators (24-1, 17-0) celebrated the careers of senior middle blocker Lauren Bledsoe, senior libero Erin Fleming and senior outside hitter Callie Rivers.
“It’s just really hard to realize that this is your last everything — our last pregame meal, our last time being in the locker room, coming out for a cheer and watching the light show,” Bledsoe said. “It’s hard to recognize it and turn the game-time switch on and (focus) and work hard.”
Bledsoe and her fellow seniors didn’t have any trouble getting refocused for the match after an emotional pregame ceremony. Bledsoe hit .667 with nine kills and four blocks. Fleming had nine digs, four assists and a service ace while Rivers hit .333 with nine kills and six digs.
“It’s been a really special day for me,” Bledsoe said. “I’ve really appreciated it a lot.”
Junior setter Kelly Murphy did a little bit of everything, hitting .625 on her way to recording 10 kills, 15 assists, two service aces, seven digs and two blocks.
Florida outplayed the Crimson Tide in all areas on Sunday. The Gators hit .371 as Alabama hit just .062. The Gators also won the blocking battle 7-1 and recorded five service aces while Alabama had none.
“That was a complete match — offense and defense,” coach Mary Wise. “There were really solid performances by lots of different people. It’s good to be ending the home stand on a high note as we go on the road to three tough places with the chance to win a title.”
Florida will end the regular season on the road, taking on Arkansas, LSU and South Carolina.
Although the Gators have a chance to host postseason matches, there is no certainty that they will be back home.
“We’re in a situation where we may not play in the O’Connell Center again,” Wise said. “With the way the NCAA Tournament is restricted to travel, we need teams in Florida to be selected for us to have any chance of playing at home.”
This was the second time the Gators defeated Alabama. They won 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-20) on Oct. 8.
“If that’s the last home match of the year,” Wise said, “then we ended on a pretty good note.”
