In the final Southeastern Conference match of the season, the Gators volleyball team turned in one of its most disappointing performances.
No. 14 Florida blew a 2-0 set lead to collapse against conference-leading Texas A&M in five sets, 25-20, 25-19, 22-25, 22-25, 11-15, on Sunday afternoon in College Station.
The defeat marks the second time this season the Gators have let a 2-0 lead slip away. They lost in similar fashion on Sept. 30 against Missouri.
Florida (21-6, 13-5 SEC) got off to an early 14-9 advantage after trading points back-and-forth with Texas A&M (21-6, 14-2 SEC) in the early going. They were then able to hold that lead and seal a first-set win with relative ease.
The second set unfolded in a similar manner, with Florida building a small lead midway and holding on to establish a comfortable 2-0 set advantage.
Having swept Texas A&M at home just over a month ago in one of its most dominant wins this season, Florida seemed poised to cruise to another easy victory.
But the Aggies had other plans.
Texas A&M fought took an early third set lead and led for the majority of the set. Florida was only able to take the lead once, when a 6-0 run saw the Gators go from down 10-13 to up 16-13.
However, the momentum was short-lived.
With the set tied at 20 points apiece, Texas A&M went on a 5-2 run to capture the third set, 25-22.
Florida never led in the fourth set.
Texas A&M was consistently able to hold the Gators at an arm’s length.
Every time Florida got within striking distance, the Aggies were able to pull away and cushion their lead, eventually winning again 25-22 and forcing a decisive fifth set.
With their lead evaporated and their backs against the wall, the Gators failed to respond when it mattered most.
In the final set, Florida once again was never able to establish a lead.
An attack error by senior outside hitter Ziva Recek proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the Gators, giving the Aggies a 15-11 set win and ending the match.
While sophomore middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan had a stellar game — finishing with 16 kills and six blocks on .577 hitting — much of the team struggled offensively.
Junior right side hitter Alex Holston and sophomore outside hitter Carli Snyder hit .184 and .192, respectively.
Texas A&M outplayed Florida defensively as well, out-blocking the Gators 15-14.
Florida fell to 3-4 this season when trailing its opponent in digs.
The Gators had 58 digs compared to the Aggies’ 61.
Florida finished its 2015 campaign 13-5 in conference play, with the most losses and worst winning percentage since coach Mary Wise took the helm of the program in 1991.
This season, the Gators are also a concerning 0-5 in five-set matches, a record that inevitably raises questions about this teams mental toughness.
If Florida is to achieve its goals of success in the upcoming SEC and NCAA tournaments, they will need to work through obvious issues in late-game situations.
The Gators wrap up their regular season schedule this Friday, the final home game for the seniors, against LIU Brooklyn at 3 p.m. on the SEC Network+.
Follow Brian Lee on Twitter @Brianlee_17
Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Texas A&M on Oct. 9, 2015, in the O'Connell Center
