If the Gators (6-0, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) were in the Atlantic Coast Conference, then their prospects would be looking very good.
Clemson (4-2, 0-0 ACC) became the fourth ACC foe to fall to Florida this season, joining Boston College, North Carolina, and Florida State.
Like their conference counterparts, and every other opponent the Gators have faced this season, the Tigers fell in straight sets (25-14, 25-16, 25-18) at the O’Connell Center.
“It’s definitely hard to win matches straight and I think it’s a good contribution to the balance of our team,” senior Kristy Jaeckel said. “When one player may not be playing their best, other players step up and do what they need to do.”
Florida’s victory over the Tigers completed a sweep of the Campus USA Credit Union Invite, which included victories against Jacksonville and Florida Atlantic Friday.
The Gators took down the Dolphins in straight sets (25-20, 25-15, 25-6) in straight sets and disbanded of the Owls in similar fashion (25-10, 25-10, 25-18).
“The most important thing is that we get better,” UF coach Mary Wise said. “I thought today we showed signs of improvement that we didn’t see as much (Friday).”
One player who stepped into the spotlight over the weekend was sophomore Chloe Mann, who recorded 15 kills and a .682 hitting percentage.
However, Mann saved her best performance for her first career start Saturday, registering nine kills and an .818 hitting percentage.
“She is the best jumper on the team,” Wise said. “She looked like an experienced player out there and she never looked lost. Our ability to hold Clemson to .024 (hitting percentage) had a lot to do with the play of Chloe in terms of stabilizing the front-row blocking.”
Mann was not the only Gator who took advantage of extra playing time as all but one player saw action in Florida’s three victories.
The Gators’ next foe will be No. 19 Iowa State in the O’Connell Center Monday night.
“We’re so comfortable with any six players on the court because we play together at practice all the time,” Jaeckel said. “Everyone plays hard and works hard and I really feel like we have a good trust and balance between our team.”
