Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Midfielder Sammie Betters has scored on her only two shots this season.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer set for “upgrade” in competition this weekend

By Sam Campisano | Aug. 23, 2018

UF coach Becky Burleigh isn’t fooled by Ohio State’s record.

Middle blocker Rachael Kramer (left) said she believes this year's Gators squad is better than last season's. "The defense on this team is out of this world," she said.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators to open season in Nebraska tournament

By Dylan Rudolph | Aug. 23, 2018

Florida’s volleyball team begins its 2018 regular season against No. 2 Nebraska tonight at 7 and No. 3 Texas on Saturday in the Vert Challenge taking place in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Redshirt sophomore Feleipe Franks (right) is competing with redshirt sophomore Kyle Trask (left) for the starting quarterback position. Franks played in all 11 games for UF last season and started eight.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Feleipe Franks is clearly UF’s best QB option

By Mark My Words | Aug. 22, 2018

Coach Becky Burleigh (center) celebrates with her team following its victory over USF in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Despite great play from Cassidy Lindley, UF still has work to do

By River Wells | Aug. 21, 2018

Freshman Cassidy Lindley has propelled the Gators during their two-game winning streak to start the season. The rookie midfielder was credited with an assist on Florida’s first goal in its 2-1 win against Washington in the season opener.

Redshirt senior setter Allie Monserez will be a leader for the Gators this year. Her sister, Marlie, joins her on the team this season.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Three players to look out for this season

By Dylan Rudolph | Aug. 21, 2018

With the Gators volleyball team kicking off its 2018 season against No. 2 Nebraska on Friday, let’s look at some of the players to watch for this upcoming season.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Don't be a lemming: Florida will be playing on New Year's Day

By Morgan Meets the Eye | Aug. 21, 2018

The start of a new semester means facing some hard truths.

Florida running back Malik Davis was leading the Gators in rushing last season before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the year.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

PREDICTION: Who's slated for a breakout season in 2018?

By Alligator Staff report | Aug. 21, 2018

The UF football team kicks off its season on Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. The Alligator's football writers — Mark Stine, Alanis Thames, Morgan McMullen and Jake Dreilinger — debate who will have the biggest breakout season on the team.

Coach Dan Mullen (right) evaluates his quarterbacks and running backs during fall camp. At Monday's press conference, he said he'll be evaluating the starting quarterback contenders over the next couple of days.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Biggest takeaways from Mullen’s press conference

By Mark Stine | Aug. 20, 2018

A quarterback decision is coming soon Florida and Charleston Southern kick off in under two weeks at the Swamp, and according to UF head coach Dan Mullen, the quarterback that starts on Sept. 1 will be the guy he goes with for the SEC opener against Kentucky on Sept. 8.

Sophomore forward Madison Alexander gave Florida a 2-0 lead in the 35th minute. It was her second goal in as many games for the Gators this season.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida offense catches fire in win over FAU

By Sam Campisano | Aug. 19, 2018

The No. 7 Gators had to fight their way to a season-opening win. They came back with two second-half goals amid the irregular drizzle and consistent possession to down Washington 2-1.

After recording 105 kills in 32 games in 2017, UF outside hitter Paige Hammons showed off her defense in the 2018 Orange and Blue scrimmage.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

3 things we learned from Orange and Blue scrimmage

By Dylan Rudolph | Aug. 18, 2018

Thayer Hall is as advertised

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators open season with win over Washington

By Chris O'Brien | Aug. 17, 2018

A cool, light rain drizzled over the spectators and players in Gainesville as the Gators soccer team took on Washington in its season opener. The Gators might have felt the motivation of an opportunity to avenge last season’s 1-0 loss against the Huskies in Seattle.

After making an exit in the Elite Eight last season, the UF soccer team enters 2018 as the No. 7 team in the nation.

SPORTS | SOCCER

PREVIEW: Exciting freshmen look to power Gators in 2018

By Sam Campisano | Aug. 14, 2018

Coming off its first Elite Eight appearance in three years, the UF soccer team is showing no signs of slowing down heading into the 2018 season.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

PREDICTION: Gators ride easy schedule to eight wins

By Mark My Words | Aug. 14, 2018

Yes, the time has come to make a prediction.

SPORTS | FEATURES

TOUGHEST WARRIOR: How Lauren Evans overcame the battle of a lifetime

By Chris O'Brien | Aug. 14, 2018

Sophomore Deanne Rose is UF's leading returning scorer. She tucked away nine goals and three assists in 2017.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators look to improve strong foundation at FGCU

By River Wells | Aug. 8, 2018

The last time the world saw the UF women’s soccer team, it was shut out in a 2-0 loss against SEC rival South Carolina in the NCAA quarterfinals.Now, with 10 of their starting players back on the roster, a No. 7 ranking in the

Senior running back Jordan Scarlett is returning from a suspension that spanned the 2017 season. "He’s (Scarlett's) in that process of getting himself back to where he was in the past conditioning wise and physically," said running backs coach Greg Knox.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Focuses in camp at each position group on offense

By Mark Stine | Aug. 8, 2018

The UF offensive coaches spoke to the media Tuesday, and each of them talked about their evaluations of fall camp so far.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

FINAL COLUMN: The NBA will surpass the NFL in popularity

By Andrew Huang | Aug. 8, 2018

Slowly but surely, the totem pole is shifting.

Egor Koulechov led the team in rebounding during the 2017-18 season

SPORTS

Alligator Awards: Honorable Mentions

By Chris O'Brien , Andrew Huang , Brendan Farrell and Alligator Staff report | Aug. 6, 2018

We’re not perfect here at alligatorSports. This summer, we’ve been going over some of the best athletes and teams. But now, we’re going to take a look at some of those programs or people that we left out or missed.

A unit of Florida wide receivers, including transfers Van Jefferson (12) and Trevon Grimes (8), rests during Day 1 of fall camp after catching passes from the quarterbacks.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

QBs with lots to learn, transfer receivers settling in

By Mark Stine | Aug. 6, 2018

The Florida Gators will take the field for the first time in full pads today.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Quarterbacks were on display during Day 1 of fall camp

By Mark Stine | Aug. 3, 2018

After the first practice of camp, UF coach Dan Mullen stressed that mental effort will be one of the most important focuses for his players this fall.