Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF outside hitter Ziva Recek digs a ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Alabama on Nov. 13, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball focusing on fixing defensive flaws

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 18, 2015

Tick. Tock.

UF men's basketball coach Mike White smiles after a play during Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Column: UF men’s basketball will finish higher than projected

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 17, 2015

What strikes you first is their confidence: their faces calm and smiling, even after an offseason of so much upheaval and uncertainty.

UF swingman DeVon Walker shoots a three-pointer during Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida’s DeVon Walker thriving after injury

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Nov. 17, 2015

DeVon Walker is grateful to be back on the court.

UF defensive end Jordan Sherit and linebacker Antonio Morrison record a tackle during Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF’s dominant defense reminiscent of elite 2012 unit

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 17, 2015

Antonio Morrison came to UF in 2012 with a group of players to look up to.

Freshman Caeleb Dressel jumps into the pool at the start of the 200-yard breaststroke event during Day 3 of the 2014 Pinch A Penny Invitational

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

As Fall draws to a close, Gators swimming and diving teams eye Spring

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 17, 2015

This point in the season for UF’s swimming and diving teams would be considered halftime if it were a football game, according to coach Gregg Troy.

UF's Sarah Troccoli dribbles during Florida's 3-2 win against Florida State on Aug. 30, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer freshman Sarah Troccoli showing promise

By Kyle Brutman | Nov. 17, 2015

Upon visiting Gainesville as a high school sophomore, Sarah Troccoli knew Florida’s soccer program was a perfect fit.

Brianna Morgan awaits a serve during Florida's 4-0 win against Maryland on Jan. 25 at the Ring Tennis Complex. Morgan defeated Georgia Tech's Kendal Woodard, 6-2, 6-3 at the No. 3 position on Saturday to help the Gators advance to the NCAA Tournament Round of 16.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF women’s tennis team ends Fall season with doubles title

By Madison Belfour | Nov. 17, 2015

The women’s tennis team ended its Fall season with a doubles championship at the Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic in Lakewood Ranch.

UF coach Jim McElwain points to the crowd during Gator Walk prior to Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, in Columbia, South Carolina.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Column: McElwain has the Gators believing in themselves as season winds down

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 16, 2015

A few days after the Gators defeated Southeastern Conference opponent Vanderbilt and locked up the SEC East, first-year Florida coach Jim McElwain addressed the team about the weeks that were to come.

UF defensive lineman Alex McCalister walks off the field after warmups prior to Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, in Columbia, South Carolina.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Injury bug bites Florida’s defensive line heading into FAU

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 16, 2015

Florida’s defensive line will have some holes to fill against Florida Atlantic.

UF swingman Devon Walker jumps for a layup during the second half of Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF men’s basketball dominates in home opener

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Nov. 16, 2015

In Florida’s home-opener, North Carolina A&T didn’t seem to have a chance.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men’s freshmen golfers had link before the links

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 16, 2015

It’s the story of two childhood best friends and the Canadian golf coach that left Las Vegas to bring them together.

UF soccer coach Becky Burleigh talks with her team following Florida's 2-1 loss to Texas A&M on Sept. 10, 2015, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer controlling close games in NCAA tournament play

By Kyle Brutman | Nov. 16, 2015

Saturday night’s NCAA first-round matchup for the No. 2 regional seed Florida soccer team — a 1-0 victory over Western Michigan — was anything but a cakewalk.

Sophomore right-side hitter Alex Holston swings for a kill attempt during No. 8 seed Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament on Dec. 6 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball’s Alex Holston powering offense

By Brian Lee | Nov. 16, 2015

As Alex Holston goes, so does the Gators’ volleyball team.

After enduring its first losing season under head coach Amanda Butler, the Gators are now playing one of the best seasons in program history. The Gators finished their non-conference schedule 12-1, highlighted by an upset victory over then-No. 6 Florida State in their home opener. Ethan Bauer has the breakdown for you (http://www.alligator.org/sports/basketball_-_women/article_1912e32e-a1f3-11e5-a1bc-130df0cb9bf1.html)

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women’s basketball rebounds to shock No. 6 FSU

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 16, 2015

When a team falls on tough times, sometimes all it takes to get things back on track is a signature win.

UF players celebrate with running back Jordan Cronkrite after his 41-yard touchdown during Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

IN THE MOMENT: UF preparing for final regular season stretch

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 15, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. — There were moments when the offense shined, and there were others that made Gator fans scratch their heads and wonder how the bright spots were possible.

UF forward Devin Robinson rises for a dunk during Florida's 89-42 exhibition win against Palm Beach Atlantic.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Mike White, Gators prepared for home opener against North Carolina A&T

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 15, 2015

In the wake of Florida’s 59-41 win over Navy on Friday, Mike White walked off the still-emptying court in Annapolis, Maryland, and into his crowded locker room.