10:03 pm | November 30, 2018 | Go to Source | Author: gatorsports
Special to The Sun
ORLANDO — The No. 16 Florida volleyball team swept Florida Gulf Coast on Friday to advance to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16.
Florida (27-6) is moving on to the regional semifinal round for the 24th time in 29 trips to the tournament — all 24 coming under coach Mary Wise.
UF took the first set, 25-17, then followed with a 25-13 win in the second frame. The Gators were then able to close out the match with a 25-17 win in the final set over FGCU (27-7). The Gators also swept Florida State 3-0 in the first round Thursday.
Florida hit .356 as a squad, the sixth-best percentage this season. Paige Hammons led the offense on Friday night, posting 14 kills on the night. Holly Carlton followed with nine of her own and Rachael Kramer pitched in seven. Allie Monserez dished a team-leading 20 assists — her 30th time leading the Gators in that category this season. Marlie Monserez also added 16 assists on the evening.
“This crowd was great — it honestly felt like a home match,” Kramer said. “You look around and just see Orange and Blue throughout the entire stadium. I cannot thank Gator Nation enough for them to come down all the way to Orlando. That is what pushed us over the edge this weekend — their support was incredible.”
Allie Gregory led the backcourt defense for Florida, posting 16 digs. That was her 29th time leading the Gators in digs this season. Hammons followed with eight of her own and Paula Cerame added seven.
As a squad, the Gators notched 7.0 blocks, led by a team-best five by both Holly Carlton and Taelor Kellum.
The Gators now await to see how the bracket plays out in the remainder of the first and second-round matches to see where they travel for the regional semifinal. If all seeds hold, the Gators will head to Provo, Utah to compete at BYU.
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