Saturday morning the 7th ranked Gator volleyball team participated in the Auto-Owners Spartan Individual in East Lansing, Michigan. The Gators took on the Chippewas of Central Michigan for their first ever meeting between the two programs. Florida went on to sweep Central Michigan in game one of the day.
Even with an early morning start, the Gators dominated from the opening serve. Clean, powerful volleyball is what the Gators played today. Alex Holston got the Gators on the board early with a kill, and from there it was over. Florida connected on astounding 15 of their 21 attacks in the first half, nine more than the Chippewas. It was quite a first set for Macomb, Michigan native Carli Snyder as she led the team with seven kills. With her contributions, Florida easily took set one 25 to 10.
The second set got off to a much different start. The Chippewas hung around for the beginning moments, even taking a lead. Two kills from the junior Paige Carey helped the Chippewas take the early lead. Florida rallied back and scored five in a row to take control of the set. However, Central Michigan would not go away. Several Chippewas kept them in the game with their attacking. Central Michigan had team high 10 kills during the second set. However, after the score became 20-17, Florida scored the final five points of the set to go up two games to none. Florida was a force at the net at the end of the set, blocking three of the final four attacks from Central Michigan.
The third set was an absolutely dominating performance by the Gators. Florida raced out to a 13 to 2 and it simply never looked back. Freshman Chanelle Hargreaves, sister of former Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III, was the star of set number three. She came into this ballgame with one career ace, but came stepped up today and recorded three in a span of four serves. The game ended in a very a fitting way for the Michigan native Carli Snyder. Her 14th (a team high) and final kill of the night was the final point of the match. Florida won the set 25 to 10 and swept the Chippewas.
Florida now has a record of 2 wins and one lose. Later Saturday evening, the Gators will square off with Morgan State 4:30 p.m. in East Lansing.