No. 1 Gators big hit in Georgia block party

ATHENS, Ga. – The No. 1 Florida volleyball team threw a block party against host Georgia Friday night and five Gators turned out to be big hits – each better than .350 – in the team’s 16th straight victory, 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-13) over the Bulldogs at the Ramsey Student Center.

Florida, which posted a season-high (for a three-set match) 13.0 blocks, was led by senior outside hitter Callie Rivers (14 kills, .462 hitting efficiency), junior right-side/setter Kelly Murphy (11 kills, .474), junior outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel (8 kills, .353), senior middle blocker Lauren Bledsoe (7 kills, .545) and junior middle blocker Cassandra Anderson (5 kills, .400).

As a team, the Gators (21-1, 14-0 Southeastern Conference) hit .418, their highest efficiency since their .519 clip against South Carolina last Nov. 27, and Florida limited Georgia to just .098 hitting efficiency, the third consecutive match holding an opponent under .100.

“To hit .418 against a really good serving team was very impressive,” Florida coach Mary Wise said. “I thought our passing was terrific tonight and, from an offensive standpoint, Callie was just in the zone.”

Rivers also contributed four digs and four blocks for a match-high 16.5 points. Murphy had her ninth consecutive double-double, adding 22 assists to her 11 kills and adding six digs for 12.5 total points. Bledsoe had three blocks, while Anderson had a match-high five blocks.

“Both of our middles were really good tonight,” Wise added. “We just got better and better as the match went on. We were serving the ball well and they never really were able to get a rhythm.”

Freshman Chanel Brown had 20 assists and four digs and sophomore right-side Tangerine Wiggs had four blocks and three kills.

Georgia (11-15, 3-12 SEC) was led by five kills apiece from Valentina Gonzalez and Brittany Northcutt. Setter Kathleen Gates dished out 19 assists.

Florida returns to action on Sunday when it travels to Auburn. Opening serve in the Student Activities Center is slated for 2 p.m. and the match will be carried live on CSS.

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS

EASTERN DIVISION SEC/Overall

(1) Florida 14-0/21-1

(22) Tennessee 11-4/20-5

Kentucky 8-7/14-11

Georgia 3-12/11-15

South Carolina 2-12/5-19

WESTERN DIVISION SEC/Overall

(16) Louisiana State 12-2/21-2

Mississippi 11-4/17-7

Auburn 8-7/17-10

Arkansas 7-8/13-13

Mississippi State 3-11/11-14

Alabama 1-13/9-15

RESULTS

Friday / Nov. 5


Florida 3, Georgia 0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-13)

Kentucky 3, Mississippi State 1 (25-17, 18-25, 25-19, 25-18)

Auburn 3, South Carolina 0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-13)

Tennessee 3, Alabama 2 (28-26, 19-25, 23-25, 25-19, 15-10)

Arkansas 3, Mississippi 1 (25-23, 19-25, 25-20, 25-20)

SCHEDULE

Sunday / Nov. 7


Florida at Auburn, 2 p.m. (CSS)

South Carolina at Georgia, 1:30 p.m.

Kentucky at Alabama, 2 p.m. (FSN)

Mississippi at Louisiana State, 2:30 p.m.

Tennessee at Mississippi State, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday / Nov. 9

Kennesaw State at Georgia, 7 p.m.

Thursday / Nov. 11

Mississippi State at Florida, 7 p.m.

Friday / Nov. 12

Louisiana State at Tennessee, 3:30 p.m.

Mississippi at Georgia, 7 p.m.

Arkansas at Kentucky, 7 p.m.

Alabama at South Carolina, 7 p.m.

Saturday / Nov. 13

Mississippi State at South Carolina, 7 p.m.

Sunday / Nov. 14

Alabama at Florida, 1:30 p.m.

Louisiana State at Kentucky, 1:30 p.m.

Arkansas at Tennessee, 2 p.m. (CSS)

Mississippi at Auburn, 7 p.m.