KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s Nikki Fowler had a match-high 19 kills as the Lady Vols scored a 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-22) victory against No. 13 Florida Friday night in the Thompson-Boling Arena.
Once again, sophomore right-side/setter Kelly Murphy led the way for Florida (20-5 overall, 14-4 SEC) with her ninth triple-double of the season and 15th in two seasons. Murphy had 14 digs, 21 assists and 10 kills in addition to four blocks.
Sophomore outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel had her eighth double-double of the year with a team-high 15 kills (on .250 hitting) with 10 digs. Junior outside hitter Callie Rivers had nine kills and five digs. Sophomore middle blocker Cassandra Anderson had a match-high seven blocks and five kills.
Senior libero Elyse Cusack finished with a match-high 22 digs as one of four Florida players in double figures. She now has 2,022 career digs and needs 15 more to tie former Kentucky standout Jenni Casper for second place all-time in SEC history. Junior setter Brynja Rodgers recorded her fifth double-double of the year with 21 assists and 11 digs.
Tennessee (21-7, 14-4 SEC) hit .219 in the match, while Florida hit .139. The Gators committed a total of 29 attack errors in the match.
Florida visits No. 10 Kentucky Sunday at 2 p.m.