KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Kelly Murphy put icing on a weekend sweep for the No. 3 Florida volleyball team with her 18th career triple-double of 19 kills (on .410 hitting), 25 assists and 14 digs as the Gators beat No. 18 Tennessee, 3-1 (28-26, 25-23, 19-25, 25-17), Sunday at the Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Gators (8-1) moved to 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference with the victory that followed a 3-1 (18-25, 25-19, 25-13, 25-20) victory Friday night at No. 22 Kentucky. The two victories improved Florida’s record against Top 25 teams in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll to 6-1.
Florida out-blocked Tennessee 14.0-9.5, tying its season high for blocks of 14 recorded in the win against then No. 2 Nebraska on Aug. 29. The Gators hit .278 for the match and limited the Lady Vols to a .170 offensive efficiency.
“This is one of those matches where you can look down the roster and see the contributions of everyone,” Florida coach Mary Wise said. “From the back-row play of Callie (Rivers), to the blocking of our middles, the triple-double by Kelly (Murphy), the offense of Tangerine Wiggs and the great libero performance by Erin (Fleming), this will go down as a total-team effort.”
Murphy, whose triple-double was her third of the season, was one of four Gators to record double-figure kill totals, as junior outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel just missed a double-double with 12 kills and nine digs to go along with four blocks for 14.5 points. Sophomore right-side Tangerine Wiggs recorded a career-high 10 kills on .400 hitting with four block assists. Senior outside hitter Callie Rivers turned in her first double-double of the season with 10 kills and 17 digs.
Freshman setter Chanel Brown dished out a match-high 29 assists, while senior libero Erin Fleming was one of three Gators with double-figure digs, adding 14 scoops. Senior middle blocker Lauren Bledsoe led Florida’s defensive effort, posting a career-high eight blocks to best her previous high of seven, while junior middle blocker Cassandra Anderson added five blocks.
Tennessee (9-2, 1-1 SEC) was led by Kayla Jeter’s 19 kills and 20.5 points.
Florida returns to action Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Tallahassee against No. 15 Florida State.
SEC VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS
SEC Overall
Eastern Division
Florida 2-0 8-1
Tennessee 1-1 9-2
Kentucky 1-1 7-5
Georgia 0-2 8-5
South Carolina 0-2 2-9
Western Division
Louisiana State 2-0 11-0
Mississippi 2-0 8-3
Auburn 1-1 10-4
Arkansas 1-1 7-6
Alabama 0-1 8-3
Mississippi State 0-1 8-4
RESULTS
Friday / Sept. 17
Florida 3, Kentucky 1 (18-25, 25-19, 25-13, 25-20)
Tennessee 3, South Carolina 1 (26-24, 22-25, 25-15, 25-16)
Mississippi 3, Alabama 0 (30-28, 25-22, 25-23)
Arkansas 3, Georgia 2 (25-12, 24-26, 21-25, 25-13, 15-10)
Louisiana State 3, Auburn 1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-20)
Sunday / Sept. 19
Florida 3, Tennessee 1 (28-26, 25-23, 19-25, 25-17)
Kentucky 3, South Carolina 1 (25-20, 25-10, 21-25, 25-20)
Mississippi 3, Mississippi State 1 (25-18, 25-17, 23-25, 27-25)
Louisiana State 3, Georgia 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-21)
Auburn 3, Arkansas 2 (25-20, 18-25, 25-16, 18-25, 15-10)
SCHEDULE
Wednesday / Sept. 22
Florida at Florida State, 7 p.m.
Friday / Sept. 24
Tennessee at Georgia, 7 p.m.
Mississippi at South Carolina, 7 p.m.
Arkansas at Mississippi State, 8 p.m.
Louisiana State at Alabama, 8 p.m.
Saturday / Sept. 25
Louisiana State at Auburn, 7 p.m.
Sunday / Sept. 26
Mississippi at Florida, 1:30 p.m.
Kentucky at Georgia, 1:30 p.m.
Louisiana State at Mississippi State, 2:30 p.m.
Arkansas at Alabama, 2:30 p.m.
The Citadel at South Carolina, 4 p.m.