Special report on the Florida Gators volleyball team:
LINCOLN, Neb. – The No. 7 Florida Gators volleyball team opens up the 2018 season at the VERT Challenge in Lincoln, Neb.
Florida faces No. 2 Nebraska on Friday at 7 p.m. EST in a rematch of the 2017 national championship match, then takes on the 2016 national runner-up – No. 3 Texas – on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. EST.
Gators in the Preseason
Florida debuted as No. 7 in the Preseason AVCA Top-25 poll, the 27th consecutive year that the program has been ranked in the Top-15 to begin a season. The streak of 27 years is the third longest in the nation, behind just Stanford and Nebraska.
The Gators – who won their 23rd SEC title last season – were voted to finish second in the SEC Preseason Coaches Poll, behind Kentucky. Junior Rachael Kramer was a preseason All-SEC selection.
These two matches are the first of four Florida will play against teams who garnered a preseason ranking. The next Top-10 matchup comes on Aug. 31, when the Gators open the home portion of their schedule with No. 10 Southern California.
The Gators return three starters to the court in 2018 – Paige Hammons, Rachael Kramer and Allie Monserez – as well as seven other members of the 2017 squad. Florida also brings seven fresh faces to the 2018 team with six freshmen and one transfer.
No. 7 Florida at No. 2 Nebraska Broadcast Information
Time & Date: Friday, Aug. 24 | 7 p.m. EST
TV: BTN
Live Stream: BTN2GO
Live Stats: Huskers.com/liveStats
Radio: ESPN 98.1FM/850AM
Series Information – No. 7 Florida at No. 2 Nebraska
Cornhuskers | 2017 season synopsis: 32-4 overall, 19-1 Big Ten | National Champions
- This is the 13th meeting between the Gators and the Cornhuskers
- Florida trials: 3-9
- 3-set: 0-4 | 4-set: 0-3 | 5-set: 3-2
- Home: 2-1 | Away: 0-3 | Neutral: 1-5
- Last Time Out: Dec. 16, 2017 | Kansas City, Mo. | L, 1-3 (22-25, 17-25, 25-18, 16-25) | National Championship Match
No. 7 Florida vs. No. 3 Texas Broadcast Information
Time & Date: Saturday, Aug. 25 | 4:30 p.m. EST
Live Stream: Huskersnside
Live Stats: Huskers.com/liveStats
Radio: ESPN 98.1FM/850AM
Series Information – No. 7 Florida vs. No. 3 Texas
Longhorns | 2017 season synopsis: 27-3 overall, 16-0 Big 12 | NCAA Regional Finalist
- This is the 25th meeting between the Gators and the Longhorns
- Florida leads: 15-9
- 3-set: 3-4 | 4-set: 4-3 | 5-set: 8-2
- Home: 7-4 | Away: 6-4 | Neutral: 2-1
- Last Time Out: Aug. 25, 2017 | Gainesville, Fla. | W, 3-1 (25-16, 25-23, 18-25, 25-21)
2018 Ticket Information
Single-match and season tickets are still available for the 15 home matches this season. The Gators face four NCAA qualifiers in Exactech Arena – USC, Louisville, Missouri and LSU).
TICKET INFORMATION | Gator Ticket Office Online | Call: 352-375-4683 x6800 (Open M-F, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
Season Ticket Prices:
- Reserved (Sections 09*, 11*, 13*, 15*, 23, 25, 27, 29) – $50 [all ages]
- General Admission (All other lower bowl areas) – $35 [ages 13 and up]
- Courtside Season Pass (subject to availability) – $150 [all ages]
- Loge Seating (subject to availability) [in front of the Sideline Club] – $75 [all ages]
Single-Match Ticket Prices:
- Reserved (Sections 09*, 11*, 13*, 15*, 23, 25, 27, 29) | $6 [all ages]
- General Admission (All other lower bowl areas) | $4 [ages 13 and up] / FREE [ages 12 and under]
- Student General Admission – FREE [with valid Gator1 ID]