Florida Gators volleyball falls to Nebraska

The Gators swept the 2015 Vert Challenge, but with a match-up against defending national champions Nebraska, their 2016 season started out a little bit differently. The power and length of the Cornhuskers was too much for the Gators to handle on the night as Florida fell 3 sets to 1.
In the early going of the first set, it was a heavyweight battle between the two schools; going back and forth for most of the opening set. Florida struggled coming out of the gates, trailing 5-2, but managed to fight back and take their first lead of the night at 9-8. Senior Alex Holston carried the Gators throughout the first set, hitting a team high seven kills during the set. Squared up at 25, Holston delivered arguably her best hit of the night, putting the Gators up one with a chance to take the first set. Teammaes Rhamat Alhassan and Joseph Shainah paired up to block a Nebraska attack to end the first set. Florida as a team recorded four blocks on the night.
After Florida took the opening set, it was all Cornhuskers from there on out. Pure dominance from the reigning national champions. Florida took the lead 3-2 to begin the second set, but never led again after a Kadie Rolfzen kill tied things up at three. The Cornhuskers never looked back from that moment on. Florida closed the gap to four (7-11), but Nebraska impressively reeled off eight of the next nine points to take full control of the match. Ending Florida’s hopes of taking a two game to none lead.
In the third set, Florida never had a chance. Nebraska took command early and never let the Gators hang around. Nebraska’s setter Kelley Hunter was a key part of their success; she led Nebraska with 47 assists. Hunter also contributed with seven kills of her own. The Cornhuskers outscored Florida 25 to 16 in the third set.
The fourth set was no different. The Gators fought tough in the final set, but thanks to a few errors, Nebraska was able to defeat the Gators. Briana Holman, of Nebraska, was a nightmare for the Gators hitters as she led both teams with seven blocks. On the night, Nebraska recorded nine-and-a half blocks compared to the Gators four.
Florida will now face Oregon Saturday night. The two met last year, with Florida defeating the Ducks three games to none.