Middle blocker Taelor Kellum panicked after a bad set of plays Sunday afternoon during the Gators’ matchup against Mississippi State.
She ran over to the bench searching for defensive specialist Macy Phillips when it was time for Kellum to come off the court.
“Macy, we need to do our handshake,” Kellum told her.
A secret handshake, in addition to a personal prayer before every match, is one of the superstitions the senior attacker has on game days.
It wouldn’t seem so crazy if it wasn’t for the fact that Kellum’s play did pick up as the match progressed. She walked out of the O’Connell Center after contributing eight kills and a block assist in the Gators’ matchup against the Bulldogs.
No. 11 Florida defeated Mississippi State in its second consecutive SEC sweep Sunday afternoon with scores of 25-12, 25-21 and 25-14.
The Gators (11-3, 2-0 SEC) have swept back-to-back matches for the first time all season, which is even more impressive as the team gets deeper into SEC play.
“Young teams are still trying to find their way,” coach Mary Wise said after the match. “There’s always a learning curve when you’re playing players for the first time.”
Florida got off to a strong start in the first set, racking up 12 kills on 21 swings and only one error in.
The tides changed, however, in the second set after Mississippi State started off on an 8-5 run, keeping Florida on the ropes the entire set.
It wasn’t until Florida played its first challenge card of the match, reversing a touch call on a Mississippi State attack, that the team started gaining some momentum.
UF channeled its energy into the rest of the match, making fewer errors on serve receive and attacking. It battled through to take the second set by four points.
Florida finished off the third, and final, set in quick fashion, much like it did in the first. A series of attack errors, in addition to sloppy play overall, sent the Bulldogs in a downward spiral.
Sophomore outside hitter Paige Hammons stole the match, tallying 11 kills on 20 swings and zero errors.
“She’s making such good hitting decisions,” Wise said of Hammons.
Throughout the match, Hammons switched up her shots from the left-side hits on all attacks – from hitting a deep line shot to sending a light tip over Mississippi State’s block.
On the defensive spectrum, Allie Gregory made some incredible plays on the back line. The junior libero tallied the most service aces (3) on both rosters and tied freshman outside hitter Thayer Hall for the most digs (11).
Gregory said she has been working with associate coach Dave Boos on a different serving technique this season, a style that seems to be working for her.
“I started behind the Florida letters at the beginning of the year,” she said, “and I’m just moving further and further back trying to find the most violent hand contact I can.”
Follow Mari Faiello on Twitter @faiello_mari or contact her at mfaiello@alligator.org.
Senior middle blocker Taelor Kellum registered 12 kills in Florida's three-set win over LSU Friday night.
