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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ceasar and Carlton record double-digit kills in Arkansas sweep

Gators move to 14-2

<p>Holly Carlton</p>

Holly Carlton


Coach Mary Wise turned to her three most consistent players to answer a significant Arkansas run: outside hitters Thayer Hall, T’ara Ceasar and right side hitter Holly Carlton. 

With the second set in the balance, the trio delivered for Florida. Ceasar rocketed a swing toward outside hitter Jillian Gillen. The volleyball deflected off her right arm and hit a pair of Arkansas fans in the first row of the court. 

Hall responded with a kill following an attack error and celebrated it through a fist pump and high fives. The next play, she rose to the top of the net and rejected a Razorback swing.

Ceasar finished the second set off with another kill after a Carlton block. The Gators sprinted to the sideline to celebrate the 25-21 set win that they led by five at one point. 

Their resurgence in the set allowed them to cruise through the third set on the way to a 3-0 victory over Arkansas in the O’Connell Center Saturday (25-16, 25-21, 25-18). 

Florida outmatched Arkansas in the first set. The Razorbacks struggled with Ceasar and Hall swings.

The duo combined for three kills that gave the Gators an early 15-6 lead. They also benefited from several Razorbacks errors in that spurt. 

Then a kill each from Ceasar, Hall, Carlton, junior Lauren Dooley, redshirt junior Lauren Forte and two via freshman Sofia Victoria lifted Florida to a 25-16 first-set victory. Arkansas also aided the Gators with a few more errors. 

Florida recorded a .257 hitting percentage in the first set and blocked three Razorback swings. 

Arkansas emerged from its huddle more focused. Florida grabbed an early 5-2 advantage like in the first. But Razorbacks outside hitters Jillian Gillen and Maggie Cartwright tallied three kills combined to trim UF’s lead to three. 

An outside hitter Paige Hammons service ace and a Hall kill pushed the Gators’ edge to five. Arkansas surged back with a 10-3 run to grab its first lead of the match. 

Wise called a timeout when Florida’s advantge slipped to one. Carlton said Wise urged them to match their competitiveness.

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However, Carlton knew Florida would fight back to take the set because the team shares that attitude. 

“We don’t really have that level of scramble or panic,” she said. “It’s just a feeling of confidence. Everyone’s eyes when you look into them on the court are like ‘We’re winning this set.’”

Florida answered with a Forte, Monserez and Hall kill. Ceasar added three kills, and Hall and Carlton blocked two Razorbacks swings. 

The Gators headed into the third set with a 2-0 lead after a 25-21 second-set dub. They registered a .286 hitting percentage in the set. Arkansas fared better with a .220 hitting percentage on offense.

They dominated the third set as they sprinted to a 6-1 advantage behind a Hall kill and two more Carlton kills. Arkansas outside hitter Taylor Head and middle blocker Devyn Wheeler contributed two service errors . 

The Razorbacks mustered three-straight points to cut the lead to three. But the Gators outscored Arkansas to increase their edge to nine. Setter Marlie Monserez, Hall and Ceasar kills finished the third set 25-18. They clinched another match sweep like Friday

Ceasar and Carlton led the team in kills with 12 and 11, respectively. Florida averaged a .319 hitting percentage through three sets. The Gators blocked 11 shots total and allowed the Razorbacks to hit a poor .124. 

Florida finished its first double-header of a brutal six match stretch where it plays the SEC’s No. 1, No. 3 and No. 4 teams. It trails the undefeated league-leader Kentucky. 

To Wise, it’s the team’s go time with the upcoming tough slate. 

The Gators stay in Gainesville for a double-header versus Missouri that starts Friday. 

Contact Zachary Huber at zhuber@alligator.org or follow him on Twitter @zacharyahuber 



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