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Friday, March 29, 2024

No. 23 Florida looks to hit reset button against Texas A&M

The Gators host the Aggies in Saturday’s match

Florida's T'ara Ceasar readies to serve against Mississippi State on Sept. 24.
Florida's T'ara Ceasar readies to serve against Mississippi State on Sept. 24.

The No. 23 Gators volleyball team (11-6, 5-2 SEC) is set to host the Texas A&M Aggies (11-6, 4-3 SEC) in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Saturday at 5 p.m. 

Fans who come to the match early can enjoy the Fall Festival taking place in the O’Dome lobby. The first 200 kids to the arena will receive a free mini pumpkin, and fans can find cornhole, free popcorn, prizes and giveaways at the festival. 

The 2021 national champion men’s tennis team will also be in attendance as the honorary first servers and will do a T-shirt toss at the end of the first set. 

Florida hits the court after a split series against LSU last weekend. On Saturday, the Gators overtook the Tigers 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-19) with stellar performances from middle blocker Lauren Forte (15 kills), outside hitter Merritt Beason (13) and outside hitter T’ara Ceasar (12). 

LSU got into an unstoppable groove to seek revenge Sunday and end Florida’s winning streak 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21). Florida setter Marlie Monserez recorded a team-high 23 digs on the afternoon, a new career-high. The senior also served up 39 assists along with four kills and one block for the match. 

Texas A&M lost its last match Wednesday to Ole Miss 2-3 (18-25, 27-29, 25-16, 26-24, 13-15). Aggies outside hitter Ciera Hecht slammed down 15 kills followed closely by both middle blocker Mallory Talbert and outside hitter Lauren Davis’ 12 kills apiece in the match. 

Florida leads the Aggies 19-1 in program history, and last beat Texas A&M March 25 at Bryan-College Station 3-1 (25-19, 25-27, 25-17, 25-13). So far this season in the SEC, the Gators lead the conference in hitting percentage (.283), and they rank second in both assists per set (12.93) and aces per set (1.52), and fourth in kills per set (13.90). 

The first serve of Saturday’s match in the O’Dome is set for 5 p.m. and can be streamed on SEC Network +. 

Contact Kaitlyn Wadulack at kwadulack@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter at @kwadulack.

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