Florida failed to make crucial point-saving dives on Auburn’s deep center hits, which kept the Gators in a deficit for a majority of sets two and three.
Auburn sophomore pin hitter Akasha Anderson dominated offensively with 18 kills over the Gators, four consecutive in which she secured in the first moments of set three.
The No. 9 Florida Gators (11-3, 3-2 SEC) were swept by the No. 25 Auburn Tigers (13-3, 3-2 SEC) 3-0 Friday evening in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
Auburn started the game strong with the first two points on Florida attack errors, but UF quickly sealed two straight kills from outside hitters freshman Kennedy Martin and senior AC Fitzpatrick to bring the game at two apiece.
Kills from Fitzpatrick and graduate student setter Kennedy Muff gave the Gators a slim 9-8 lead over the Tigers. A series of Auburn attack errors allowed Florida to push its lead to 14-11 early in set one.
Service errors from UF graduate student outside hitter Anna Dixon gave Auburn its first lead of the set. However, back-and-forth kills from both teams kept the game close towards the end of the set.
A kill from Anderson sealed the match point for the Tigers 24-23. Dixon surrendered an attack error after the ball slipped past the side of her hand on a block and gave Auburn the set win 25-23.
A service ace from junior defensive specialist Trinity Adams and a fierce kill from Martin put the Gators in the lead 2-1 early in set two. However, a series of Florida attack errors gave Auburn a 6-2 lead which forced Florida head coach Mary Wise to call a timeout.
UF senior outside hitter Sophia Victoria sealed two kills to bring the Gators back into the game. Another kill from Fitzpatrick brought the Gators within three 16-13, but an aggressive Tigers offense continued to hold Florida at a deficit.
An Auburn attack error brought the Gators within three. Florida continued to fall behind defensively, which allowed the Tigers to take advantage in the final moments. Kills from Anderson and sophomore pin hitter Madison Schreer secured the Tigers set win 25-20.
Anderson dominated set three with four consecutive kills. Martin fought to keep the game alive with a kill, but Fitzpatrick failed to make crucial point-saving dives.
Auburn service errors allowed Florida to push its lead 13-9, in the strenuous battle. A kill from Fitzpatrick and Martin brought the Gators within five. A kill from Scheer and a service ace put the Tigers at match point 24-17.
Another deep center kill from Scheer sealed the match win 25-17 in the third set.
UF will play Alabama at 1 p.m. Sunday. The match will be streamed on SEC Network+.
Contact Alyssa Britton-Harr at abritton-harr@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @abrittonharr.
Alyssa Britton-Harr is a second-year journalism major and a sports reporter for The Alligator. In her free time, she enjoys cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spending time with her friends.
