In the third set, down two games, Florida kept fighting. After multiple diving saves from the back row and dominance at the net, the Gators took the third by seven points.
However, the mistakes that caused them to drop the first two sets would come back to haunt Florida in the fourth, and the Gamecocks were determined to win.
Florida (13-8, 8-4 SEC) was defeated by South Carolina (9-13, 3-9 SEC) in four sets, giving the Gamecocks their first three consecutive wins against the Gators in program history Sunday afternoon in Columbia, South Carolina.
Florida had a last-minute surge in the third and fourth sets, but couldn’t overcome a hefty amount of errors and lost 24-26 in the final set.
South Carolina controlled the tempo throughout the match with its domineering defense at the net and in the back row, beating Florida statistically in both. Four Gamecocks had double-digit dig counts while five players had at least three blocks.
Meanwhile, the Gators struggled at the back line, finishing with 15 service errors, double the number South Carolina had. In total, the Gators finished with a .247 hitting percentage, compared to the Gamecocks’ .214.
Sophomore middle blocker Alec Rothe and sophomore outside hitter Jordyn Byrd tied for the most kills with 13. Their offensive aggression was matched by freshman opposite hitter Milica Vidacic and sophomore middle blocker Jaela Auguste, who added 12 and 10 kills, respectively.
Despite their offensive efforts, the Gamecocks had control over the net. In the second set, senior middle Emily Beeker had three consecutive blocks in one rally and won the point for South Carolina.
South Carolina’s senior setter Sarah Jordan did a great job spreading the ball across the court. When she wasn’t setting the ball, she was getting digs, ending the afternoon with 13 digs and 28 assists.
Although Florida outkilled South Carolina 63-52, the Gators’ 23 attack errors and 15 service errors proved costly. The Gamecocks capitalized on Florida’s miscues and held a slight edge in total blocks (11 to 9), sealing the match with superior defense and cleaner execution.
Junior setter Alexis Stucky continued to be the engine behind Florida’s offense, recording 45 assists and adding five kills of her own with an impressive .500 hitting percentage. She also contributed defensively with 12 digs and two service aces, showcasing her all-around impact despite the team’s struggles.
The Gators’ loss to the Gamecocks reflects Florida’s inconsistency when it comes to maintaining momentum and minimizing errors late in matches. Until the Gators find a way to balance their power with cleaner execution, their performances will continue to fluctuate against conference opponents.
The team’s next matchup is against No. 2 Texas (18-2, 10-2 SEC) in the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Friday at 7 p.m.
Contact Isis Snow at isnow@alligator.org. Follow her on X @isis_snoww.
Isis is a junior sports journalism student and is the volleyball beat reporter for fall 2025. This is her third semester with The Alligator. She enjoys reading, playing basketball and weight lifting in her free time.
