After leading the Gators’ attack for much of the 2025 season, Jordyn Byrd had been quiet to start off her second campaign with Florida volleyball.
But that all changed Friday night when Florida Atlantic stormed into the O’Dome and handed the Gators their second first-set loss of the regular season. Byrd came to life against the Owls, logging three straight kills to put Florida up 21-15 in a crucial fourth frame.
The outside hitter then added one more to give the Gators a 22-16 advantage and curb FAU’s chances of forcing a fifth set. She finished the game hitting .600 and added 10 kills and two blocks to her stat line.
The No. 10 Gators (6-1) topped Florida Atlantic (3-3) 3-1 Friday night at home to clinch their fourth straight win for the first time since November 2024.
While Byrd was the difference-maker late in the match, it was transfer outside hitter Kamryn Chaney who was the driving force behind Florida’s victory. Recording a season and match-high 20 kills, the former Commodore was much of the reason FAU’s defense struggled to contend Friday. She put up six kills in the first set and doubled that number in the second.
“She’s learned to be conservative in bad situations and go for it in good ones,” head coach Ryan Theis said. “She’s a closer.”
With 46 swings, Chaney was just three shy from her season-high 49 swings in Florida’s five-set loss to Wisconsin.
In the first set, though, Chaney’s aggression wasn’t enough to put the Gators ahead. Florida and FAU battled closely throughout, constantly equalizing the score until 18-18. The Gators fought back after trailing by three points at 21-18 with three straight kills, two being from Chaney. But a service and an attack error ultimately gave FAU the 25-23 win.
Florida quickly adjusted and flipped the script in the second, coming back to build the biggest point gap of the match at 15-9. Florida increased its efficiency on offense compared to the first set, getting more aggressive with its swings and cutting back on errors, allowing it to tie the match at 1-1. Despite the Owls fighting back and narrowing the lead to three points, Florida was able to close out the set 25-18.
The third set for the Gators was much of the same as they continued to make crucial adjustments and attack aggressively as the crowd at the O'Connell Center grew louder. The offense found its rhythm, boasting a .341 hitting percentage compared to FAU’s .167. Behind an attack capable of firing from all across the net, Florida finished the frame 25-15 with a kill from middle blocker Amaya Thomas — her first of the night — putting the set away.
Florida will continue its homestand Sunday when the Troy Trojans come to Gainesville. First serve is at 1 p.m. at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
Contact Sofia Alamo at salamo@alligator.org. Follow her on X at @alamosofiaa.
Sofia Alamo is a sophomore sports journalism student in her fourth semester at The Alligator. She is the volleyball beat reporter. She enjoys spending time with family and watching sports with friends.
