After 13 ties and seven lead changes in the third set, Florida trailed 25-24 to Florida State.
The set had been a constant back-and-forth, but after losing the second set, the Gators needed to find a way to regain control.
Behind two straight kills from opposite hitter Kamryn Chaney, Florida did just that, winning the third set 27-25.
That momentum drove the Gators to a nearly perfect fourth set, where Florida only recorded two errors and put up 13 kills. FSU, meanwhile, had 12 errors, which the Gators were able to capitalize on.
No. 10 Florida (8-1) defeated the Florida State Seminoles (5-5) 3-1 on Friday night in Tallahassee. With the victory, UF has swept its last six matches and is off to its best start to a season since 2023. It also marks the first time under head coach Ryan Theis that the Gators defeated the Seminoles.
Despite having to tune out the plethora of FSU fans filling the stands, the Gators opened the first set with a dominant showing.
At 15-9, Chaney led the match with three kills. The senior has made herself an offensive presence while also ensuring she’s in position to block opposing swings.
Further, middle blocker Alec Rothe recorded a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage halfway through the first set. The junior was a driving force in the frame, inching the Gators to the set point with a kill. After an attack error by FSU’s outside hitter Sofia Moss, Florida came out on top.
The Seminoles kept it close in the second set, however. FSU first tied the match at 10-10, and after Rothe misfired into the net, the Seminoles took the lead for the first time, 13-12.
The Gators later got their first block at 16-15 to put Florida back up, but that wasn't enough to extend their success.
FSU got its offensive rhythm going, creating more opportunities for its all-around offensive line. The Seminoles recorded 10 kills, as Nenu Kpea, Bailey Higgins and Moss each had three apiece. Outside hitter Kyleene Filimaua also put up 26 swings in the set, increasing FSU’s offensive opportunities. With that, UF loosened its grip on the bout, and the Seminoles snapped UF’s seven-set winning streak with a 25-21 win.
Tensions were high in the Tully Gymnasium in the third set, as neither side gave an inch early on. But after FSU went on a 5-0 scoring run, Florida found itself behind 15-12.
But, the Gators’ front line helped keep Florida in the game. Logan King and Rothe recorded 6 combined blocks to push Florida back into the lead, 23-20. The Seminoles fought back, though, keeping it close until the Gators reached set point.
With two kills from Chaney and one from Brooklyn Briscoe, the Gators sealed the third. Chaney ultimately finished with a match-high 17 kills, her sixth match this season with 10 or more kills.
Florida finished the match with a dominant fourth set, capitalizing on FSU’s 12 total errors. Rothe led the set with three kills, and the Gators put up 13 kills en route to victory.
Florida will face Jacksonville on Wednesday in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
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.
