Off to its best start since 2023, Florida is re-establishing itself as a force in collegiate volleyball. The Gators have won their last five matches, the longest winning streak during head coach Ryan Theis’ tenure.
No. 10 Florida now seeks to continue its hot run against the Florida State Seminoles on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Tully Gymnasium in Tallahassee.
This season, FSU has had some ups and downs and currently holds a 5-4 record. Notably, the Seminoles have won a set in all but one of their matches, with their only straight-set loss coming against FIU.
FSU’s best win this season came against No. 16 Kansas. After taking the first set but giving up the second and third, the Seminoles fought back and powered through the final two frames to win.
The Gators pose a different challenge, however, as the current highest-ranked opponent on FSU’s entire schedule. Florida enters the matchup carrying five consecutive wins, and if they can capitalize on that momentum to propel forward.
Junior middle blocker Alec Rothe is at the heart of Florida’s successful offense. She became the first Gator to hit over .900 since 2012, when Tangerine Wiggs hit .929. Further, Rothe sits at the No. 1 spot in hitting percentage in the nation with at least 10 attempts, showcasing her elite efficiency.
Setter Taylor Parks has been a key force in UF’s strong start. Accounting for assists on nine of Rothe's 10 kills in Florida’s last match against Troy, Parks consistently finds the middle blocker when the Gators need it most. Fueling production at the net, Parks sealed the victory over Troy with 36 assists. Parks averages 10.39 assists per set, which ranks sixth in the SEC.
Florida must also utilize Kamryn Chaney to keep pressure on the Seminoles. With a season-high 22 kills against Wisconsin on Sept. 2, the opposite hitter has played a key role in several Gator victories. Just last week, Chaney powered Florida to a win against FAU with 20 kills. on the scoreboard.
Those three players will be important to combat FSU’s strong middle blocker pair. Sophomore Nenu Kpea leads the Seminoles with 38 blocks while ranking tied for second on the team with 83 kills. Meanwhile, junior Delaney Ewing ranks fourth on the team with 82 kills and is second with 27 blocks.
Playing in a Tully Gym filled with Seminoles fans could be another challenge for the Gators. The in-state rivalry will fuel the energy in the stadium, with Florida being the underdog in Tallahassee. However, Florida already leads 16-11 in away matches against FSU. The Gators can turn that experience into motivation to handle the rival fans and ensure there are no distractions between them and another win.
Florida is creeping closer to becoming a multi-faceted team, with every side of the court producing successful plays. Continuing to perform at a top level will be important as the Gators prepare to open SEC play at Oklahoma on Sept. 27.
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.
