MATCH OVER (Blog 3 of 3)
That's all, folks. The Gators closed out the Sooners in a game three thrilled, 36-34. UF advances to the Sweet 16 for the 16th time in 17 years.
Freshman outside hitter Lauren Bledsoe really stepped up for UF, with the match-winning kill and a great service run toward the end of game three. At the post-match press conference, she said her heart rate had not yet dropped.
Four players finish the matched with at least 10 kills. Bledsoe had 12, Callie Rivers had 14, Amber McCray pitched in for 11, and Kelsey Bowers added 10 more. UF outhit the Sooners .276 to .127 and outblocked them 14 to six.
GAME TWO OVER (Blog 2 of 3)
The Gators win game two of the match 30-24 to take a 2-0 lead heading into the locker room. UF finished off the game when Callie Rivers and Kelsey Bowers blocked an Oklahoma attack.
Amber McCray had four kills in that game and middle blocker Kristina Johnson came in to contribute two of her own.
After the game was tied at nine, the Gators jumped out to a 17-10 lead they would never relinquish.
A controversial call at the beginning of game two led to a rare do-over and Oklahoma coach Santiago Restrepo received a yellow card for arguing.
Alright, I'm going to get a white chocolate chip cookie.
GAME ONE OVER (Blog 1 of 3)
Despite Oklahoma outside hitter Mariana Blum recording three straight service aces at the end of game one, UF was able to hold on and take a 1-0 lead in the match. They won the match 30-24 thanks to five kills from Callie Rivers, four from Lauren Bledsoe and Kelsey Bowers, and eight total blocks. Setter Angie McGinnis ended the game with a solo block.
The game was tied as late as 16-16, but that's when the Gators pulled away.
The Gators are outhitting the Sooners .341 to .111.
PRE-GAME
I got in reprimanded last night by the NCAA for posting more than three blog entries last night, so there will only be three tonight. I will try to space them out at appropriate points in the match.
Also, this should not count as one of the three, as NCAA rules allow one blog entry in between matches, as is my understanding.
First serve is in 40 minutes, and both teams are warming up on the court.
