Gators volleyball has struggled to capitalize in matches that have gone the distance.
Throughout the season, Florida is 3-2 in five-set battles. However, it took advantage against one of its most formidable opponents this season.
The Gators (10-6, 5-2 SEC) upset No. 16 Tennessee (13-3, 4-2 SEC) 3-2 at the Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Gators are now on a three-game win streak.
Tennessee presented one of the most challenging offenses the Gators have seen all season led by senior outside hitter Hayden Kubik. She had seven of the team’s 17 kills in set one and went error free.
She added a match-leading 24 total kills and was backed by sophomore opposite hitter Paityn Chapman and sophomore middle blocker Chelsea Sutton who also cracked double-digits in kills, contributing a combined 28 kills to the team’s total.
However, Kubik was rivaled by UF’s redshirt sophomore outside hitter Jordyn Byrd who nearly matched her with 23 kills. Byrd was Florida’s top attacker for the 14th time this season and she continues to propel its offense while also adding five blocks to her stat line.
Tennessee ranks No. 2 in the league in hitting percentage, but Florida edged the Volunteers in efficiency, boasting a .276 hitting percentage with the Lady Volunteers at .246.
Tennessee’s ability to side out efficiently, avoid unforced errors and find open court gave it the advantage in set one. However, for the first time in 10 matches, Florida prevailed in set two and reversed the roles.
It tallied only three attacking errors at a .261 hitting clip. Instead, the Lady Volunteers committed nine attacking errors, which proved costly. While Florida let up in set four and allowed Tennessee to force a fifth set, it refused to do the same again and held itself to only two errors in set five.
Florida’s defense, led by libero Lily Hayes, also found its rhythm and refused to be forced out of system by Tennessee’s swings. Hayes, who was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week on Monday, led the team with 15 digs and was backed by redshirt junior Alexis Stucky, redshirt freshman Ella Vogel and redshirt freshman Kira Hutson, who each added 11. Hutson was an all-around contributor with strong serving, timely attacks and scrappy defense. She added four kills and a service ace to her defensive efforts.
Opposite hitter Milica Vidacic also continues to be a powerful presence for the Gators despite her freshman status, charting 12 kills. Sophomore middle Jaela Auguste followed Vidacic, adding nine kills and three blocks to Florida’s efforts.
The Gators will be tested again in their next match. They stay on the road to face No. 3 Kentucky (13-2, 6-0 SEC) at 3 p.m. Sunday at Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky.
Contact Ava DiCecca at adicecca@alligator.org. Follow her on X @avadicecca24.
Ava is a sophomore sports journalism student and the volleyball beat reporter for fall 2025. She enjoys playing basketball and volleyball in her free time and going on beach trips with friends. She has been a Boston sports fan all her life (Brad Marchand we miss you).
