sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Alfredo Perez returns a serve during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Gators compete in professional tournament

By Mark Stine | Jan. 9, 2017

Some of the world’s top young tennis talent assembled in Plantation, Florida, over the weekend.

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) scrambles away from Miami Dolphins defensive end Mario Williams (94) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Sports

Column: The Dolphins’ season was an ugly, shameful success

By Matt Brannon | Jan. 8, 2017

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when Dolphins fans gave up hope on Sunday.

UF right-side hitter Alex Holston (3) celebrates during Florida's 3-0 win against St. John's on Sept. 17, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

BOND BEYOND BALL: Despite disappointing end, UF volleyball players excited for future

By Skyler Lebron | Jan. 8, 2017

Eighteen Florida volleyball players filled the residence with friendly chatter, excited laughter and new faces.

Amanda Butler calls out instructions during Florida's 92-69 loss to Kentucky at the SEC Tournament on March 4, 2016.

Sports

Following putrid second quarter, Florida falls to South Carolina

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 8, 2017

With two minutes left in the second quarter, A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates smacked Dyandria Anderson’s layup attempt out of bounds like they were spiking a volleyball.

Alex McMurtry Gator Chomps during her floor exercise routine during the NCAA Gymnastics Super Six on April 16, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Sports

Gators open 2017 season with road win against N.C. State

By Lauren Staff | Jan. 8, 2017

Jenny Rowland wasn’t looking for perfection from her team in its first meet of the season on the road at N.C. State.

Maxx Lipman returns a serve during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Florida bolstering roster with talented recruiting class

By Mark Stine | Jan. 6, 2017

The UF men’s tennis team finished up Fall competition strong on Nov. 6.

Aleshia Ocasio pitches in the first game of Florida's doubleheader against Jacksonville on Feb. 17, 2016, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Questions to answer as Florida Softball looks to new year

By Skyler Lebron | Jan. 6, 2017

After two previous seasons that saw the Florida Gators softball team take home national championships, calling the end of the 2016 season a disappointment is an understatement.

UF coach Jenny Rowland applauds after Alex McMurtry’s balance beam routine during Florida’s win against Alabama on Jan. 29, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Florida gymnastics team aiming for consistency

By Lauren Staff | Jan. 6, 2017

2016 was the beginning and the end of an era for gymnastics in Gainesville.

Sports

Gators open season Sunday at N.C. State

By Lauren Staff | Jan. 6, 2017

Florida’s team theme in 2016 was, “You are destined to go far.”

Senior linebacker Jarrad Davis leads his team out of the tunnel before Florida's 32-0 win against North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville.

Sports

DECISIONS, DECISIONS: A look at Florida's potential NFL Draft picks

Jan. 4, 2017

With football season having ended, several Florida juniors have announced their intentions to leave school early for the NFL Draft. Other underclassmen have yet to announce but are expected to leave, while some seniors are expected to be high picks as well. Here, we take a look at all of Florida’s potential draft picks.

UF guard Brooke Copeland drives into the paint during Florida's win against Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2015.

Sports

Florida women’s basketball team trying to limit turnovers

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 4, 2017

Florida women’s basketball coach Amanda Butler has been instructing her players to “love the ball.”

UF coach Jim McElwain smiles during a press conference after Florida's 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

Sports

Column: Year two under McElwain wasn’t ideal, but successful nevertheless

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 3, 2017

As Jim McElwain made his way off the field following Monday’s Outback Bowl victory, players snuck up behind the second-year head coach and bathed him in blue Gatorade.

UF coach Jim McElwain looks down in disapproval during Florida's 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

Sports

Column: UF is no better off than it was a year ago

By Patrick Pinak | Jan. 3, 2017

Austin Appleby was asked a simple question after his final game as a Florida Gator: Where do you see Jim McElwain taking this program?

Quincy Wilson prepares for a play during Florida's 32-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Two players announce intentions to leave UF for NFL

By Matt Brannon | Jan. 3, 2017

Defensive back Quincy Wilson said he will declare for the NFL Draft.

Florida defensive backs Chauncey Gardner and Jalen Tabor celebrate during UF's 30-3 Outback Bowl victory over Iowa on Monday, Jan. 2, at Raymond James Stadium.

Sports

Gardner’s Outback Bowl MVP award sign of bright future for UF defense

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 2, 2017

It didn’t take long for Chauncey Gardner’s teammates to reach him.

Mark Thompson dives for the end zone to cap an 85-yard touchdown catch during Florida's 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl.

Sports

Florida football finishes 2016 with a win

By Patrick Pinak | Jan. 2, 2017

Mark Thompson juked, sidestepped and stiff-armed Iowa defenders before sprinting into the end zone like something out of former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch’s book with under two minutes left in the first half.

Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro attempts a field goal during UF's 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl Monday at Raymond James Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: Florida performs in all phases in Outback Bowl win

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 2, 2017

Standing beside the Outback Bowl trophy waiting to get on stage, Jim McElwain put his arm around Chauncey Gardner and smiled.

Haley Lorenzen blocks a shot during Florida's win against Southeastern Louisiana on Dec. 28, 2016 in the Exactech Arena.

Sports

Florida's women's basketball team opens home schedule with dominant win

By Dylan Dixon | Dec. 29, 2016

Standing at center court in front of a crowd of 1,619 at the newly renovated Exactech Arena, Ronni Williams smiled.

Sports

Florida flops at free throw line against Indiana

By Dylan Dixon | Dec. 21, 2016

The charity stripe wasn’t kind to the Florida women’s basketball team on either side of the court Tuesday night, ultimately costing the Gators a much-needed victory.

Florida's Mark Thompson (24) runs with the ball during UF's 45-7 win over Kentucky on Sept. 10, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: Collins leaving UF, Thompson facing trespassing charge

By Patrick Pinak | Dec. 13, 2016

Florida’s defensive coordinator is on the move.