Before Sunday afternoon’s match with Alabama, the Florida volleyball team celebrated one of the most prominent players in program history.
A lot has changed since December 5, 1986.
As if transferring power to a new president, Jim McElwain met defeated former Florida coach Will Muschamp at midfield and embraced him for about 10 seconds. McElwain said he thanked Muscamp for the defensive players he left behind and complimented what he’s doing at South Carolina. He also gushed over Muschamp’s character.
Austin Appleby eyed the edge and held the ball to his running back’s gut. When he saw what he was waiting for — the South Carolina defensive end rushing into the backfield — he ripped the ball out and ran.
Meggie Dougherty Howard raced down the right side of the field and into Florida Gulf Coast’s penalty box as teammate Samantha Chung sent her a through ball from 30 yards away.
JACKSONVILLE — Florida Gulf Coast flew out of the starting tunnel like a team that felt confident about its chances of beating Florida. And through the start of the second half, the Eagles looked primed to do so, outshooting Florida from the field and from beyond the arc.
JACKSONVILLE — In the midst of a 13-0 run during Friday night’s game between Florida and Florida Gulf Coast, UF point guard Kasey Hill snagged an errant pass from Eagles guard Zach Johnson. With Johnson breathing down his neck, the 6-foot-1 Hill raced down the court for the fast-break opportunity, exploded into the air and jammed it over the defender’s outstretched arms, giving the Gators a 60-50 lead.
She did the same thing to start the second set.
JACKSONVILLE — Delicia Washington knew what she needed to do.
The No. 6 Florida volleyball team defeated Mississippi State in a clean sweep on Sunday to capture its 12th Southeastern Conference win of the season.
After 20 matches this season, the Gators are only guaranteed one more.
Austin Appleby hung his head and dropped his pads on the locker room floor in Neyland Stadium more than a month ago.
With recorders surrounding his head and a circle of reporters glaring at him, Quincy Wilson stared blankly at the concrete floor.
The last time Florida’s women’s basketball team made the trek to Jacksonville’s Veterans Memorial Arena, it fell victim to a 43-year trend.
Joey Ivie remembers Will Muschamp well.
With only two conference games remaining, Florida can still win the SEC East if it can defeat South Carolina at home and No. 19 LSU on the road. Add on a road matchup at No. 22 Florida State, however, and the home stretch of UF’s schedule looks daunting. How will the Gators finish out the season? Sports writers Ethan Bauer, Ian Cohen, Jordan McPherson and Patrick Pinak debate.
Relaxed, confident and handling their business.
No. 6 Florida is standing tall in the latter portion of its Southeastern Conference schedule.
After winning the program’s 12th Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship, Florida was named a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament on Monday.
Solutions by The State News
