Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF guard Simone Westbrook drives into the paint during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Butler: Strength of SEC last year was “ridiculous”

By Alejandro López | Oct. 18, 2016

Nevermind a season-opening 12-game road trip.

Alejandro Tosti tees off during the 2016 SunTrust Gator Invitational at the Mark Bostick golf course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Men's golf places first, posts best score of Fall season

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 18, 2016

This one was never in doubt.

Tyrie Cleveland (89) runs toward the end zone during Florida's 40-14 win over Missouri on Oct. 15, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Roundtable: What has been UF football's biggest surprise this season?

Oct. 18, 2016

If you asked any player or coach on Florida’s football team before the season started, they likely would have said this is where they expected to be by the bye week: leading the Southeastern Conference East Division with a good chance at making the SEC title game.

Florida coach Mike White calls out instructions to his team during Florida's 88-79 loss to Kentucky on March 1, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida basketball confronts free-throw woes

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 17, 2016

Feet spread shoulder-width apart. Three bounces. Arms hung down. Knees bent. Cock the wrists. Fling up and follow through.

UF women’s tennis coach Roland Thornqvist smiles during introductions prior to Florida’s win over USF on Jan. 27, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Thornqvist, Gators seeing improvement after Fall matches

By Cassie Amundson | Oct. 17, 2016

All that could be heard at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex on Thursday afternoon was the rhythmic sound of a tennis ball slapping the court.

Jalen tabor (31) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during Florida's 45-7 win over Kentucky on Sept. 10, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Roundtable: Who is Florida football’s midseason MVP?

Oct. 17, 2016

The Florida football team heads into its bye week with a 5-1 record and a comfortable resting spot atop the Southeastern Conference East Division.

Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during Florida's 5-2 win over Iowa State on Aug. 19 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators' offense stifled by No. 2 South Carolina on road

By Lauren Staff | Oct. 16, 2016

South Carolina’s Eugene E. Stone III Stadium is nicknamed “The Graveyard.”

UF middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill during Florida's 3-0 win against Ole Miss on Sept. 25 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Alhassan powers Florida to road win over Aggies

By Ray Boone | Oct. 16, 2016

When the Florida volleyball team marched into Reed Arena to face defending Southeastern Conference champion Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon, the Gators were expecting a battle.

Quincy Wilson (6) stiff-arms a Missouri defender after intercepting a pass during Florida's 40-14 homecoming win over Missouri on Oct. 15, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

COMPLETE CONTROL: With win, UF leads SEC East

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 16, 2016

Quincy Wilson knows where Florida stands in its quest to return to the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.

Jalen Tabor returns an interception for a touchdown during Florida's 40-14 win over Missouri on Oct. 15, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Defense dominates in homecoming win over Missouri

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 15, 2016

Jalen Tabor eyed Drew Lock and made his move.

Taylor Tomlinson putts during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Tomlinson leads Florida after first round of Stanford Intercollegiate

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 15, 2016

After the first round of Florida’s final Fall tournament, the Stanford Intercollegiate, the UF women’s golf team found itself falling behind.

UF's Shainah Joseph swings for a kill attempt against Mississippi State. The sophomore middle blocker recorded seven kills and five blocks as No. 8 seed Florida defeated ninth-seed Illinois in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Ames, Iowa.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 9 Florida defeats LSU for 10th sweep of season

By Skyler Lebron | Oct. 15, 2016

Heading into the third set of its match against SEC rival LSU, the Florida volleyball team held a substantial 2-0 set lead and was on its way to a third-straight victory.

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

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis hoping to improve during break

By Cassie Amundson | Oct. 13, 2016

With five Fall tournaments under its belt, the Florida men’s tennis team is ready to work on its game during its week off.

Eleanna Christinaki looks to drive to the basket while two Kentucky players defend her during Florida's 92-69 loss to the Wildcats in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on March 4, 2016, in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women’s basketball team's recruits fitting in early on

By Alejandro López | Oct. 13, 2016

The Florida Gators women’s basketball team’s recruiting class has quickly settled in, rapidly developing a rapport with teammates and coaches alike.

Lauren Perry runs during the 2016 Mountain Dew Gator Invitational — her second race of the season. "I hope people who know me and see what I've gone through will use it as motivation," Perry said.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

BATTLING BACK: Perry fights through health issues to run for UF cross country

By Skyler Lebron | Oct. 13, 2016

About four times a week, Florida cross country coach Paul Spangler would meet his workout partner in the weight room around lunch time.

Before Carli Snyder (left) and Caroline Knop (right) became best friends, the two weren't so friendly. "I hated her guts," Knop said. "Blonde, frizzy hair ... I mean, it was just like, 'Who is this girl?'"

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP: Caroline Knop finds home at Florida

By Ray Boone | Oct. 13, 2016

University of Florida volleyball player Carli Snyder was preparing for bed on a quiet night in her hometown of Macomb, Michigan, when her phone flashed and buzzed beside her.

From left: Florida defensive linemen Caleb Brantley, Jordan Sherit, Jabari Zuniga and CeCe Jefferson.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

A FEW GOOD LINEMEN: Breaking down four of UF’s defensive stars

Oct. 13, 2016

Caleb Brantley / redshirt junior / 6-foot-2 / 297 pounds

UF midfielder Pamela Begic dribbles the ball during Florida's 3-2 win over Central Florida on Sept. 18, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Soccer team looking for growth vs. No. 2 South Carolina

By Lauren Staff | Oct. 12, 2016

With only four regular-season games remaining, No. 17 Florida (10-3, Southeastern Conference 5-2) will face its biggest test of the season Sunday: taking on No. 2 South Carolina on the road.

UF coach Mary Wise talks with her players during Florida's 3-1 win over Marshall on Sept. 17, 2016, in the Lemerand Athletic Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Surging Gators keeping one eye on NCAAs

By Ray Boone | Oct. 12, 2016

No. 9 Florida has been one of the most dominant teams in the Southeastern Conference this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida hoping to make statement

By Patrick Pinak | Oct. 12, 2016

Jalen Tabor remembers the homecoming embarrassment two years ago.