sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Elliott Orkin attempts to hit the ball during his singles match against UNF on Jan. 22.

Sports

Building momentum: Previewing the Florida men’s tennis season

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Dec. 28, 2014

The men’s tennis team is off to solid start in its 2014-2015 season.

UF athletics director Jeremy Foley listens as Jim McElwain gives his press conference on Dec. 6, 2014, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Doug Nussmeier named Florida's next offensive coordinator

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 23, 2014

Florida coach Jim McElwain hired Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier to the same position, UF announced Wednesday.

Antoinette Bannister attempts a jump shot during Florida's season-opening win against Jacksonville.

Sports

Florida upended by Eastern Washington in 24th annual Gator Holiday Classic

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 22, 2014

The Florida Gators women’s basketball team lost another game the team was favored to win, on its home court, and in the team’s own 24th annual Gator Holiday Classic championship game.

Cassie Peoples goes for a layup during Florida's season-opening win against Jacksonville.

Sports

Florida wins big in first game of Gator Holiday Classic

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 21, 2014

A complete team effort vaulted the Florida women’s basketball team into the 24th Annual Gator Holiday Classic Championship, as the Gators handedly defeated Southern University 78-49 on Sunday afternoon in the O’Connell Center.

Florida defensive coordinator D. J. Durkin draws up a play for Buck linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. during Florida's win against Vanderbilt.

Sports

Notebook: Durkin, Gators preparing for Birmingham Bowl

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Dec. 18, 2014

The season of head coaching searches has given way to the transitional season around the Florida football program.

Sports

McElwain and staff pick up first verbal commitment for 2015

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Dec. 16, 2014

Jim McElwain, the new Florida Gator head football coach said in his opening press conference that you have to “recruit daily or die now”. Less than two weeks after he was named head coach, he and his staff has landed their first verbal commitment to the 2015 recruiting class.

New head football coach Jim McElwain following his introductory press conference on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

McElwain hires Geoff Collins as defensive coordinator

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Dec. 16, 2014

New coach Jim McElwain has made his first hire. Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins has been picked for the same position at Florida, the school announced Wednesday and he will replace current defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin following Florida’s final game of the season in the Birmingham Bowl Jan. 3.

Carlie Needles looks to pass the ball during Florida's 59-54 win against Stetson.

Sports

Florida women’s basketball stalls Stetson

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 14, 2014

Coming off its third straight loss, the Florida Gators women’s basketball team found a way to get back into the win column, defeating Stetson 59-54 in the O’Connell Center on Sunday.

UF players celebrate during Florida's 3-0 win against Alabama State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Florida volleyball season ends at Elite Eight after Stanford sweep

By EDEN OTERO | Dec. 13, 2014

While Florida’s season ended on Saturday night in Ames, Iowa against No. 1 seed Stanford, it wasn’t all a loss.

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

Florida volleyball pulls out five-set win over Illinois, advances to Elite Eight

By IAN COHEN | Dec. 12, 2014

Three down, three to go.

Will Muschamp signals during UF's 38-20 win against UGA on Nov. 1 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Reports: Former Florida head coach Will Muschamp to become defensive coordinator at Auburn

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 12, 2014

Will Muschamp’s next stop in his coaching career will be right where it started.

January Miller drives the ball to the net during Florida’s 87-69 win against Auburn on Jan. 26 in the O’Connell Center. Miller scored only five points while turning the ball over three times in UF’s loss to UGA on Sunday.

Sports

Florida women’s basketball falls to Wisconsin

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 10, 2014

With leading scorer Cassie Peoples sitting out the first half due to a violation of team rules, the Florida women’s basketball team needed the support of its bench players to pick up the slack in the redshirt junior’s absence.

Sports

Storyteller closes chapter at Alligator

By EDEN OTERO | Dec. 9, 2014

Saying goodbye is always hard.

Sports

After four years and 297 bylines, Alligator lifer says farewell

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Dec. 9, 2014

I stand in the company of greatness. And it smells.

Haley Lorenzen blocks a shot during Florida's win against Jacksonville.

Sports

Freshmen bring height, depth to short Gators roster

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 9, 2014

There aren’t many girls taller than 6-foot.

UF players celebrate during No. 8 seed Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Florida volleyball heads to Iowa, faces Illinois in Sweet 16

By IAN COHEN | Dec. 9, 2014

Holly Pole knew her team could do it. They just needed to be reminded.

Sports

Freshman Brooke Austin off to fast start in collegiate career

By Mary Francis | Dec. 9, 2014

At the conclusion of the fall season, UF women’s tennis coach Roland Thornqvist struggled to find words to describe the success of freshman Brooke Austin.

Vernon Hargreaves III makes a tackle during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Vernon Hargreaves only Gator to make All-SEC first team

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Dec. 8, 2014

For the second straight year, Vernon Hargreaves III was named to the Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference team.

Mackenzie Dagostino sets the ball during No. 8 seed Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 6, 2014, in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Florida looking to play stronger in Sweet 16 round

By EDEN OTERO | Dec. 8, 2014

In a tournament where perfection means wins and losses, Florida was far from perfect on Saturday.

Sports

UF suffers from poor defense, turnovers

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 8, 2014

According to coach Amanda Butler, the Florida women’s basketball team doesn’t suffer from a lack of knowing, but rather a failure to implement its practiced gameplan efficiently.