Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Mackenzie Dagostino (6) sets the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Idaho on Aug. 30 in the O'Connell Center

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF tops UCF in four sets

By EDEN OTERO | Sep. 21, 2014

A transfer and a walk-on lead their team to a four-set win.

The Florida women's cross country team accepts its first-place trophy at the 2014 Mountain Dew Invitational

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Florida women win Mountain Dew Invitational; men take second

By GRAHAM HALL | Sep. 21, 2014

Though she hasn’t been on campus more than a month, freshman Lauren Brasure is leaving her mark on Florida’s cross country program early.

Alabama coach Nick Saban hypes up his team prior to the Crimson Tide's 42-21 win against the Gators on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Saban-coached Alabama team succeeds in SEC opener

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 21, 2014

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — With Alabama’s 42-21 victory over Florida, the Crimson Tide looks capable of winning both the Southeastern Conference title and earning a College Football Playoff bid.

Demarcus Robinson (11) reacts after an incompleted pass during Florida's 21-42 loss to Alabama on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Notebook: Robinson, Jones limited against Crimson Tide

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 21, 2014

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — One game after tying the school record for most receptions in a game and making his imprint as Florida’s go-to receiver, Demarcus Robinson was relatively quiet against Alabama on Saturday.

Florida coach Will Muschamp and Alabama coach Nick Saban embrace following Florida's 42-21 loss to Alabama on Saturday at Bryan-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida struggles as Alabama rolls to win

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 20, 2014

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Florida had its opportunities against No. 3 Alabama on Saturday.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer beats 'Bama to open SEC play

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Sep. 20, 2014

What a way to start off Southeastern Conference play.

Gordon Watson returns a ball during Florida’s 5-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Rain delay doesn't faze Gators on Day 1 of SEC Classic

By GRAHAM HACK | Sep. 20, 2014

Rain delayed the first day of the SEC Fall Classic and forced play indoors during the early afternoon, but the weather did anything but dampen Florida’s performance.

Freshman middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill during Florida's 3-0 win against Idaho on Aug. 29 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida drops five-set match to Marquette

By EDEN OTERO | Sep. 20, 2014

Coach Mary Wise will have plenty for her squad to work on before Sunday.

Taylor Tubbs races in the Southeastern Conference Championships on Nov. 1, 2013, on the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Tubbs, UF cross country ready for lone home meet of season

By GRAHAM HALL | Sep. 18, 2014

When the women’s cross country team lines up for the Mountain Dew Invitational on Saturday, they’ll be fielding a nearly unrecognizable team than the one that finished third at the event in 2013.

Ziva Recek serves during Florida's 3-1 loss to Texas on Sept. 6.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida deep at outside hitter position

By EDEN OTERO | Sep. 18, 2014

Ziva Recek has not seen much time on the court this season.

Junior Tessa Andujar celebrates her first goal of the season during Florida's 2-0 win against Jacksonville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida opens SEC play against Alabama tonight

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Sep. 18, 2014

As its first month of the season comes to a close, Florida sits at 5-2 on the year and is ranked No. 7 in the national polls.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Picks Column: Alabama

Sep. 18, 2014

Editor's note: in light of the Jameis Winston suspension, the Florida State-Clemson line is in fact FSU -15.5

UF men's tennis coach Bryan Shelton walks on the Ring Tennis Complex courts prior to Florida's 5-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF using NCAA loss as motivation

By GRAHAM HACK | Sep. 18, 2014

After ending last season on a bittersweet note, the Florida men’s tennis team is motivated to come back even stronger for this year’s campaign.

Eric Banks tees off during Day 2 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 16 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Men’s golf team starts second fall tournament Saturday

By Luis Torres | Sep. 18, 2014

After not performing up to the standards of a nationally successful program, the Florida men’s golf team looks to bounce back after a discouraging 13th-place finish in its first tournament of the year as it heads to Zionsville, Ind., for the two-day Wolf Run Intercollegiate.

Vernon Hargreaves (1) talks to Brian Poole (24) during Florida's 36-30 win against Kentucky on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF has room to grow heading into first road test

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 18, 2014

Florida learned a lot about itself against Kentucky.

Karina Gutsche (right) walks on the field prior to Florida's 5-2 exhibition win against Florida International on Aug. 14 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gutsche returns from MCL sprain

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Sep. 17, 2014

Every athlete’s senior year is supposed to be special but Karina Gutsche’s final season has taken a different route.

Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson caught 15 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns during Florida's 36-30 triple-overtime win over the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Robinson making early impact in sophomore campaign

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 17, 2014

The matchup between Florida and Alabama on Saturday will feature the Southeastern Conference’s leading receiver, a member of the Biletnikoff Award watch list and one of the nation’s most potent deep-route threats.

Neiron Ball (11) helps tackle Kentucky Quarterback Patrick Towles (14) during the Gators' 36-30 win against the Wildcats on Satuday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF working on pass rush

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 17, 2014

Dante Fowler can’t rush the quarterback by himself.

David Kilgore races in the 2013 Pac-12 Cross Country Cahmpionships in Louisville, Colo.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

New Heights: Kilgore makes smooth transition to UF cross country

By GRAHAM HALL | Sep. 17, 2014

David Kilgore is the oldest athlete on Florida’s cross country team, but he must feel like the youngest.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Freshman impresses in first tennis tourney

By GRAHAM HACK | Sep. 17, 2014

Despite having success in their first tournament of the season, freshman Brooke Austin and her Florida teammates are just concerned about getting better and growing as a team.