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Florida outside hitter Stephanie Ferrell was named the Active Ankle SEC/ACC Challenge’s Most Valuable Player after recording 20 kills and hitting .382 in two games during the weekend.

Sports

Florida starts season with sweep of UNC, BC

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 28, 2011

Sophomore outside hitter Stephanie Ferrell and the Gators know how to start out on the right foot — or ankle.

Sports

Coach’s tirade not what it seems

By MATT WATTS< | Aug. 28, 2011

Forget waiting until Sept. 3. Those eager to see Coach Boom in action need only look to Wednesday night’s press conference.

After nearly transferring a season ago, sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley said he is well adjusted to life in Gainesville. He said he had trouble with the move from Staten Island, N.Y.

Sports

No longer homesick, DT Easley ready to step up

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 28, 2011

For much of last year, there were questions about whether then-freshman defensive tackle Dominique Easley would make it to a second season in a Florida uniform.

Midfielder McKenzie Barney scored the game-winning goal in Friday’s game against Texas A&M, but UF couldn’t duplicate that success in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to UCLA.

Sports

Missed opportunities haunt Gators in first loss of season

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Aug. 28, 2011

The Gators found themselves trailing in the first half Sunday afternoon for the second time in as many games.

Sports

UF volleyball sweeps UNC, Active Ankle Challenge

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 27, 2011

Tar Heels and active ankles are not of the same foot.

Sports

Late goal lifts Florida to win

By JOHN BOOTHE | Aug. 26, 2011

After 45 minutes of futility, one strike by McKenzie Barney with 15 seconds to spare turned everything around for the Gators.

Sports

Gators cruise past Eagles in opener

Aug. 26, 2011

With the O’Connell Center lights out and David Guetta’s “Where Them Girls At” blaring from the speakers, Florida’s volleyball team danced onto the court to begin the 2011 season.

Florida running back Jeff Demps missed all of spring practice and summer workouts, but he said coaches have been helping him get up to speed in offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ pro-style offense.

Sports

Notebook: Demps making up for lost time, Brantley update, Hunter mentoring line

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 25, 2011

After missing all of the spring and summer practice seasons, it’s natural that senior running back Jeff Demps could be a few steps behind.

Senior setter Kelly Murphy, a first-team All-American, led UF with 337 kills last season and must keep her teammates focused.

Sports

Gators leaning on Murphy for offense as season opens

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 25, 2011

Kelly Murphy is a rock for Florida.

Sports

The Mailbag: Defense, steaks and hostages

Aug. 25, 2011

Welcome to the first incarnation of the alligatorSports mailbag. It’s a working model, but we hope to answer any and all questions you have on Gators sports. And we’ll make it fun.

With a two-game road trip ahead, junior McKenzie Barney (pictured) said midfielder Annie Speese and the rest of the freshmen must forget about last week’s wins.

Sports

Florida searching for balance with Texas A&M match looming

By JOHN BOOTHE | Aug. 25, 2011

It wasn’t easy for Annie Speese to pull the trigger on her first open look at goal in a Gators uniform.

Sophomore safety Matt Elam is reportedly the leader of the defense and will be counted on to fill the void left by Ahmad Black.

Sports

Talented Elam leading secondary

Aug. 25, 2011

Will Muschamp has joked this offseason that he is only coaching certain safeties this year: the ones who play well.

Florida coach Will Muschamp said several starters may lose their jobs after he cut Wednesday’s scrimmage short because players were not focused.

Sports

Frustrated Muschamp cuts practice short

Aug. 24, 2011

Coach Will Muschamp ended practice about 30 minutes early Wednesday night, but it was far from a reward.

Sports

Koehne in mix to start after switch to guard

By MATT WATTS | Aug. 24, 2011

Offensive lineman Kyle Koehne may not be a household name for Florida fans. But the sophomore is a well-known commodity among his brothers in the trenches.

Sports

Brantley: Confidence on the rise or still a nervous wreck?

By TOM GREEN< | Aug. 24, 2011

With practices closed off to the media and the public — and limited bits of actual information coming from anyone associated with the Gators — reporters, fans and outside observers alike have had to take coach Will Muschamp and his players at their word.

Junior center back Kat Williamson, who took home Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors last week, is the only Gator to play 90 minutes in each of the team’s first two games.

Sports

Defense stifling early foes, still needs work

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Aug. 24, 2011

The Gators’ defense was stingy from the start last year, allowing just one goal through its first five games.

Florida junior Lerentee McCray (34) appears to have claimed the starting job at strong-side linebacker alongside Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins after playing a limited role at defensive end last season.

Sports

McCray in line to claim vacant job at strong-side linebacker

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 24, 2011

When Lerentee McCray switched to defensive end in fall 2009, his days roaming the middle of the defense appeared to be behind him.

Although Florida coach Will Muschamp recently tried to dismiss it as a rumor, running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey have reportedly been taking snaps in a version of the Wildcat formation in practice.

Sports

Muschamp limiting information released

By TOM GREEN | Aug. 23, 2011

Gators coach Will Muschamp is looking for any competitive edge he can get entering his first season.

Alabama running back Trent Richardson, who ran for 700 yards on 112 carries last season while splitting time with Mark Ingram, is expected to be one of the conference’s best backs in 2011.

Sports

Conference loaded with talent at running back

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 23, 2011

Coach Will Muschamp recently credited the Southeastern Conference’s dominance to the league’s defensive lines, but it’s the running back position that may be the most talented.

Sports

Miami scandal: Time to tattle

Aug. 23, 2011

Dear every gangster rapper ever,