Volleyball

Florida sweeps Baylor in Saturday showdown

By Nicole Scura | 4:33pm

No. 17 Florida (3-1) swept No. 20 Baylor (4-1) on Saturday in Waco, Texas, in its third-straight road matchup.

Kamryn Chaney (7) and Lily Hayes (13) await the ball during the Gators’ 3-0 win against Stony Brook University for their home opener, Aug. 30, 2026, at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

No. 17 Florida falls to No. 5 Wisconsin in five-set thriller

By Sofia Alamo | Sep. 3

Brooklyn Briscoe(4) celebrates with the Gators volleyball team during their home opener, Aug. 30, 2026, at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Selena Leban propels Florida to upset of No. 11 Minnesota

By Nicole Scura | Sep. 2

Florida Gators setter Taylor Parks (20) prepares to serve the ball during a volleyball match against the Baylor Bears at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Sunday, September 14, 2024.

Gators volleyball kicks off grueling four-match road stretch against Minnesota in Big Ten/SEC Challenge

By Sofia Alamo | Sep. 1

Alec Rothe (25) attacks the ball during the Gators’ matchup against Stony Brook for their homeopener, Aug. 30, 2026 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Florida volleyball sweeps Stony Brook in regular-season opener

By Sofia Alamo and Nicole Scura | Aug. 30

Florida Gators setter Taylor Parks (20) prepares to serve the ball in a volleyball match against the Norfolk State Spartans on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

No. 17 Florida falls to No. 1 Nebraska in Spikes Under the Lights semifinal

By Sofia Alamo and Nicole Scura | Aug. 27

More Volleyball

Florida Gators Volleyball head coach Ryan Theis talks to outside hitter Kira Hutson (12) and middle blocker Alec Rothe (25) during a volleyball match against the Norfolk State Spartans on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

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Can the Gators come back as a top contender this 2026-27 season?

By Sofia Alamo and Nicole Scura | Aug. 24

With a tough schedule ahead, the Gators must capitalize on their returning stars, challenge their ranked opponents and fill the gaps left by transfers to find success on the court again. The Gators’ 2025-26 season proved adjustment takes time. After 34 years under head coach Mary Wise, Florida experienced a shake-up when she announced her last full season would be 2024.

Florida volleyball players celebrate scoring a point against Alabama at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Sunday, Sept. 28, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Beyond The Swamp: Your guide to 2026-27 Gators sports

By Lily Perkins | Aug. 12

Tucked in between Saturdays in The Swamp and camping in front of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center for basketball games are national championship contenders, Olympians, rising stars and some of the most exciting sporting events on campus. Whether you’re looking for a fun new activity, an indoor escape from the Florida heat or your next favorite team, here’s what you need to know before every Gator season begins.

Florida Gators outside hitter Jordyn Byrd (14) celebrates with her teammates after scoring a point in a volleyball match against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 in the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida volleyball picked fourth in SEC Coaches Poll, Byrd and Rothe named Preseason All-SEC

By Sofia Alamo | July 29

Being one of three programs with multiple athletes selected to the Preseason All-Southeastern Conference team, Florida volleyball is positioned for success with the talents of Jordyn Byrd and Alec Rothe. The SEC Coaches Poll announced the Gators are projected to finish No. 4 in the conference.

Florida Gators setter Taylor Parks (20) sets the ball during a NCAA Volleyball match on Friday, November 07, 2025.

Sports

Sizing up the Gators: A look into Florida volleyball’s 2026 roster

By Nicole Scura | July 25

With Florida volleyball preparing for the 2026 season, the team has the chance to prove the program can still thrive without longtime head coach Mary Wise, who departed the program after the 2024 season. In 2025, the Gators saw their worst season in over three decades, going 16-12 overall and 9-6 in the SEC, leaving massive room for growth under head coach Ryan Theis. That said, Florida’s roster looks different this year, leaving fans wondering how this season will pan out.

Florida Gators libero/defensive specialist Lily Hayes (13) exclaims during a volleyball match against the Norfolk State Spartans on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Lily Hayes secures gold, remains defensive asset for Florida volleyball

By Nicole Scura | July 20

Following a standout first season with the Gators, rising sophomore libero Lily Hayes has made another memorable mark on the court. Representing Team USA in the 2026 NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup, Hayes helped the team bring home gold.

Florida Gators libero Elli McKissock (23) serves the ball during the second set of Gators’ 3-0 sweep vs the Auburn Tigers at Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Sports

Elli McKissock returns to Florida, signs with the Orlando Valkyries

By Nicole Scura | July 6

The 2027 season marks McKissock's second with the team. She played a critical role in the team’s victory at the franchise’s first Major League Volleyball Championship in 2025. This past season, McKissock played for the Atlanta Vibe, accumulating 152 digs and 2.34 digs per set across 65 sets played.

Front row (from left): Assistant Coordinator of Gators Experience Dylan Gilmore, Anya Pilgrim (GYM), Skye Blakely (GYM), Jayla Booker( GYM), eMjae Frazier (GYM), Taylor Clark (GYM).Back row (from left): Amaya Thomas (VB), Aniya Madkin (VB), Assistant Director of Advising Marina Culbertson, Lena Bailey (SOC), Nicolas Crosswhite (T&F), Jayden Emmanuel (SOC).

Sports

Florida student-athletes gain perspectives on life beyond the game

By Nicole Scura | June 11

Student-athletes spend years striving to excel in their sport, dedicating hours to practices, conditioning and competition. But for many, one question looms over their head: What comes after sports?

Sports

How family, competition shaped Florida freshman Nadi’ya Shelby

By Lily Perkins | June 1

When Nadi’ya was as young as 10 years old, she began seeking out extra training on her own, running with her brothers and finding ways to improve her athleticism.

Florida Gators defensive strategist Bella Lee (21) goes to dive the ball in a match against the Auburn Tigers on Oct. 3, 2025 in the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Gators volleyball loses to SMU at NCAA Tournament

By Ava DiCecca | Dec. 6

Head coach Ryan Theis’ first season with the Florida Gators officially came to an end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Florida Gators outside hitter Jordyn Byrd (14) led the Gators with 18 kills in Florida's first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Sports

Gators volleyball sweeps Rice, advances to NCAA Tournament Round of 32

By Ava DiCecca | Dec. 5

An injury to one of the Owls' top hitters shifted momentum early on in the match.

The Florida Gators volleyball team lost its third straight match and have just one more regular season match before conference tournament play begins.

Sports

Florida volleyball eyes first round of the NCAA Tournament against Rice

By Ava DiCecca | Dec. 4

Florida enters the NCAA volleyball tournament in round one to face Rice University. While the two haven't met in three decades, they saw similar results against the opponents they had in common this season.

Gators outside hitter Jordyn Byrd (14) passes the ball during a match against Vanderbilt at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida, on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.

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Gators volleyball falls to Tennessee in SEC Tournament Quarterfinals

By Ava DiCecca | Nov. 23

Florida’s run in the SEC Volleyball Tournament came to an end Sunday.

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Gators volleyball dominates Alabama, advances to SEC Tournament Quarterfinals

By Ava DiCecca | Nov. 22

In the first SEC Volleyball Tournament since 2005, No. 5 Florida entered in the second round as the reigning champions and made a statement.

Florida Gators setter Alexis Stucky (5), middle blocker Alec Rothe (25) and libero/defensive specialist Lily Hayes (13) laugh together during a volleyball match against the Norfolk State Spartans on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Gators secure No. 5 seed for SEC Tournament: how they got here

By Ava DiCecca | Nov. 16

After a season full of ups and downs, Florida wrapped up its regular season with a 14-10 record and a 9-6 record in Southeastern Conference play, securing the No. 5 seed in the SEC Tournament.