Sports | Volleyball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida Gators defensive specialist Emily Caanan (7) celebrates with her teammates after winning a point in a match against the Missouri Tigers in the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla., on Oct. 10, 2025.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball tops Missouri in four sets behind Milica Vidacic’s late push

By Ava DiCecca | Oct. 10

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 | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball stares down five ranked opponents to finish season

By Ava DiCecca | Oct. 8

Gators volleyball is unranked for the first time since 1991. Now, they're entering one of the most difficult stretch of matches during their season.

Florida Gators outside hitter Kira Hutson (12) bumps the ball in a match against the Auburn Tigers on Oct. 3, 2025 in the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball unranked for the first time since 1991

By Ava DiCecca | Oct. 6

Gators volleyball is unranked for the first time since 1991. Florida fell to 7-6 following a loss to unranked LSU on Sunday.

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 | VOLLEYBALL

From world stage to the SEC, Lily Hayes digs deep for Florida

By Isis Snow | Oct. 6

Standing 5 feet, 9 inches tall, Hayes commands attention as the Gators’ starting libero and defensive specialist.

Florida Gators assistant coach Ryan Walthall watches his team in a volleyball match against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida falters in Baton Rouge after Louisiana State's fifth-set comeback

By Isis Snow | Oct. 5

Gators volleyball dropped its fourth match out of its last six. The program is at risk of falling out of the AVCA rankings for the first time since 1991.

Florida Gators outside hitter Aniya Madkin (9) hits 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.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Four players clinch double digits in kills, Florida tops Auburn

By Ava DiCecca | Oct. 3

Gators volleyball improves to 7-5 after topping Auburn at home. Alexis Stucky clinched a triple-double in the Gators' second SEC win.

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

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida flexes depth and grit in conference victory against Alabama

By Isis Snow | Sep. 29

After a back-and-forth battle full of momentum swings, Florida (5-5) emerged with a 3-1 victory over Alabama (8-4) Sunday night at the Exactech Arena in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

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 | VOLLEYBALL

Jordyn Byrd breaks free from the sidelines to take Florida volleyball by storm

By Ava DiCecca | Sep. 29

Jordyn Byrd assumed a dominant role for the Gators, establishing herself as the team’s go-to pin hitter on the outside.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida falls to undefeated Mississippi State in conference opener

By Ava DiCecca | Sep. 26

Florida volleyball is off to its worst start since 1990 and dropped to .500 following a conference matchup against Mississippi State on Friday night.

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 | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball setters balance competition and teamwork on court

By Ava DiCecca | Sep. 22

The accolades speak for themselves for Florida’s setters, sophomore and SEC-All Freshman Taylor Parks and redshirt junior All-American Alexis Stucky.

Florida Gators outside hitter Jordyn Byrd (14) pushes the ball over the net during a volleyball match against the Baylor Bears at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Sunday, September 14, 2024.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Marathon fourth set tests Florida volleyball’s resolve against Wisconsin

By Isis Snow | Sep. 21

Florida volleyball dropped its second straight match in a four-set performance against No. 7 Wisconsin. Florida outside hitters Jordyn Byrd and Aniya Madkin carried the Gators' offense but failed to get past the Badgers.

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.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 15 Florida volleyball upset by Marquette in three sets

By Ava DiCecca | Sep. 19

Ryan Theis falls to his former team on the road as the Gators are swept by Marquette, marking the second time UF has lost to an unranked opponent in three sets this season.

Florida Gators outside hitter Aniya Madkin (9) celebrates a point during a volleyball match against the Baylor Bears at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Sunday, September 14, 2024.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Aniya Madkin has season-high performance in five-set victory over Baylor

By Isis Snow | Sep. 14

Gators volleyball defeated the Baylor Bears in five sets behind a career-high performance from Aniya Madkin.

Florida Gators middle blocker Alec Rothe (25) and outside hitter Lauren Harden (24) stand during the lineup announcement before a volleyball match against PVK Olymp Praha of the Czech Republic, on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball upset by North Carolina in SEC-ACC Challenge

By Ava DiCecca | Sep. 9

The No. 11 Gators suffered their first loss since opening weekend. No. 25 North Carolina upset Florida in swift fashion.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida sweeps Ohio State behind Byrd’s 15 kills

By Isis Snow | Sep. 7

The Florida volleyball team logged its second sweep in three matches after a dominant performance against Ohio State.

Florida Gators libero/defensive specialist Emily Canaan (7) and middle blocker Alec Rothe (25) support each other during a volleyball match against the Norfolk State Spartans on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball tops South Florida 3-1, avenges 2024 upset

By Ava DiCecca | Sep. 2

Florida volleyball scathed by in a five-set match against the South Florida Bulls.

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.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball sweeps Norfolk State in home opener

By Ava DiCecca | Aug. 31

Florida volleyball secured its first victory at home under first-year head coach Ryan Theis.

Freshman setter Alexis Stucky serves against Virginia Aug. 27, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball rebounds, splits matches at the AVCA First Serve Tournament

By Ava DiCecca | Aug. 25

Florida volleyball split its matches in its first weekend of competition under head coach Ryan Theis.

Florida Gators setter Alexis Stucky (5) sets the ball during the team’s 3-0 sweep over the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida wins five-set thriller against Pitt

By Ava DiCecca | Aug. 24

Florida volleyball edged out Pittsburgh in its first ever win under head coach Ryan Theis.

The Florida volleyball team during pre-match introductions Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball falls short against Stanford in season opener

By Isis Snow | Aug. 23

Florida volleyball and first-year head coach Ryan Theis lost in their debut matchup of the 2025 season.