Sports | Volleyball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Outside hitter Marina Markova and middle blocker Gabrielle Essix rise above the net for a block against Virginia Aug. 27, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

South Carolina stuns No. 12 Florida in five sets

By Ethan Eibe | Sep. 26, 2022

South Carolina snapped Florida’s seven game winning streak in five sets (25-20, 21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 7-15) with a Sunday matinee comeback win at the Carolina Volleyball Center in Columbia, South Carolina. It is Florida’s first loss in Southeastern Conference play and a tough blow for a squad that was one set away from a weekend sweep.

Florida's Merritt Beason lays down a kill during a game against Texas A&M on Oct. 16, 2021. Beason laid down a career-high 18 kills against South Carolina, leading the Gators to their first road SEC win of the season.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball spoils South Carolina’s SEC opener

By Brandon Hernandez | Sep. 25, 2022

No.12 Florida spoiled South Carolina’s Southeastern Conference opener three sets to one (25-18, 25-22, 16-25, 25-19) Saturday on the road at the Carolina Volleyball Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

Florida libero Elli McKissock celebrates during the Gators volleyball team's win over Virginia Aug. 27, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 12 Florida extends win streak to six with sweep of Alabama

By Ethan Eibe | Sep. 21, 2022

Florida volleyball extended its winning streak to six games and kicked off Southeastern Conference play with a sweep of Alabama at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Wednesday night. The Gators moved to 51-0 all-time against the Crimson Tide, with 47 of those wins coming in straight sets.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 16 Florida upsets No. 4 Wisconsin in front of largest regular-season crowd ever

By Brandon Hernandez | Sep. 17, 2022

A career night for sophomore outside hitter Merritt Beason propelled Florida to a massive road win. The Gators defeated the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers in a dramatic five-set match.

The Florida volleyball team celebrates during a match against the Virginia Cavaliers Aug. 27, 2021.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 16 Florida sweeps rival Florida State in Sunshine Showdown

By Ethan Eibe | Sep. 14, 2022

The No.16 Gators completed multiple comebacks to sweep the Florida State Seminoles in front of a rowdy crowd Tuesday night. Florida will now prepare for an away match at No. 4 Wisconsin Friday night.

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

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball rounds out Sunshine Invitational with sweep over VCU

By Zachary Curtin | Sep. 10, 2022

The Gators defeated VCU sweeping all three sets Saturday. UF was led by junior setter Birdie Hendrickson, who alongside outside hitter AC Fitzpatrick and middle blocker Bre Kelley shut out the Rams in straight sets.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 16 Gators sweep FGCU in second game of Sunshine Invitational

By Ethan Eibe | Sep. 10, 2022

Florida volleyball completed its doubleheader sweep of Georgia Southern and Florida Gulf Coast Friday night without the help of star outside hitter Merritt Beason. Gators head coach Mary did not provide a timetable for Beason’s return.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No.16 Florida volleyball back in the win column, sweeps Georgia Southern

By Brandon Hernandez | Sep. 9, 2022

Florida volleyball defeated Georgia Southern in sweeping fashion to start the Sunshine Invitational at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Friday. The Gators showcased a defensive masterclass in the early match to start the weekend, blocking the Eagles 11 times and preventing them from ever holding a lead in the first two sets.

Outside hitter Marina Markova rises above the net during a match with Virginia Aug. 27, 2021.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 13 Florida volleyball falls to No. 4 Minnesota on the road

By Ethan Eibe | Sep. 4, 2022

Gators volleyball falls to 3-2 on the season with a road loss to No. 4 Minnesota in four sets.

Senior outside hitter Marina Markova and sophomore middle blocker Gabrielle Essix combine for a block against Virginia Aug. 27, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball rallies late, loses first match of season to Stanford

By Brandon Hernandez | Aug. 31, 2022

No. 13 Florida came up short of a comeback victory against No. 12 Stanford Tuesday night in the O’Dome.

Setter Alexis Stucky serves during a match against Virginia Aug. 27, 2021.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball off to a roaring start with perfect weekend

By Ethan Eibe | Aug. 29, 2022

For the 25th time in program history, Florida volleyball started its season 3-0. The Gators began their season with a bang, bringing three opponents to Gainesville for a round-robin invitational. No. 15 Florida hosted — and defeated — the North Florida Ospreys, East Tennessee State Buccaneers and Virginia Cavaliers over the weekend.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball wraps up Gators Invitational with victories over East Tennessee and Virginia

By Ethan Eibe | Aug. 27, 2022

Florida volleyball rolled through East Tennessee and Virginia Saturday at the O’Dome to improve to 3-0 on the young 2022 season. Merritt Beason and Marina Markova combined for 46 kills across both games.

Florida's volleyball team celebrates during a match against Texas A&M on Oct. 16, 2021. The Gators kicked off their 2022 season with a four-set win over North Florida Friday night.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball regains composure midway through match to defeat North Florida in 2022 opener

By Brandon Hernandez | Aug. 27, 2022

Florida volleyball resurged after dropping the first set to defeat North Florida in the 2022 season opener.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

The maturation of a young roster with new additions will dictate Florida volleyball’s success in 2022

By Brandon Hernandez | Aug. 25, 2022

Head coach Mary Wise and sophomore Merritt Beason spoke to the media Wednesday. They addressed Florida’s upcoming matches, Beason’s development as a leader and what to expect from the new faces on the roster.

Florida volleyball's Elli McKissock (23), Sofia Victoria (4), Marlie Monserez (21) and Merritt Beason (13) celebrate during the Gators' loss to Mississippi State on Sept. 24. The team hosted Jacksonville Saturday for its annual Fan Day exhibition match.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball sweeps Jacksonville at its Fan Day exhibition match

By Brandon Hernandez | Aug. 20, 2022

Gators volleyball swept Jacksonville in four and a half sets of exhibition action Saturday afternoon.

Florida head coach Mary Wise communicates with her players during a game against Mississippi State on Sept. 24.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Eight new faces add to Florida volleyball’s 2022 roster

By Kaitlyn Wadulack | July 16, 2022

Many new names and faces make up the 2022-23 Florida Gators volleyball team.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball 2022 schedule released

By Brandon Hernandez | May 27, 2022

The orange and blue will battle Southeastern Conference opponents Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky in front of their fans.

Florida's Marlie Monserez (left) and Thayer Hall (right), pictured during a game against Texas A&M on Oct. 16.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida’s season ends at the hands of top-ranked Louisville in Sweet 16

By Kaitlyn Wadulack | Dec. 9, 2021

The Gators volleyball season comes to an end after Louisville swept Florida Thursday in the Sweet 16.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators hope to knock off undefeated Cardinals in Sweet 16

By Carson Cashion | Dec. 7, 2021

In the Sweet 16 matchup this Thursday, the Florida Gators will be playing the No. 1 team in the country for a spot in the Elite Eight.

Florida's Thayer Hall serves during an Oct. 16 match against Texas A&M.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators sweep Hurricanes in final game at the O’Dome

By Carson Cashion | Dec. 3, 2021

The Florida Gators are headed to the Sweet 16 after a sweep victory over the Miami Hurricanes in Gainesville.