Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

The No. 5 Gators took their first defeat in a road game against No. 16 FSU 7-2. Photo from UF-FSU game March 3.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Seminoles dismantle Florida’s 14-0 record

By Rachel Slay | Mar. 7, 2021

Florida State snapped the Gators’ undefeated record in a 7-2 win Saturday.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Ceasar and Carlton record double-digit kills in Arkansas sweep

By Zachary Huber | Mar. 7, 2021

Florida made quick work of the Razorbacks and defeated them 3-0.

Team captain Sam Riffice and the rest of the Gators marked March 7 at the start of the season. Photo from UF-Auburn match Feb. 21.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Tennessee: the match “we all look forward to”

By Jesse Richardson | Mar. 6, 2021

Florida’s rivalry weekend continues when the Volunteers visit Gainesville. The women’s team heads to Knoxville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida drowns Stetson 19-7

By Karina Wilson | Mar. 6, 2021

The Gators pummeled the Stetson Hatters 19-7 in a Saturday road game.

Trinity Thomas performs on the balance beam against Missouri Jan. 29. The junior was ruled out 30 minutes before Friday’s meet with an ankle injury

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida beats Alabama to become sole SEC Regular Season Champions

By Zachary Huber | Mar. 6, 2021

No. 1 Florida claims its third SEC Regular Season Championship with victory over No. 6 Alabama. It finished the regular season undefeated in back-to-back years.

Tommy Mace strides towards home last season. The junior surrendered just two earned runs in seven innings in Game 1 against Florida A&M Friday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators sweep Florida A&M in double-header showdown on Friday

By Sara Kate Dyson | Mar. 6, 2021

The Gators toppled Florida A&M in both games Friday night to open the weekend series

Freshman Ben Shelton prepares for a forehand return against Auburn on Feb. 21. Shelton and Andy Andrade won their doubles match 7-4 Friday against Georgia.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Women can’t upset Georgia, Men successfully defend the Swamp

By Jesse Richardson | Mar. 5, 2021

The women gave it their all in Athens, GA but eventually rolled over in a 4-1 defeat while the men commanded the dawgs to lay down in a 7-0 sweep.

The Gators celebrate a successful play at home against Texas A&M last year. This season, Florida extended its winning streak to eight games after defeating Arkansas Friday.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida’s dominant streak continues, beats Arkansas in straight sets

By Michael Hull | Mar. 5, 2021

Junior Thayer Hall tallied 16 kills over the three sets of competition, leading the Gators to their eighth straight victory.

Charla Echols at third base against Charlotte on Feb. 20. The Michigan State transfer roped her first hit in four games over the right-center field wall.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Echols, Lindaman power Florida to shutout win against FSU

By Noah Ram | Mar. 5, 2021

Echols snagged her first hit in eight days with a fourth inning home run

Florida will take on Stetson in DeLand, Florida, Saturday for the first time since 2014

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida to take on Stetson

By Karina Wilson | Mar. 5, 2021

The Gators are back in Florida to face the Stetson Hatters in their home opener.

Lazzari’s near-perfect score set a new personal best. Photo from UF-Mizzou game Jan. 29.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida clashes versus Alabama for SEC crown

By Zachary Huber | Mar. 4, 2021

Gators fights Alabama for sole possession of the SEC Regular Season Championship. The meet starts at 8:30 p.m. and can be seen on the SEC Network Alternate channel.

McCartney Kessler and Marlee Zein look to increase their doubles streak to six Friday. The men’s and women’s squads prepare to take on the Georgia Bulldogs, whose teams hold a 13-3 combined record. Photo from UF-Texas A&M game Feb. 28.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Let the dawgs out: Florida prepared for Georgia

By Jesse Richardson | Mar. 4, 2021

Florida and Georgia have been red-hot going into the Friday night showdowns.

After eclipsing 1,000 career points in Wednesday's win over Auburn, star Florida guard Kiara Smith dropped a career-high 36 points — accounting for 56.2% of the Gators’ points. Photo from UF-Kentucky game Feb. 1.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators’ supporting cast irrelevant in SEC Tournament loss to Kentucky

By Griffin Foll | Mar. 4, 2021

Despite Kiara Smith’s career-high 36-point performance, Florida’s depth failed to deliver down the stretch against No. 17 Kentucky Wednesday.

Florida’s 5-2 win over FSU marked its last game before the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo from UF-Louisville game Feb. 27.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Rival rematch: Florida State heads to the Swamp Friday

By Rachel Slay | Mar. 4, 2021

Florida faces Florida State Friday — its last opponent during the shortened 2020 season.

As the team assembles for another three-game home stand, the microscope rests the hardest on three Florida players. Photo from UF-UM game Feb. 20. Courtesy of the SEC Media Portal.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators look to regain momentum in third weekend series

By Ryan Haley | Mar. 4, 2021

After a disappointing midweek loss to Florida Atlantic, the Gators look to get back on their feet as they host Florida A&M this weekend.

The Gators congregate in a huddle formation at their loss against LSU last season. UF will look to extend its seven-game winning streak against Arkansas.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators look to keep momentum against Arkansas

By Michael Hull | Mar. 4, 2021

The Gators hope to win their eighth and ninth straight matches this weekend against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Junior Tre Mann drives left against Missouri Wednesday night. His 21 points led all scores against the Tigers.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Gators fall at the buzzer to Missouri

By Declan Walsh | Mar. 4, 2021

Missouri guard Dru Smith knifed through the Florida defense and willed home an acrobatic layup at the buzzer to down the Gators 72-70.

Brandon Sproat pitching against Miami Feb. 21, 2021. Courtesy of the SEC Media Portal. Sproat will start on the mound for Florida's first-round matchup with Central Michigan.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators ice-cold, Owls persevere in upset

By Ryan Haley | Mar. 4, 2021

Despite a near-perfect night from a much maligned bullpen, the Gators couldn’t overcome a cold day at the plate after nine scoreless innings.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

A pair of home runs saves Florida’s perfect record

By Rachel Slay | Mar. 3, 2021

Hannah Adams and Jaimie Hoover knocked two out of the park against New Mexico State Wednesday.

Despite many distractions and obstacles in the fall, the Gators women's golf team is preparing for a strong spring season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators finish Gamecock Intercollegiate in 17th

By Michael Hull | Mar. 3, 2021

Florida will have a few weeks off before they return to competition at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic on March 19.