Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida center Kevarrius Hayes recorded five rebounds and two blocks in the Gators' 65-41 win over South Carolina on Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Strong defense sets bar for Gators against South Carolina

By Jake Dreilinger | Feb. 12, 2018

South Carolina guard Frank Booker sprinted toward the basket on a fastbreak opportunity midway through the second half. With no one in his sight, Booker went up for what appeared to be an easy layup, only to have Florida center Kevarrius Hayes come from behind to swat the ball off the backboard and into the hands of guard Jalen Hudson.

Senior Kennedy Baker earned her third career perfect 10.0 against Alabama on Friday.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Kennedy Baker, veteran teammates remain in mid-season form for UF gymnastics team

By Alana Gomez | Feb. 12, 2018

Before the No. 5 Gators walked onto the mats of the O’Connell Center, the team sat down and described its individual goals heading into its meet against No. 9 Alabama on Friday.

Sophomore Grant Holloway will defend his NCAA Championship title on Friday in Eugene, Oregon

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Grant Holloway greeted by familiar face after breaking NCAA record

By Alanis Thames | Feb. 12, 2018

Stan and LaTasha Holloway watched eagerly from the sidelines as their son, sophomore Grant Holloway, peeled off without hesitation at the sound of the starting gun.

Siblings Matt and Becca Hamilton were the USA's representatives as the mixed-doubles curling team in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Why aren't we talking more about curling? It's the greatest sport of all time.

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 11, 2018

I can’t speak for everyone, but these Winter Olympic games have been hard to keep up with.

Florida guards Funda Nakkasoglu (pictured) and Delicia Washington combined for 56 points in UF’s 92-82 loss against Mercer.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida women’s basketball team drops fifth in a row in loss to South Carolina

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 11, 2018

Just over a minute into the third quarter, South Carolina forward A’ja Wilson mirrored her teammates’ ball movement across the floor as she shuffled from one side of the paint to the other. Guard Doniyah Cliney received a pass and immediately spotted Wilson posting up just to the right of the lane. With a lob into Wilson, Florida forward Paulina Hersler abandoned her inside position to take a swipe at the ball.

Florida goalkeeper Haley Hicklen (29) recorded a career-high 14 saves in UF's season-opening 16-9 win over Colorado on Sunday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Haley Hicklen’s career day lifts Florida lacrosse team past Colorado in season opener

By Tyler Nettuno | Feb. 11, 2018

With 8:19 remaining in the first half, Florida held a 7-5 lead over Colorado. Buffaloes attacker Samantha Nemirov sprinted toward the net and released a hard shot in the direction of UF goalkeeper Haley Hicklen. Hicklen reacted quickly, snagging the ball out of the air for a save.

Coach Bryan Shelton (left) and freshman Duarte Vale (right) came up short in the Gators' second dual match on the weekend in Columbus, Ohio.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis team ends road trip with 5-2 loss to No. 2 Ohio State

By Benjamin Brandt | Feb. 11, 2018

Nothing about the red and gray courts at Ohio State’s Varsity Indoor Tennis Center resembled home for Florida’s men’s tennis team. Losing the first four points of a dual match was just as strange to the No. 11 program in the nation.

Catcher Janell Wheaton started a Gators rally with the team's first hit of the game in the fifth inning.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball team completes opening weekend with pair of victories

By Mark Stine | Feb. 11, 2018

Florida put on a batting exposition on Sunday, defeating UAB 6-0 and South Florida 14-3 at the USF Softball Complex in Tampa to improve its record to 5-0.

Florida women's tennis coach Roland Thornqvist witnessed his team suffer its first shutout in the regular season in over three years on Saturday, falling to Vanderbilt 4-0.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida women’s tennis team blown out by Vanderbilt for third loss in last four matches

By River Wells | Feb. 11, 2018

In the first round of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships on Friday, Florida’s women’s tennis team defeated Wisconsin in a 5-0 blowout. During the second round of the tournament against Vanderbilt on Saturday, the Gators were on the other end of a shutout.

Sophomore Grant Holloway broke the NCAA record in the 60-meter hurdles on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Grant Holloway breaks collegiate record as UF dominates at Tiger Paw Invitational

By Alanis Thames | Feb. 10, 2018

Grant Holloway pounded his fist against his chest, pumped it repeatedly into the air and fell to his knees in the middle of the Clemson University Indoor Complex, overcome with emotion after his race on Friday.

Shortstop Sophia Reynoso provided the only RBIs in Florida's 2-0 win over No. 18 Michigan.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators softball team takes care of Michigan and Georgia State in doubleheader

By Mark Stine | Feb. 10, 2018

Florida’s softball team was back in action on Saturday, playing a doubleheader against No. 18 Michigan and unranked Georgia State. The Gators picked up respective victories of 2-0 and 11-0, pushing their record to 3-0.

Forward Kevarrius Hayes led a resurgent Florida defense against South Carolina Saturday afternoon. The junior provided two blocks and five rebounds in 15 minutes.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida men’s basketball team shuts down South Carolina, cruises to 65-41 victory

By Andrew Huang | Feb. 10, 2018

South Carolina forward Chris Silva attacked the rim, put the ball up and had it swatted back by Florida center Kevarrius Hayes.

Jose Kuhlman's 6-2, 6-0, victory on Friday helped the Gators defeat Wisconsin 5-0 in the opening round of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF women’s tennis team sweeps Wisconsin to bounce back from two-match losing streak

By River Wells | Feb. 10, 2018

On Wednesday, Florida women’s tennis player Josie Kuhlman lost the final set in UF’s match against Oklahoma State, clinching the Cowgirls’ victory. At the first round of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships on Friday, she was an integral part of the Gators’ dominant sweep over Wisconsin.

Junior Alfredo Perez led the Gators to a sweep over the Miami Hurricanes on Sunday with victories in both doubles and singles play.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF men’s tennis team defeats No. 13 Michigan in weekend’s first road match

By Benjamin Brandt | Feb. 9, 2018

Only silence traveled with the ball as Michigan senior Alex Knight launched a forehand deep out of play. The error settled Florida junior Alfredo Perez’s comeback victory on the No. 1 singles court and clinched the UF men’s tennis team’s first win over a ranked opponent this season. The crowd in Ann Arbor shut down immediately.

Senior Kennedy Baker earned her third career 10.0 in her floor routine in a route of No. 9 Alabama at the O'Connell Center Friday night.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Kennedy Baker posts 10.0 on floor as Florida tops Alabama for third straight SEC win

By Alana Gomez | Feb. 9, 2018

Only two weeks have passed since the Gators gymnastics team saw a 10.0 score on the mats of the O’Connell center. This proved too long for Florida, which ended its home match against Alabama on Friday night with a 10.0 on the floor from senior Kennedy Baker, her third perfect score in the routine in the past two years.

Senior pitcher and utility player Aleshia Ocasio opened the Gators' 2018 season with five perfect innings, ending the afternoon with eight strikeouts. She also went 1 of 3 from the plate with a pair of runs scored.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida’s softball team tramples Illinois St. to win season opener

By Mark Stine | Feb. 9, 2018

One by one, Illinois State’s players approached the batter’s box.

Senior Anna Danilina picked up a victory in singles play on Saturday, but it wasn't enough, as the Gators fell to Florida State 4-3.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators return to ITA indoor championships off losing streak

By River Wells | Feb. 9, 2018

After senior Josie Kuhlman’s heartbreaking loss on Wednesday to hand the Gators their second loss in a row, coach Roland Thornqvist assured that the team’s level of play would be enough to lead it to victory during the season. At the first meet of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships on Friday, Florida will have an imposing first test to see if those words will ring true.

2017 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year Haley Hicklen and six preseason All-Big East team members return to coach Amanda O'Leary's team this season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Big East-favorite Gators set to open their season at home against Colorado

By Tyler Nettuno | Feb. 9, 2018

The Florida lacrosse team has not reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament since 2015.

While the Gators have five upperclassmen on the Preseason All-SEC Team, a slew of freshmen are set to make immediate contributions. "I'm really excited to see how it's going to piece together," senior Aleshia Ocasio said.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators open season against Illinois State

By Mark Stine | Feb. 9, 2018

Last year, the Gators turned to their underclassmen to fill pivotal roles. This year could prove to be similar.

Florida guard Egor Koulechov looks forward to matching up against South Carolina forward Chris Silva, who recorded a double-double against UF on Jan. 24. "We'll have a good game plan," Koulechov said. "I'll do whatever I gotta do."

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF hits road for rematch with South Carolina

By Andrew Huang | Feb. 9, 2018

Florida point guard Chris Chiozza has been posting career numbers all season. He’s scoring, rebounding and assisting at his highest rate since he stepped foot in Gainesville four years ago. The Gators men's basketball team has needed all of it in a topsy-turvy 2018 campaign.