sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Caeleb Dressel won two individual titles and was part of the winning relay squad in the UF men's swimming team's 209-91 victory over the Seminoles on Friday at the O'Connell Center.

Sports

UF swimming defeats FSU in Sunshine Showdown

By River Wells | Jan. 5, 2018

When it comes to UF swimmers Caeleb and Sherridon Dressel, it’s easy to tell they’re cut from the same cloth.

Junior Alicia Boren broke UF’s record for the highest all-around score in a season opener in program history, registering a 39.575 all-around score against West Virginia on Friday. The Gators defeated the Mountaineers 195.900-194.425 to open the season 1-0.

Sports

Gators open season with win over West Virginia

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 5, 2018

For the fifth year in a row, the Florida gymnastics team proved that starting off the season away from home has no effect on its performance. The Gators (1-0) kicked off their 2018 schedule with a 195.900-194.425 win over West Virginia (0-1) on Friday night at the WVU Coliseum.

Haley Lorenzen ended the game with 14 points on 55 percent shooting from the field, but could not come up with a bucket late in Thursday night's against Alabama.

Sports

Florida drops to 0-2 in SEC play following close loss to ‘Bama

By Morgan McMullen | Jan. 4, 2018

Florida forward Haley Lorenzen called for the ball with just over five minutes left in the game. After setting a screen for a streaking teammate, Lorenzen posted up Alabama’s Ashley Williams, boxing her out beneath the basket before snatching an inlet pass from teammate Delicia Washington with both hands. She raised up for the layup, was fouled by Williams and ultimately landed a pair of late free throws to go up by two.

“They started to chip away at (the lead) and we started to collapse and cave in,” Florida coach Cameron Newbauer said after Florida's 84-55 loss to Auburn. "“We’ve just got to have more of a resolve about ourselves and someone has to pick us up.”

Sports

Gators second half meltdown leads to first SEC loss of season

By Justin Ahlum | Dec. 31, 2017

With under four minutes left in the second quarter, Florida guard Funda Nakkasoglu was sent to the charity stripe for a pair of free throws. After Nakkasoglu buried one of her two attempts, the Gators slowly watched their eight-point lead slip away at the end of the half and went into the break ahead by one.

Florida forward Haley Lorenzen scored 18 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in Florida's 85-51 victory over Delaware State on Wednesday.

Sports

Florida thrashes Delaware State behind big day from Lorenzen

By Morgan McMullen | Dec. 27, 2017

With the final seconds winding down and the game well in hand, Florida guard Tameria Johnson ran down a Delaware State fast break attempt and poked the ball away. As she took it across half court, coach Cameron Newbauer signaled his offense to run one more play. But Johnson, looking over to her bench, lost the handle and was called for a backcourt violation. The freshman laughed it off, shook her head and jogged back for the final defensive possession of the afternoon.

Despite coming up short in the national championship match, the 2017 Florida volleyball team had a season to remember.

Sports

Year in Review: Gators volleyball team had a season for the ages

By Andrew Huang | Dec. 23, 2017

Things were supposed to be different this time for Florida’s volleyball team.

Florida guard Paulina Hersler scored a game-high 19 points on Thursday to lead the Gators to a 71-51 win over Saint Joseph's at the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Hersler leads Gators over Saint Joseph’s on Thursday

By Justin Ahlum | Dec. 21, 2017

With two and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, Florida guard Paulina Hersler received a pass at the top of the key. She stepped back, jumped up and drained the three-pointer, giving the Gators a 24-point advantage, their largest lead of the contest.

Florida women's basketball coach Cameron Newbauer wasn't happy with his team after it recorded just two assists in the second half of its five-point loss to Chattanooga on Wednesday. "Playing all individual, selfish, one-on-one basketball," he said.

Sports

Gators lose to Chattanooga following ‘selfish’ second-half play

By Morgan McMullen | Dec. 20, 2017

Dyandria Anderson hadn’t scored all game. Undeterred, the Florida guard drove down the right side of the court. With the Gators down by three and just under five minutes remaining in the contest, Anderson lurched hard into a trailing defender and drained a layup while drawing a foul. She then swished the free throw and tied the game up at 55 apiece.

The Florida men's and women's swimming and diving times compete in Austin, Texas, this weekend in an event hosted by the Texas Longhorns. The UF men enter the meet ranked No. 8, while the women have a national rank of No. 19.

Sports

Gators diving teams finish in middle of the pack at Auburn Invitational

By River Wells | Dec. 19, 2017

The Florida men’s and women’s diving teams wrapped up action at the Auburn Invitational on Tuesday afternoon, finishing in fourth and third place, respectively, in the three-day competition.

Florida middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan's career at UF came to close Saturday night in the 2017 NCAA national championship match following a 3-1 Gators loss to Nebraska.

Sports

Coming up short: Gators fall to 'Huskers in NCAA title match

By Andrew Huang | Dec. 16, 2017

The relentless hustle of Nebraska and a night riddled with miscues doomed Florida’s chances of winning its first NCAA title in program history, capping off what was otherwise a solid season for UF after reaching the Final Four for the first time since 2003.

The Florida volleyball team is one win away from its first NCAA title in program history. It will take on Nebraska in the national championship match on Saturday at 9 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri.

Sports

For all the marbles: Florida, Nebraska square off in national championship match on Saturday

By Andrew Huang | Dec. 15, 2017

The motto has been the same for Florida all year long: Find a way to win.

Florida's volleyball team defeated Stanford 3-2 in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. It will now face Nebraska in the national championship match on Saturday at 9 p.m.

Sports

Gators take down Stanford in five-set nailbiter to punch ticket to national championship match

By Mari Faiello | Dec. 14, 2017

As Rachael Kramer lightly hit the ball over the net and away from the outstretched arms of a diving Stanford player, Florida's volleyball team exploded with excitement.

Florida volleyball player Rhamat Alhassan's off-the-court interests have caused her teammates to refer to her as the official "grandma" of the Gators. The 2017 SEC Player of the Year will look to keep UF's season alive Thursday night when it takes on Stanford in the Final Four.

Sports

From spiking volleyballs to crocheting sweaters, Rhamat Alhassan isn’t your average college athlete

By Justin Ahlum | Dec. 14, 2017

Sewing together articles of clothing. Knitting blankets and scarves with friends.

The UF volleyball team advanced to the national title game for the second time under coach Mary Wise. The Gators played thrillers against Southern California (Dec. 9) and Stanford (Dec. 14) to advance to the championship game.

Sports

They’re back: Gators compete in first Final Four since 2003 Thursday against Stanford

By Andrew Huang | Dec. 14, 2017

The last time Florida’s volleyball team reached the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament, the current players on its roster were still in elementary school. Some weren’t even in kindergarten yet.

Florida guard Funda Nakkasoglu scored 17 points in Florida's 74-69 victory over Marshall on Sunday at the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Gators hold off Marshall at home in five-point win

By Justin Ahlum | Dec. 10, 2017

With less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Florida guard Dyandria Anderson stopped her dribble and launched a cross court pass to teammate Funda Nakkasoglu. Nakkasoglu caught the ball, launched a three from the corner of the court and watched it fall through the bottom of the net.

Florida's volleyball team is headed to the Final Four after defeating USC 3-2 on Saturday night in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament at the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Pushed to the brink: Gators Final Four-bound with win over USC

By Andrew Huang | Dec. 9, 2017

Gators senior Rhamat Alhassan sat next to redshirt senior Shainah Joseph and coach Mary Wise. Microphones were perched in front of them and a backdrop checkered with the NCAA’s logo stood behind them.

Outside hitter Carli Snyder helped the Gators regain momentum with the opening kill of the second set. She played a pivotal role for Florida’s offense, scoring a match-best 18 kills.

Sports

Gators advance to Elite Eight with win over Bruins

By Mari Faiello | Dec. 8, 2017

Following a Florida timeout late in the first set, freshman Paige Hammons had one job to do: pass a settable ball to one of her teammates so the Gators could tie the score at 24-all.

Florida women's basketball coach Cameron Newbauer wasn't pleased with his team's high volume of turnovers in its 103-77 loss to No. 12 Ohio State on Wednesday. "Selfish basketball," he said. "It really bit us in the tail and then the wheels fell off."

Sports

Florida falls to Buckeyes by 26 on Wednesday

By Justin Ahlum | Dec. 6, 2017

Halfway through the third quarter, Florida’s women’s basketball team felt momentum shifting in its favor.

Mary Wise coached the UF volleyball team to the NCAA championship match last season. She was named AVCA National Coach of the Year for 2017 and claimed her 23rd SEC Championship with the program.

Sports

Gators volleyball team chasing first Final Four appearance since 2003

By Andrew Huang | Dec. 5, 2017

Just five days from Christmas 2003, the Gators volleyball team was in Dallas, hoping to win its first national title and avenge its only loss of the season against undefeated Southern California.

Florida guard Dyandria Anderson, who set a new career high in points against Oklahoma, said while she and her teammates enjoyed arguably their best win of the season, they need to retain the lessons learned from it. “We can’t just forget about them," Anderson said.

Sports

Gators look to win fourth in a row tonight vs. Ohio State

By Morgan McMullen | Dec. 5, 2017

On Sunday night, the Gators (5-3) celebrated their second road win of the year the same way as their first.