Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF right-side hitter Alex Holston (3) celebrates during Florida's 3-0 win against St. John's on Sept. 17, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball sweeps Miss. State, forces tie for first in SEC

By Ray Boone | Nov. 6, 2016

She hadn’t attempted a swing the entire match.

Florida celebrates its 2-1 overtime win in the 2016 Southeastern Conference Tournament championship match in Orange Beach, Alabama.

SPORTS | SOCCER

BACK TO BACK: UF wins SEC Tournament in overtime

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 6, 2016

The golden goal came in the last minute.

Luke Del Rio looks to the sideline for instruction during Florida's 24-10 win over Georgia on Oct. 29, 2016, in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: UF has a quarterback problem, and it may lead to Del Rio's benching

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 6, 2016

Luke Del Rio dropped back and tried to squeeze a slant pass in too tight a window to his first-year receiver, Tyrie Cleveland.

Florida's Luke Del Rio (14) looses the ball before being taken down by Arkansas' Deatrich Wise Jr. (48) and Randy Ramsey (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Nov. 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Arkansas beat Florida 31-10. (AP Photo/Samantha Baker)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

PICKING UP THE PIECES: Injuries, loss destroy UF’s playoff hopes

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 6, 2016

After his team was decimated by injuries, and after his starting quarterback threw two interceptions, Jim McElwain stated the obvious.

Arkansas' Rawleigh Williams III (22) outruns Florida's Nick Washington (8) and DeAndre Goolsby (30) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas beat Florida 31-10. (AP Photo/Samantha Baker)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

No. 11 Florida falls flat in road loss to Arkansas

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 5, 2016

It was supposed to be a statement game.

Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during Florida's 5-2 win over Iowa State on Aug. 19 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida defeats No. 2 South Carolina, advances to SEC Championship game

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 4, 2016

Savannah Jordan has been in a funk recently.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column: Week 10

Nov. 3, 2016

Site: Razorback Stadium (cap: 72,000)

Melanie Monteagudo (far right) heads the ball into the net during Florida's 6-0 win over Alabama on Oct. 20, 2016, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida to face No. 2 South Carolina in SEC Tournament semifinals

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 3, 2016

With Florida’s biggest game of the season on the line Wednesday night, Melanie Monteagudo stood nervously at midfield hoping the fate of the contest wouldn’t come down to her.

UF’s Justin Leon drives toward the basket during Florida’s 95-63 win against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Leon, Hayes looking to become impact players

By Ray Boone | Nov. 3, 2016

With tired legs and a sweat-soaked jersey, Justin Leon approached the free-throw line with the weight of the team on his shoulders.

UF coach Mary Wise talks with her players during Florida's 3-1 win over Marshall on Sept. 17, 2016, in the Lemerand Athletic Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball sweeps Georgia, Wise earns 400th SEC win

By Skyler Lebron | Nov. 3, 2016

With the Florida Volleyball team leading 14-9 in the second set, coach Mary Wise decided to utilize her bench, something that has become more important as the long Southeastern Conference season progresses.

Belinda Woolcock returns a ball during a ball during Florida's win against South Florida on Jan. 27 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Women’s tennis duo preparing for National Indoor Championships

By Cassie Amundson | Nov. 3, 2016

Josie Kuhlman and Belinda Woolcock smiled as they began to stretch before practice Monday afternoon. And why wouldn’t they?

UF forward Savannah Jordan takes a shot on goal during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Soccer star setting records, prepping for final postseason run

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 3, 2016

The first weekend she stepped onto the field at James G. Pressly Stadium as a freshman, Savannah Jordan scored five goals.

Bryan Cox tackles Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason during Florida's 24-10 win over UGA on Oct. 29, 2016, in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Defensive line dominating halfway through season

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 3, 2016

Nobody knows exactly what happened.

UF forward/midfielder Melanie Monteagudo dribbles down the field during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida advances to SEC Tournament semifinals after penalty kick shootout

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 2, 2016

The game went to a penalty kick shootout. It came down to sophomore Melanie Monteagudo, who was able to get her kick past Missouri's goalkeeper, advancing Florida to the SEC Semifinals on Wednesday night.

UF coach Mary Wise calls out to setter Mackenzie Dagostino during Florida's 3-1 loss to Kentucky on Sept. 27, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Toughness a key component of No. 6 Florida’s success

By Skyler Lebron | Nov. 1, 2016

Through the first 22 matches of the season, toughness has been the driving force for Florida’s promising start.

Spencer Liang returns a ball during the 2016 ITA Regional Championships in October at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Senior’s style of play helping Florida women’s tennis team

By Cassie Amundson | Nov. 1, 2016

It isn’t too common for a tennis match to last three hours.

The Florida soccer team huddles during its 6-0 win over Alabama on Oct. 20 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators open up SEC tournament play against Missouri

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 1, 2016

After 17 games, a regular-season record of 13-4 and one of the toughest schedules in the Southeastern Conference, the Gators are poised to make another deep postseason run.

Coach Jim McElwain, center, talks with UF offensive lineman Martez Ivey (73) during Florida's 38-28 loss to Tennessee on Sept. 24, 2016, in Knoxville

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF's offensive line forming chemistry, seeing progress

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 1, 2016

Surrounded by nearly 2,000 pounds of offensive linemen, Luke Del Rio picked up the check at a nearby Italian restaurant last Thursday.

Brooke Copeland attempts a three-point shot during Florida's win against Stetson.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women’s basketball relying on depth to replace lost talent

By Alejandro López | Oct. 31, 2016

Whenever Carlie Needles pulled up from behind the three-point line, opposing defenses worried.

UF soccer coach Becky Burleigh talks with her team following Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer team celebrates Halloween, SEC awards

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 31, 2016

Becky Burleigh arrived at Monday afternoon’s practice donning slightly unusual attire: adult-sized giraffe onesie pajamas.