sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF running back Kelvin Taylor dashes for a 53-yard run during the fourth quarter of Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

Sports

Gators making game-winning plays

By Luis Torres | Nov. 15, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. — What a difference a year makes.

UF outside hitter Ziva Recek (middle) celebrates with teammates after a point during Florida's 3-0 win against Alabama on Nov. 13, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Florida volleyball continues sweep streak against pesky Volunteers

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 15, 2015

Ziva Recek used her rifle of an arm when she needed it most.

Sports

UF women’s basketball to host rival Seminoles tonight

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 15, 2015

Following a difficult game on the road, the Florida women’s basketball team will only see things get tougher in its home opener.

Jimmy Clark races during the 2013 Mountain Dew Invitational.

Sports

Two UF cross country runners heading to Nationals

By Alejandro López | Nov. 15, 2015

On Friday the 13th, the University of Florida’s cross country teams were hoping for a stroke of good fortune.

UF forward Savannah Jordan takes a shot during Florida's 2-1 win against LSU on Oct. 11, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

UF soccer edges past Western Michigan in NCAA Tourney opening round

By Kyle Brutman | Nov. 15, 2015

It wasn’t until the second half of Saturday night’s game at Donald R. Dizney Stadium that No. 2 regional seed Florida (18-3-1, 8-2-1 Southeastern Conference) was able to find its way on the board, en route to a 1-0 victory over Western Michigan (14-4-4, 8-1-2 Mid-American Conference) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

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

Florida volleyball rebounds after loss, sweeps ‘Bama

By Brian Lee | Nov. 14, 2015

After a tough five-set loss to Auburn last Sunday, the Florida volleyball team responded with a victory over Alabama on Friday night.

UF point guard Cassie Peoples dribbles during Florida's 64-56 loss to Tennessee on Feb. 8, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

UF women’s basketball drops season opener

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 14, 2015

Florida’s season opener was a lot like a sandwich.

UF coach Jim McElwain walks on the sideline during Florida's 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Nov. 7, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Gators, having secured SEC East, head to South Carolina

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 12, 2015

One game signaled the end of an era.

Sports

Picks column: South Carolina

Nov. 12, 2015

After a narrow 9-7 win over Vanderbilt on Homecoming on Saturday, the No. 11 Gators hit the road to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia, South Carolina, at noon on ESPN.

UF defender Christen Westphal dribbles during Florida's 2-1 win against LSU on Oct. 11, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Gators soccer kicks off NCAA Tournament Play

By Ryan Summers | Nov. 12, 2015

A fresh start and a whole new season awaits the Florida soccer team on Saturday night.

Under coach Gregg Troy (above), Florida returns 11 All-Americans this season on the men’s team and two-time Olympian Elizabeth Beisel to the women.

Sports

International ties key for Troy and the swimming and diving program

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 12, 2015

If you were to glance at UF’s swimming and diving roster, you could easily mistake it for an Olympic lineup, with athletes on the team representing 11 nations across four continents.

Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Texas A&M on Oct. 9, 2015, in the O'Connell Center

Sports

Gators look to get back on a roll against Alabama

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 12, 2015

One block is all it would’ve taken.

January Miller drives into the lane during Florida's 72-58 win against Arkansas on Sunday in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Florida women’s basketball set to open season on the road against Temple

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 12, 2015

UF will open the 2015-16 women’s basketball season hoping to get lucky on Friday the 13th.

Sports

Florida seeking success at NCAA regionals

By Alejandro López | Nov. 12, 2015

Heading into Friday’s NCAA South Regional Championship, the University of Florida’s men’s and women’s cross country teams may have some ground to make up.

UF safety Marcus Maye attempts to tackle Georgia quarterback Faton Bauta (10) during Florida's 27-3 win against the Bulldogs on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Florida safety Marcus Maye showing unselfish mentality

By Luis Torres | Nov. 11, 2015

Marcus Maye’s season began watching Florida beat New Mexico State 61-13 on Sept. 5 from the sidelines, forced to sit out the season-opener because of a violation of team rules.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier points to fans as he walks off the field after South Carolina's 42-35 loss to Auburn on Oct. 25 in Auburn, Alabama.

Sports

Scouting the South Carolina Gamecocks

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 11, 2015

The No. 11 Florida Gators (8-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to face the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-6, 1-6 SEC) in both teams’ final conference game of the year. The Gators already clinched the SEC East and are now focused on running the table for a potential College Football Playoff berth. The Gamecocks are on the outside looking in for the postseason, needing to win their final three games to become bowl eligible. Here’s a look at South Carolina’s season to this point and what the Gamecocks bring to the game:

Junior Natalie Hinds competes in the 100-yard butterfly during Florida's 189.5-110.5 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center

Sports

Inconsistent UF swimming and diving teams improve against South Carolina

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 11, 2015

The story up to this point in the season for Florida’s swimming and diving teams has been their lack of consistency.

UF coach Becky Burleigh celebrates with her team follow a 4-0 win against Arkansas on Oct. 25, 2015, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Florida soccer to host NCAA opener

By Ryan Summers | Nov. 9, 2015

After securing the program’s 11th Southeastern Conference Tournament title, the No. 6 Florida soccer team claimed a No. 2 seed for the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

UF football coach Jim McElwain receives the game ball following Florida's 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Nov. 7, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Despite clinching SEC East, Gators aim to maintain intensity

By Luis Torres | Nov. 9, 2015

Fresh off of clinching the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division for the first time since 2009, Florida’s next matchup is against a team that is currently trying to find its identity: South Carolina.

Alejandro Tosti putts during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14.

Sports

With conclusion of Fall season, Gators men’s golf turns focus to Spring

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 9, 2015

The Fall season may be over, but No. 9 Florida is already looking to get back into the swing of things for Spring.