sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during UF's 2-1 win against UGA.

Sports

Florida soccer defeats Georgia in first home match since August

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Sep. 26, 2014

It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but all Florida cares about is the result.

Florida celebrates a point during its 3-0 win against Georgia Soutern on Aug. 29 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

UF volleyball starting SEC play with clean slate

By EDEN OTERO | Sep. 25, 2014

Closing the door to one of the toughest preconference schedules in Florida history, the Gators head to Alabama to face their first Southeastern Conference opponent, Auburn, tonight at 8.

Florida (front) huddles prior to its 3-0 win against Miami on Aug. 22 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida returns home to play Georgia

By GRAHAM HACK | Sep. 25, 2014

For Florida fans, beating Georgia is a big deal.

Sports

Picks Column: Bye Week

Sep. 25, 2014

Site: Your couch (Cap. 4)

Gordon Watson returns a ball during Florida’s 5-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Gators to play in ITA pre-qualifying

By Mary Francis | Sep. 25, 2014

The men’s tennis team will be back on the court in the ITA Saint Francis Health System Men’s All-American Championships pre-qualifying tournament this weekend in Tulsa, Okla.

Eric Banks tees off during Day 2 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 16 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

Sports

Banks brings leadership to Florida men’s golf

By Luis Torres | Sep. 25, 2014

An indication of a team that is progressively getting better is overcoming disappointment and adversity.

Eddie Garcia races during the 2013 Mountain Dew Invitational on the UF Mark Bostick Golf Course

Sports

Garcia possibly to redshirt due to cross country team depth

By GRAHAM HALL | Sep. 24, 2014

If it were their decision, Mark Parrish, Eddie Garcia and Jimmy Clark would be competing for the Gators cross country team this season.

Freshman outside hitter Carli Snyder hits the ball over the net during Florida's 3-2 win against Oklahoma on Aug. 30 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Dagostino helps freshman outside hitter adjust

By IAN COHEN | Sep. 24, 2014

If Florida’s offense worked like a battery, then Mackenzie Dagostino would surely be the energizer bunny.

Trainers carry UF running back Mark Herndon off the field during Florida's 42-21 loss to Alabama on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Sports

UF receives injury-bug visit

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 24, 2014

After Alabama mercilessly wore down Florida’s front seven with 52 rushing attempts on Saturday, coach Will Muschamp is beginning to see the toll it took on the Gators’ defense.

Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper catches the ball during the Crimson Tide's 42-21 win against the Gators on Sept. 20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Sports

Muschamp focusing on consistency during bye week

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 24, 2014

A bye week could not have come at a better time for the Gators.

Thomas Howell races during the 2014 Mountain Dew Invitational on Saturday at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

Sports

Howell, Brasure honored by Southeastern Conference after breakout performances

By GRAHAM HALL | Sep. 23, 2014

Coach Paul Spangler has seen countless freshmen runners through the years, but maybe none quite as mature and impressive as Lauren Brasure and Thomas Howell.

Lauren Embree reaches for a backhand against Georgia at the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional Singles final on Oct. 24, 2011. Embree lost her final dual match as a Gator in Florida’s 4-3 loss to Stanford in the NCAA semifinals on Monday.

Sports

Embree eliminated in Red Rock Pro Open

Sep. 23, 2014

Lauren Embree fell short of advancing to the main draw in the Red Rock Pro Open 50k on Tuesday, dropping her third and final qualifying match to Ukraine’s Kateryna Bondarenko in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0.

Elizabeth Beisel swims during Florida's 173.5-124.5 win against Auburn on Jan. 25 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

UF women’s swim team looks to youth to replace seniors

By AARON FRIEDLAND | Sep. 23, 2014

The Florida women’s swimming and diving team returns to the pool this weekend as it sets to start its season at home against Arkansas on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Claire Falknor dribbles the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Miami on Aug. 22 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida defense limiting opponents

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Sep. 23, 2014

Soccer defenders aren’t usually celebrated after a win as much as, say, the forwards or the midfielders. The defenders aren’t the ones scoring the goals; their jobs aren’t that glamorous.

Sports

Celano impresses at Indiana tournament

By Luis Torres | Sep. 23, 2014

In just one week, freshman Ryan Celano has gone from an unknown commodity to winning the qualifying for the Wolf Run Intercollegiate to having the best tournament of any player on the Florida men’s golf team in Zionsville, Ind.

Noami Santos-Lamb swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-2 win against Oklahoma on Aug. 30, 2014, in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

On the court: Comparing UF’s volleyball and football teams

By EDEN OTERO | Sep. 23, 2014

Every time I’ve talked with volleyball coach Mary Wise about specific positions this season, she always breaks them down in football terms, so that’s what I’m going to do for all you football fans that don’t know a thing about volleyball.