sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Freshman Danielle Collins returns a serve during UF’s 7-0 win against USF on Jan. 29 at Linder Stadium. Collins teamed with Olivia Janowicz to win the only doubles match for the Gators on Friday.

Sports

Gators ready for tough road tests

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 14, 2013

Freshmen Danielle Collins and Brianna Morgan will learn first hand how rowdy opposing tennis teams’ fans can get.

Senior forward Erik Murphy (33) attempts a pass during Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky on Feb. 12 in the O’Connell Center. The Chicago Bulls selected Murphy 49th overall on Thursday night in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Sports

Gators aiming to maintain quality with shot selection

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 14, 2013

With a little more than a minute left in the first half of Florida’s 69-52 win against Kentucky, junior Scottie Wilbekin passed the ball to redshirt senior Mike Rosario after struggling to get open. Seconds after getting the ball, Rosario had Kentucky’s Jon Hood guarding him at the arc.

Senior Vickash Ramjit bats during Florida’s 8-2 win against Georgia Southern on Apr. 17, 2012, at McKethan Stadium. Ramjit, who has played both first base and outfield during his college career, will serve as a team captain for the Gators in 2013.

Sports

Out with the old, in with the new: Florida replacing nine departed players in 2013

By ADAM PINCUS | Feb. 14, 2013

Tom McNamara never left a Gators game disappointed. The Seattle Mariners Director of Amateur Scouting has studied players since 1994. McNamara began evaluating former Gators catcher Mike Zunino since the Cape Coral native was 16. The Mariners selected the Golden Spikes Award winner with the No. 3 pick in last June’s MLB Draft, during which eight other Florida players found new teams.

Lacrosse coach Amanda O’Leary walks off the field with junior Haydon Judge during halftime of a game against Dartmouth on March 20. O’Leary and the Gators beat Stony Brook 16-9 on Wednesday afternoon.

Sports

Gators rout Dolphins on road

Feb. 13, 2013

Jacksonville took control against No. 3 Florida at the opening draw. The Dolphins stayed patient, holding the ball for the first 3 minutes of the game without attempting a shot on goal.

Junior Karsten Whitson reacts after recording a strikeout during Florida’s 9-8 win against NC State on June 10, 2012, at McKethan Stadium. Whitson was drafted in the 37th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

Sports

Junior sidelined with ‘shoulder fatigue’

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 13, 2013

Junior pitcher Karsten Whitson is out indefinitely due to shoulder fatigue, Florida announced on Wednesday.

Senior Ensley Gammel (11)  watches a fly ball off her bat during Florida’s 3-2 win against Auburn on April 13, 2012 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Gammel homered in a 14-3 win against Arizona on Sunday at the Kajikawa Classic.

Sports

UF hopes to build on early power hitting

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 12, 2013

Kirsti Merritt stepped to the plate against Creighton’s Brittany Telecky with the Gators on the verge of run-ruling the Bluejays in Friday’s season opener.

Senior Ashanee Dickerson performs her floor routine in Florida’s 198.1-196.85 win against Alabama on Friday in the O’Connell Center. Dickerson recorded a career-best 9.975 score on floor in the Gators’ victory.

Sports

Senior gymnast enjoying successful final season as Gator

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 11, 2013

Ashanee Dickerson is rewriting Florida’s record books.

Christin Mercer (25) drives the lane in UF’s 87-54 win against Alabama on Feb. 3. Coach Amanda Butler has identified Mercer as an important post player for the Gators.

Sports

Freshman Mercer achieving consistency in frontcourt

Feb. 11, 2013

Florida’s coaching staff urged Christin Mercer to not become complacent following her best performance of the season against Alabama.

Coach Tim Walton signals to a base runner during Florida’s 3-1 victory against Auburn on April 14, 2012 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Walton has started freshman Taylor Schwarz at first base in every Southeastern Conference game.

Sports

Freshmen key in Florida’s undefeated start to season

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 11, 2013

When Kelsey Stewart arrived at Florida, she was the No. 2 softball recruit in the country. But when she stepped into the batter’s box for the first time on Friday afternoon, she was just another freshman trying to make a name for herself.

Forward Jennifer George (32) attempts a pass during Florida’s 87-54 victory against Alabama on Feb. 3. The Gators improved to 4-6 in Southeastern Conference play on Sunday.

Sports

Florida wins second straight conference game

Feb. 10, 2013

Hoping to improve its NCAA Tournament chances, the Gators grinded out an important comeback victory on Sunday.

Sports

Sophomore breaks 21-year-old school record in high jump

By GORDON STREISAND< | Feb. 10, 2013

Taylor Burke reached new heights on Saturday.

Freshman Bridget Sloan performs her beam routine in Florida’s 197.65-196.025 win against Auburn on Jan. 25 at home.

Sports

UF scores nation's top total, beats Alabama

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 8, 2013

A unique setting unfolded in front of a crowd of 8,074 at the O’Connell Center on Friday night.

Junior Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 3-2 victory against Auburn on April 13 at Pressly Stadium. Rogers had her no-hitter reversed in a 4-1 win against Drake on Saturday. The right-hander finished the game with a one-hitter.

Sports

Gators cruise past Creighton, shut out Oregon

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 8, 2013

The Gators opened their season in Tempe, Ariz., at the Kajikawa Classic on Friday, but Florida’s offense was in midseason form.

Gordon Watson hits a ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against St. John’s on Jan. 6, 2013. The junior won the singles event of the Gainesville ITA Circuits Draw on Monday.

Sports

Similar circumstances await UF vs. FSU

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 7, 2013

In the 2011 dual-match season, Florida started off 5-0, including three sweeps of its opponents.

Alexandra Cercone returns a volley. Cercone propelled Florida to a 7-0 victory against South Carolina on Saturday.

Sports

Challenging test awaits Gators

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 7, 2013

The top-ranked Florida Women’s Tennis team is using the next two weeks to prepare for their most challenging opponent yet, and this time it won’t be on their court.

Sports

UF looks to avenge past losses against UNC

Feb. 7, 2013

Three years, three flights and three losses.

Gymnast Marissa King does a Gator Chomp during Florida’s 197.65-196.025 win against Auburn on Jan. 25 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Gators prepare for rematch with SEC foe Alabama

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 7, 2013

Florida was crushed after losing by 0.075 to Alabama in the NCAA Super Six.

Sports

Florida set to host SunTrust Gator Invitational

By RJ Schaffer | Feb. 7, 2013

Florida's men’s golf team returns for its first action of 2013 with hopes of continuing the strong start that it experienced in the fall.

Sports

UF will survive without Yeguete... for now

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 7, 2013

When February rolls around, Will Yeguete isn’t feeling the love.

Sports

Defensive tackle Bostwick chooses Florida over Miami, Alabama

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 6, 2013

PORT ST. LUCIE –– In the gymnasium at St. Lucie West Centennial High, three hats — Miami, Florida and Alabama — sat on a table in front of senior Jay-nard Bostwick. Though Bostwick appeared undecided, his mind was already made up.