Volleyball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore outside hitter Paige Hammons recorded a game-high 16 kills and added four service aces in Florida’s four-set win against Arkansas on Sunday afternoon.

Sports

Gators rally past Arkansas for program’s 1,000th win

By Dylan Rudolph | Nov. 5, 2018

Paige Hammons lined up for a serve in the second set donning her bright, highlighter orange headband and smacking her gum as she had done every match previous. Her serve slapped the tape of the net, but it crept over the side and fell just out of reach of three Arkansas defenders, causing them to look up in the rafters of the O’Connell Center and wish they were as fortunate.

Middle blocker Rachael Kramer led the Gators with only seven kills in their 3-0 sweep at the hands of Tennessee on Wednesday.

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Gators swept by No. 12 Kentucky in SEC matchup

By Dylan Rudolph | Oct. 31, 2018

Kentucky’s Brook Morgan fired a serve over the net in the third set that came careening down right between Florida’s Paige Hammons and Allie Gregory.

Redshirt sophomore Holly Carlton (right) was convinced by freshman Thayer Hall (middle) to transfer to the University of Florida.

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Gators volleyball prepares for rival matchup in Kentucky

By Mari Faiello | Oct. 31, 2018

A little over a year ago Florida’s volleyball players took the court at the O’Connell Center with a calm and humble demeanor in a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats. They carried their undefeated record onto the floor with a solemn sense of duty.

Junior outside hitter Paige Hammons led all players with 12 kills in Sunday's match between No. 11 Florida and Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi.

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Gators sweep Mississippi State on the road

By Mari Faiello | Oct. 28, 2018

Sophomore outside hitter Paige Hammons stood waiting on a serve from Mississippi State’s side of the court at match point.

Attacker Holly Carlton recorded nine kills and a service ace on 26 attacks in Florida’s five-set loss to Missouri on Sunday afternoon. The loss snaps a 14-match winning streak stretching back to Sept. 7.

Sports

Gators snap 14-match win streak, lose in five sets to Mizzou

By Mari Faiello | Oct. 21, 2018

Right-side attacker Holly Carlton quickly transitioned back behind her setter and the 10-foot line after coming down from a block on the right-side pin.

Sophomore setter Holly Carlton recorded a team-high nine kills on 17 attacks in Sunday afternoon’s win against Alabama. The 6-foot-7 Carlton also set a career-high with four service aces.

Sports

Carlton, UF win 13th straight match with sweep of Alabama

By Mari Faiello | Oct. 15, 2018

The last time the Gators swept a conference rival was about two weeks ago in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

UF middle blocker Rachael Kramer recorded 11 kills and nine blocks in Florida's 3-2 win over South Carolina on Friday night.

Sports

Gators survive another five-set match

By Dylan Rudolph | Oct. 13, 2018

The rally lasted for what seemed like days. Diving digs, huge swings and balls hitting off the low ceiling of the Volleyball Competition Center in Columbus, South Carolina. And it all ended with outside hitter Paige Hammons.

Middle blocker Rachael Kramer (left) and the Gators front court held the Gamecocks to a .088 hitting percentage during the first two sets of Friday night's win.

Sports

Gators survive another five-set match

By Dylan Rudolph | Oct. 12, 2018

The rally lasted for what seemed like days. Diving digs, huge swings and balls hitting off the low ceiling of the Volleyball Competition Center in Columbus, South Carolina. And it all ended with outside hitter Paige Hammons.

Senior middle blocker Taelor Kellum registered 12 kills in Florida's three-set win over LSU Friday night.

Sports

Gators begin weekend with clash against South Carolina

By Dylan Rudolph | Oct. 11, 2018

The No. 11 Florida volleyball team puts its undefeated SEC record on the line tonight in Columbia, South Carolina, when it takes on the Gamecocks at 7.

Freshman Thayer Hall ended the win over Georgia with 11 kills and hit a shade under .180 for the match.

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Gators remain undefeated in SEC play after second five-set weekend thriller

By Mari Faiello | Oct. 7, 2018

Freshman Thayer Hall stared intensely through the net at Georgia’s side of the court with her hands behind her back.

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Gators escape upset against Texas A&M

By Dylan Rudolph | Oct. 5, 2018

It was another long rally. A powerful hit by Texas A&M’s Hollann Hans was dug up by libero Allie Gregory.

Outside hitter Thayer Hall is the first freshman under Gators coach Mary Wise to record 20 kills in her collegiate debut.

Sports

Hall, Gators take undefeated conference record into Friday matchup

By Mari Faiello | Oct. 5, 2018

Arriving at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, last December was a special moment for Dorman High School coach Paula Kirkland and then-senior outside hitter Thayer Hall.

Middle blockers Rachael Kramer (pictured) and Taelor Kellum combined for 22 kills in Florida’s sweep over Alabama.

Sports

Gators sweep Alabama in Tuscaloosa

By Dylan Rudolph | Sep. 30, 2018

Freshman Thayer Hall and junior Rachael Kramer jumped up simultaneously in the final rally of the match, rejecting yet another Alabama strike. Florida’s front row held firm from the continuous attacks from the Crimson Tide, who were trying to win its first set over Florida since 2008.

Sports

Gators remain undefeated in SEC play

By Mari Faiello | Sep. 27, 2018

Right-side attacker Holly Carlton stood against the net as Florida waited on a serve from LSU tied 21-all in the first set.

Sophomore outside hitter Paige Hammons led both the Florida and South Carolina rosters in kills (13) and total attacks (34) on Friday.

Sports

UF to play LSU in midweek match

By Dylan Rudolph | Sep. 26, 2018

The No. 11 Florida volleyball team travels to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to play LSU today at 8 p.m.

Sports

Gators sweep Mississippi State

By Mari Faiello | Sep. 24, 2018

Middle blocker Taelor Kellum panicked after a bad set of plays Sunday afternoon during the Gators’ matchup against Mississippi State.

Libero Allie Gregory helped spark an 8-0 Florida run with two service aces in the third and final set of the Gators' sweep of Ole Miss Friday night.

Sports

Gators sweep Ole Miss in SEC opener

By Dylan Rudolph | Sep. 21, 2018

Libero Allie Gregory lined up for her serve, standing so far away from the net that the heels of her scuffed white shoes seemed to touch the press table. She shot a high-arching serve that landed for another service ace and gave the Gators an 18-9 lead in the third set.

Freshman Thayer Hall leads Florida with 168 kills and 11 service aces this season.

Sports

Gators kick off SEC play with matchup against Ole Miss

By Mari Faiello | Sep. 21, 2018

Florida volleyball enters the second phase of its season with conference play beginning today against Ole Miss after finishing one of the toughest non-conference schedules to date.

Middle blocker Rachael Kramer (left) and outside hitter Mia Sokolowski (right) figure to be prominent players heading forward for the Gators. Kramer racked up 16 kills during the Gator Invitational. Sokolowski has 35 kills this season in a reserve role.

Sports

What we learned from the Gainesville Gator Invitational

By Dylan Rudolph | Sep. 17, 2018

The No. 11 Florida volleyball team returned home after a four-match road trip to Arizona and Tallahassee to play three matches in the Honda of Gainesville Gator Invitational.

Middle blocker Taelor Kellum led the Gators in blocks (5) in their four-set triumph over Army Saturday night. Kellum also registered nine kills, good for third on the team.

Sports

Florida completes tournament sweep with win over Army

By Dylan Rudolph | Sep. 15, 2018

Army gained some momentum in the fourth set after it scored back-to-back kills to draw within two.