Volleyball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Senior Tangerine Wiggs spikes the ball over the net during a match against Missouri on Friday at Stephen C. O'Connell Center. The Gators defeated the Tigers 3-0.

Sports

Redshirt senior thriving, trying to finish career on high note

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Sep. 25, 2012

Three years after taking a leap of faith, Tangerine Wiggs is still trying to stick the landing.

Libero Taylor Unroe celebrates after recording an ace in a 3-0 sweep of Missouri. The sophomore had 15 digs and 5 assists against the Tigers on Friday.

Sports

Gators’ overwhelming offense making up for lackluster defense

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Sep. 24, 2012

Coach Mary Wise said some of the offensive numbers Florida has put up have blown away her preseason expectations.

Junior middle-blocker Chloe Mann attacks the Missouri defense. Florida won the match 3-0 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Friday night.

Sports

Intermission adjustments prove key for UF volleyball

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 23, 2012

The Gators may have won the first two sets over the Tigers on Friday, but the start wasn’t their best.

Sports

Transfer steps up for Gators against Mizzou

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 21, 2012

When the Tigers came to Gainesville for Florida’s Southeastern Conference home opener, they knew exactly how they would get points on the board.

Freshman Berkley Whaley (1) spike the ball over the net during Florida's match against Florida Gulf Coast at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Aug. 25.

Sports

Whaley’s early entry paying major dividends for Florida

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 19, 2012

When she was 17 years old, freshman Berkley Whaley decided to forego her final semester in high school in favor of workouts in Florida’s weight room.

Sophomore Taylor Unroe (5) returns the ball against Florida Atlantic at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Aug. 24.

Sports

Unroe earns SEC award after stellar weekend on defense

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Sep. 18, 2012

For the second time in two weeks, Florida hauled in a Southeastern Conference weekly award through the work of an underclassman.

Gabby Mallette tips the ball over the net against Florida Gulf Coast at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center earlier this season. Despite having only one day to prepare for Kentucky, Mallette and fellow freshman Ziva Recek led Florida to a rare win in Lexington, Ky., on Sunday.

Sports

Mature freshmen spark win for Gators volleyball

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 16, 2012

While Kentucky had a week to prepare for Florida, the Gators only had one day to prepare for the Wildcats.

Sports

Double-digit kills help Gators earn comeback road victory

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Sep. 14, 2012

For the second straight match, No. 13 Florida bounced back from a first set deficit to capture another victory. But for the first time this year, the Gators needed all five sets to do it.

Sports

Monserez excels in new role for UF volleyball

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 12, 2012

For Maddy Monserez, the Active Ankle Challenge wasn’t just another three wins for the Gators. Instead, last weekend’s matches against Jacksonville, Louisiana-Lafayette and Georgia Tech were the first time that the sophomore played right back for Florida.

Taylor Brauneis sat out Friday's match against the Jacksonville Dolphins with a mild concussion. The junior played 255 of 257 sets dating back to her previous two years at Louisville.

Sports

Gators dealing with rash of injuries entering SEC play

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Sep. 11, 2012

For the Gators volleyball team, black and blue have become the unofficial team colors this season.

UF coach Mary Wise (above) will square off against former Gator and current LIU-Brooklyn assistant coach Jennifer Robinson when both teams play tonight at 7:30.

Sports

Gators back on track after early season injury

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 9, 2012

It took three weeks, but for the first time this season the No. 15 Gators (6-2) are in control of both sides of the net.

Senior middle blocker Betsy Smith combined with Tangerine Wiggs and Chloe Mann to record a season high in blocks per match. Florida defeated Louisiana Lafayette and Georgia Tech Saturday in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Sports

Gators volleyball earns two more wins before SEC play

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 8, 2012

As No. 15 Florida (6-2) took on Louisiana Lafayette (4-5), it did something it hasn’t done so far this season in the O’Connell Center. The Gators narrowly missed the sweep as they dropped a set to the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Dana Backlund prevents the ball from going over the net during Florida's win over Jacksonville Friday night at Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Sports

Freshman Backlund leads Gators to victory

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 7, 2012

With so many freshmen this year, coach Mary Wise has taken full advantage of trying out multiple lineups before Southeastern Conference play. Tonight was no exception.

Chloe Mann help the No. 12 Florida Gators defeat the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday night in Columbia, S.C. She set career highs with 20 kills and 22 points.

Sports

Mann, Recek driven by friendly competition

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Sep. 6, 2012

Coming off a weekend stained with loss and disappointment, the Gators are looking to one another for motivation.

Ziva Recek (9) spikes the ball over the net against Florida Gulf Coast University, Aug. 25, 2012, at the O'Connell Center. Recek took a team-high 40 swings Friday night against LIU-Brooklyn.

Sports

Recek named SEC Freshman of the Week

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Sep. 4, 2012

After a pair of losses, the Gators found their silver lining.

Sophomore Taylor Unroe digs the volleyball during a game in 2011. Hesitation on defense hurt the Gators against top-ten opponents in Texas and Stanford at the NIKE Big Four Classic last weekend, she said.

Sports

Florida looking for better defense from back-row players

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Sep. 3, 2012

Mary Wise has no doubt that her team can attack the ball. But the Gators’ defense is full of question marks.

Sports

UF loses second-straight marquee matchup at NIKE Big Four

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 1, 2012

Three back-to-back-to-back kills in fourth set by Chloe Mann almost changed the pace for the No. 18 Gators (3-2). She was able to narrow a 5 point deficit to just 2.

Sports

Longhorns overpower UF despite Recek's record performance

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Aug. 31, 2012

Taking down the Longhorns was just too tall of an order.

Sports

Antwi’s serve key vs. tall UT

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Aug. 30, 2012

Because the average height for Florida A&M, Florida Gulf Coast and FIU is 5 feet 11 inches, it’s no surprise that 6-foot-2 Chloe Mann and 6-foot Živa Recek combined for 71 kills at the Campus USA Credit Union Invite last weekend.

Sports

Freshmen filling void left by Santos-Lamb

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Aug. 28, 2012

With Noami Santos-Lamb hobbling on crutches, Florida’s freshmen have given the team a leg to stand on.