Auburn played better the 2nd set and Florida helped them with 6 service errors, but the Gators still prevailed 25-18, behind Kennedy Martin and Taylor Parks. Florida is now starting to play like a Top 10 team.
Gators complete the Auburn sweep with a 25-19 win in the 3rd set. Defense was great, as they had a 79.2% side out percentage and held Aubrn to 28 kills for the match, hitting only .130. Florida had 44 kills and hit .427. Ellie McKissock was tremendous, as was Taylor Parks and Kennedy Martin. The only negative was 12 service errors in 3 sets. But lots of energy and teamwork tonight.
Kennedy had 20 kills w/ .549 and 1 error on 34 attempts, Fitzpatrick 7 kills, Auguste 7 kills and Roth 6 kills, Parks had 34 assists, Elli had 11 digs, Emily Canaan had 8 digs, Kennedy 8 digs Isi 6 digs, AC 4 digs, Taylor 2 digs (2 kills 0.667%); We had 12 blocks:Augusta 7, Isi 3, Parks 2 and Rothe 1…..all around great team defensive game. IMHO the best all year. We had 6 service aces lead by Parks with 2, Hoyle, Elli, Isi and Emily with 1 each. The only black mark in our performance was 12 service errors.
Y'all seem to know volleyball. Please teach a newbie. Are there "plays" in volleyball like there are in football? Park sets the ball to a place where no one is -- how is it communicated that there's a slide play and someone will be there? Likewise, Park sets for a back row attack -- how does she know that the back row person will be charging forward? It seems like somehow the other player and Park need to be on the same page in advance, or the ball set to where no one is will just fall to the floor.
Except for 5 service errors the Gators played great that first set vs Bama. 18 kills to 5, hit .652 to their .045, 10 digs to 2. Stuckey with 17 assists and 3 blocks. The blocking is where Alexis has the advantage over Taylor Parks.
Gators got off to a slow start in the 2nd set, but down 12-16, they broke Bama's serve and then scored 9 straight points behind the serve of Kennedy Martin and went on to win the set 25-19. It's obious that Mary Wise has made some adjustment's to Florida's serving issues. A.C. Fitzpatrick is being subbed out when it's her turn to serve and is no longer srving. Isobel Martin is now serving much more consistently and Kennedy Martin has obviously been pracicing hard, as her serve has been really good the last couple of weeks. Gators hitting. 500 for the match, Alabama .164, 36 kills to 17, 26 digs to 13. Let's get the sweep now.
Gators cruise in the 3rd set, winning 25-17. 18-5, 9-3 in the SEC. 5 matches left in the regular season - @Missouri, @Auburn, UCF, @South Carolina and @Georgia. Missouri is on an 8 game winning streak and is 8-2 in the SEC with a match hosting South Carolin later today. Florida is playing excellent volleyball of late, with defense leading the way. They had 39 digs and 7 blocks today in just 3 sets. They hit .494 for the match, holding Alabama to .195. Gators were led by Kennedy Martin, 16 kills, .500, 1 assist, 1 block, 3 aces and 6 digs. AC Fitzpatrick had 13 kills, .550, 4 digs. Jaela Auguste had 11 kills, .588, 3 blocks. Isobel Martin had 7 kills, .250, 1 ace and 6 digs. Alexis Stuckey had 46 assists, 4 digs and 5 blocks. Elli McKissock had 15 digs and an ace. Fun stuff!!!
They probably have a few plays since Mary is old school and likes a certain tempo. The players know( by giving numerical signs) of how many attackers are available; and players on the court can call out a play and with a good pass run it, while the other options be ready to finish off the play. There is actually quite a bit of communicating before service.
Nice win Ladies. It was good to see Alexis Stucky back in her competitive form. She had 46 assist with 5 blocks (3sets). She spread the ball to all hitters. (.494%) Kmart 16 kills, AC 13, Jaela 11, Isi 7, Rothe 4.and Stucky 2. Elli was again great on leading the team’s backcourt defense (Ala .195%) with 15 digs, Kmart 6, Isi 6 AC 4, AStucky 4, ECanaan 2. 7 Blocks, Contributing to blocks Stucky 5, Jaela Aguste 3, Rothe 3, and Kmart 1. Another great team effort.
Not playing both Stucky and Parks( who’s not chopped mullet) may not be bueno. Do not want to see Parks transfer. She’s better than the Montserrez sisters and the Dagostino gal the past 6 years imo
Stuckey seemed to be looser and playing quicker today than in the recent past. She's a better defender at the net than Parks, but Parks is the better server. Mary will decide how best to use them. I know a few teams use a 6-2 system with 2 setters on the floor at the same time, one on the back row and one in the front. I don't know if that's something that will happen this late in the season because that would take a lot of practice time to get the team comfortable. But maybe it's something they work on in the off season and shock the world next year. I like Stuckey AND Parks a lot and think both are great setters who will only get better. Hate to lose either one.
Stuckey was Stuckey today. She had a different brace on her leg, so I do not know if that made a difference or if she has finally overcome the fear of injuring herself again. Whatever the reason, seeing her back on the court and playing full-out is so good. This is no criticism of Parks; she has been stellar as our setter. I think that Stuckey's experience and height make her the better the better option.
We will see. That was a not so good Bama team…we hit nearly.500. Mary doesn’t like the 6-2. Hopefully everyone is happy and playing well come tourney time.
Mizzou beats South Carolina 3-0, USC 23-UMO 25 set 1, USC 13-UMO 25 set 2, USC 18-UMO 25 set 3. Mizzou has two good OHs, setter, MB and libero. Gators will have a tough match. I think the match is very winnable. Basically continue our offensive and defensive discipline exhibited in our last 7 matches. We need to be good at serve-receive to set up our offense and do not give up free points with excessive attack errors and service errors On defense must be strong on our digs and blocks. Mizzou had less attack errors than USC 8-20 and more blocks 11-1 lost. Going into this match, UMO was last in the league in blocks. I have watched their last matches. This is one area where they have been improving. Also a note about this season, Missouri has an 8 match winning streak at home.
I agree height will be an advantage. From what saw in the match between South Carolina and Missouri today, having a strong net blocking presence will be paramount. South Carolina did not meet that challenge today. I think a heathy Stucky will be an advantage in the block attack (Party). An improving Aguste and Rothe will certainly aid in that regard. AC will do better on her off speed attacks that she used today than trying to blast through the Missouri’s block. But what do I know? I am just a casual student of the game, but a rabid (CMW) Gator Volleyball fan.