AUBURN, Ala. — The No. 13 Florida volleyball team used stellar offensive performances from its senior outside hitters, Stephanie Ferrell and Kristy Jaeckel, to complete a three-set sweep of the host Auburn Tigers.
The Gators moved to 10-3 on the season and 3-1 in SEC play with the 26-24, 25-20, 25-23 victory, while the Tigers dropped to 8-7 overall and 2-3 against conference opponents. Florida has now swept eight opponents in 2011, including two SEC road matches.
Ferrell hit .542 with 14 kills on 24 swings and only one error for the entire match. Jaeckel led all hitters with 15 kills, hitting at a .400 clip for her highest offensive percentage in 2011. Redshirt freshman libero Taylor Unroe led Florida with nine digs and two service aces, and senior right-side/setter Kelly Murphy contributed a team-high 20 assists.
The teams battled in the first set, with Auburn leading by as many as three points, including late in the first set.
The second stanza was a different story, as Florida was able to gain momentum early and keep the lead for the entire set, leading by as many as six and keeping the lead at five throughout most of the set. A block by Cassandra Anderson and Murphy solidified Florida's dominance in the second set, giving the Gators a 19-14 edge.
The Tigers jumped out to a 4-0 lead out of intermission and held on to the advantage for much of the third set. A Gator timeout shifted the momentum toward the Florida bench. The Gators went on a 6-3 run to tie the set at 20-20 behind the serves of Anderson and sophomore setter Chanel Brown.
Florida heads to Georgia on Sunday. First serve is set for 1:30 p.m.
Ferrell hit .542 with 14 kills on 24 swings and only one error for the entire match. Jaeckel led all hitters with 15 kills, hitting at a .400 clip for her highest offensive percentage in 2011. Redshirt freshman libero Taylor Unroe led Florida with nine digs and two service aces, and senior right-side/setter Kelly Murphy contributed a team-high 20 assists.
The teams battled in the first set, with Auburn leading by as many as three points, including late in the first set.
The second stanza was a different story, as Florida was able to gain momentum early and keep the lead for the entire set, leading by as many as six and keeping the lead at five throughout most of the set. A block by Cassandra Anderson and Murphy solidified Florida's dominance in the second set, giving the Gators a 19-14 edge.
The Tigers jumped out to a 4-0 lead out of intermission and held on to the advantage for much of the third set. A Gator timeout shifted the momentum toward the Florida bench. The Gators went on a 6-3 run to tie the set at 20-20 behind the serves of Anderson and sophomore setter Chanel Brown.
Florida heads to Georgia on Sunday. First serve is set for 1:30 p.m.
