Gators Volleyball Hosts Auburn to Start SEC Schedule

The season switches gears for the number 12 Gators Friday night. No more tournaments, no more in-state rivals and no more tuning up for the rest of the season. On Friday night the competition starts.

Florida Gators volleyball hosts the Auburn Tigers to kick off the SEC portion of the schedule riding a seven-match win streak.

🗣️ T R A D I T I O N #GoGators pic.twitter.com/Rc0ceAvW5L

— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB) September 27, 2019

Midseason Check-In

Alright so it’s not “technically” the middle of the season. However, the transition to conference play provides the opportunity to reflect on non-conference production.

The Gators enter conference play at 9-2 on the season. They’re only two losses came to top ten teams in Stanford and Minnesota.

Here are there stats in major categories so far:

• Kills – 377/13 per set
• Assists – 351/12.10 per set
• Hitting percentage – .251
• Opp. hitting percentage – .197
• Total blocks – 66.5

Rachael Kramer leads players with at least 100 attempts with a .263 hitting percentage. However, Thayer Hall isn’t far behind her with .256 on 230 more swings. And Hall is first on the team with 140 kills.

Marlie Monserez obviously leads the squad with over 370 assists. But, she is fifth among SEC players with 9.66 assists per set. Paige Hammons and Hall have 13 and 12 service aces for the Gators, respectively.

Catch up with @HallThayer02 before tomorrow night's SEC Opener! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/AeJZSRmcfv

— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB) September 26, 2019

Scouting the Tigers

Auburn is just one win over .500. They start their conference play on the road with Florida on Friday and South Carolina on Sunday.  The Tigers have faced the likes of South Florida, Miami, Michigan State and TCU in non-conference. They come off a 2-1 weekend at the Western Michigan Tournament in Kalamazoo.

Time to put that hard work to the test 💪@SEC play starts TONIGHT at Florida#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/hSbOWO3DUK

— Auburn Volleyball (@AuburnVB) September 27, 2019

Outside hitter Enija Bidzane leads the Tigers in kills with 126 but hits just .191. But, their leader in hitting percentage with at least 100 attempts is Chelsey McClellan with a .319 clip.

The Tiger offense runs through setters Marissa Hines and Morgan Kull. Hines leads the team with 302 assists and Kull is behind her with 101. That offense hits just .178 collectively and allows a .174 clip.

Come 7 p.m. Friday, the season changes. Intensity cranks up and Florida’s run for a 24th SEC championship begins.