Florida Volleyball Clinches SEC

The No.9 Florida Gator Volleyball team (26-3, 16-2 SEC) swept the Arkansas Razorbacks (9-21, 7-11 SEC) to take home their 22nd SEC Title.  The Gators’ 22 SEC titles are tied for the 10th-most in conference history in any sport, regardless of gender.  Florida’s 22 league titles are also the fourth-most by any SEC team, regardless of gender or sport, since 1979.

What a season! Graduate 5 seniors starters, add 8 freshmen, play pre-season on the road, no O'Dome: no problem. '2016 SEC Champs! pic.twitter.com/c7ASuDNgjF

— Mary Wise (@GatorMary) November 26, 2016

The Game

Florida fought hard in a challenging three set battle, but overcame the Razorbacks.  The Gators topped Arkansas 34-32 in Set 1, 26-24 in Set 2, and 25-15 in Set 3.  Senior All-American Alex Holston’s performance was the difference-maker.  Holston tallied 11 kills in her first 14 attacks and finished with 14 total in the first set alone.  She finished with a season-high 24 kills, tying Jenny Mans in 1996 for the most by a UF player in a three-set match.  It is also just the 15th time this season that any Division I player notched 24-plus kills in a three-set match.

Holston wasn’t alone in the kill domination, as she was one of four Gators who finished with double-digit kills.  All- American middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan (12), freshman middle blocker Rachael Kramer (10), and 2016 All-SEC outside hitter Carli Snyder all contributed to Florida’s sweep.  Redshirt sophomore setter Allie Monserez deserves equal credit for the Gators’ 62 kills.  Monserez was responsible for 52 assists, the highest three-set total by a Gator since Angie McGinnis in 2007.

Looking Ahead

With a win over Tennessee tonight, the Missouri Tigers can split the SEC Title with Florida.  This would be the first time since 2004 that two SEC teams share the conference title.

The Gators will also learn their NCAA Tournament First Round matchup on Sunday at 9 pm during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on ESPNU.

Point. Set. Match. @SEC CHAMPS!!!

Title No. 2️⃣2️⃣ is coming back to Gainesville!! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/dKumOXyyAk

— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB) November 26, 2016