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There wasn’t much that wasn’t working for the No. 22 Gators on Friday night, but that isn’t new.
Over the last three weeks, Florida’s volleyball team has flipped a switch. After starting the season 11-5, trending to coach Mary Wise’s worst season in Gainesville, the Gators have risen out of the swamp, to rattle off six-consecutive wins, the most recent coming Friday.
Florida dominated Auburn 25-14, 25-18, 25-19 in a quick sweep of the Tigers at the O’Connell Center.
President Kennedy and Her Offensive Cabinet
The Gators’ success is tied to the performance of one player: sophomore opposite hitter Kennedy Martin.
Over the last four games, the All-SEC player has averaged 26 kills per match, including back-to-back 31-kill performances. Against Auburn, the star shined again.
Martin opened the contest quickly, notching six kills in the Gators’ dominant first-set win. She finished the night with 20 kills on a .559 hitting percentage. She only had one error on 34 attempts.
S2 | WAY TO BATTLE
12 kills on the night for Kennedy!
Gators 19 | Tigers 15#GoGators | @NCAAVolleyball
https://t.co/56c43LD4o9 (SECN+) pic.twitter.com/iL0wSW6xzy
— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB) November 9, 2024
With Martin’s efficiency, Florida (17-5, 8-3 SEC) has found new life during its win streak. The Gators haven’t played a five-set match during the run, scoring in streaks to put teams away early.
With opposing defenses focusing on Martin’s threat, UF’s offense has become more diverse. Three other Florida hitters have each notched a double-digit kill performance during the streak of wins: senior outside hitter Isabel Martin, freshman middle blocker Jaela Auguste and senior outside hitter A.C. Fitzpatrick.
In Friday’s contest, though, Kennedy didn’t only affect Florida’s offense. She notched eight digs and one block as UF’s defense took another stride.
The Efficient Gators
A theme of Florida’s season has been its tendency for errors. When the Gators were losing, errors ran rampant as their lineup never seemed to be on the same page. Now, it’s rare for UF to seem discombobulated.
Against Auburn (14-9, 4-8), the Gators only posted six hitting errors—their lowest total of the year. Auburn turned in 16.
S1 | #23 doing what she knows best
Elli with a big save to set up Kennedy for the kill
Gators 9 | Tigers 7#GoGators | @NCAAVolleyball
https://t.co/56c43LD4o9 (SECN+) pic.twitter.com/pmaNHsOStw
— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB) November 9, 2024
Florida’s greatest issue from early in the year was its defensive mistakes. That is no longer the case. Florida only had four reception errors against Auburn. That defensive efficiency has played a role in Florida’s offense taking off.
The Gators get more opportunities where freshman setter Taylor Parks doesn’t need to move to set, which allows her hitters, especially Kennedy Martin, to capitalize.
What’s Next
Florida will look to extend its win streak to nearly a month against Alabama (10-11, 2-8) in a Sunday matinee. SEC Network+ will broadcast the 1 p.m. contest.
