Florida Gators notes: Massive win for volleyball, soccer falls to Tennessee

Florida Gators’ volleyball had a massive win, the soccer team continues to struggle, and the cross country team traveled to Ole Miss for the SEC Preview Meet.

Florida Gators volleyball: Five-set thriller against Wisconsin

Previous the volleyball team has close losses against top 15 opponents Stanford and Minnesota. Flip a couple of key points in each match at the Gators could be sitting with an undefeated record. Florida volleyball put it all together last Friday in a five-set thriller in front of 16,833 people in Wisconsin.

The crowd is a record for a regular season NCAA volleyball match, but the Gators were not intimidated. Florida came out and won the first set 25-21 and cruised in the second set to a 25-18 victory.

The Gators very nearly pulled off the sweep and were up 22-20 in the third before Wisconsin leveled it. Florida volleyball then had match point at 26-25 but couldn’t close the deal. The Badgers won the third set 28-26.

The fourth set was ugly and Wisconsin won the set 25-13.

The Gators regained their composure to win the fifth set 15-13.

Merritt Beason was Florida’s primary focus on the attack and Beason finished with 21 kills on 53 attempts. Gabbi Essex was also in double digits with 10 kills.

This follows up Florida’s three set win earlier in the week against FSU and moves the Gators to 8-2 on the season.

Florida Gators soccer: Close but no cigar against Tennessee

The frustrating season for the soccer team continued last Friday as the Gators peppered Tennessee with 14 shots, 10 of which were on target. However only one found it’s way to the back of the net and the Gators fell to the Volunteers 2-1 and dropped to 2-6 on the season.

Tennessee’s first goal came off a shot from the top of the 18 that found the top corner.

The second goal was off a penalty kick that was nearly saved, but glanced off Gators’ keeper Alexa Goldberg.

Florida had its lone goal off a corner kick from Maddy Pirrello.

Florida Gators cross country: Second at SEC Preview Meet (out of two teams)

Sports media people have a hard job sometimes. When your job is to be a cheerleader for your program no matter what, sometimes you have to get creative.

So when the Florida cross country team traveled to Ole Miss for the SEC Preview Meet and the lead line from the Gators media department said that the Gators came in second one would think “Wow, great job.”

Except it was a dual meet and there were only two teams.

To be fair to Florida, they haven’t run any of their top guys or girls yet. Parker Valby, All-American in the 5K during track season, being one of them.

Keep up with all things Florida Gators with Hail Florida Hail.