MINNEAPOLIS – The 13th-ranked Florida Gators dropped a tightly-contested four setter to the fourth-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sunday afternoon in Maturi Pavilion.
Minnesota took the tight 25-22 battle in the first set, but Florida answered with a decisive 25-17 victory in the second set. The Golden Gophers took the third frame in another hard-fought 25-22 contest, then closed out the match with a 25-16 victory in the fourth.
Florida was led on the offensive attack by Marina Markova, who posted 15 kills and a .444 clip on the afternoon. Merritt Beason and Sofia Victoria tallied 11 kills apiece in the match.
Alexis Stucky captained the Florida offense, dishing out 33 assists in the four-setter.
As a team, the Gators held Minnesota to a .205 clip on the afternoon, registering 14.0 blocks at the net. Bre Kelley posted a team-high seven blocks at the net, followed by a career-high six from Stucky. Gabrielle Essix and Beason each tallied four blocks apiece in the match.
Florida’s backcourt defense was led by two 12-dig efforts from Elli McKissock and Stucky. Beason was just one dig off a double-double, finishing the match with nine.
UF totaled five aces from behind the service line, led by four from Trinity Adams. That mark tied her career-high set a season ago.
The Gators return to action on Sept. 9/10 for the Sunshine Invitational, taking place at Exactech Arena. Florida welcomes Georgia Southern, FGCU and VCU for the two-day tournament.
Records
No. 13 Florida (3-2)
No. 4 Minnesota (2-2)
How It Happened
- The Golden Gophers got off to the quick start to begin the match, using a 5-0…
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