Florida Falls to No. 10 Arkansas

Box Score
GAINESVILLE, Fla. –  The No. 19 Florida Volleyball team fell to No. 10 Arkansas in three on Sunday afternoon inside the Exactech Arena.
The Gators move to 14-5 on the year and 6-4 in SEC play, while Arkansas improves to 20-3 overall and 10-1 in the conference.

Arkansas took the first frame 25-19, then followed with a 25-20 win in the second to take a 2-0 match lead. The Razorbacks closed out a tightly-contested third set with a 25-23 win.

Freshman Kennedy Martin posted a team-high 11 kills, with Sofia Victoria adding nine of her own. Gabbi Essix added six to finish with a .600 clip off of 10 attempts as well as AC Fitzpatrick recorded six of her own.  

Fifth year setter Kennedy Muff dished out 31 assists, while Elli McKissock recorded three of her own in the three-setter.

The Gators finished with a total six team blocks, with  Nnedi Okammor finishing with one solo block.  

Senior Elli Mckissock led the backcourt defense on Sunday afternoon, posting 12 digs. Muff added seven of her own, while Trinity Adams (6) and Emily Canaan (6) combined for 12.

Three Gators recorded one ace a piece: Kennedy Muff, Kennedy Martin, and Emily Canaan.

The Gators remain at home, facing No. 12 Tennessee on Friday, Nov. 3 inside the O’Dome. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. on SEC+.

Records

No. 9 Florida (14-5, 6-4 SEC)

No. 25 Auburn (20-3, 10-1 SEC)

How It Happened

• The Gators kept a steady two-point lead at the start of the first set., but Arkansas rallied back, going on a six-point scoring run to take their first lead of the set and force a Florida timeout. The Razorbacks kept a six-point advantage as the Gators took their final timeout of the frame. Out of the break, Florida tried to cut the deficit, but fell 19-25.  
  
• Florida grabbed an early advantage in the second, pulling ahead 4-0. Arkansas would chip away, but an ace from Trinity Adams gave the Gators a 12-8 lead. The Razorbacks pulled ahead to 13-12, and took a five-point lead to force Florida to use its second timeout. Out of the break, a block by Gabbi Essix and Kennedy Muff gave the Gators some momentum to get within three, but Arkansas held on for the 25-20 victory.

  • The Gators recorded four blocks in the second, with Nnedi Okammor recording one solo.

• Both teams went point-for-point at the start of the third. Martin put one down to end the longest rally of the match and tie it at eight. The Razorbacks took a 15-13 lead, forcing a Florida timeout. Back-to…