Florida Falls to No. 12 Georgia Tech in Five-Set Heartbreaker

Florida Falls to No. 12 Georgia Tech in Five-Set Heartbreaker

Box Score | Postgame Press Conference Quotes

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The fourth-seeded Florida Volleyball team fought back from a 1-2 deficit to force a fifth set before falling 3-2 (25-22, 28-30, 21-25, 25-18, 14-16) to No. 12 Georgia Tech in the Second Round of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Friday in Exactech Arena.

The Gators, who were competing in their 34th Second Round, closed the season at 19-10 overall. They competed in their 33rd-straight appearance and earned hosting rights for the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the 29th time in program history.

All-Sec and Freshman Kennedy Martin turned in yet another tremendous effort, recording 21 kills and nine digs while hitting .306. She recorded 20 or more kills in six matches this season.  

Florida had four finish with double-digit kills behind the 54 assists from fifth-year setter Kennedy Muff. Kennedy Martin led the way for the 24th time this season with 21. Gabrielle Essix tied her career-high 12 kills, hitting .318. Seniors AC Fitzpatrick and Sofia Victoria recorded their 15th and 11th double-digit kill of the season, finishing with 16 and 10, respectfully.

Senior Nnedi Okammor’s eight blocks was a match-high and the 13th time in the 2023 season she led the way for Florida in blocks. Essix and Fitzpatrick both finished with five on the night, while Victoria had four of her own.

Playing her last match in Exactech Arena, Elli McKissock had 17 digs to pace the backcourt defense for the Gators. Kennedy Muff followed with 11, while Kennedy Martin (9) and Emily Canaan (8) combined for 17.

Florida was aggressive behind the service line, tallying six aces in the fifth setter with AC Fitzpatrick and Emily Canaan having two apiece.

Records

No. 20 Florida (19-10, 10-8 SEC)

No. 12 Georgia Tech (24-6, 13-5 ACC)

How It Happened

• Florida grabbed an early 7-4 lead in the opening set, but Georgia Tech battled back to gain a 10-8 lead. The Yellow Jackets maintained a steady two-point advantage and went into the media timeout ahead 15-13. Out of the break, a 3-0 scoring run being Paola Pimental’s serving extended their lead by four. The Gators put two points together following a Florida timeout. A Yellow Jacket hitting error made it only a two-point set and forced a Georgia Tech timeout. Kennedy Martin landed a deep ball to tie it up at 19 and from…