Gators Face No. 10 Kentucky on the Road

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 20th-ranked Florida volleyball team (18-8, 10-7 SEC) closes out the regular season on the road, traveling to Lexington, Kentucky for a top-20 matchup against No. 10 Kentucky (18-7, 16-1 SEC).

Florida is coming off a four-set victory against South Carolina on Wednesday, while the Wildcats swept No. 9 Arkansas on the road to be named SEC Conference Champions.

The Gators hold a 53-21 series advantage over the Wildcats, including a 23-9 record in Lexington, KY.

Last Time Against Kentucky (Nov. 5, 2023)

• L, 1-3 (23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 18-25)
• Freshman Kennedy Martin continued to dominate offensively, registering her second-consecutive 25+ kill game, finishing with a .432 clip off 27 kills to lead the Gators. Sofia Victoria had nine of her own, and Gabbi Essix finished with 7.
• Kennedy Muff dished out 47 assists in the match, leading the team to a .229 hitting efficiency.
• Florida was a force at the night, topping Kentucky’s nine team blocks with 13, led by Gabrielle Essix‘s seven blocks, followed by Nnedi Okammor’s five.  
• Elli McKissock came up with a team-high 19 digs in the backcourt for Florida. Kennedy Muff registered 11 of her own, followed by seven from both Trinity Adams and Kennedy Martin.
• Florida wraps up its three-game home series on Friday, Nov. 10 against LSU. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. ET inside the Exactech Arena.

Gators in the SEC

• Florida has at least one player ranked in the following categories:
  
• Florida is ranked in the Top-5 in the conference in the following categories:

  • Blocks per set: (2nd | 2.66)
  • Hitting percentage: (4th | .265)
  • Assists per set: (4th | 12.43)
  • Kills per set: (4th | 13.20)
  • Service aces per set: (4th |1.62)

Mighty Martin

• On Nov. 22, Freshman Kennedy Martin posted 26 kills against South Carolina to surpass Ziva Recek’s 440 freshman kill record that was set in 2012. Martin sits No. 1 for most freshman kills in Florida history with 443 and counting. Recek was named the AVCA National Freshman of the year in 2012.  
• Freshman Kennedy Martin has recorded 10 or more kills in every match this season.
• Has posted six double-doubles
• Her 28 kills against No. 11 Tennessee (11/3) and 27 kills against No. 13 Kentucky (11/5) marks the first time since 2001 a Florida player recorded 50+ kills in back-to-back matches.
• Ranks…