Gators-Gamecocks Set for Two-Match Series

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 12th-ranked Florida volleyball team (9-2, 1-0 SEC) hits the road for its first SEC road series of the season, taking on South Carolina (6-4, 0-0 SEC) on Saturday and Sunday.

Both matches are slated to begin at 2 p.m. on SEC Network + at the Carolina Volleyball Center.

Florida opened conference play with a three-set victory over Alabama on Wednesday, while South Carolina’s last contest was 3-0 loss to then-No. 20 Oregon on Sept. 17.

The Gators hold the 61-9 series advantage over the Gamecocks, including a 54-3 record under Mary Wise.

Last Time Against South Carolina

• The last time these two squads faced off was on Nov. 21, 2021 in Gainesville, Fla. where the Gators swept the Gamecocks (25-12, 25-19, 25-20)
• Florida’s was led on the offensive front by 14 kills from T’ara Ceasar. Thayer Hall pitched in 11 kills of her own, while Merritt Beason followed with 10 in the three-setter
• Marlie Monserez led the team to a .333 clip on the afternoon, dishing out 42 assists in the process
• As a team, the Gators tallied 10.0 blocks at the net and held South Carolina to a .111 hitting percentage. Bre Kelley and Beason each posted a team-high four blocks, followed by three from Monserez and Lauren Forte
• Elli McKissock tallied 18 digs in the match to lead the way for Florida, followed by 17 from Ceasar. Hall added 14 digs in the match, while Beason added nine of her own in the victory
• Hall posted a team-high three service aces in the match, while Trinity Adams, McKissock and Monserez each added one apiece

Last Time Out

• The No. 12 Florida volleyball team started SEC play with a sweep of the Alabama Crimson Tide in Exactech Arena on Wednesday night (25-19, 25-19, 25-17)
• Merritt Beason paced Florida’s offensive attack on Wednesday night with a nine-kill performance, followed by eight kills from Sofia Victoria. Bre Kelley added six in the sweep, while Gabrielle Essix (5) and Marina Markova (4) combined for nine
• Alexis Stucky dished out 25 assists in the match, leading the team to a .321 hitting efficiency overall
• The Gators kept the Crimson Tide to just a .152 clip in the three-setter, tallying 6.0 blocks as a team. Beason registered a team-high three blocks, while Stucky, Kelley and Essix each recorded two in the victory
• In the backcourt, Elli McKissock posted a team-high 15 digs on the night, followed by eight from Emily Canaan
• Behind the service line, Florida recorded 11 aces, including a…