GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 12th-ranked Florida volleyball team downed the Missouri Tigers in straight sets on Friday night in Exactech Arena to remain atop the SEC standings.
With the victory, the Gators improve to 19-4 on the year and 11-2 in conference play, while the Tigers fall to 8-14 overall and 1-11 in the SEC.
Florida started the match with a 25-22 win, then followed that with a come-from-behind 25-17 victory in the second frame. UF closed out the match with a tightly-contested 25-23 win in the third.
The Gators’ offensive attack was led by a 16-kill performance from Marina Markova, while Merritt Beason followed with 13 kills of her own. Gabrielle Essix posted nine in the victory with a .667 clip, while Sofia Victoria (6) and Bre Kelley (5) combined for 11.
Rookie setter Alexis Stucky led the team to a .314 clip on the night, dishing out 46 assists – a three-set high for the Laramie, Wy. native.
Florida’s defense held Missouri to just a .144 hitting efficiency in the match, tallying 10.0 blocks in the three-setter. Essix posted a team-high five at the net, followed by three apiece from Beason and Kelley.
Elli McKissock paced the backcourt for the Gators, coming up with 11 digs on the night. Trinity Adams pitched in a 10-dig effort, while Beason and Stucky each recorded five in the win.
The Gators return to action on Saturday, Nov. 12 when the team travels to College Station, Texas to take on Texas A&M. First serve against the Aggies is slated for 5 p.m. ET on SEC +.
Records
No. 12 Florida (19-4, 11-2 SEC)
Missouri (8-14, 1-11 SEC)
How It Happened
- With Florida holding the slight 4-3 lead…
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