Gators Set to Host LSU

Match notes
 
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 21 Florida volleyball team closes out its three-game home series, hosting LSU on Friday night inside the Exactech Arena. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. on BIG+, with Missy Whittemore and Tom Collett on the call, or can be heard on ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM/850.
 
Florida is coming off a four-set loss to No. 13 Kentucky on Sunday night, while LSU completed the comeback win in four sets against Alabama.
 
The Gators hold the 54-14 record against the LSU Tigers, including a 48-6 record under Mary Wise and a 25-5 advantage in Gainesville, Fla.
 
Last Time Against LSU (2022)
W, 3-2 | 25-18, 26-24, 25-27, 21-25, 15-9

• The Gators were led on the offensive attack by Merritt Beason, who posted a 21-kill performance on the afternoon – tying her career-best. Sofia Victoria added 16 of her own in the five-set match, followed by 14 kills from Marina Markova. Gabrielle Essix posted a career-high 12 kills in the victory to round out the Gators in double-digit kills. 
• Alexis Stucky anchored the Florida offense, dishing out a career-high 56 assists, along with a career-best 16 digs for her fourth double-double of the season.
• The Gators held the Tigers to a .168 hitting efficiency, tallying 16.0 blocks at the net. Essix posted a team-high and a career high 10 blocks to lead the way, followed by a career-best eight from Beason. Nnedi Okammor and Markova also registered four blocks in the victory.
• Florida’s backcourt defense was led by a 20-dig effort from Elli McKissock and Stucky followed with a career-high 16 digs of her own. Emily Canaan added 10, while Beason (9) and Victoria (8) combined for 17 digs in the five-set win.
• Canaan and Stucky each posted a team-high two service aces in the match, followed by one apiece from Alexis Stucky and Bre Kelley.

Gators in the SEC

• Through the season thus far, Florida has at least one player ranked in the following categories:
  
• Through the season thus far, Florida is ranked in the Top-5 in the conference in the following categories:

  • Blocks per set: (2nd | 2.53)
  • Hitting percentage: (4th | .266)
  • Assists per set: (5th | 12.26)
  • Kills per set: (5th | 13.12)
  • Service aces per set: (5th |1.57)

Mighty Martin

• Freshman Kennedy Martin has recorded 10 or more kills in every set this season.
• Leads the team in double-doubles with five
• Martin…