No problem.
The Gators answered the rest of the way with a relentless scoring onslaught that included multiple scoring runs in their 3-0 sweep over Florida Gulf Coast University at the O’Dome.
FGCU came out of the locker room with energy, scoring the first two points and cultivating a 10-8 lead in the first set. From there, the Gators produced their first significant scoring run, highlighted by points off six straight serves by graduate setter Kennedy Muff. The scoring flurry was Florida’s first of five streaks of four points or more in the match.
The Eagles managed to score eight more points in the set, but they could not overcome the deficit that Muff had spearheaded as the Gators won, 25-18.
Once again, the Eagles came out hot in the second set to build a 7-4 lead.
But in a strikingly similar fashion, the Gators assembled a seven-point scoring bombardment to take control, this one led by senior libero Elli McKissock.
McKissock reeled off six consecutive service points to charge the Stephen C. O’Connell crowd as the Gators grabbed the lead they held onto the rest of the contest. Florida won the second set 25-16, finishing on a 4-0 run launched by an emphatic A.C. Fitzpatrick kill followed by three McKissock serves.
“There were a few runs that we were able to make in the match, but that one [in the second set] in particular really separated and allowed us to go up 2-0,” Florida head coach Mary Wise said. “Elli set the tone with her passing and defense. Being our senior leader, everyone else followed.”
With McKissock leading the way, the Gators cruised to a 25-17 win in the third set to advance to the second round.
Afterward, the senior from the Orlando suburb of Windermere joined Wise at the postgame press conference and spoke about the Gator fans’ role in building momentum through their runs.
“We go up with their energy,” McKissock said. “Having them here, being at home, getting that was super exciting. It’s really important to have our fans there.”
The fourth-year libero finished with three service aces and 20 digs. Wise praised McKissock and her role in the victory.
“It was one of the complete matches of the year,” she said.
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