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Tonight the South Carolina Gamecocks hosted the #13 Florida Gators in their Volleyball Competition Facility, where the Gators ate up the Gamecocks in three sets (25-13, 25-18, 25-23). Juliette Thévein lead the Gamecocks with 10 kills, while the Gators were led by Kristy Jaeckel and Betsy Smith, both with 10 kills as well.

With the first point of the match going to the Gamecocks, off a kill by Cara Howley, the intimate gym cheered loudly for the ladies in pink honoring breast cancer awareness. They were quickly quieted however when at 2-2 the Gators went on five point run thanks in part to several Gamecock hitting errors, forcing a time out. Returning from the timeout, the Gators Kristy Jaeckel served the ball into the net, but this error didn’t slow the Gators as they quickly went on another run of four points. The next two points the Gamecocks managed to get were both off Gator service errors. The Gamecocks were not able to earn more than one point at a time until 10-22, again from a Gator service error. They managed to go point for point with the Gators before the set closed at 25-13.

The second set also began with the Gamecocks taking the first point, this time winning a long rally. The teams went point for point with each other before the Gators slowly spread the scoreboard. At 5-9, Gamecock Cara Howley played off the hands of the Gator block for the point. However it wasn’t enough as the Gators continued to move ahead. The media timeout did ice the Gators slightly, as they returned to the court with a service error to give the Gamecocks 9-15. Errors on both sides of the net made play unpredictable and the Gamecocks were never able to get within five points of the Gators. The Gamecocks managed to grab a few more points before the Gators took the set at 25-18.

The final set was the closest of the evening, both on the scoreboard and with effort on the court. The set saw six tied scores and four lead changes before the end. For the first time, the Gators took the first point of the set. Although the Gamecocks managed to tie the set up at 3-3, the Gators went on a four point run to 7-3. However the Gamecocks continued to fight, always getting within a point or two of the Gator lead. With a kill by Juliette Thevenin, the Gamecocks went on a four point run to take the lead 20-18. Nevertheless, thanks to a Gamecock service error and hitting error, the Gators took back the lead at 21-20. The teams tied up the score three more times before the Gators closed the match with an ace, winning 25-23.

Despite a last set effort by the Gamecocks, the Gators showed why they’re ranked: they picked up balls the Gamecocks allowed to fall and they put away kills with high velocity. The Florida Gators now stand at 16-3 overall and 9-1 in SEC play. The South Carolina Gamecocks fall to 10-10 overall and 1-9 in conference play.

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