UF VB | Florida Falls to No. 10 Arkansas

Kennedy Martin led the way with 11 kills.

Box Score<https://floridagators.com/documents/2023/10/29/ARK_3__UF_0>

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 19 Florida Volleyball team fell to No. 10 Arkansas in three on Sunday afternoon inside the Exactech Arena.

The Gators move to 14-5 on the year and 6-4 in SEC play, while Arkansas improves to 20-3 overall and 10-1 in the conference.
Arkansas took the first frame 25-19, then followed with a 25-20 win in the second to take a 2-0 match lead. The Razorbacks closed out a tightly-contested third set with a 25-23 win.

Freshman Kennedy Martin posted a team-high 11 kills, with Sofia Victoria adding nine of her own. Gabbi Essix added six to finish with a .600 clip off of 10 attempts as well as AC Fitzpatrick recorded six of her own.

Fifth year setter Kennedy Muff dished out 31 assists, while Elli McKissock recorded three of her own in the three-setter.

The Gators finished with a total six team blocks, with Nnedi Okammor finishing with one solo block.

Senior Elli Mckissock led the backcourt defense on Sunday afternoon, posting 12 digs. Muff added seven of her own, while Trinity Adams (6) and Emily Canaan (6) combined for 12.

Three Gators recorded one ace a piece: Kennedy Muff, Kennedy Martin, and Emily Canaan.

Florida remains at home, facing No. 12 Tennessee on Friday, Nov. 3 inside the O’Dome. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. on SEC+.

Records
No. 9 Florida (14-5, 6-4 SEC)
No. 25 Auburn (20-3, 10-1 SEC)

How It Happened

* The Gators kept a steady two-point lead at the start of the first set., but Arkansas rallied back, going on a six-point scoring run to take their first lead of the set and force a Florida timeout. The Razorbacks kept a six-point advantage as the Gators took their final timeout of the frame. Out of the break, Florida tried to cut the deficit, but fell 19-25.
* AC Fitzpatrick and Kennedy Martin both tallied four kills in the first frame.
* Florida grabbed an early advantage in the second, pulling ahead 4-0. Arkansas would chip away, but an ace from Trinity Adams gave the Gators a 12-8 lead. The Razorbacks pulled ahead to 13-12, and took a five-point lead to force Florida to use its second timeout. Out of the break, a block by Gabbi Essix and Kennedy Muff gave the Gators some momentum to get within three, but Arkansas held on for the 25-20 victory.
* The Gators recorded four blocks in the second, with Nnedi Okammor recording one solo.
* Both teams went point-for-point at the start of the third. Martin put one down to end the longest rally of the match and tie it at eight. The Razorbacks took a 15-13 lead, forcing a Florida timeout. Back-to back kills from Sofia Victoria followed by a block by Martin and Essix gave the Gators a 16-15 advantage. The final points went back-and-forth, but an ace from Kennedy Martin forced the Razorbacks to take a timeout as they trailed by one. Out of the break, Arkansas put together two points, to regain a 22-21 lead, and the Gators used their final timeout of the frame. Tied at 23, Arkansas scored two unanswered points for a 25-23 win.
* There were 20 ties and nine lead changes in the final frame.
Notables

* With her 11 kills, Kennedy Martin continues her streak of recording 10 or more kills in every match this season.
* Elli McKissock’s 12 digs put her only 66 away from surpassing Taylor Unroe’s 1,558, which is second overall in Florida history.
* UF moves to 50-4 in the all-time series against Arkansas
* The Gators are now 6-2 in three-set matches during the 2023 campaign
Up Next

* The Gators remain at home, facing No. 12 Tennessee on Friday, Nov. 3
* First serve is slated for 7 p.m. on SEC+
No. 19 Florida vs. No. 12 Tennessee
Date & Time: Nov. 3 | 7 p.m.
Live Stream: SEC+<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/b23f3016-3aac-47a0-859c-5007418ab5dd> | Live Stats: Statbroadcast<http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=477661> | Radio: 98.1FM/850AM<https://www.wruf.com/listen-live/> | Tickets: FloridaGators<https://am.ticketmaster.com/gators/ism/VkIyMzA5>
Series Information – No. 19 Florida vs. No. 12 Tennessee
The Lady Vols | 2023 season: 10-5, 0-4 SEC