The fourth-ranked Florida Gators defeat the Tigers to move to 2-0 on the year
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AUBURN, Ala. – The fourth-ranked Florida Gators closed out the two-match series against the Tigers with another sweep, defeating Auburn in three sets Thursday night to move to 2-0 on the year.
Picking up right where they left off last night, the Gators took the first set 25-14. The second set was a closer battle between the two squads, but Florida pulled out the 25-19 victory to go up 2-0 in the match. The Gators clinched their second victory of the season after defeating the Tigers, 25-21 in the third set.
For back-to-back nights, T’ara Ceasar led the way offensively, recording 12 kills on the evening. Holly Carlton pitched in seven, while Paige Hammons posted six kills in the three-setter.
Darrielle King, Thayer Hall and Marlie Monserez combined for 13 kills on the evening as well.
Monserez also dished out 33 assists in the three-set match, averaging 11.00 per set.
UF held Auburn to a .076 hitting percentage, keeping the Tigers to below .100 for the second-straight night. Lauren Dooley and Carlton led the way defensively at the net, each recording four blocks.
Elli McKissock and Paula Cerame led the squad in digs, each registering 10 in the match. Ceasar added nine digs of her own, just one shy of a double-double.
The Gators return home to face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31. First serve for Oct. 30’s match is slated for 7 p.m. on the SEC Network, while Oct. 31’s match is set for 3 p.m. on the SEC Network +.
Records
No. 4 Florida (2-0, 2-0 SEC)
Auburn (0-2, 0-2 SEC)
How It Happened
* The Gators held early slight advantage in the first frame, leading the Tigers 4-3, before opening up a 4-0 run behind the serves of Lauren Dooley. Auburn pulled back to within three at 9-6, but the Gators burst open an 11-point lead throughout the set to take the 20-9 lead. The Tigers put together a 5-2 burst to pull within eight at 22-14, but UF closed out on a 3-0 run, with kills from King and Carlton to secure the set 25-14.
* Florida hit .412 in the first set, led by six kills from Ceasar. Thayer Hall pitched in four kills, while Monserez dished out 11 assists in the frame.
* Florida found itself trailing Auburn early in the first set, but battled back to tie it up at 10-10. The two squads continued to trade points, but a King kill gave the Gators the 15-14 advantage going into the media timeout. Out of the break, Florida went on 5-2 spurt behind the serves of Monserez, forcing Auburn to utilize its first timeout. The Tigers pulled to within four at 23-19, but the Gators capitalized on an Auburn error and a Ceasar ace to win the frame, 25-19.
* Carlton and Hammons each registered three kills in the second frame, followed by two kills apiece from King, Ceasar and Dooley.
* The Gators hopped out to the early 4-1 lead in the third frame, forcing the Tigers to use their first timeout. Out of the break, Auburn went on a 4-2 run to pull within one at 6-5. Florida answered with a run of its own, taking the five-point lead at 17-12. Auburn pulled within three at 24-21, but a kill from Hammons clinched the set and the match for Florida.
* Ceasar led the way in the final frame with four kills, while Hammons added three to secure the set.
Notables
* Elli McKissock saw her first action in the libero jersey in the third set during the match, racking up a career-high 10 digs
* Ceasar recorded a season-high 12 kills in the match, notching a .300 clip
* Four Gators hit over .300 in the match: Ceasar, Carlton, King and Monserez
* Florida moves to 51-2 against Auburn, including a 47-1 record under Mary Wise
* The Gators remain undefeated in three-set matches against the Tigers, improving to 38-0
* UF moves to 24-2 all-time in Auburn, Ala.
Thoughts from Coach Wise
* “T’ara [Ceasar] had another fine performance and it’s the second night in a row where we had solid production off the bench – this time by Paige [Hammons].”
Up Next
* The Gators are set to open the home portion of their 2020 fall schedule on Friday, Oct. 30 against Alabama
* First serve is slated for 7 p.m. on the SEC Network
* The second match of that series will occur on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. in Exactech Arena
* Single-match tickets are still available to the public for Florida’s four home matches in the fall.
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