Kisya records career best in loss to South Carolina

September 17th, 2006

University of Florida junior Kisya Killingsworth recorded a career-best 23 kills and 20 digs, but it wasn’t enough as South Carolina handed the Gators their second defeat of the season 3-1 (22-30, 34-36, 30-26, 24-30) on Sunday afternoon at the Volleyball Competition Facility.

Florida (8-2 overall, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) had four players finish in double-figures in kills, but couldn’t overcome the effort by South Carolina’s Shonda Cole, who had 35 kills on .462 hitting. The Gators finished with more blocks (12.0-9.0), aces (7-6) and digs (73-67), but South Carolina ended the contest with more kills (82-69) and out-hit the Gators .314-.257.

“Kisya Killingsworth has put together two elite performances back-to-back with about an hour of practice playing in the back row,” Florida coach Mary Wise said. “I thought the difference in this match was the play of South Carolina’s senior setter and senior outside hitter.”

Killingsworth became the first Florida player since Aury Cruz on Dec. 14, 2002 to record at least 20 kills and 20 digs in the same match (Cruz had 24 kills and 20 digs against Washington State). In addition, junior setter Angie McGinnis added a season-best 57 assists to go along with seven kills, seven digs and five block assists.

Sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Bowers tallied 11 kills on .533 hitting with six total blocks, while freshman middle blocker Kristina Johnson added 10 kills on .500 hitting with six block assists.

Senior libero Rhian Davis ended the match with a career-high 18 digs, while junior opposite hitter Amber McCray finished in double figures in points for the 10th consecutive match to start the year with 10 kills and 11.5 points.

Florida will turnaround and face Auburn in Gainesville on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 7p.m. The contest can be seen live on GatorVision Online and will be carried on both WRUF-AM 850 and www.GatorZone.com.