Florida survives 5-game thriller against the Wildcats

September 29th, 2006

Junior opposite hitter Amber McCray tallied a career-best 24 kills on .488 hitting in leading #10 Florida to a thrilling five-game win against Kentucky (26-30, 30-17, 30-21, 35-37, 15-10) on Friday evening before a crowd of 3,150 at Memorial Coliseum.

The Gators (11-2 overall, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) won their 34th consecutive match against the Wildcats (9-4, 2-3) and their 14th straight contest in Lexington. Florida recorded 18.0 total blocks in collecting at least 10.0 for the sixth-consecutive match – the first time UF has accomplished the feat since 2000. The Gators finished with more kills (73-70) and digs (91-89) while out-hitting Kentucky .195-.100.

“I’m so proud of this team for battling through this match,” Florida coach Mary Wise said. “This team found a way to win in an electrifying environment in front of more than 3,000 fans. It truly shows just how balanced the SEC is. You’ve got to give Kentucky a lot of credit because they played us very well defensively, but Amber McCray really stepped it up with 24 kills tonight.”

The Gators recorded the win after a competitive game five in which Florida jumped out to a 5-2 lead and didn’t relinquish it the rest of the way. The Wildcats came within a pair at 10-8, but Florida responded with two straight points and led 12-10 after a tandem block from junior Kisya Killingsworth and freshman middle blocker. Kentucky again fought within a pair at 12-10, but the Gators closed out the match with the final three points as McCray ended things with a kill from the right side.

McCray recorded a career best 27.0 points to lead the Gators, while Killingsworth added 17 kills and 10 digs and junior outside hitter Marcie Hampton collected a double-double with 13 kills and 15 digs. Junior Angie McGinnis also registered a double-double with 59 assists and 15 digs, while moving into second in Florida history for most career points by a setter with 269.5.

Sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Bowers collected nine total blocks in surpassing five for the sixth consecutive match. Freshman Alli Checchini registered a career-best 15 digs, while senior libero Rhian Davis added 14.

The Gators return to action Sunday when UF returns home to host #17 Tennessee in a 1 p.m. (ET) contest in Gainesville. The match will be broadcast live on WRUF-AM 850 and www.GatorZone.com. In addition, the contest can be seen live via GatorVision Online.