Kelsey Bowers scores 16 against Mississippi State

October 6th, 2006

Sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Bowers recorded a team-best 12 kills on .625 hitting as the #8 University of Florida volleyball team swept Mississippi State (30-28, 30-26, 30-23) to improve to 29-0 all-time against the Bulldogs on Friday evening at the Newell-Grissom Building.

Florida (13-2 overall, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) moved to 14-0 all-time in Starkville, while the Bulldogs became the final team in the SEC for UF head coach Mary Wise to claim her 20th victory against. The Gators finished with more aces (9-3) and blocks (8.0-6.0), while out-hitting the Bulldogs .287-.237. Mississippi State (10-7, 1-6) entered the match as the No. 13 team in the nation in service aces but collected just three against the Gators – MSU’s lowest total at home in 2006.

“This match was a reflection of Gator volleyball in terms of you don’t know when your name will be called, but you step up when it is,” Florida coach Mary Wise said. “Stefanie Douglas and Christina Diaz both played well off the bench for us tonight. After the way Mississippi State played, it left me asking how could this team possibly be 1-6 in the SEC? They were very good tonight.”

UF finished with a higher hitting percentage than its opponent for the 10th time in the last 11 matches as the Gators improved to 42-0 against teams from the state of Mississippi under Wise.

Junior setter Angie McGinnis had a banner day for the Gators with seven kills on .400 hitting with 35 assists and eight digs, while freshman middle blocker Kristina Johnson tallied six kills on .417 hitting with five blocks. Senior Stefanie Douglas came off the bench to supply a season-best eight kills on .350 hitting with four block assists, while freshman libero Elyse Cusack ended the contest with a team-best 13 digs – the 11th time in as many matches of her career that she’s reached double figures in digs.

The Gators return to action on Sunday when Florida squares off against Mississippi in Oxford. The match will be broadcast live on WRUF-AM 850 and www.GatorZone.com.