Kelsey blocks Crimson Tide

October 29th, 2006

Sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Bowers recorded a career-best 13 blocks and added eight kills as the #7 University of Florida volleyball team swept an upset-minded Alabama squad (30-27, 30-28, 30-20) on Sunday afternoon before a near-capacity Coleman Auxiliary Volleyball Extension crowd.

Florida (20-2 overall, 13-1 SEC) had to fend off a tough team in Alabama (14-9, 9-5), which entered the contest having upset four ranked teams in the last two seasons and hadn’t dropped a home match in SEC play this season. The Gators improved to 26-0 all-time against Alabama and 12-0 in Tuscaloosa as Florida won its 20th match in its first 22 tries for the sixth straight season. Florida out-hit Alabama .281-.153 and the Gators finished with more kills (52-49), digs (67-55) and blocks (14.5-10.5).

“Blocking was huge for us today,” Florida coach Mary Wise said. “Going into the match, we felt the keys were serving, blocking and passing. After Alabama’s quick start, we settled down and excelled in those areas. We told our team that we had a chance to do something special – become the first SEC team to beat Alabama at home. Today’s match was a statement match in terms of how much our team has improved.”

Bowers reached double-figures in blocks for the second time in her career and had 10 through just two games. Freshman libero Elyse Cusack ended the contest with 18 digs and moved into third place in UF history for most digs by a freshman with 308. Junior Kisya Killingsworth led the Gators with 15 kills, while junior setter Angie McGinnis nearly recorded a triple double with 44 assists, 10 digs and eight blocks. Junior outside hitter Marcie Hampton also had a banner day for the Gators with 20 digs and six kills. Her dig total was just two shy of her career high and marked the second time in her career she reached 20 in a match.

Florida returns to action next weekend by concluding its four-match road trip. Florida will face #10 LSU at 8 p.m. (ET) on Friday before battling Arkansas at 2:30 p.m. (ET) on Sunday. Both matches will be carried live on WRUF-AM 850 and www.GatorZone.com. In addition, the Arkansas contest can be seen via GatorVision Online.