Florida finishes SEC season with victory over Kentucky

November 19th, 2006

Junior outside hitter Marcie Hampton recorded 13 kills on .312 hitting and also had eight digs to lead the #7 ranked University of Florida volleyball team to a sweep over Kentucky (30-25, 30-23, 32-30) in front of a crowd of 1,930 on Sunday at the O’Connell Center.

Florida (26-2 overall, 19-1 SEC) had more kills (47-45), blocks (10.0-9.0) and digs (59-43) than the Wildcats, while out-hitting them .215 to .141. The Gators held Kentucky to .141 hitting which was the 14th time in the last 17 matches that Florida has held its opponents below .200. The victory was the 35th straight over the Wildcats and Florida’s 18th straight on the season.

“This was a great win,” Florida coach Mary Wise said. “To beat a Kentucky team in three games with all they had riding on this match is a testament to where we are as a team. In game three, Kentucky was as good as any team we have faced all year. In that third game the difference was blocking – without those blocks we don’t win the game.”

The Gators concluded the inaugural double-round robin SEC schedule with a 19-1 record to win the program’s 16th consecutive regular season title – tied for the longest streak by any team in any sport in SEC history.

Junior Kisya Killingsworth reached double figures in her 11th straight match with her 10 kills. Junior opposite hitter Amber McCray pitched in with 10 kills on .348 hitting in finishing in double figures for the ninth straight match. Junior setter Angie McGinnis recorded 34 assists, seven digs and six blocks.

Freshman libero Elyse Cusack moved into fourth on the single season chart for most digs and now has 452 after collecting 22 against Kentucky. Sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Bowers picked up eight kills and added nine blocks.

On senior day and competing in possibly her last match in the O’Connell Center, senior defensive specialist Rhian Davis picked up a season-high three service aces and added seven digs.

The victory brought Wise within one win of reaching 600 career victories as she has a record of 599-116 (.837 winning percentage), including a record of 518-53 (.907 winning percentage) in her 16 seasons at Florida.

The Gators will conclude their regular season by serving as the host for the Conference Challenge tournament in Orlando Nov. 24-25. The event will be held at the Champions Sports Complex and will feature Marquette, LSU and St. John’s. LSU will take on St. John’s on Friday at 2 p.m. followed by the Gators and Marquette at 4 p.m. On Saturday, LSU will face Marquette at 2 p.m. and Florida will battle St. John’s at 4 p.m.