The second set hung in the balance. The Gators and Crimson Tide stood exhausted but refused to back down despite the series of set points that had taken place in the last few rallies.
Florida trailed to Alabama as they stood at set point. UF senior outside hitter AC Fitzpatrick and junior defensive specialist Trinity Adams kept the Gators alive with a well-timed kill to tie the match 27-apiece.
A ball-handling error by Crimson Tide senior middle blocker Chaise Campbell brought the Gators to their third match point in the set. Determined to end the tight battle, Fitzpatrick slammed a service
ace across the net to seal the Gators’ second set victory.
The No. 9 Florida Gators (12-3, 4-2 SEC) defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide (10-6, 0-5 SEC) Sunday afternoon in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
Florida’s dominant defense held Alabama’s offense at a .179 hitting percentage in the first set.
UF claimed an early lead with two consecutive blocks from Florida seniors middle blocker Nnedi Okammor and outside hitter Sofia Victoria. Gator sophomore libero Emily Canaan continued their momentum with Florida’s second service ace of the set to keep them ahead 17-11.
