GAINESVILLE, Fla.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (2-3) fell in three-straight sets to the number ten nationally ranked University of Florida Gators on Saturday afternoon (21-25, 16-25, 19-25).
The Eagles gave the Gators fits in set one, but eventually fell 21-25. Sophomore sensations Ashby Willis (Mount Carmel, Illinois) and Leah Coleman (Hoover, Alabama) combined for six early kills to help build a 12-10 lead. Both teams traded blows as senior setter Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) caught the defense off balance with a tipped kill to make it 18-18. However, the Gators finished sets exceptionally well today putting away the Eagles on a 7-3 run.
Florida capitalized on 12 USI errors in set two, winning 16-25. USI dug themselves a hole committing seven early attacking errors falling into a 11-2 deficit. Willis helped the Eagles claw back into the match with five kills to cut the deficit to 19-15. UF closed out the set strong again on a 6-1 run.
USI fired home a match-high 13 kills in set three but fell short 19-25 to end the game. Senior Jasmine Green (Rockwall, Texas) and Coleman tallied six total kills to keep within three points at 12-9. Willis sparked another run of four USI points with two kills, a service ace, along with forcing a Gator into an error drawing within one point at 16-15. USI faltered late again, conceding nine of the final 13 points to end the match.
Willis shinned on the big stage once again, recording a team leading 11 kills. Sobieralski earned her fifth double-double of the season with a team-leading 23 assists and ten digs. Junior Bianca Anderson (Chicago Heights, Illinois) denied three Gators with a team-leading three blocks. Willis, freshman Kerigan Fehr (Fairbury, Illinois), and freshman Layla Gonzales (Muncie, Indiana) each contributed a service ace.
As a team, USI finished with 31 kills, 29 assists, 34 digs, five blocks, three aces, and a .083 hitting percentage. Florida tallied 44 kills, 43 assists, 35 digs, ten blocks, two aces, and a .323 hitting percentage.
Next Up
The Eagles conclude play at the Florida Invitational tomorrow against University of South Florida at 12 p.m. CT.
