The South Carolina volleyball team (9-13) defeated the No. 25 Florida Gators (12-8) 3-1 at Carolina Volleyball Center on Sunday afternoon. This marks the Gamecocks' third conference win and second win over a top 25-ranked opponent this season.
South Carolina was able to earn the first point of the set with kill from junior middle Ava Leahy. An exchange of points occurred until the Gamecocks were able to take an early 7-4 lead with another kill from Leahy, a service error from the Gators and a block from sophomore right side Elise Marchal.
However, the Gators were able to take an 8-7 lead after a 4-0 run. After rallies from both teams, Florida was able to edge away from South Carolina, 16-14, after a kill and an attack error from freshman outside hitter Victoria Hill.
The Gamecocks were able to bounce back and regain the lead after two Gator service errors and an attack error.
Two more attack errors from Florida resulted in a called timeout by Florida, with South Carolina in the lead 20-19. South Carolina then called a timeout, still with a tight 23-22 Gamecock lead.
While Florida called another timeout after a Gators service error resulted in set point for South Carolina, the Gamecocks won the first set 25-22 shortly after with a kill from Leahy.
South Carolina was able to win the first point of the second set with a kill from senior outside hitter Alayna Johnson. Two kills from Leahy allowed the Gamecocks to take an early 3-1 lead. Two more kills from senior middle Emily Beeker and an attacking error committed by Florida resulted in a 6-2 South Carolina lead and a Florida timeout.
South Carolina further increased their lead after a Florida attacking error and kill by right side junior Laiya Ebo. However, a 7-0 run by the Gators tied the score at 9-9, resulting in a timeout called by the Gamecocks in the middle of the run.
The Gamecocks and Gators traded points, until South Carolina was able to pull away, 14-12, with a kill from Hill and a block from Leahy and Johnson.
Despite a further exchange of points, back-to-back aces from senior setter Kimmie Thompson resulted in South Carolina taking back the lead, 18-16, and forcing Florida to call a timeout.
Florida was able to tie with once more with South Carolina, until they eventually took the lead after a 3-0 run, resulting in a called timeout by South Carolina. Undeterred, South Carolina was able to rebound and outscore Florida 6-3, winning the second set 25-23 after a kill from Marchal.
The Gamecocks were able to win the first point of the third set with a kill from Johnson.
Though an early exchange of points occurred, Florida was able to take an early 5-3 lead after a 3-0 run. They managed to stay in the lead despite the Gamecocks maintaining their offensive momentum. However, attacking errors from Johnson and Hill allowed Florida to increase their lead 14-11.
A 5-1 Florida run forced South Carolina to call a timeout after the Gators' lead increased 19-12.
However, a 4-0 South Carolina run forced Florida to call a timeout of their own after their lead was cut to 5 points, 22-17. Florida was able to win the third set 25-18, though, only a few points later.
The Gamecocks were able to earn their first point of the fourth set off a kill from Hill, managing to go on a 3-0 run to take an early lead, 3-2. Another Gamecock 3-0 run allowed South Carolina to increase their lead 6-3.
However, Florida was able to go on a 4-0 scoring run of their own, taking the lead 8-7 and forcing South Carolina to call a timeout. Another scoring run by Florida increased their lead, 11-8.
Though a series of points were exchanged, Florida was able to take a 17-14 lead. However, a kill from Leahy, two Florida attacking errors and a service error allowed the Gamecocks to tie with the Gators, 18-18.
Florida was able to maintain offensive momentum, forcing South Carolina to call a timeout after their lead increased 22-20. However, the Gamecocks were able to tie with the Gators after two kills from Ebo, 22-22.
A kill from Marchal and two kills from Leahy helped the Gamecocks win the set on a 3-0 run, winning the set, 26-24.
Big hitting from Leahy
Coming in second with the most kills during the match to Marchal, Leahy recorded a total of 10 kills. She ties her season-high record of 10 kills against Arkansas, marking her second game with double-digit kills and bringing her total number of kills on the season to 119.
"I think we work really hard in practice everyday, and this kind of showcased it, and thank God that we were able to go out there and win and play our best and just honestly, have fun. It was a really fun match for us," Leahy said.
Junior outside hitter Nia Hall currently leads the Gamecocks with 237 kills on the season. South Carolina currently ranks 12th in the SEC for overall kills.
Defense and offense in sync
Despite Florida earning 162 attacks and 63 kills versus South Carolina's 145 attacks and 52 kills, both the Gamecock defense and offense were able to work together, something that head coach Sarah Rumely Noble said helped the team win.
"We come in, and we train, and we want to get better and when we play at a really high level in practice, it breathes belief into what we're capable of doing," Rumely Noble said. "We've been talking for a long time about getting our offense and our defense to be good in a match together, and we did that today."
South Carolina's defense outscored Florida's defense, in terms of digs and blocks. The Gamecocks had 61 digs and 11 blocks versus the Gators' 59 digs and nine blocks.
Looking towards LSU
The Gamecocks look to take on the LSU Tigers (10-12) in yet another conference matchup. While the team looks towards earning their fourth conference win, this matchup will be even more meaningful for the team since it will be senior night.
"I just think everyone is going to give their all and give their best for the seniors, and I'm really excited to see what happens," Leahy said.
Rumely Noble also said she is excited for the Gamecock's upcoming match against the Tigers and excited to get back to work at practice.
"We're getting better every match, and I think that I'm excited to get back into the gym and continue to grow in certain areas where we can even be better," Rumely Noble said. "It's always fun when you have senior night and you get to honor your seniors. We have LSU coming in, and it's going to be a fun one for sure."
What's next?
South Carolina will take on the LSU Tigers on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at the Carolina Volleyball Center at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on the SEC+ Network.