University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
20-11, 6-10SEC
Florida
20-5, 12-4SEC
Vols Drop 3-0 Match at No. 15 Florida
November 15, 2015 | Volleyball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Tennessee Volunteers kept pace with the 15th-ranked Florida Gators but could not close out a set of their own in a 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-19) loss Sunday at the O'Connell Center.
The Vols (20-11, 6-10 SEC) have now lost five consecutive matches. Sophomore Stephanie Buss led the Vols with a season-high 13 kills, and sophomore Kanisha Jimenez added 11 kills.
Florida (20-5, 12-4) was led by 14 kills from Alex Holston and Carli Snyder.
The Vols have a bye week ahead before returning to action for the last two home matches of the season. They next host Auburn on Nov. 25 at 9 p.m. at Thompson-Boling Arena.
In addition to having 13 kills, Buss hit a team-leading .436 and had four digs and three blocks. Her 13 kills is her most in Tennessee uniform; she had 15 as a freshman at Cal State Fullerton.
Florida pulled away for a 19-14 lead midway through the first set, but the Vols responded by winning four of the next six points to cut the lead to 21-20 on a kill by Jimenez. Florida closed the set by winning four of the final five points, sealing the set 25-21 on a kill by Simone Antwi.
Jimenez had seven kills in the first set to lead the Vols.
Like the first set, Florida made its move midway through the set. The Gators went on a 5-1 run to take a an 18-11 lead, but the Vols responded by winning 9 of 13 points to close the lead to two points at 22-20. Treiber and Raina Hembry scored back-to-back kills to pull the Vols within a point at 23-22. Buss, who recorded seven kills of her own in the second set, saved a set point with a kill to make it 24-23, but Florida won the next point to end the set.
The third set was also a close contest. Florida broke a 14-14 by winning four of the next five points and never trailed from there. The Vols pulled within a point at 18-17 on a Buss kill, but the Gators again won four of five points to pull away. Florida closed the match on a 3-0 run, finishing the set at 25-19. Florida out-dug Tennessee 48 to 35. Freshman Brooke Schumacher led Tennessee with seven digs.
The Gators had won the previous meeting this season 3-0 at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Vols are 1-3 against top-25 opponents this season.
