Nov. 21, 2003

Florida took the first step to claiming its sixth consecutive tournament championship Thursday, downing Kentucky 3-0 (30-20, 30-19, 30-19) in the first round of the 2003 SEC Volleyball Tournament at the Volleyball Competition Facility on the campus of the University of South Carolina. The Gators’ extended their NCAA record to 85 consecutive games won.

Outside hitter Jane Collymore led the Gators with 19 kills and an equally impressive .471 hitting percentage. Aury Cruz and Amber McCray were right behind with 11 kills apiece. Setter Lauren Moscovic contributed 40 assists and Collymore tacked on a team-leading 14 digs for the double-double.

Kentucky scored the first point in game one, but Florida came back with four unanswered points, highlighted by strong net play by outside hitters Michelle Chatman and McCray. The Wildcats battled back to within one point at 9-8 but the Gators soon widened the gap to as much as 12 points, as SEC Player of the Year Cruz scorched several balls past Kentucky defenders, complemented by Collymore’s signature cross-court kill style.

Game two stayed close with strong play from Chatman, Collymore and middle blocker Sherri Williams, who found every hole on the floor, downing kill after kill to help make up an early three-point Gator deficit and bring the score to 9-9. Kentucky claimed the next three points before Chatman powered a kill to center court and McCray followed with a slam down the right side. Williams soared for another kill and libero Taylor Williams blasted an ace to reclaim the Florida lead at 15-14. Florida would not trail again and clinched game two, 30-19.

Cruz’s powerful arm helped move Florida out to an early lead in game three, while Chatman and Collymore pounded kills, seemingly unaware of the almost constant double-blocking by Kentucky. The Wildcats struggled defensively, erring on several passes and not able to battle back from a once ten-point deficit. With more accurate placement from Williams, Florida sealed the win at 30-19, as Cruz put down the final kill and match point for the Gators.

Kentucky outside hitter Liz McCaslin led the Wildcats with nine kills and seven digs, and setter Leigh Marcum posted 21 assists.