Nov. 23, 2003

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Aury Cruz notched 15 kills for Florida while Jane Collymore added 12 as the top-seeded Florida Gators won their sixth straight Southeastern Conference Volleyball Tournament Championship Sunday in Columbia. The Gators (31-1, 16-0 SEC) cruised to a 3-0 win over Arkansas (24-6, 15-1 SEC) as they extended their game-winning streak to 91 consecutive games and 30 consecutive matches this season. With the win, Florida gains an automatic invitation to the NCAA Tournament, whose pairings will be announced next week.

Florida hit an impressive .396 on the match while Arkansas could only must a .010 hitting percentage. Florida out blocked Arkansas 13-3 and had 47 kills to the Lady ‘Backs’ 27.

Florida dominated from the start of game one, holding Arkansas to a -.086 hitting percentage as Sherri Williams led the Gators with six kills. Florida led by as much as ten at one point and never let up in a game where UF hit .357 and recorded 14 kills to Arkansas’ eight. The Gators eventually cruised to a 30-16 game one win.

Arkansas hit .182 in game two, the best of the three game set for the Lady Backs, but Florida hit .417, the best of the three game set for the Gators. Florida set up a brick wall in the game, recording four team blocks while the Lady Backs could only make one. Collymore led Florida with eight kills and one service ace while Cruz added five kills and two aces in a game that saw Florida only commit four errors in 36 attempts. The Gators took a 2-0 match lead at the half as they won game two 30-19.

Game three was more reminiscent of game one as once again Florida refused to allow Arkansas to have a positive hitting percentage. The Gators hit .407 in the game while Arkansas hit -.057. Sara Kincaid led Arkansas with four kills in the game while Cruz paced the Gators with seven. Florida’s brick wall held firm as they made six team blocks to Arkansas’ one. Florida sealed the 3-0 match win with a 30-15 game three victory.