Sept. 21, 2013

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Gabby Mallette had 12 kills and fourth-ranked Florida hit .396 for the match en route to a 25-10, 25-15, 25-10 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Saturday night at the Al McGuire Center.

The Gators (11-1) committed just nine hitting errors and showed the form that has them eyeing a Final Four berth in December.

Julie Kolinske had seven kills to lead Milwaukee (4-7).

Florida is the highest-ranked opponent the Panthers have ever faced.

"Florida is an amazing team and they have everything covered," Milwaukee head coach Susie Johnson said. "It was very challenging, but it was good for our team to see what that level is like. The physicality of that match won out."

Florida used a late run to pull away in the first set. The Gators broke a 2-all tie with eight of the next nine points for a 10-3 lead. UWM pulled to within 13-7 on a Kolinske kill and 14-8 on a Hannah Blanchard kill, but the Panthers could get no closer. Florida ran off nine of the next 10 points to build a 23-9 advantage and then closed out the frame on a pair of kills by Mallette.

The Panthers made a good run midway through the second set to push the Gators. Florida jumped out to a 13-4 lead and looked like it might run away, but Milwaukee found a spark from a pair of blocks. Rachel Neuberger and Myanna Ruiz teamed up for the first one, with Neuberger joined by Blanchard on the second, helping Milwaukee pull within 15-8. The Panthers kept coming, as a kill by Ruiz made it 16-10 before another Ruiz kill had Milwaukee within 17-12. UWM stayed in touch at 18-13 and 19-14 behind a pair of Kolinske kills, but the Gators answered with a final surge. Two blocks started the final burst and a kill from Noami Santos-Lamb finished things off.

The Gators then surged midway through the third set to wrap things up. Milwaukee had an early 4-3 lead on a kill by Kolinske and things were still tied at 6-apiece before Florida surged ahead. In fact, it was a run of 11-straight points that put the Gators ahead 16-6 and they never looked back.

The Panthers wrap up the weekend by taking on Marquette Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Al McGuire Center.