No. 4 Florida volleyball extended its winning streak Sunday, but its fourth consecutive sweep came with late challenges from Arkansas.<\/p>\n
The Gators defeated the Razorbacks 25-22, 25-20, 25-23 at the O\u2019Connell Center, improving to 19-2 overall and 10-1 in SEC play. Florida has won six straight matches and 12 consecutive sets while remaining undefeated at home at 10-0. Arkansas fell to 11-11 (3-8 SEC).<\/p>\n
Despite never trailing, Florida struggled to close out sets. The Gators hit .227, below their .285 season average entering the weekend, with 17 attack errors and seven service errors.<\/p>\n
Junior setter Taylor Parks finished with 30 assists, six kills on seven attempts and three aces, hitting a match-high .857. Parks entered Sunday coming off SEC Player and Setter of the Week honors.<\/p>\n
Logan King, Jordyn Byrd and Alec Rothe added seven kills each, while Brooklyn Briscoe had five kills and four blocks.<\/p>\n
Arkansas\u2019 Parker Duncan led all players with 14 kills, hitting .357, and Lakin Laurendine added eight. Florida coach Ryan Theis said the Gators had trouble defending Duncan.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we struggled with setup and some communication there from a block setup standpoint, but she\u2019s a really good player,\u201d Theis said. \u201cSiding out is king so she can\u2019t run a bunch of points.\u201d<\/p>\n
Florida took control early, opening the first set on a 7-0 run behind three Byrd kills, two blocks involving Byrd and Briscoe and a Lily Hayes ace. But after the Gators built a 24-18 lead, Arkansas scored four straight points. Byrd ended the threat with a kill for a 25-22 win.<\/p>\n
Parks fueled another fast start in the second set, serving three consecutive aces with Florida leading 3-1. Rothe followed with a kill as the Gators pushed their lead to 9-1.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey feel awesome,\u201d Parks said of the aces. \u201cWhen you turn and everybody\u2019s cheering for you, it feels awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arkansas responded late again. Trailing 22-15, the Razorbacks scored four straight points, including two aces by setter Kiki Remensperger, before Florida closed the set on a Rothe-Parks block.<\/p>\n
Parks said the Gators needed to be more disciplined when protecting leads.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to see us have a little bit more consistent discipline throughout the set,\u201d Parks said. \u201cContinuing to slow the game down, stay together, and communicate a little bit better, to keep those leads towards the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
The third set was the closest. Tied at 5-5, Florida went on a five-point run, but four service errors and Arkansas\u2019 late push allowed the Razorbacks to tie it at 22-22.<\/p>\n
After exchanging points, the teams were tied again at 23. Parks set up King for a kill, and an Arkansas error sealed the sweep.<\/p>\n
Despite the win, Theis pointed to preventable mistakes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just think we made too many bad volleyball plays,\u201d Theis said. \u201cIn that last set you\u2019ve got like 47 volleys, and then 5 or 6 of them were just making bad touches. Too many missed opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arkansas never led, tying Florida only four times, all in the third set.<\/p>\n
The Gators improved to 53-5 all-time against Arkansas and will host South Carolina on Friday, looking to extend their winning streak and defend their perfect home record.<\/p>\n
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