SEC: No. 6 Gators Volleyball Celebrates SEC Title

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It was a picture-perfect night in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Thanksgiving Eve as the 2014 SEC volleyball champions capped off the program's 13th undefeated SEC season with a sweep of South Carolina (25-19, 25-9, 25-20). 

 The No. 6 Gators (24-3, 18-0 SEC) celebrated their three seniors, Maddy Monserez, Holly Pole and Taylor Unroe, in a pre-match ceremony, and were presented with the program's 21st SEC trophy in a post-match celebration.

Four Gators -- including Player and Freshman of the Year Alex Holston (12) and Rhamat Alhassan (13), All-SEC middle Simone Antwi (10) and standout outside hitter Carli Snyder (10), all put down double-digit kills thanks to All-SEC junior setter Mackenzie Dagostino's 46 assists and stellar ball distribution, leading the Orange and Blue to their 19th straight win and 13th conference sweep of the campaign. 

 Florida dropped just five sets in SEC play and racked up its 13th undefeated conference slate in program history.

Monserez (12), Pole (12) and Unroe (6) accounted for 30 of Florida's 44 digs Wednesday evening, while Pole (3) and Monserez (2) had all five of Florida's service aces. Alhassan denied the Gamecocks six times to lead UF in blocks for the 25th time this season. The Gators hit .450, their second-best offensive hitting efficiency this season.

Florida will enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with its annual trip to the UF Health pediatric unit before heading to the Pole family home in Ocala for Thanksgiving dinner. The Gators hit the road for their regular-season finale at No. 3 Texas Friday and meet the Longhorns in Austin Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on the Longhorn Network with Paul Sunderland and Nell Fortner.

The 2014 NCAA Volleyball Selection Show is Sunday, Nov. 30, at 8:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

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