University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Falls to No. 9 Florida in SEC Tournament
November 18, 2000 | Volleyball
- Box Score
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Nov. 18, 2000) -- The University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer volleyball team suffered its third loss of the season to No. 9 Florida in the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference Championships on November 18 in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. The Gators' 3-0 victory marked the second time in as many years that UF has knocked UT out of the conference tourney.
The 32 points head coach Rob Patrick's squad put on the board today was the most it has recorded against Florida in three meetings this season.
The Lady Vols sprinted out of the gates, going up 6-0 in the first game behind strong front row play of Kristen Clements (Manhattan, Ind./Lincoln-Way) and Janelle Hester (Davenport, Iowa/Davenport). UF inched their way back, knotting the frame at eight. With the Gators on the attack head coach Rob Patrick called a time-out, yielding a Florida side-out. However, the Lady Vols failed to capitalize on ensuing service and the Gators gained their first lead of the match at 9-8. The Florida momentum pushed the lead to 13-8 but, three straight Florida errors brought the Orange and White to within three points at 13-10. Patrick's squad was unable to hold on to its serve and the Gators went on to take the lead in the match with a 15-10 victory. The Gators out hit the Big Orange .222 to .115, but the Lady Vols held a 4-3 advantage on the block.
In the second stanza, Florida took an early lead at 4-1. Tennessee battled back to tie the game at four, scoring on an Andrea Peterson (Los Angeles, Calif./Notre Dame Academy) service ace. Peterson continued her serve and pushed the Orange and White ahead, 7-4. Florida head coach Mary Wise then called a time-out and the Gators came out of the break and stopped the Lady Vols' service. Unforced Tennessee errors brought Florida back and frame knotted at seven. Seizing the momentum, UF surged ahead 10-7. The game took another turn as the team from Rocky Top rallied to bring the game to its third tie at 11. The fourth tie arrived two points later at 13. Florida went on to take the second game 15-13. Trinia Cuseo (Forrestville, Calif./El Molino) tallied eight kills in the game to lead the Lady Vol attack.
Florida opened an 8-1 lead in the third game. Tennessee scored four points to reduce the deficit to three points at 8-5. The Gators would not let the Big Orange get any closer, taking the match with a 15-9 victory.
Cuseo led the Lady Vols, tying a career-high with 15 kills. Junior setter Erica Lear (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East) posted 38 assists and 10 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Kelli Scott (Peoria, Ariz./Peoria) tallied a team-high 11 digs and turned seven kills. Clements ended up with eight digs and three blocks, while Hester totaled eight kills and four blocks. Junior outside hitter Ariana Wilson (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) tallied under double-digit kills for the fourth time this season, she recorded nine.
The Lady Vols are now 22-8.
Up next, Patrick's squad will return to the Sunshine State for the SEC/Conference USA Challenge in Orlando, Fla. from Nov. 24-25. The challenge pits Tennessee and Florida against Cincinnati and Tulane. The Lady Vols meet Tulane at noon on Nov. 24 and Cincinnati at noon on Nov. 25.
