Courtesy: Florida Athletics
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 4 Florida Gators open up the home portion of their schedule with the Bubly Invitational, featuring three great matches in Exactech Arena.
On Friday at 7 p.m., the Gators face No. 7 Southern California. The last time the Trojans traveled to Gainesville in Dec. of 2017, Florida mounted a tremendous comeback to win in five sets and move on to the program’s eighth NCAA National Semifinal.
Florida then plays Louisville on Saturday at 5 p.m. The Cardinals are receiving votes in the latest AVCA poll. UF has not faced Louisville since the 2005 season, where Florida swept the Cardinals in Omaha, Neb.
To close out the Bubly Invitational, Florida faces UCF at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Gators have not faced the since Knights since the 2014 season, where Florida topped UCF 3-1.
SEC Network will air Friday night’s match, with Paul Sunderland and Missy Whittemore on the call, while both Saturday and Sunday’s matches will be streamed on the SEC Network +.
ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM/850 AM will feature radio broadcasts during all three matches, with longtime play-by-play man Tom Collett and Josh Crow.
These three matches will be the first opportunity for many Gator fans to see the 2018 squad, which consists of seven newcomers. One of those newcomers, reigning SEC Freshman of the Week Thayer Hall, became the first Florida Gator freshman in the Mary Wise-era to record at least 20 kills in her collegiate debut (Nebraska, 20).
No. 4 Florida at No. 7 Southern California
Time & Date: Friday, Aug. 31 | 7 p.m.
TV: SEC Network | Live Stream: SEC Network | Live Stats: Sidearm/Statbroadcast | Radio: ESPN 98.1FM/850AM
Series Information – No. 4 Florida vs. No. 7 Southern California
Trojans | 2018 season synopsis: 3-0 overall
- This is the 10th meeting between the Gators and the Trojans
- Florida trails: 4-5
- 3-set: 1-3 | 4-set: 1-2 | 5-set: 2-0
- Home: 2-0 | Away: 1-3 | Neutral: 1-2
- Last Time Out: Dec. 9, 2017 | Gainesville, Fla. | W, 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 18-25, 26-24, 15-11) | NCAA Regional Final
No. 4 Florida vs. Louisville
Time & Date: Saturday, Sept. 1 | 5 p.m.
Live Stream: SEC Network + | Live Stats: Sidearm/Statbroadcast | Radio: ESPN 98.1FM/850AM
Series Information – No. 4 Florida vs. Louisville
Cardinals | 2018 season synopsis: 3-0
- This is the seventh meeting between the Gators and the Cardinals
- Florida leads: 6-0
- 3-set: 5-0 | 4-set: 0-0 | 5-set: 1-0
- Home: 4-0 | Away: 0-0 | Neutral: 2-0
- Last Time Out: Dec. 9, 2005 | Omaha, Neb. | W, 3-0 (30-28, 30-25, 30-22)
No. 4 Florida vs. UCF
Time & Date: Sunday, Sept. 2 | 3:30 p.m.
Live Stream: SEC Network + | Live Stats: Sidearm/Statbroadcast | Radio: ESPN 98.1FM/850AM
Series Information – No. 4 Florida vs. UCF
Knights | 2018 season synopsis: 2-1
- This is the 19th meeting between the Gators and the Knights
- Florida leads: 18-0
- 3-set: 13-0 | 4-set: 4-0 | 5-set: 1-0
- Home: 8-0 | Away: 7-0 | Neutral: 3-0
- Last Time Out: Sept. 21, 2014 | Gainesville, Fla. | W, 3-1 (28-30, 25-16, 25-21, 25-17)
Promotions
Friday
- Giveaway – Black “Point Florida” T-shirts will be given out for the first 1500 fans in attendance. Shirts will be handed out beginning at 6 p.m.
- Court Projection – Arrive early to every Gators home match this season for a brand new court projection!
- Friday Night Block Party – Every Friday night match, UF students can play games, win prizes, get free food and more pre-match.
- Kid’s Corner – Face Painting, balloon artist, poster making, games and more! You can also meet Alberta and get your picture taken!
- Rowdy Tunnel – UF Students, arrive early for the chance to be selected for the Rowdy Tunnel! Each Friday match, a Rowdy Tunnel will be selected to come down to the court and help cheer on the Gators as they run out prior to the match!
- Free Admission with Gators Football Ticket – Gator Fans can get in free to Florida Volleyball matches on home Florida Football weekends by showing their ticket to Gators Football!
- Post-match Autographs – Florida volleyball players will sign autographs for fans following the match
Saturday:
- Giveaway: Posters, schedule cards, magnets, point Florida cards
- Rhamat Alhassan Honda Award – Join the Gators as we recognize Rhamat Alhassan for receiving the distinguished Honda Award prior to the match!
- Free Admission with Gators Football Ticket – Gator Fans can get in free to Florida Volleyball matches on home Florida Football weekends by showing their ticket to Gators Football!
Sunday:
- Giveaway: Posters, schedule cards, magnets, point Florida cards
- Kid’s Corner – Face Painting, balloon artist, poster making, games and more! You can also meet Alberta and get your picture taken
- Kid’s Tunnel – Kid’s 12 and under can line the tunnel as the team runs out onto the court.
- Sunday Spike Line – Every Sunday, kids in 8th grade and under are invited down to the court following select matches to spike the ball over a lowered net.
- Free Admission with Gators Football Ticket – Gator Fans can get in free to Florida Volleyball matches on home Florida Football weekends by showing their ticket to Gators Football!
- Post-match Autographs – Florida volleyball players will sign autographs for fans following the match
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