[SLIDESHOW] Volleyball falters with chance to win SEC crown

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By T.J. Walker

Memorial Coliseum was all set for a historic day on Sunday, but the history the No. 10 UK volleyball team (27-3, 17-2 Southeastern Conference) expected will have to wait.

The No. 13 Florida Gators (21-5, 15-4 SEC) have won the SEC title for 18 straight seasons. This year the Gators played another huge role in the SEC title, albeit not one they are familiar with.

The Gators, who are eliminated from clinching the SEC title, beat the Cats 3-1 (31-29, 25-23, 24-26, 25-21) and force UK to wait until Nov. 25 for a chance to win a share of the SEC.

“I don’t know, I guess they just played harder than us today,” junior outside hitter Sarah Mendoza said.

UK started hot in the first set but the Gators fought back. The set went back and forth before the Gators pulled it out in the end. The situation in the second set was very similar to the first; UK had a 23-22 lead but couldn’t hold on as Florida stormed back to win the set.

“We need to focus on being consistent and not getting up and down and if we do lose a couple points don’t let it affect us,” senior libero BriAnne Sauer said.

UK defeated the Gators in Gainesville, Fla., earlier this season but the Gators flipped the script on the Cats. Florida used 10 blocks and forced UK to a low hitting percentage to even the season series.

“I don’t think they did anything differently, we just didn’t take care of easy points and couldn’t score,” Sauer said.

The Cats seemed deflated after losing two close sets, and on top of that, they came out without senior setter Sarah Rumely, who was sick. The Cats fell behind early but were still able to force a fourth set.

“We know what we have to do, its about stepping up and making it happen and unfortunately we didn’t get it done today,” UK head coach Craig Skinner said.

UK still has a chance to win a share of the SEC. The Cats will get a chance to avenge their loss to Tennessee when they head down to Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday night.

Although the mood at Memorial Coliseum was far different than it was at the beginning of the match, Skinner still believes in his team.

“I have complete faith in this team,” Skinner said. “I know they will come in and practice hard on Monday and Tuesday, they always practice hard and there’s an opportunity Wednesday and I know they will come hard and there is no other team I would rather be coaching.”