Thrilling Five-Set Battle: No. 16 Lady Vols Fall to Florida at Home – University of Tennessee Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The No. 16 Tennessee Lady Vols faced a tough loss against Florida, falling in a five-set thriller at Food City Center on Wednesday.

Tennessee showcased impressive stats, achieving a season-high of 74 kills with a hitting percentage of .246. They also set a record with 80 digs and 5 blocks. However, 30 attacking errors proved costly.

Redshirt-junior setter Caroline Kerr had a standout performance, matching her career high with 57 assists. She added 15 digs, three kills, and a block, marking her 20th career double-double—her eighth this season. Senior outside hitter Hayden Kubik powered the offense, notching 24 kills and 13 digs, earning her 11th career double-double.

Sophomore opposite hitter Paityn Chapman contributed with 15 kills and four digs, while Chelsea Sutton, the sophomore middle blocker, had 13 kills and five blocks. Junior outside hitter Mackenzie Plante also made her mark with 16 digs and 11 kills, achieving her first double-double.

The match started with high energy. Tennessee struggled initially, with the score tied multiple times until they pulled ahead with a 5-0 run, winning the first set with 17 kills and a hitting percentage of .382. Kubik was particularly strong, recording seven kills early on.

The second set was fiercely competitive, with many ties leading to a narrow loss for the Lady Vols despite 18 kills. In the third set, Florida surged ahead, and Tennessee encountered difficulties with nine hitting errors.

In the fourth set, Tennessee rebounded with 19 kills at a .457 hitting percentage. Kubik continued her strong play, contributing seven more kills. Despite the momentum, the fifth set saw neither team back down. Unfortunately for the Lady Vols, attacking errors led to their downfall in the final moments.

Up next, Tennessee will host Auburn on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., a match fans can catch on SEC Network+.

### Additional Insights

According to a recent survey from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, teams with lower error rates have a significantly higher win percentage. This trend emphasizes the importance of precision in competitive play.

Social media was buzzing with reactions post-match, with fans expressing disappointment over the errors but praising the players’ efforts. A popular tweet captured the sentiment: “Heartbreaking loss, but the energy and fight were unreal! Ready for the next one!”

As seasons progress, maintaining focus during intense matches is critical. Coaches often emphasize mental preparation alongside physical training to minimize errors and boost performance under pressure.



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