Historic night for Kennedy! The Gator volleyball team wins its third straight game against Tennessee in four sets.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – On Friday night at the O’Dome, the Gator faithful witnessed something a Gator volleyball player hasn’t done in over 20 years.

Sophomore All-American Kennedy Martin recorded 31 kills, a record-breaking night that sees her join only Aury Cruz, the four-time AVCA All-American and three-time SEC Player of the Year with 31 kills, the last time she did so on Dec. 8 against Nebraska, 2001, in Florida’s Final Four match, which went to five sets.

The Gators have won three straight games, defeating Tennessee with a four-set victory in Gainesville.

It was a race to 25 in the first set. Tennessee took a 19-14 lead, but Florida fought back to make it 20-0. The two teams exchanged final points, but a successful Tennessee attack gave them a 24-22 lead and forced Florida’s timeout. Isabel Martin drilled two of her 14 kills to stay close, but the (10-8) Vols scored back-to-back points. UTenn 27 Gators 25

After a tough defeat in the first game, Kennedy Martin led the team to a comeback and demonstrated their dominance. Until the Vols got going again and took the lead 20:17. The Gators respond with their pair of Martins and Jaela Auguste tying the score. When the Gators are just one point away from taking the set, they look to Kennedy Martin for a kill to force another set. Gators 25 UTenn 23

In the third set Isabel Martin takes the lead 10:5 with a few more kills. After the Vols cut the number to three, Kennedy Martin made a few shots from the backcourt and the Gators maintained a five-point lead throughout for their best performance of the night. Gators 25 UTenn 16

Then in the fourth set, Tennessee drilled back-to-back aces to take a 13-10 lead and when it looked like the Vols were turning the momentum back. Kennedy Martin adds two more kills and Elli McKissock scores an ace to tie the score. Later, Emily Canaan makes an insane swipe where Taylor Parks puts the ball on Isabel Martin, who fires off a kill that leads to Kennedy Martin finishing the job with three of the last four kills, including match point. Gators 25 UTenn 20

The Martin duo combined for 45 kills, with AC Fitzpatrick recording nine and Jaela Auguste six. Alexis Stucky played in the first set and had 14 kills. Freshman Taylor Parks played in the final three sets and collected 40 assists. The Gators had a scoring average of nearly 45 on the night.

Florida finishes with an SEC record of 5-3 and an overall record of 14-5.

The Gators hit the road again on Wednesday night against Arkansas. First serve takes place at 8 p.m. on the SEC Network.

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