JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- For the first time in almost a decade, it's Dolphins and Gators on the volleyball court. Jacksonville will make the short drive southwest to Exatech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center to face the No. 10 Florida Gators Wednesday night at 6:30 PM.
JU last faced Florida in 2018. In all, the Dolphins have met the Gators 19 times in program history, with UF holding the 19-0 series lead. In their most recent matchup, Jacksonville took the opening set before falling to the hosting Gators in four sets.
The meeting also marks the second Top 10 opponent on the schedule for Jacksonville. JU previously battled the No. 2 Pittsburgh Panthers. This is the first time on record the Dolphins have raced two Top 10 teams in the regular season.
Jacksonville is coming off a run at the 305 Classic that saw the Dolphins finish 2-1 to move to 6-6 on the season. JU took down Alabama A&M and Central Michigan before falling to intrastate foe FIU.
Wednesday night's clash in Gainesville is the final game before the start of the ASUN season and the penultimate non-conference battle of the year.
@ No. 10 Florida | 6:30 PM ET | SECN+
Record: 8-1
Head Coach: Ryan Theis (2nd Season)
Players To Watch: OH Kamryn Chaney, S Taylor Parks, L Lily Hayes
The Gators are one of the top teams in the country, opening the season 8-1 with wins over Minnesota and Baylor highlighting the non-conference season. Florida is looking to build on head coach Ryan Theis's 16-12 debut campaign a year ago.
UF is headlined by transfer outside Kamryn Chaney, who leads the team with 3.7 kills per set. Libero Lily Hayes leads a defense, ranking fifth in the SEC in digs per set. Florida is allowing the second-lowest hitting percentage in its conference at .161.