Gators advance to NCAA second round, will clash with FSU on Friday

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Senior middle blocker Chloe Mann put on the best postseason performance of her Gator career thus far, registering a .700 clip with 15 kills and two blocks as Florida swept Jacksonville (25-19, 25-15, 25-16) in NCAA first round action at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on Thursday to set up a Florida-Florida State showdown Friday.

As a squad, the Gators turned in a .476 hitting efficiency – their second-best clip in NCAA tournament history – behind double-digit kills from Mann (15) and sophomore outside hitter Živa Recek (11). The Gators will meet the Seminoles – who swept Georgia Southern Thursday – in a Sunshine State second round showdown for rights to a trip to the round of 16 in Champaign, Ill. Dec. 13 and 14.

Jacksonville became Florida’s 21st opponent this season to hit under .200, as the Orange and Blue held the Dolphins to a .175 clip