Junior Kisya Killingsworth (Deltona, Fla.) recorded 14 kills and five blocks and sophomore Kelsey Bowers (Gainesville, Fla.) added 13 kills and six blocks in helping No. 5 Florida to a 3-0 sweep (30-19, 30-21, 31-29) of Colorado on the final day of competition at the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic on Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Gators (4-1) rebounded with a solid performance after falling to No. 10 UCLA the previous evening to end the competitive tournament with a 2-1 record and sweeps of No. 7 Hawai’i and Colorado, which was receiving votes in the latest coaches poll.

“For playing three matches in three days, it was a very good performance,” Florida coach Mary Wise said. “We were dealing not only with physical fatigue, but mental fatigue as well. This was not an easy schedule for us and our team really responded. Kisya did a great job today and really showed that she’s getting more comfortable with the role we’re asking of her.”

The Gators out-hit Colorado (1-3) .358-.135 and finished with more kills (56-41) digs (50-44) and blocks (14.0-4.0). The victory was the sixth in the last seven tries for Florida against opponents from the Big XII as UF is undefeated against eight of the 10 schools from the conference the Gators have faced.

Bowers hit .750 on the evening from the middle, while Killingsworth hit .464 to pace the Gators. Freshman libero Elyse Cusack (Gainesville, Fla.) also added a match-high 15 digs. Junior setter Angie McGinnis (Fraser, Mich.) chimed in with 44 assists, seven kills on .429 hitting, nine digs and a pair of block assists.

McGinnis and junior outside hitter Marcie Hampton (Gainesville, Fla.) were both named to the Wahine Classic All-Tournament Team

The opening frame was tight until the Gators used a 9-1 run at the midway point to forge ahead in a 30-19 win. Florida began the game well by scoring seven of the first nine points as UF had four kills from four different players and a solo block from senior Stefanie Douglas (Belton, Texas) in the stretch. The Buffaloes came back within two points at 10-8 and 13-11. With Colorado trailing by three at 17-14, the Gators mounted their 9-1 run in which Hampton and Bowers provided strong serving to help the cause. Bowers also notched a pair of kills on overpasses, while Killingsworth added two kills as Florida opened up a 26-14 advantage. Douglas and junior opposite hitter Amber McCray (Longview, Texas) eventually sealed the game with a tandem block on game point. Florida out-hit Colorado .400-.071 in the game with Killingsworth leading all players with six kills on .545 hitting. Bowers also picked up five kills on .571 hitting and tied for the team lead in digs with three with Cusack.

The second game was similar to the first with Florida propelling itself to the win with an 8-2 run in the midway stage of a 30-21 win. Things were tight early on with the Buffaloes taking their first lead of the match and eventually moving out to a 6-4 advantage. The Gators responded with five straight points on a pair of kills from Bowers, two tandem blocks from Bowers and McCray and a Douglas kill to go ahead 9-6. Colorado tied the game at 10-10 before the Gators rallied with the next three points. The game was close until Florida separated itself with a 4-0 run to extend its advantage to 18-13. The Buffs clawed back to within three at 21-18, but Florida answered with an 8-2 run to surge out to a 29-20 lead. Killingsworth had three kills in the stretch and a pair of block assists before she ended the game with a kill from the middle. Florida out-hit the Buffs .351-.128 in the game and totaled 7.0 team blocks. Killingsworth led all players with six kills on 10 swings and also added a game-high four blocks. Cusack paced UF with six kills in the game.

The third game found the Gators in a dogfight until the end, but UF fended off a late Colorado rally in a 31-29 win. It was close in the opening stages with Florida getting a bit of separation with a 4-0 run to move out on top 10-7. The gap between the teams was never greater than three points the rest of the way with the Gators holding a late 26-23 advantage. But Colorado stormed back with four-straight points to move ahead 27-26. Florida responded with a kill from Douglas and a solo block from Killingsworth to regain the lead at 28-27. The Buffs tied things at 28-28 before Killingsworth recorded a kill from the middle to set up a game-point for Florida. Colorado fended it off with a kill before the Gators reached 30 points on a kill by McCray. The match-clinching point was delivered next when Bowers and McCray teamed for a block. McCray paced UF with five kills on .714 hitting, while Cusack led the Gators with six digs.

Florida will return to action next weekend when the Gators return home to host the Campus USA Credit Union Classic Sept. 8-9. Florida A&M and Illinois State will open the tournament at 5 p.m. (ET) on Friday followed by a Florida-Central Florida matchup at 7 p.m. (ET). On Saturday, Central Florida and Florida A&M will face each other at 1 p.m. (ET) with the Gators taking on Illinois State at 3 p.m. (ET) to round out the tournament.

Florida’s contest with UCF will be carried on Rock 104 and www.GatorZone.com, while the Illinois State match will be carried only on www.GatorZone.com.

Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic All-Tournament Team
Nellie Spicer, UCLA
Tara Hittle, Hawai`i
Katie Carter, UCLA
Alex Buth, Colorado
Marcie Hampton, Florida
Angie McGinnis, Florida
Nana Meriwether, UCLA (MOP)