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BYU Women’s Volleyball’s match with Florida will be all about defense

By Shaun Gordon

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 06: A NCAA logo is seen outside the Georgia Dome before the 2013 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal between the Louisville Cardinals and the Wichita State Shockers on April 6, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 06: A NCAA logo is seen outside the Georgia Dome before the 2013 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal between the Louisville Cardinals and the Wichita State Shockers on April 6, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Florida comes to Provo on Friday looking to upset BYU Women’s Volleyball. In a battle of two Top 10 defenses, the margin of error will be razor-thin.

No. 4 seed BYU Women’s Volleyball faces one of the tougher Sweet Sixteen matches on Friday afternoon, and their opponent should rightfully feel snubbed.

Florida made a run to the championship game of the NCAA Tournament last year. They amassed a 26-6 record this season, and all six losses came against teams in this year’s tournament (No. 5 Texas, No. 10 Kentucky, No. 17 USC, No. 19 Tennessee, No. 24 Missouri, and Northern Arizona).

In the final AVCA Coaches poll they earned a No. 16 ranking, having played one of the most difficult schedules in the nation, yet weren’t awarded one of the 16 seeds in the tournament. Instead they got slotted in with No. 13 seed UCF, who finished the season ranked No. 21.

Yet here the Gators stand, having earned a Sweet Sixteen berth despite the snub and looking for more.

Because of their brutal schedule, Florida won’t be intimidated when they take on BYU in the Smith Fieldhouse. Just like the Cougars, the Gators swept both of the first two rounds, and they’ll have plenty of momentum when they roll into Provo.

Florida wins because they play good defense. They’re 10th in the nation in blocks per set (2.84) and 9th in opponents’ hitting percentage (.156 ). They aren’t the most potent offensive team in the country, but you’re not going to score easily on them.

But BYU is even better defensively. The Cougars are No. 5 in blocks (2.94) and No. 2 in opponents’ hitting percentage(.136 ).

Long rallies may be much more frequent on Friday as these two defenses go head-to-head.

Fortunately for the Cougars, they’re much more potent offensively than the Gators, leading the nation in hitting percentage (.319) and No. 13 in kills per set (14.27).

But we’re at the point where only the elite teams are left standing, 16 of them. The margin of error from here on will be razor thin for the Cougars, and they’ll have to bring their best if they’re going to swamp the Gators.

dark. Next. BYU Basketball: Takeaways from the Utah State win

NCAA Regional Semifinal

  • Florida vs. No. 4 BYU – Friday, December 7th at 4:30pm MT (ESPN3)
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