Gators volleyball advances to NCAA second round

Recording their highest hitting percentage in an NCAA Tournament match in school history (.476), the 16 overall seed No. 14/15 Florida Gators (24-5) defeated the College of Charleston Cougars (18-13) 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-18) in first round action at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on Thursday. Five Florida players hit .400 or better in the match, and the team as a whole out-blocked College of Charleston 6.0-3.0. The Gators have advanced to the second round where they will face the Florida International Golden Panthers (32-3) on Friday at 7 p.m. in the O’Dome. FIU is the Sun Belt Conference regular-season champion.