Sunshine Invitational
Score: #16 Florida 3, VCU 0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-20)
Location: Gainesville, Fla. (Exactech Arena)
Records: VCU 4-5, Florida 6-2
 
The short story: VCU piled up 10 blocks, but it wasn't enough for the Rams to stop 16^th-ranked Florida Saturday in their Sunshine Invitational finale.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Junior outside hitter Ana Brangioni provided six kills, eight digs, a block and an ace, while hitting .286 for the Rams
• Senior outside hitter Qairo Bentley contributed seven kills, 10 digs, four blocks and an ace in an 11-point performance for VCU
• Junior middle blockers Sarah Stratton and Jasmine Knight supplied five and three blocks, respectively, for the Black & Gold
• AC Fitzpatrick led all player with 10 kills for host Florida

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU hit .065 in the match as Florida's back line helped pile up 53 digs
• The Gators hit .208 overall, but set an early tone with a .387 mark on the way to a 25-17 win in the opening set
• The Rams tied the first set at 14-14 on back-to-back kills by Knight and Bentley, but watched Florida rattle off seven of the next eight points, including three on service aces, to take a commanding 21-15 lead
• The second set turned Florida's way at a similar junction. A VCU double block by Bentley and Stratton punctuated a 5-1 run that provided the Rams with a 14-12 lead. From there, it was all Florida, as the Gators promptly embarked on a 13-3 run to close the set 

NOTABLE

• VCU averaged 2.83 blocks per set in three matches at Florida. The Rams produced a season-high 16 blocks Friday night in their win over Georgia Southern
• Saturday's match was VCU's first against a top-25 opponent since it faced No. 4 Ohio State and No. 24 Pepperdine in back-to-back contests in September of 2021 

NEXT UP
VCU will return home to host the second of two home tournaments this fall Sept. 16-17 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. The Rams will take on North Carolina on Friday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. to open the weekend. Saturday matches with UMBC and Old Dominion are on tap as well.