GAINESVILLE, Fla. | For the third time in four years, Alabama State faces Florida in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
The match on Thursday night is a rematch from last season's opening round matchup won by Florida, as the champions of the SEC and SWAC clash. Both teams enter the matchup ranked inside the top 10 nationally in opponent's hitting percentage.
 
Alabama State enters the match with 42 consecutive victories against conference opponents, with no team winning more matches against conference opposition this season (21-0). The 42 consecutive victories is the second-longest active winning streak in the nation, and is just 12 shy of the top 20 all-time in NCAA Division I history.
 
Florida (25-1, 17-1 SEC) recently clinched the Southeastern Conference title after downing Missouri in four sets. Carli Synder leads the Gators with 318 kills and is second with 306 digs, and Rachael Kramer posted 267 kills on a .431 attack percentage.  Statistically, Rhamat Alhassan is the team's best two-way player (247 kills, team-best 162 blocks, .387 hit percentage). Allie Monserez facilitates the offense with 699 assists on the season, as the Gators have five players with at least 100 kills.

The SWAC Player of the Year, Ni'yesha Brown, recorded 444 kills, while Briana Dorsey – the SWAC Tournament MVP - recorded 344 kills on a league-best .409 attack clip to go with 135 blocks. Sophomore standout Payten Clark has posted 215 kills and 116 blocks, while Bayle' Bennett (313 K) and Krysta Medearis (272 K) have given Alabama State five players with over 200 kills on the season.
 
The match can be seen on SEC Network+ (via WatchESPN) with Tom Collett and Missy Whittemore calling the action. The game can also be heard on BamaStateSports.com, the official site of Alabama State athletics, and locally on 98.1 FM with Ryan Urquhart and Josh Crow on the call.
 
The match between Alabama State (28-10) and the second-seeded Gators will start at 7 pm inside Exatech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center, following the opening match of the day between Miami (Fla.) and College of Charleston.
 
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