To date, Carli Snyder, Alex Holston and Rhamat Alhassan have been the pulse of Florida volleyball’s attack.
Responsible for more than 72 percent of the Gators’ kills, the trio has propelled an offense that ranks third in the nation in hitting percentage.
They’re undoubtedly effective. And yet, in hopes of continuing the team’s early successes through this weekend’s Blackbird Invitational and beyond, coach Mary Wise is looking to shake things up.
“From an offensive standpoint, we’re trying to, even as efficient as we are, become even more diverse,” she said.
Throughout practice this week, Wise has pushed the No. 8-ranked Gators to vary their offensive efforts.
And with a Saturday morning tilt against the University of Denver looming, there’s little question as to why.
Though unranked, Denver’s 4-3 record belies its potential. After an upset win against then-No. 20 Loyola Marymount, the Pioneers have the tools to possibly stymie Florida’s vaunted three-headed monster.
Senior middle blocker Ruth Okoye anchors a front line that ranks 19th nationally in blocks per set — the 6-foot-1 native of Aurora, Colorado, places among the country’s elite in both blocks per set (14th) and total blocks (6th).
UF, however, believes it is well-equipped to tear down that wall.
“Our team is playing so well together right now, and just with our hitters hitting such a high efficiency, it’s making my job a lot easier,” redshirt sophomore setter Allie Monserez said.
“Almost every ball, I have five options out of any position.”
Those options work to laterally stretch an opponent’s defense, challenging middle blockers to sprint cross-court and defend at either pin.
“As a team, other hitters are really opening people up,” Snyder said.
Given the talent that pervades the Gators’ starting rotation, sheer presence plays a role as well.
“Rhamat Alhassan is such a force to be reckoned with in the middle that, as a pin hitter, it really does open me up,” Snyder said.
“We always laugh after one of the pins gets a kill because it’s you, the setter, the passers, but it’s also the middles who are holding a block for you. We say Rhamat should get half a kill for every kill we get, too.”
At this stage, Wise is looking for regular contributions from her entire roster.
If the Gators can execute against Denver, Sunday’s contest against hosts LIU Brooklyn — a team that has lost 18 of 21 sets played — ought to serve as a final tuneup before next Wednesday’s showdown at Florida State.
Should Florida tweak its game to Wise’s desire, it’ll be in prime position for conference play.
“It’s not about where you are pre-conference,” she said, “it’s about playing your best volleyball at the end.
“Everything we do is big picture, long term.”
Contact Alejandro López at alopez@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @ajlb95.
Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Texas A&M on Oct. 9, 2015, in the O'Connell Center
