Elyse Cusack is strong - and not just on the court.
Coaches say she's one of the strongest athletes at UF, period.
"Pound for pound she's in the top-five," said Matt DeLancey, who's the assistant strength and conditioning coach for UF Olympic sports.
But then again, she has to be.
On a team that only has two seniors, the junior libero is forced to carry the load.
With senior middle blocker Kelsey Bowers' status day-to-day due to a nagging back injury and junior Kristina Johnson still dealing with soreness in her surgically repaired knee, Cusack steps on the court most nights surrounded by a group of young faces.
The Gators have consistently played three freshmen in the rotation this season. Two of which, Kelly Murphy and Kristy Jaeckel, are in the starting lineup.
"This year, with all of our youth, our greatest strength is Elyse Cusack," UF coach Mary Wise said.
She has played in 211 matches for the Gators and is coming off of a 2007 season, in which she became the first UF player to ever earn All-American honors at her position.
But she also often goes unnoticed.
While her high-flying teammates are blocking shots and smashing down kills at the net, Cusack quietly patrols the back row digging, leaping and diving to keep balls alive.
Though fans might get caught up in the flash of hitters scoring points, teammates know that it all starts with the woman in a different color jersey rolling around on the floor behind them.
"Those who know Gator volleyball, and know the sport, know that this is Elyse's team," Wise said. "This team is a reflection of her play."
In No.8 UF's win over No.23 Long Beach State Saturday Cusack had a match-high 20 digs, which helped to bring her team back after dropping the first two sets.
"We don't win that match without Elyse," Wise said.
Her set-point sideline dig against Florida State Monday night helped UF preserve a straight-set win over their in-state rival.
DeLancey attributes her success on the court to her work ethic off it.
A 185-pound power clean, the ability to jump eight feet and a 26.5-inch vertical leap have helped make Cusack one of the best defensive players in the country.
"She can bench press her body weight. That's unheard of for a female," Wise said.
But it isn't the numbers in the weight room that make her strong.
She is a teammate to rely on, a captain and a big sister.
Wise said that because the team is so young, Cusack knew coming into the season that she had to take more of a leadership role.
"She knows that the other girls look up to her now," Wise said.
If there has been one constant in UF volleyball this season it's the post-match praise for Cusack.
Teammates struggle to make it through an interview without mentioning the match-saving digs made by the junior.
As the Gators prepare to travel to Colorado for what will be their longest road trip of the season, they will once again turn to the woman who has been there before.
"It will be kind of intense for our freshman because they've never done that before," Cusack said of the trip.
Luckily for them, they'll have No.7 behind them the whole time.
