Florida has defeated nine ranked teams this year and has played arguably the toughest schedule in the nation, but with six of the team’s final eight matches on the road, the hardest part might still be ahead.
The No. 1 Gators (19-1, 12-0 SEC) will begin their three-match road trip when they take on Ole Miss (16-5, 10-2 SEC) tonight at 8 in Oxford, Miss.
“Winning on the road is really, really hard in this day and age in women’s volleyball,” coach Mary Wise said. “That will be the challenge for our team, the next challenge to come for over the last month. You go through the NCAA Tournament and who knows if we’ll have any matches at home? From the very first match it can be on the road.”
UF is coming off limited rest, ending a five-match homestand Wednesday after defeating South Carolina 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-13 ).
“We have the challenge of going on the road with a quick turnaround from a Wednesday night home match to Friday on the road at Ole Miss,” Wise said. “They’ve positioned themselves — if the bids came out today, they’re in the NCAA Tournament.”
After this road trip, Florida will have two matches in Gainesville before ending the season with another three away from home.
The Gators defeated the Rebels 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-19) in Gainesville on Sept. 26.
“They are very athletic, and they have two of the premier middles in the league,” Wise said. “I think the biggest change in their team is how well their setter plays.”
Ole Miss middle blockers Regina Thomas and Miranda Kitts rank second and eighth, respectively, in the SEC blocks standings. As a team, Ole Miss trails only Florida in that category.
The Rebels’ setter, Amanda Philpot, was named SEC Player of the Week last week after recording her first triple-double.
“This is a big challenge for our team,” Wise said. “The toughest part of our season is still ahead of us.”
