Chanel Brown busted into college volleyball with a successful first season in 2010.
She was a Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team selection, Florida’s primary setter and the team leader in assists per set.
But what gets overlooked is Brown was enduring a major learning process. Coming out of high school as one of the nation’s top outside hitters, the 5-foot-9 sophomore had never been a setter before.
“A very good athlete with a lot of tools,“ coach Mary Wise said.
“She just needed to refine those to play that position.”
Redshirt freshman libero Taylor Unroe got plenty of opportunities to watch Brown’s play last season while sidelined with a broken bone in her ankle. She described her teammate as an energetic and talented player who was lacking confidence.
After an offseason of long hours in the gym, Unroe insists Brown is much improved.
“This year she’s very sure of herself and taking coaching a lot better,” Unroe said.
Brown’s freshman year was a challenge, although her stats might not show it.
“Coming in your freshman year, you’re just learning the whole aspect of the game and how fast paced it is, but now we’re in a rhythm and just letting the offense come naturally,” Brown said.
Specializing in assists, Brown tends to fall under the radar while powerful hitters like Kelly Murphy, Stephanie Ferrell and Kristy Jaeckel soak up the attention. After opening the season with 54 assists in three games (UF has 110 total assists), she has improved in connecting with the Gators’ more celebrated attackers.
“Part of it is comfort, confidence,“ Wise said. “She’s taken a ton of reps setting the ball. … She was in here at noon [Thursday] taking extra reps.”
While the season has opened with success, Brown and her teammates have the same goal — a national championship for a team that has repeatedly failed to take that next step.
The journey continues today at noon and 7:30 p.m. as Florida hosts JU and FAU, respectively, on day one of the Campus USA Credit Union Invite at home.
Setter Chanel Brown is impressing teammates during her second year at UF.
