Rachael Kramer stood in front of reporters on Wednesday coming off Florida’s strong start to the season. Despite winning multiple honors this week, including the American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Week, she remained modest by crediting her teammates.
“It’s nice to get recognition but I’m almost more proud of the wins we have this season,” Kramer said.
Today, No. 3 Florida (2-0) will travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to participate in the SEC-ACC Challenge. The Gators will play against NC State (0-3) on Saturday and No. 16 North Carolina (0-2) on Sunday.
Kramer, a 6-foot-8 middle blocker, said the team is looking ahead to their trip to Puerto Rico this weekend as they prepare to take on their two opponents from the Tar Heel State.
“You have to treat every team the same,” she said. “It’s often those teams that aren’t ranked play even harder against you wanting to beat a top team.”
When asked what it will take for the Gators to avoid the hangover of two big wins to begin the season, coach Mary Wise looked towards the veteran players on the squad.
“We rely on the seniors,” Wise said. “And the experience that they have had over the years of understanding that whether it was a big win or a tough loss, at any point in the season, it’s always about how you’re getting better for the next match.”
Wise also talked about the performance of the defense over the weekend, praising the effort from the Gators on the protective side of the ball. She said the effort over the weekend proved the team could rely on their defense against top-five opponents.
“We had some great defensive play by Carli (Snyder), by (Caroline Knop), the blocking presence of Rhamat (Alhassan), what Cheyenne Huskey gave us in the Texas match, Shainah Joseph in both matches,” Wise said. “We can beat teams with our defense and our offense.”
Through two games this season, the Gators hold a hitting percentage of 19 percent, which is good enough for 186th in the nation, a polar opposite comparison to last year -- when the Gators held the best hitting percentage in the nation at 33.8 percent.
Wise also talked about the difficulties of playing away from home, saying it will be a “great learning experience” for the team.
“You’re on a neutral court with a lot of distractions,” Wise said. “It’s a challenge for our team to play two quality opponents, two very athletic teams with unique offensive styles that, without the luxury of the crowd and the comforts of home.”
You can follow Justin Ahlum on Twitter @justinn_case1, and contact him at jahlum@alligator.org.
Senior middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill during Florida's 3-0 win against Georgia Southern on Aug. 29, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.
