Coming off its worst season in three decades, Florida enters its second year under head coach Ryan Theis’ leadership with something to prove.
With a tough schedule ahead, the Gators must capitalize on their returning stars, challenge their ranked opponents and fill the gaps left by transfers to find success on the court again.
The Gators’ 2025-26 season proved adjustment takes time. After 34 years under head coach Mary Wise, Florida experienced a shake-up when she announced her last full season would be 2024.
For Theis, measuring up to the success of the legendary head coach has been nothing short of challenging. The Gators finished with a 16-12 overall record, positioning them fifth in the Southeastern Conference, and suffered an early loss in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Going into his second season in the program, the former Marquette University head coach will need to turn things around for Florida. With the team picked fourth in the SEC preseason coaches’ poll, the expectation to improve on last season and reestablish the program as a top contender is high, and the Gators’ deep roster offers a lot of talent to build on.
The team can expect strong efforts from standouts like redshirt junior outside hitter Jordyn Byrd and junior middle blocker Alec Rothe. Byrd proved to be a critical attacker last season, recording 425 kills and 457.5 points. Those efforts limited possessions for opponents and eliminated scoring opportunities before they even began. If Byrd can fully tap into her sizable potential, Florida can not only be a stabilized unit, but one capable of cranking up the dial when under pressure.
Rothe started all 28 matches last season and recorded a team-high in blocks (111) while finishing third in points (268) and fourth in kills (206). She also led the Gators seven times in hitting percentage. This year, Rothe is expected to step up and allow the team to fill holes from departed leaders.
Losing fifth-year setter Alexis Stucky to Penn State cut deep, but junior setter Taylor Parks’ performance last season despite limited playing time gave fans a glimpse of hope for future trials.
The Clearwater native has navigated the swampy waters twice before. As a freshman, Parks totaled 30 or more assists in 16 matches. Now, in her third year with the team, Parks has established herself as more than capable in her position. Last season, Stucky dominated as a setter for Florida, accumulating a favorable 1,062 assists – ranking 30th in assists per set for women’s volleyball DI players, according to the NCAA. Parks, meanwhile, followed Stucky with 111 assists across considerably less playing time.
With the privilege of playing time, Parks can potentially elevate the team as a leader and pose a threat to opponents on the court. If she proves to be a firm and dependable setter, Parks can set up her entire team for success.
The Gators have already had a chance to show off their talents on the court this Fall. The Gators vs. Gator Greats matchup opened the 2026 season Aug. 16 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The contest welcomed back alumni players while giving the 2026 roster a chance to rotate lineups and showcase talent.
Theis said the team looked slow early in the exhibition, especially with the players’ digs, according to Florida volleyball.
This doesn’t come as a complete surprise. Of Florida’s five highest dig leaders in the 2025 season, three won’t be returning to the team. Sophomore libero Lily Hayes led the team last season in digs (391), and redshirt sophomore outside hitter Kira Hutson tallied the fourth-highest number (205). This exhibition makes the team aware of what can be improved and gives players time to solidify improvements before those weaknesses become killers.
This season, eight newcomers will enter Florida’s roster, giving the team lots of room to experiment with lineups and rotations but limiting the volume of veterans. This adjustment could highlight fundamental strengths or weaknesses under a retooled roster and coaching staff.
The second season under Theis will prove whether last year’s struggles were part of a transition period or the start of a bigger, foundational problem within the team.
Theis is undoubtedly capable of fostering a championship-caliber team – with 15 NCAA tournament appearances, six conference championships, three-time conference coach of the year and more under his belt. The question is not if Theis is well equipped; it's if he will swim or sink, in The Swamp.
The Gators are just five days from their first match of the season against Nebraska in Arlington, Texas, for the Spikes Under the Lights contest. Facing a team with the No. 1 ranking in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll for the 2026 season, Florida has its first opportunity to challenge tough opponents on Aug. 27 against the Cornhuskers.
The exhibition match against Nebraska is just the beginning of one of the Gators’ toughest schedules yet. Florida will face three ranked teams in its first four regular-season matches before entering conference play. In a brutal opening stretch, the Gators will play No. 14 Minnesota, No. 6 Wisconsin and No. 21 Baylor across five days.
On the road, Florida will have to find a way to own its opponents’ court. The Gators travel west to College Station for a conference game against Texas A&M, which was picked No. 3 in the SEC, ahead of Florida.
They also prepare for their second-highest ranked opponent in a match against No. 2 Texas in Austin. Falling to the Longhorns 1-3 last year, the Gators will have to apply their previous season’s teachings to secure a victory.
Winning in the O’Dome won't be easy, either. Florida faces No. 3 Kentucky for its toughest match at home. Ranked No. 3 nationally and picked No. 1 in the SEC preseason coaches poll, the Wildcats will attempt to recreate last year's 3-2 win over the Gators.
With the pressure to return Florida to its glory days, Theis must show why he was chosen to lead the program. Improving on last year’s record, developing new talent and returning to a top program will be key to proving Gators volleyball’s success didn't leave with Wise.
Contact Sofia Alamo at salamo@alligator.org. Follow her on X @alamosofiaa.
Contact Nicole Scura at nscura@alligator.org. Follow her on X @NicoleScuraa.
Sofia Alamo is a Sports Journalism freshman at UF and the university’s Women’s Tennis beat reporter. Her favorite sports are soccer and tennis, and she aspires to be a sports broadcaster in the future.
Nicole Scura is a third-year journalism student in her second semester at The Alligator. She is currently a sports enterprise reporter and previously served as a hockey reporter. In her free time, she enjoys figure skating, traveling and watching football (Go Bucs!).
