For the first time in more than three decades, Florida volleyball will take the court without its former head coach Mary Wise.
UF head coach Ryan Theis is set to fill Wise’s shoes and take over Florida’s program, which is ranked No. 16 in the AVCA Division I Women's Volleyball Poll.
"I am excited to continue the legacy created by Mary Wise,” Theis said. “We will embrace the expectations through an others-oriented, team approach. We will make daily choices that steer us toward success and be champions in everything we do.”
The new coach will lead a young team after many of last season’s key players graduated or transferred. He and his players looked confident as they took the court for their first scrimmage on Sunday evening.
Theis is no stranger to Gainesville. He spent two seasons at UF as the Gators volleyball offensive and recruiting coordinator in 2006-07. From there, he coached at Ohio University for six seasons and at Marquette University for 11 seasons before returning to Gainesville.
"Beyond winning at a high level, Ryan has an intentional approach in developing the overall student athlete — athletically, academically and socially, while embracing the community and university,” Florida’s athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a press release. “Ryan and his family will make a seamless transition back to UF as he leads this famed program and proudly represents the Orange and Blue."
Theis bolsters a 74% winning percentage, ranking among the top 15 active NCAA Division I head coaches. He has also made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and is a two-time Mid-American Conference coach of the year.
"It is a great honor to be named the head coach of the Florida Gators,” Theis said in a press release. “I have been a fan and admirer of Florida volleyball and Mary Wise for more than 25 years.”
Theis will be joined by assistant coaches Abby Gilleland, Ryan Walthall and Eysha Ambler, who coached alongside Wise beginning in 2021.
Not only will UF have to move on from Wise, but it will also have to navigate the loss of junior outside hitter Kennedy Martin. Martin, the 2024 AVCA Southeast Regional Player of the Year, announced her decision to enter the transfer portal in May, landing with defending national champions Penn State.
The Gators also graduated six seniors last season, including outside hitter AC Fitzpatrick, who started in 17 games last season, and libero Elli McKissock. Both players have been constants for Florida, with McKissock anchoring the lineup as a starter in every match since her sophomore year.
Florida will also be missing outside hitter Isabel Martin, who started in all 31 games last season as a redshirt senior.
Middle blocker Gabrielle Essix missed most of last season due to a knee injury, and graduate transfer student setter Erin Engel saw limited playing time. But their absences still left holes in Florida’s competitive roster, which had to be filled heading into this year.
UF’s 17-person roster comprises five incoming freshmen, eight sophomores, one junior and three seniors. The Orange and Blue scrimmage on Aug. 17 previewed how the team is coming together.
Freshman middle blocker De'Andrea McMillian, redshirt freshman libero or defensive specialist Ella Vogel, freshman opposite Milica Vidičić, redshirt freshman outside Kira Hutson and freshman L/DS Lily Hayes are the new young faces of Gators volleyball.
Though new to college play, Florida’s freshman class has a notable amount of experience and talent.
"Vidičić has a high level of experience as an opposite in international play and has contributed major points to her team," Theis said.
Hayes and Vogel could also come into play as the team tries to replace McKissock and find their next libero. However, seniors Emily Canaan and Emerson Hoyle and sophomore Bella Lee are also competing for the libero or defensive specialist position for the upcoming season.
In the Orange and Blue scrimmage, Lee and Canaan sported the libero jerseys on their side of the net for the first set. Hayes and Vogel then took the spot for set two. Hayes maintained that position for the rest of the game while Canaan and Vogel switched.
Outside the libero position, Canaan played in all 31 matches and totaled 156 digs in 2024 — proving she’ll continue to have a significant role on the team. The veteran has an opportunity to be promoted into a leadership position in 2025-26 due to the roster’s youth.
Meanwhile, senior middle blocker Amaya Thomas and redshirt junior setter Alexis Stucky will round out the upperclassmen.
Four true sophomores — middle blocker Jaela Auguste, setter Taylor Parks, outside Lauren Harden and middle Alec Rothe — join redshirt sophomore outsides Aniya Madkin, Jordyn Byrd and Madi Gravlee to complete the roster. However, Gravlee will not see the court this season due to an undisclosed injury.
Parks, who won a gold medal with the U.S. U21 Team in 2025, has starting experience entering her second year after Stucky was sidelined for most of 2024-25 with a torn ACL/MCL.
“She's a winner,” Wise said of Parks before the 2024 season.
Madkin, Rothe, Hutson, Harden and Byrd also showed their power and efficiency at the net, suggesting a strong offensive arsenal for the Gators this season.
The Gators’ schedule pits them against eight ranked opponents, including No. 3 Pitt and No. 5 Texas. Theis also faces his former Marquette team on Sept. 19.
Florida kicks off its season against No. 6 Stanford Cardinal, who ended UF’s 2024-25 season in the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal. First serve is Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Contact Ava DiCecca at adicecca@alligator.org. Follow her on X @avadicecca24.
