When freshman setter Chanel Brown steps onto the court for Florida’s opening match, she will instantly accomplish a number of career firsts.
Whoever said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks never met Mary Wise.
The UF football team isn’t the only squad trying to replace a Southeastern Conference star. As junior John Brantley takes the reins from Tim Tebow, the Florida volleyball team will have to replace a leader of its own.
When a team features just one senior in the final match of its campaign, it usually comes back the next year with many of the same faces and can pick up right where it left off.
Every year, Florida kicks off its season with the Orange and Blue Scrimmage. Before the match starts, coach Mary Wise introduces all of the players to the fans.
Every year the UF volleyball team kicks off its season with the Orange and Blue Scrimmage. Before the scrimmage starts, head coach Mary Wise introduces all of the players to the fans that have come to watch.
When the Southeastern Conference all-time digs leader, Elyse Cusack, graduated and Colleen Ward and Brynja Rodgers decided to transfer because of personal reasons, depth was thought to be a problem heading into this season.
Sand volleyball at the college level almost never made it to the opening serve.
Two years ago, Mary Wise couldn’t believe her eyes.
The Gators had the chance to end two records on Friday.
This season, Florida’s unprecedented 18-year streak of conference dominance was snapped. On Friday, it will try to return the favor and end another team’s historic run.
For the last week, the Gators have had to hold it in.
For the last week, the Gators have had to hold it in.
Not much has changed in the last two years.
The Gators’ season hit an all-time low as they traveled to face Kentucky on Nov. 22.
After being selected to the NCAA Tournament field for the 19th consecutive season, the Gators should be accustomed to the postseason by now – but that isn’t the case.
No. 15 UF will face College of Charleston on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Boasting a taller starting lineup than the Gators, St. John’s presented a post-game threat that took a toll and manifested itself in a 61-47 win over UF on Friday in U.S. Century Bank Arena in Miami.
Although this is the first Gators team under coach Mary Wise to not win the conference, that won’t be the only way she remembers it.
As they headed into the final weekend of the season in 2008 the Gators’ focus was on the conference championship, but this year things are different.
Solutions by The State News
