Being one of three programs with multiple athletes selected to the Preseason All-Southeastern Conference team, Florida volleyball is positioned for success with the talents of Jordyn Byrd and Alec Rothe. The SEC Coaches Poll announced the Gators are projected to finish No. 4 in the conference.
With Florida volleyball preparing for the 2026 season, the team has the chance to prove the program can still thrive without longtime head coach Mary Wise, who departed the program after the 2024 season. In 2025, the Gators saw their worst season in over three decades, going 16-12 overall and 9-6 in the SEC, leaving massive room for growth under head coach Ryan Theis. That said, Florida’s roster looks different this year, leaving fans wondering how this season will pan out.
Following a standout first season with the Gators, rising sophomore libero Lily Hayes has made another memorable mark on the court. Representing Team USA in the 2026 NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup, Hayes helped the team bring home gold.
The 2027 season marks McKissock's second with the team. She played a critical role in the team’s victory at the franchise’s first Major League Volleyball Championship in 2025. This past season, McKissock played for the Atlanta Vibe, accumulating 152 digs and 2.34 digs per set across 65 sets played.
Student-athletes spend years striving to excel in their sport, dedicating hours to practices, conditioning and competition. But for many, one question looms over their head: What comes after sports?
When Nadi’ya was as young as 10 years old, she began seeking out extra training on her own, running with her brothers and finding ways to improve her athleticism.
Head coach Ryan Theis’ first season with the Florida Gators officially came to an end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
An injury to one of the Owls' top hitters shifted momentum early on in the match.
Florida enters the NCAA volleyball tournament in round one to face Rice University. While the two haven't met in three decades, they saw similar results against the opponents they had in common this season.
Florida’s run in the SEC Volleyball Tournament came to an end Sunday.
In the first SEC Volleyball Tournament since 2005, No. 5 Florida entered in the second round as the reigning champions and made a statement.
After a season full of ups and downs, Florida wrapped up its regular season with a 14-10 record and a 9-6 record in Southeastern Conference play, securing the No. 5 seed in the SEC Tournament.
To close out its regular season, Florida snapped a three-match losing streak, defeating Ole Miss on Nov. 14.
The Gators couldn’t close out a 22-17 lead in set three.
The Gators have existing issues that must be addressed in its final two regular season matches
Jordyn Byrd led Florida offensively against her former team, but the Gators were defeated in four sets against No. 4 Texas on Friday night.
Florida volleyball’s 2025 roster is made up primarily of underclassmen. Of the 17-person roster, only four have more than two full years of collegiate experience. Among them is veteran defensive specialist Emily Canaan, who has been the sole senior on the floor for most of this year.
Gators volleyball will take on one of the top teams in the country when they face the No. 4 Texas Longhorns. There's some key areas the Gators will need to focus on in order to earn an upset victory.
In an upsetting loss, Florida volleyball dropped its third straight match to South Carolina, marking the first time in program history that the Gamecocks have won three consecutive matches against the Gators.
After a 3-1 loss against the Bulldogs ended their 2024 season, the Gators returned to Athens, Georgia, with revenge on the brain, and delivered.
Solutions by The State News
