During Florida's recent blocking drought, senior libero Elyse Cusack wrote a quote on the whiteboard before practice that the team will play by for the rest of the season.
While other Southeastern Conference teams have been flying first-class, the Gators have been the class of the league - and saving money in the process.
As Kristy Jaeckel's attack hit the O'Connell Center floor just beyond the in-bounds line, every player on the Florida volleyball team faced an outcome they had never been a part of: a regular-season loss at home.
In the span of a season, one of Florida's oldest volleyball rivalries has changed from a traditionally lopsided affair into a battle for conference supremacy.
Mary Wise gave a quick fist pump as she looked at the stat sheet after Sunday's match. The Gators didn't just outblock an opponent for the first time this season, they dominated at the net.
Friday's match was not only a long-awaited return to the O'Connell Center for the Gators after a lengthy and successful road trip, it also marked Callie Rivers' return to the starting lineup.
Kelly Murphy's versatility has her coach dreaming of a rule change or two.
There was more on the line than usual for Florida.
Just looking at the stats from Friday's match, it would seem as if the Gators cruised to an easy three-set victory.
Before their last match against No. 3 Washington, coach Mary Wise said it wasn't often that the Gators were forced to take the underdog role, as they did in that showdown.
After the UF volleyball team edged FSU in a five-set thriller on Aug. 31, coach Mary Wise said she received feedback from a number of fans saying they couldn't wait to come back and see another match in the O'Connell Center.
TAMPA - The Gators learned the hard way how wide the gap can be between two of the top teams in the country.
TAMPA - The Gators learned the hard way how wide the gap is between two of the top teams in the country.
TAMPA - Playing against a senior-laden team in front of a hostile crowd Friday night, the Gators displayed a little maturity of their own.
If the Gators' plans for this season pan out, this weekend will only be the first time they make the trip to Tampa to play in a four-team tournament.
Before departing for California, UF coach Mary Wise said her team's back-to-back matches this weekend would provide a challenge similar to what the Gators will face in the NCAA Tournament.
It's been nine months since Stanford eliminated Florida from the NCAA Tournament, but it seems as if the Gators have eliminated their memories of that game.
Before departing for California, UF coach Mary Wise said her team's back-to-back matches this weekend would provide a challenge similar to what the Gators will face in the NCAA Tournament.
The Gators seem to have a flare for the dramatic.
It's been nine months since Stanford eliminated Florida from the NCAA Tournament, but it seems as if the Gators have eliminated their memories of that game.
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