Christal Caldwell has practiced basketball before.
But not like this. Not at the college level.
The conditioning during the summer between high school and college was something she had to get used to.
"It was nothing I couldn't handle," she said. "But it was a lot that I hadn't seen before."
The adjustment period continues today as the UF women's basketball team opens the season with its first official day of practice.
The team sentiment was that practice ushers in the new season and now, after weeks of weight training and pick up games during the summer and fall, the team will be able to develop its structure in practice.
Steffi Sorensen said she would have to wait until after this season to rest and the summer was all about getting into top physical shape.
And while the players will feel the physical burden with the start of practice, it'll be the mental game that's exercised the most.
Heading into practice, Caldwell said she's ready thanks to some forewarning from the seniors. They cautioned against turnovers in practice and stressed that the freshmen were expected to pick up on the game sooner rather than later.
With a younger and newer-looking team than UF coach Amanda Butler has had, practice serves as a showcase of skills and competition for playing time, especially with a guard-heavy team.
Transfer Jordan Jones may be the most anxious for practice. Coming from South Carolina, Jones sat out last year per NCAA transfer rules. With a year off to focus on herself, Jones is ready to begin her UF career.
And that starts with practice.
"I don't know what I'll be saying when it's two and a half hours in and my legs are hurting, but I'm so ready for the season to get going," she said.
There's also the unspoken standard Butler is bringing to the program. In just two years, Butler already matched the school record for wins in a season (24), and it's a trend the seniors want to uphold.
Sorensen said Butler wanted the team to hold itself to a standard of excellence, regardless of what outsiders say.
"We have an expectation to really go out with a bang," senior Susan Yenser said.
She said the team wants to build on what it did last year while attempting to raise the bar.
Sophomore Trumae Lucas said the bare minimum for the team's desired performance is last year's outcome. After spending the offseason working and tweaking last year's weaknesses, Lucas predicted the team would be quick in the post and with its guard play, and the offense would be tailored around the shooters.
"Our perimeter shooting is going to be out of this world," Lucas said.
While Florida may be a dangerous team from the outside, the Gators will be still be led by defense.
But first, UF will have to prove itself on the court.
"At this point it's all talk because we haven't actually done it," Yenser said.
