Through seven home games this season, Florida has played host to two teams ranked in the AVCA Top 25. But it’s tonight’s matchup with an unranked Kentucky team that has UF coach Mary Wise dialed in.
“They’ll be as tough of a match as we’ll have all season at home,” she said.
After starting their season in a 2-2 lull, the Wildcats (11-2, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) have reeled off nine victories in a row due in large part to size and physicality.
Kentucky enters Gainesville leading the SEC in blocks and trailing only South Carolina in kills.
After the first of two film sessions this week, senior outside hitter Stephanie Ferrell gave her take on what she has seen from UF’s first home conference opponent of 2011.
“They’re very consistent and they have some nice athletes on their team, so they’re going to push us,” she said.
While the focus with the Wildcats is on size and power, they are putting a new focus on defense this year, much like the Gators (8-2, 1-0 SEC).
Junior libero Stephanie Klefot leads the SEC in digs with 227 — 90 more than UF defensive specialist Taylor Unroe.
“Kentucky is a team that has really found itself and it didn’t take long,” Wise said.
Offensively, the Wildcats are led by outside hitter Ashley Frazier, a transfer from Alabama who led the Crimson Tide two years ago.
“They block very well,” Wise said. “They have the ability to point-score out of all different rotations. They run a 5-1, and they’re very effective with it.”
Meanwhile, the Gators are coming off an easy victory over a middle-of-the-road Mississippi State team. Florida managed to help out its conference-leading team hitting percentage with a .327 performance against the Bulldogs.
With a double round-robin format, SEC play brings an air of familiarity that is not present during the early season non-conference slate.
“Having played the players on their team in the past, we play a little bit of their tendencies,” junior Tangerine Wiggs said. “It’s exciting to know that you’re going to know something about the people you’re going to play.”
