On most days, Kristy Jaeckel is one of Florida’s most dominant and important offensive weapons.
The redshirt senior outside hitter has 88 more kills than anyone else on the Gators’ volleyball team. She has also taken 210 more swings than any of her teammates.
But in her final season, Jaeckel is not satisfied with having the hardest swing on the court or just being the player setters constantly look for. She has turned her focus to being a more complete player.
“You love it when seniors are working that hard to improve that aspect of their game,” coach Mary Wise said.
As Florida nears the conclusion of its regular season and the dawn of a final postseason for a five-deep senior class, Jaeckel’s all-around play seems to be peaking.
Last weekend, she turned in two of the best defensive performances of her career. On Friday night against LSU, Jaeckel picked up a career-high 20 digs, eclipsing her previous high of 16 that she registered earlier this season against Stanford.
“Can’t say enough about Kristy Jaeckel,” Wise said. “She never got on track really, offensively. She had some good looks. The ball just didn’t fall for her. … But she just battled with those 20 digs to help us win that [match] in four (sets).”
Two days later, Jaeckel clicked offensively and defensively. She led the team with 19 kills and 22.5 points, while also managing 10 digs and two blocks.
Her play has not only been polished on the defensive side of the ball; Jaeckel has also become a more versatile offensive player, increasing her serve efficiency and transitional passing game.
Jaeckel’s serving has been crucial for the Gators during the past month. Beginning with a career-high seven service aces against South Carolina on Oct. 19, she has been a vital piece when it comes to starting runs for the Southeastern Conference’s most efficient offense.
“Kristy has just been working on her toss, and now she’s really getting into a rhythm,” fellow senior outside hitter Stephanie Ferrell said. “It’s always been there. She’s always had a great serve, but I think she’s just getting on a roll now.”
Teammates have attributed part of the Gators’ current stretch of 12 wins in 14 games to an increased emphasis on aggressive serving in practice, something Jaeckel has benefited from greatly.
Wise sees Jaeckel’s contributions in an expanded number of areas as a sign of maturity for a player she said once would damage opportunities with errors and misfires.
“Kristy’s playing like a fifth-year senior who has got a lot of volleyball ahead of her,” she said.
“No doubt she’ll be playing somewhere starting in January overseas and enjoying a different kind of lifestyle than a college student.”
UF outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel has become a more complete player in her senior season. She had 30 digs and 24 kills in two games last weekend.
