When the NCAA selection committee put together the pool last Sunday for this year’s volleyball tournament, Florida found itself in a tough spot.
While the Gators were excited to nail down their place in the 64-team bracket and begin prepping for their first opponents, Florida (26-5) did not earn one of the tournament’s 16 seeds and had to go on the road to Cedar Falls, Iowa for the opening rounds for the first time.
But the Gators proved away games weren’t an issue when they secured a win Friday against future Southeastern Conference opponent Missouri and knocked off the tournament’s No. 6 seed Northern Iowa on Saturday.
Now, the Gators are coming home to the O’Connell Center for the tournament’s Sweet 16.
“We’ve had some incredible matches over the years, but we’ve had the benefit that all but one of those, now two, we were at home,” coach Mary Wise said after the win against UNI. “To beat a team as talented and well-coached as Northern Iowa, but to do it on their home court, that was a reflection on these two seniors (outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel and setter/right-side hitter Kelly Murphy) and how well they played.”
Jaeckel and Murphy combined for 57 kills in the two matches, as Florida took advantage of its most experienced offensive players to win both of its weekend games 3-1 after dropping the first set in each.
But it was the thought of continuing their season in the O’Connell Center in front of a dedicated fan base that really fueled Florida’s motivation to secure the wins.
“I think we definitely used it, and we embraced it,” Jaeckel said. “We could have thought of it the other way, thinking that it was a disadvantage, but we took ownership of it and we came out here and we played with no fear. We came out and played as hard as we could.”
The Gainesville regional, which has been advertised on banners hung from light poles around campus for months, will begin with a regional semifinal game Friday. The 5 p.m. match features two Big 10 teams — Ohio State (21-14) and No. 3 seed Illinois (29-4).
Florida’s match will follow at 7 p.m., when the Gators face another Big 10 squad, Michigan (22-12). The unseeded Wolverines are coming off a 3-1 victory against Stanford, the tournament’s 11th seed.
The key for the Gators will be to repeat what worked for them against UNI: A balanced attack that begins with solid first contact from the backcourt.
“We weren’t just getting digs, we were getting quality digs,” Murphy said. “We were able to set our middles in transition and our pins were open and we were just making smart shots.”
Florida outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel (center) and right-side hitter Kelly Murphy (left), both seniors, combined for 57 kills in the Gators’ first- and second-round victories in the NCAA championship.
