Mary Wise can finally breathe. The new offense worked.
Florida’s head coach of 22 years showcased her new 5-1 rotation Friday night in a three-set sweep of Florida International.
But before the No. 18 Gators (1-0) took the court, Wise wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the offensive change or the fresh faces.
“There were so many questions,” she said. “We had no idea what it was going to look like. And some nerves about are we going to be OK. The match and the way we played not only helped the first year players, but the entire team.”
With the addition of six freshmen and junior Taylor Brauneis, the transfer from Louisville, Wise said the talent of the team leaned more toward a 5-1 offense rather than the traditional 6-2 system that she ran for the past four years.
The .417 hitting percentage by the Gators as a whole Friday night was more than enough proof for Wise and company that the offensive game plan is suited for the personnel. The Gators had their highest hitting percentage as a team on an opening night.
Chloe Mann recorded the second-highest hitting percentage in a game in NCAA history in last year’s 6-2 system. But she praised the new look offense and its efficiency following her game-high 15 kill performance.
“We’ve worked on it really hard during two-a-days, so we came in prepared, knew what we had to do and I thought it flowed pretty seamlessly,” Mann said. “We try to get the sets either to the front row hitters and back row hitters as equally as possible. That starts with our passing. We passed pretty well tonight and were able to keep a balanced offense. And Taylor [Brauneis] made some really smart decisions on her sets.”
The new 5-1 system leaves the junior transfer as the only setter on the court. She led the team with 38 of the 40 assists and also had one kill on three attempts.
Chanel Brown, one of Florida’s designated setters last season, had only 16 attempts in all of 2011.
“She’s adapted really well to the program and we’re all really comfortable hitting off her and passing to her,” Mann said. “As you saw, she’s really offensive out there, and I know that fans love it and we love her hitting balls and getting those kills for us.”
The freshmen were also key. Berkley Whaley, Florida’s freshman outside hitter, impressed Wise with 10 kills and a .350 hitting percentage.
“Berkley Whaley was nothing short of just outstanding tonight,” Wise said.
Whaley finished second only to Mann in both kills and attempts.
“It was absolutely amazing,” Whaley said. “Just from the start of it when they say ‘Here come the Gators,’ and we all run out, it’s a feeling like no other.”
Chloe Mann help the No. 12 Florida Gators defeat the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday night in Columbia, S.C. She set career highs with 20 kills and 22 points.
