Florida State delivered more than a gut check to Florida on Wednesday night. The Seminoles punched the Gators square in the mouth with a three-set sweep in Tallahassee, Chloe Mann said.
But the junior middle blocker said the team’s veteran leadership will be a key factor in helping the No. 11 Gators bounce back. Mann said UF's match against Mississippi State on Friday at 7 p.m. will show the resilience of the younger players and the influence of the upperclassmen.
“Friday will definitely be a true test as to if we can continue to stay focused when we’ve been punched in the face,” Mann said. “Grinding it out a little more will be a little better next time around.”
Redshirt senior Tangerine Wiggs said she and the rest of the veteran players stressed toughness to the team. Wise has called the Gators a “grind-it-out” squad all year, and Wiggs wants her team to reflect that mentality even when it is up against the wall, as it was against FloridaState.
The Gators’ 3-0 loss to the Seminoles was their second three-set defeat against a non conference opponent this season.Wiggs said she doesn’t want her team to be remembered as one that rolls over when faced with adversity.
“We really focus on toughness, despite what the score is, and understanding we play hard for every point,” she said. “That’s something us older players really try to instill in the younger players so they’ll work on that tradition and that culture continues.”
After falling to FSU for the first time since 1994, Florida associate head coach David Boos said it is important for the veterans to keep a calm head and help the young players progress.
If Florida can do that, Boos believes the squad will be on the verge of another hot streak.
“There’s a bunch of players on our bench who have never seen this before,” Boos said. “It’s very brand new to them. So it’s good for them to see this. We are right there.”
