With 6-foot-2 Betsy Smith and 6-foot-4 Tangerine Wiggs patrolling the net last season, coach Mary Wise never had to worry about the Gators not getting enough blocks.
Florida averaged 2.45 stuffs per game, which was good enough for fourth in the Southeastern Conference.
But the back-row defense, which mainly consisted of three sophomores and a freshman, did not produce like the front line did in 2012.
Wise said experience from last year will help the Gators’ defense in preparation for teams like Texas, which posted 156 points against UF in just two matchups.
"For the first time, our defensive people are upperclassmen," Wise said. "We really think there is no substitute for experience."
Juniors Taylor Unroe, Holly Pole, Madison Monserez and sophomore Nikki O’Rourke each showed flashes of their athleticism in 2012 with acrobatic diving saves during crucial in-game situations.
However, Wise said she expects to not just see athletic moves in the back-row defense but also smart moves because of the players’ experience.
"The four [defensive specialist]’s, their volleyball IQs have really risen," she said. "The effort has always been there, but now you’re adding technique and IQ. It’s the best combination."
Despite Unroe earning the fifth-highest digs total in the SEC last year, the Gators finished last in their conferenceand 217th in the country in number of digs per set.
Now, with an older lineup in the back row to support Unroe, Wise said she can experiment with the libero position more to utilize the team’s needs.
"What we are asking of her this year is we need more point scoring from her from behind the end line and more range defensively, since now there are other players who have some defensive skills," she said. "Hopefully, we can use Taylor in more than just one position."
Having the most experienced set of defensive specialists since 2010 is key for Florida as it pursues its first Final Four appearance in 10 years.
Monserez said a big part of the Final Four mentality that Wise is pushing on her squad is learning from the past and relying on those who have been there.
"As you get older, you try to teach everyone and help everyone learn the system," she said. "We’re all doing it together, and everyone is doing great."
Follow Jonathan Czupryn on Twitter @jczupryn.
Junior libero Taylor Unroe serves against Florida A&M on Aug. 25, 2012, in the O’Connell Center. UF won the match 3-0.
