If Taylor Unroe keeps digging, Florida will have to replace the O’Connell Center floor.
The junior was honored on Sunday for reaching 1,000 career digs at UF, and she responded with 31 digs in the Gators’ two matches last weekend.
“Unroe arguably had her best full weekend in two matches where she was really good in all three of the things that we ask of her,” Wise said.
“From point scoring behind the service line, anchoring our team serve receive and defending balls.”
Unroe is the 12th Gator to reach the 1,000-dig plateau. The junior currently has 1,214 in her career.
“I think you combine her serve receive that’s been solid since she got here, but her digging skills have improved so much,” Wise said.
Unroe’s 31 digs raised her total to a team-leading 298. No other Gator has 200 digs this season. She leads the team with 4.2 digs per set — 1.6 more than Ziva Recek.
The senior defensive specialist has played a crucial role in Florida’s solid defense. The Gators have swept 16 of their 21 wins this season.
But Unroe provides UF with more than just high dig numbers. She has also been serving effectively.
Unroe is second on the team in total service aces and service aces per set, trailing only setter Taylor Brauneis.
“She definitely is serving the best she has since has come to Florida,” Wise said.
“With the jump top spin, and she is the only regular player who serves that for us, these past few matches she has really served the ball well in terms of the pace.”
Florida bounced back from a loss to Missouri on Oct. 20 — which ended the Gators’ 13-match winning streak — to earn two home sweeps the following weekend. Winning in three sets against both the Tigers and Volunteers helped the Gators stay in contention for an Southeastern Conference championship.
“Winning always helps,” Wise said. “Playing at home helps.”
Wise’s team will not be afforded the luxury of home games this coming weekend.
Next up, Florida travels to play two road matches, starting with LSU at 8 p.m. on Friday and ending with Texas A&M at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The two SEC opponents mark the start of Florida’s final eight regular season matches, with the final home match being played against LSU on Nov. 22.
Follow Erica A. Hernandez on Twitter @EricaAlyssa.
Junior libero Taylor Unroe reacts to a play during Florida’s three-set victory against FSU on Sept. 17 in the O’Connell Center.
