If you were to walk in on a Florida volleyball practice at the Gale Lemerand Gym, it wouldn’t look like one.
Florida’s current roster consisting of 17 players, which includes five freshmen, is the deepest it has been in years. As a result, practices are more akin to competitions, starters are becoming increasingly replaceable and the freshmen aren’t just reserved as benchwarmers.
The No. 10 Gators’ depth of talent will be on full display when they host Georgia Southern, Idaho and Oklahoma this weekend in the Active Ankle Challenge tournament.
“The good thing about how Mary (Wise) has this whole system set up is, yes, you do have a starter, but you always have an opportunity to fight for a position,” junior Mackenzie Dagostino said. “Even though technically I am a starter right now, I will always be competing in the gym.”
As will defensive specialist Madison Monserez.
“Within positions, the competition is so intense because of the depth,” the senior said. “But it’s also great because every position is helping each other grow, helping each other out.”
Lately, Wise and associate head coach Dave Boos have utilized a hands-off approach in practices by grouping players by positions and allowing them to coach each other.
By observing and critiquing their teammates, many players agree that the team’s overall volleyball IQ has skyrocketed.
“I think in the past the effort has always been there, but the IQ is the thing we’ve really raised to the next level,” Monserez said. “When you’re teaching people and your helping others, you're actually helping yourself by saying “oh that’s kind of how I do that.’ The coaches have embraced it and we’re doing a really great job applying it.”
With five incoming freshmen, a lack of volleyball knowledge and playing experience was an early concern with this year’s group.
Additionally, Florida was dealt a significant blow after losing senior Chloe Mann, the NCAA’s all-time leader in hitting percentage.
But the middle blocker position will hardly suffer.
Experienced blockers Simone Antwi and Shainah Joseph, as well as 6-foot-4 freshman Rhamat Alhassan will look to fill in the position.
“We really like where Simone’s game is now… Shainah had as good a spring in terms of development as any player I can remember. And then with Rhamat, coming off her terrific summer performance with the USA junior national team,” Wise said. “It would be unfair to ask them to pick up exactly where Chloe left off offensively, but there are signs that what they are doing now is further ahead of what Chloe was doing at this time.”
This is especially true of Alhassan, who recorded a 36-foot-8 vertical and can be frequently seen leaping chest-high above the net in practice.
“She’s still figuring it out,” Wise said of Rhamat. “But its only a matter of time. My guess is there will be a lot of students who will be able to say with great enthusiasm that they were in school when Rhamat was here.”
Florida will play its first match against Georgia Southern at 12 p.m., followed by a 7:30 p.m. match against Idaho. The Gators wrap up their season opening tournament on Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. matchup against Oklahoma.
“I think were just really excited to use everything that we’ve learned in pre season and kind of apply it,” Monserez said. “We’ve been playing against ourselves a lot in scrimmages and I think were all really excited to put all that we’ve learned to use in front of a real live team.”
Follow Ian Cohen on Twitter @ibcohen5
The Florida volleyball team huddles prior to its 3-2 loss to Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Florida opens its season today against Georgia Southern in the Active Ankle Challenge.
