Coach Mary Wise has many reasons to be excited about this year’s volleyball squad.
With one of the deepest rosters since at least 1996, the tallest signee in Florida history in 6-foot-4 freshman Rhamat Alhassan and a No. 10 ranking in the AVCA Top 25 preseason poll, the 2014 campaign is looking to be one of the most promising yet.
And while preseason training has only been in session for a few days, seniors Holly Pole, Maddy Monserez and Taylor Unroe are basking in the glory of what it means to be a senior.
However, what makes this senior squad unusual is their positions. Unusually enough, they all play the back line.
Pole, originally a walk-on in 2011, has been key to the Gators back line as a defensive specialist.
In 2012, she played in 32 of 33 games and made a season-high 14 digs in a win over LSU to clinch the Southeastern Conference. She completed the 2013 season with 224 digs and started in 14 of 32 matches, seeing time in all 108 sets during her junior year.
While the Ocala, Fla., native didn’t have the same experience as other recruits on the court during her journey to Florida, coach Mary Wise sees her as a necessary component in bringing the back line together.
“Holly arguably has the highest volleyball IQ on our team,” Wise said. "Holly is constantly coaching up her teammates and I think when it’s all said and done, some may say Holly may be one of the best walk-on players we’ve ever had -- it would be fair, but I think at the end of the day we can say Holly is one of the best defensive players we’ve ever had.”
Joining Pole as a defensive specialist is Monserez. In 2012 Monserez started 32 of 33 game and she recorded a career high 16 digs in Florida’s sweep against Tulsa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In 2013 she finished the season with 113 digs and started in six of 29 matches.
While Monserez and Pole play as defensive specialists on the back line, Unroe holds the libero position.
The Muncie, Ind., native finished 2013 as the SEC Libero of the Year while leading the SEC in aces (41) and being ninth in the conference in digs (415).
With the three preparing themselves and the five freshmen for the 2014 season, Unroe said the team is just looking to become better as a unit.
“We always want to have the best season possible, do our part in the gym, focus on our side of the net and just do the things we can control to get the farthest in the SEC and the (NCAA) Tournament,” Unroe said. “We just want to focus on ourselves.”
However, Wise is less focused on the future and more focused on the here and now. The coach entering her 24th season at UF is using the preseason to bring together the team and is pleased with her seniors’ leadership.
“I think if you were to describe this senior class of Maddy, Holly and Taylor, it would be: they are the worker bees.” Wise said. “The amount of work they have put in over the past four years to improve their game and to make each other better, what has been so special is watching how invested they are in each other’s improvements. They all play the same position. It’s very unique, they are looking at competition as bringing their best to make the other person better as well.”
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Holly Pole records a dig during Florida's 3-2 loss to Florida State on Dec. 6 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the O'Connell Center. Pole has 527 career digs and 52 career service aces heading into the 2014 season — her senior year.
Taylor Unroe squats to dig the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Alabama on Nov. 17 in the O'Connell Center. Unroe, entering her senior season as Florida's libero, has 1331 career digs and 108 career service aces.
Maddy Monserez prepares to serve the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Alabama on Nov. 17 in the O'Connell Center. Heading into her senior year as a defensive specialist, Monserez has 457 career digs and 40 career service aces.
