In 2012, Maddy Monserez did not start a single match.
Nonetheless, the then-sophomore prepared, worked hard and stayed ready. Eventually, it paid off.
Monserez — originally a walk-on for UF — led Florida past Tulsa in the first round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament that year, finishing with a match-high 16 digs.
So far this season, Monserez has started just six of UF’s 11 matches.
But that has not stopped her from making an impact for the Gators in one way or another.
No. 9 Florida has an abundance of physical talent, like freshman Rhamat Alhassan’s 37-inch vertical, sophomore Alex Holston’s strong arm and junior Mackenzie Dagostino’s effective jump serve.
But UF’s other strengths lay not in its physical gifts but in the contributions from its players found slightly further down on the depth chart.
"Maddy came to us as a walk on with limited playing time given to her her first year," Wise said. "What she expressed was, ‘I may not be playing now, but I’m gonna keep working hard because at some point when this team needs me, I’m gonna be ready.’
"And in the (2012) NCAA tournament, she had the best match of any of us."
While Florida attracts some of the top-rated volleyball recruits around the nation, perhaps where it excels most is with its player development and walk-ons.
Despite limited playing time this season, Monserez has a team-best .985 reception percentage to go along with her 67 digs, 15 assists and two service aces.
When comparing her current stats to the the previous season, the Orlando native has almost surpassed her 113 digs in 74 sets from 2013.
"It isn’t just the DNA. It isn’t, you know, just some luck there in how tall you are," coach Mary Wise said of Monserez. "You can’t control her height… and the prototype things you look for in volleyball. But you can’t find a greater heart. And thus, she’s our senior captain. She is the heartbeat of our team."
When Florida scouted Monserez in high school, it saw a selfless player who dived for every ball and sacrificed herself to keep a play alive.
That mindset stood out to Wise.
"Before she had the volleyball IQ that she has now… she was the player who just threw her body in front of the ball to keep it from landing," Wise said.
"What she showed just with pure guts got her on the floor early. Now it’s transferred into her skill set and the plays she makes."
From walk-on to defensive captain Monserez has taken on a much larger role than when she first joined the team.
Senior starter Holly Pole was also a walk-on when she joined the Gators in Spring 2011.
Now she’s considered one of the Southeastern Conference’s top liberos and leads Florida with 137 digs.
Monserez and Pole are listed at 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-7, respectively, with no outstanding physical attributes to boast. But the two seniors are two of the most respected leaders on the team, with Wise often dubbing Pole the team’s on court coach.
"We’re at the point now where if Holly misses a dig in practice or in a game, you see it on her face. She’s mad. She expects (to dig) every ball," Wise said. "The confidence that she’s playing with and the acceptance of the roles by Maddy and Taylor (Unroe), we are so lucky to have what we have."
While Florida often relies on its taller players, leaping ability and strong offensive performances to dominate some of its opponents, Wise calls on other players for reasons that’s aren’t always visible on the court.
"It’s the senior leadership and the teaching skills those seniors have taken (on)," Wise said. "We went through the growing pains when they were young, but now we’re reaping the benefits of this senior class."
Follow Ian Cohen on Twitter @icohenb
Holly Pole (30) and Maddy Monserez attempt to dig the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Ole Miss on Sunday in the O'Connell Center.
