It’s difficult to recall the first point of any match, let alone one played nearly eight weeks ago.
But players will remember the first meeting between Florida and Auburn not because the final score was close, but because the first three minutes were.
The first set opened with a rally that seemed endless to coach Mary Wise, as it lasted far longer than any point this season and gave the Gators a glimpse at the competitive level of the remainder of the match.
Only one game above .500 and facing the Southeastern Conference’s premier team at home, Auburn did not roll over.
"They earned our respect," Wise said.
Auburn challenged Florida despite losing in a sweep, scoring 14, 19 and 19 points in three sets against the Gators.
Now, two months improved and playing on its home court, No. 7 Florida (19-3, 13-0 Southeastern Conference) will look to conjure a repeat of its last performance against Auburn (11-14, 3-9 SEC) when the Tigers visit tonight at 7 in the O’Connell Center.
Riding a 14-match win streak, Florida feels like it has a good chance.
"We try not to think too much about the past, whatever many games we’ve won in a row," senior Holly Pole said.
"We come in to practice everyday and we try to get better. That even if we won two SEC games the weekend before, it’s not how much we beat a team by or if we won in three sets, it’s whether or not we got better from the day before."
Florida’s improvement is palpable.
In its first match against Auburn, Florida was ranked fourth in the SEC in hitting efficiency (.271), 10th in opponent hitting efficiency (.197), ninth in blocks (2.34/set) and third in service aces (1.37/set).
Now, those statistics read first (.312), first (.158), second (2.42/set) and first (1.66/set), respectively.
"We’ve said it every week," Wise said. "Our goal is just to be a better Gator team than we were last weekend."
It’s a familiar cliché, but as the Gators have shown, an effective one if adhered to.
Florida has made it its mantra.
"That’s our number one focus," Pole said.
While the Tigers shouldn’t present much of an issue, especially on the road against a vastly improved Florida front row and experienced back row, the Gators are using their conference matches to sharpen their own skills and habits.
"I think right now," sophomore Alex Holston said, "there’s always room for improvement in every aspect of our game."
Follow Ian Cohen on Twitter @IcohenB
Libero Holly Pole (30) prepares to dig a ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Missouri in the O'Connell Center.
