With a season as dominant as Florida volleyball’s, it is easy to forget that the Gators will be losing one of its most talented backrows in the history of the program.
Seniors Holly Pole, Taylor Unroe and Maddie Monserez will make their exit from Florida (21-3, 15-0 Southeastern Conference) once the NCAA Tournament winds down.
Collectively, the three seniors have ranked low in the NCAA for digs, but their ability to make a reception and keep a play moving Florida’s backrow defense has elevated the offense this season.
Players like freshman Rhamat Alhassan, who is second in the NCAA with a .468 hitting percentage, are proof of the defense’s ability to help produce offensive efficiency.
“They have been the backbone of this team, both offensively and defensively and what they’ve allowed with their play is to let the other players do what they do best,” coach Mary Wise said. “If Alex Holston was asked to be a primary serve receiver it would take away from her offense. If our left sides were asked to do that then the same thing. So those three by being the nucleus on first contact and whether its serve receive or defense, they’ve allowed everyone else to excel on the team.”
Having three seniors — players who have known each other since their freshman and sophomore years — has proven effective for Florida. The chemistry built among Pole, Unroe and Monserez has provided Florida with the ability to hold all but two of its SEC opponents under a .200 team hitting clip, with the exception of Arkansas (.228) and Kentucky (.240).
“Being seniors we obviously know the positions a lot better,” Pole said. “… We’ve played next to each other for so long we can kind of anticipate each others moves and know where the other person’s going to be in certain situations so that helps as well.”
With the SEC wrapping up and the postseason just around the corner, Wise and Pole look to keep Florida’s season going as long as possible.
But even if the season were to be cut short, Pole’s expectations of the season wouldn’t be dashed.
“It has exceeded my expectations so far,” Pole said. “It’s a different group of girls than we’ve had in the past and everybody has really bought into making our team better no matter who’s across the net from us. I think that’s what’s made it so special.”
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Maddy Monserez digs a ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Missouri on Friday in the O'Connell Center.
