For the first time since 2010, Florida finished undefeated in the Southeastern Conference.
In a three-set sweep over South Carolina (17-13, 7-10 SEC), Florida closed conference play on Wednesday night after honoring its senior class.
It was seniors Holly Pole, Taylor Unroe and Maddy Monserez’ first time in their career at Florida to go undefeated in conference play while starting.
“Taylor (stayed undefeated) one time, but she wasn’t playing, but for Maddie and I to do that for the first time and Taylor playing, it’s cool,” Pole said. “Mary (Wise) talks about. It wasn’t our goal at the beginning of the season to go undefeated in the SEC. Our goal was to win an SEC championship, so the fact that we could do that and go undefeated it shows a lot about this team.”
Pole finished the night with 12 digs and three service aces. She was also awarded the SEC Scholar Athlete on Wednesday because of her double major in accounting and sports management.
Monserez and Unroe also had big nights, Monserez – an Orlando native – faced off against her sister Allie Monserez, who is a setter for South Carolina.
The two sisters played together in club, but have faced each other periodically over the years.
But even though they’re sisters they couldn’t be more different on the court.
“My sister runs out and she’s waving at the crowd and she’s like pointing at her friends and I’m not looking over at all, ‘I’m like, I have a game to play, I have to get ready,’” Maddy said.
But even with the two walk-ons’ success, Unroe had just as much to look back on.
Five years worth, to be specific.
For the 2013 season, she ended it as SEC Libero of the Year.
This year, she became just second defensive specialist to leave Florida with 1,500 digs throughout her career with the Gators.
And instead of leaving the game that she’s dedicated five years of her life to she’s looking to join it not as a player, but as a coach.
“I kind of had like a baby epiphany a couple of weeks ago and I decided to pursue it (coaching),” Unroe said on Oct. 18.
Follow Eden Otero on Twitter @edenotero_l
Holly Pole digs a ball during Florida's 3-0 win against South Carolina on Wednesday in the O'Connell Center.
