Though they only lost one set between their first two matches this weekend, the Gators know they’ve been challenged.
They were down 11-0 in the second set of their opening match against James Madison University, that is, before coming all the way back and stealing the set 32-30.
Florida was also down 18-23 in the fourth set against American University on Sunday before tallying seven straight points to win the set 26-24 and snag the victory.
But senior setter Mackenzie Dagostino will tell you those situations are nothing new – because the team rehearses them in practice.
"You might be winning 24-14 in practice and Mary will flip the score around," she said.
"What are you gonna do now to get back to that 24? I think we put ourselves in those situations enough in practice, so when we do get to a game like situation we’re able to actually push forward and get out of that rut."
It’s those situations that helped the Gators mesh as a team this weekend and work together more.
Sophomore outside hitter Carli Snyder said these challenges helped bond the team together.
"We just gelled a lot with each other and we were put in some uncomfortable situations throughout the weekend, and I feel like we answered those with grace," she said.
Snyder mentioned one specific player who stepped up this weekend: Lindsey Rogers.
Rogers, a redshirt freshman defensive specialist, saw time on the court for the first time in her career this weekend against James Madison.
The Tallahassee native served while Florida was down 21-18 in that second set to JMU and put together four straight points to tie the set.
"She was a redshirt freshman and for her first time served in a really high pressure situation and ended up getting an ace," Snyder said.
Dagostino, though a senior now, knows how nervous Rogers must have been.
"That was her first time out on the court ever and going back there it’s stressful to go back there and serve cold off the bench," she said.
"She just did such a great job going back there and really believing in herself and having the confidence in her abilities to do exactly what she did."
And although the weekend was highlighted by stories like Rogers’ first game action and Rhamat Alhassan’s dominance at the net that earned her Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Mary Wise looked at another player that stood out.
"You have to start with Nikki O’Rourke in her first matches in the libero jersey," Wise said.
"She is maybe the quickest libero we’ve ever had here. She’s so fast both in feet and very quick-handed."
A player like O’Rourke is huge for a team like Florida, which has so many big, offensive-minded hitters.
"Our hitters can take swings knowing they may get blocked," Wise said.
"But Nikki’s gonna make plays to cover them."
Follow Patrick Pinak on Twitter @Pinakk12
Mackenzie Dagostino swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Alabama State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in the O'Connell Center.
