As the starting setter, Mackenzie Dagostino has been the quarterback for Florida volleyball’s offense all season long.
But Dagostino, a senior, suffered a concussion in Sunday’s loss to Arkansas after her and teammate Rhamat Alhassan collided near the end of the first set.
She played the second set but was later replaced by Abby Detering, who finished the game in her spot.
With coach Mary Wise saying Monday that Dagostino was "highly doubtful" to play this weekend, all signs now point to Detering getting the start.
To put even more weight on the sophomore’s shoulders, Detering might be tasked with righting the ship and ending Florida’s three-game losing skid.
It’s a tough assignment for anyone, let alone Detering, who played in just 10 sets last year as a freshman.
But Detering isn’t worried.
"I’m gonna keep on doing my normal routine," she said.
"If I’m in, that’s awesome. If not, I’m gonna keep on being the best teammate I can and support Mack in any way I can."
Detering has received a lot of help and encouragement from her teammates and coaches to help prepare her to step up if needed.
After tallying 30 assists and three kills, Wise praised the way Detering played in such a close match Sunday.
"Abby Detering did a terrific job," she said. "She’s never been on the floor in a fifth set. … She gave our hitters some really good looks."
One teammate that helped Detering step in and produce for Dagostino was Dagostino herself.
"In the gym we have really great chemistry with each other," Detering said.
"All the setters have helped each other out. Just having her as someone to look up to going into that match it felt very comfortable."
Sophomore middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan said there was a different feel on the court when Detering stepped in, and the team will need to adjust to her style of play.
"They’re definitely two different types of players," Alhassan said.
"I think Mack’s very aggressive and vocal. So is Abby but I feel like those two are different people so the atmosphere around them is different."
With a plethora of experienced hitters surrounding her, Detering knows she can feed the ball to anyone with confidence.
If she gets the nod to start this weekend, she said she’ll figure out who’s hot and send it their way often.
"Just looking at our hitters they’re all great hitters, so I think that’s just an awesome thing for a setter because I know I can give anyone the ball and they can dominate it," Detering said.
As far as ending the losing streak, the Gators know they’ve played well but have fallen just short.
All of their focus now is on getting back on track and earning a much-needed victory.
"We’re just so hungry right now for that win," Detering said.
"It doesn’t matter where we are at this point, we’re just gonna be striving to get that 'W.'"
Other players, like Nikki O’Rourke, aren’t concerned about the future despite the recent losses.
"Once we get that 'W' it’ll help a little bit," O'Rourke said.
"But in the meantime we just gotta keep being ourselves and we’ll be all right."
Follow Patrick Pinak on Twitter @Pinakk12
Abby Detering (14) sets the ball during warmups before Florida's 3-0 win against Georgia on Oct. 10, 2014, in the O'Connell Center.
