The Gators volleyball team has only been pushed to a fifth and final set twice this season.
In the second match of the year against Nebraska, it found a way to win.
Sunday’s dogfight against Arkansas was no different.
“We just made enough plays at key times,” coach Mary Wise said.
Due in large part to a 30-kill performance from the Razorbacks’ redshirt senior, Pilar Victoria, Arkansas (11-3, 1-1 SEC) came within two points of handing the then-No. 3 Gators (9-0, 1-0 SEC) their first loss of the season.
Wise marveled at Victoria’s ability to get kills, adding that playing against teams with stars like Victoria is good practice for the competition the Gators will face in the NCAA Tournament.
Senior Rhamat Alhassan also praised Victoria. “Pilar played so well and gave us a challenge,” Alhassan said. “Our whole thing was like ‘We have to stop No. 21 (Victoria).’”
Fellow senior Carli Snyder said the team has learned a lot from its close win over Arkansas.
“It’s a nice thing to know about our team that we’re going into the fifth set confident,” Snyder said. “I believe there’s a lot of takeaways that we can bring into SEC play.”
After traveling to Fayetteville for their SEC opener, the Gators are back in Gainesville this weekend where they’ll face Tennessee (8-3, 1-1 SEC) on Friday and LSU (10-3, 1-1 SEC) on Sunday.
“We know the SEC is going to be a battle this year,” Snyder said. “It’s been getting better and better every single year.”
Wise expects Tennessee to be well prepared, emphasizing that the Volunteers are a particularly well-coached team.
“A year ago, they played us really tough and we expect the same thing on Friday,” Wise said.
After taking down Arkansas on Sunday, Florida jumped to No. 1 in the AVCA Top 25 for the first time since 2010.
“Sure, we’re ranked No. 1 in the country, but that’s for everyone else,” Alhassan said. “We don’t think that we’re No. 1. We don’t think that we’ve reached our potential, and we’re not done getting better.”
Snyder echoed Alhassan.
“It’s a great credit to our program and how hard the coaches work and how hard we come in and work every day.”
Still, Snyder recognizes that the pressure is squarely on the Gators’ shoulders.
She also thinks the Gators can handle their business.
“It’s because we have seniors like Rhamat, like CK (Caroline Knop), like Shainah (Joseph) showing how it’s done,” Snyder said. “Staying cool as a cucumber under pressure. It is easy for everyone to follow.”
Wise credits her seniors’ impact on the team, as well.
“Every team is a reflection of its senior class,” she said. “When your seniors and most experienced players are still trying to get better, that sends a message.”
Florida’s senior leadership is apparent: Alhassan said she enjoys her role as a mentor for younger players like sophomores Rachael Kramer and Darrielle King, and that she hopes one day they’ll pass the torch, too.
Even Lindsey Rogers, a senior who hasn’t found much playing time in 2017, is making an impact.
Wise spoke highly of Rogers’ effect on the team. “Lindsey has provided so much in terms of her wisdom for our program,” she said.
That, and staying cool as a cucumber.
You can follow Andrew Huang on Twitter @AndrewJHuang, and contact him at ahuang@alligator.org.
UF outside hitter Carli Snyder slams down a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Jacksonville on Sept. 16, 2016, inside the Lemerand Athletic Center.
