The Gators volleyball team didn’t drop a set in their opening weekend, but its competition is about to take a step up.
Head coach Mary Wise and her team remain in the state of California to take on the No. 21 Stanford Cardinal. One hot streak will come to an end Tuesday as both teams enter the match having not dropped a set so far this season.
No. 6 Florida made easy work of its opening night matchup, sweeping San Francisco 3-0 (25-10, 25-12, 25-12). Outside hitter T’ara Ceasar was dominant against the Dons, contributing nine of the Gators’ 35 kills.
The next day Florida geared up for a doubleheader in search of Wise’s 900th victory at Florida.
UC Davis was first up and proved to be the toughest test for the Gators in Sacramento, California. Still, Florida won in straight sets 3-0 (25-21, 25-11, 25-18) to give Wise her historic triumph.
A few hours later the Gators broke out the brooms one last time at the Hornet Invitational, sweeping Sacramento State 3-0 (25-10, 25-12, 25-12) to move to 3-0 on the year.
Senior setter Marlie Monserez was everywhere during Saturday's matches collecting 29 assists against UC Davis before besting herself with 32 against Sacramento State.
Stanford began its season in Pennsylvania with straight-set victories over Villanova and Temple.
First serve at Maples Pavilion is set for 8 p.m. eastern and the match can be streamed on the Pac-12 Network.
Contact Joseph Henry at jhenry@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @Josephhenry2424.
Joseph Henry is a fourth-year sports journalism major and is the Alligator's sports editor. He previously worked as senior news director, assistant sports editor, men's basketball beat reporter, volleyball beat reporter and golf beat reporter. He enjoys sitting down to watch a movie as often as possible, collecting vinyl and drinking Dr. Pepper.
