Nikki O’Rourke knows what’s expected out of the back row in Mary Wise’s volleyball program.
For three years, O’Rourke played her part, spot coverage here and there while learning the system and having the trio of Taylor Unroe, Holly Pole and Maddy Monserez leading the pack.
Now, it’s her turn to take charge.
With the Gators returning all of their top point-scorers from last year’s Elite Eight run, O’Rourke is ready to step in and make sure the back row can keep pace.
"I think Maddy, Holly and Taylor really did a great job preparing me for the position I am in now," O’Rourke said. "Just coming in with them all being above me, they’ve taught me defense, passing, all of the technicalities of playing the position. Without them I don’t think I’d be where I am today."
While O’Rourke doesn’t have the most experience, she is not a stranger to the court.
The 5-foot-6 defensive specialist played in 167 sets during her first three seasons, recording 24 total service aces and averaging just more than a dig per set.
But with O’Rourke rising to the top of the depth chart, Wise said she is ready to see how O’Rourke handles the pressure.
"Nikki would be a prototype of what has happened here in this program," Wise said. "There are some players that were fortunate to come here and play right away, but there are a whole slew of players that waited their turn, worked really hard and then when their turn came, they took full advantage. That’s where Nikki O’Rourke is right now. She played behind three really good seniors."
Florida’s three defensive specialists outside of O’Rourke include second-year players Sam Dubiel and Lindsey Rogers as well as Santa Fe College transfer Ann-Lorrayne Bzoch.
Bzoch has the most collegiate experience of the three, playing in all 141 sets in Santa Fe’s inaugural season as the team’s starting libero, racking up 4.39 digs per set.
She played under Nick Cheronis, who served as an assistant coach to Wise at UF in 1992 and was also Bzoch’s head coach at St. Francis Catholic High in Gainesville.
"I can’t imagine a college player in that position making an easier transition," Wise said, "and yet the game is so different for her in this gym."
Dubiel saw action in just nine sets as a freshman, recording two digs and showcasing a float serve that has the a high service ace potential once fully developed. Highlighting her sparse playing time is a match-winning service ace against Auburn, her lone appearance in that match.
Rogers, an outside hitter in high school, took a redshirt her first year at UF to get better acclimated with her new defensive specialist role.
O’Rourke has taken responsibility of teaching them what it’s like to play in Florida’s system, just like the trio above her did for three years.
"With the new players we have now, she’s doing such a great job of teaching them," senior setter Mackenzie Dagostino said.
"You can definitely see how quickly the adjustment is being made."
O’Rourke said her focus has been emphasizing to the younger defensive specialists the technicalities and the importance of being vocal during the game.
"We all work very well together," O’Rourke said. "The hard work we have been putting in, I think it will pay off."
And Wise said she hopes it pays off for O’Rourke in her final season at UF.
"This is her turn," Wise said.
"Watching the confidence with which she’s been playing, the plays she’s making — she’s making plays right now that we didn’t have anybody who could defensively the past couple of years. Her presence on the court is huge for us."
Follow Jordan McPherson on Twitter @J_McPherson1126
Defensive Specialist Nikki O'Rourke serves during Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 6 in the O'Connell Center.
