Junior Chloe Mann couldn’t be a more different player than she was at this time last year.
During the Gators first three matches in 2011, Mann played in only two sets and notched a total of just three kills. In Florida’s first set during Friday’s season opener against FIU, Mann more than doubled that number.
Mann kept that level of dominance all weekend, earning MVP honors as the No. 18 Gators (3-0) swept the Campus USA Credit Union Invitational with wins against FIU, Florida A&M and Florida Gulf Coast.
“We have a pretty good combination there with Taylor Brauneis to Chloe Mann, that was pretty effective [Friday],” coach Mary Wise said.
Mann led the team in kills against FIU as Florida won 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-12) and tied with Betsy Smith for a team-high hitting percentage of .545. Mann didn’t lead the Gators in hitting in a game last year until Sept. 3, when she had nine kills and hit .818 against Clemson.
In addition to her progress in hitting percentage, Mann has also increased her kill count compared to the beginning of last year. In the three matches last weekend, Mann was able to rack up 42 kills; last year it took her 17 matches to accomplish that feat.
“Chloe and I have a really good relationship because we both trained as middles,” Smith said. “Last year we both were kind of fighting for the same spot, and we both got better because we held each other accountable.”
To add to her list of improvements, Mann’s first double-digit kill game of 2011 didn’t come until her 16th match, which was on Oct. 30 against Kentucky. This year it only took two sets against FIU to reach double digits, and she didn’t finish below double digits in any of the three matches.
“It’s been awesome to see her progress,” Smith said. “She’s really hard to stop right now, and it’s awesome just to see that progression from her.”
During Saturday’s first match against FAMU, Mann fell to second on the team in kills and third in hitting behind freshmen Ziva Recek and Berkley Whaley. However, she still remained a key contributor in the 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-14) win with 11 kills, two digs and three blocks.
Mann finished up the weekend with a game-high 16 kills and four total blocks to help Florida sweep FGCU 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16).
Mann credits the change to experience.
“It’s in part due to the confidence I gained,” Mann said. “Just being in the program for three years and learning the schemes that we ran, being comfortable with the offense we ran, the coaches and my teammates, as well.”
During the weekend, the Gators held FIU, FAMU and FGCU to just .088 hitting, 70 kills, 67 assists and seven blocks, while Florida averaged .368 hitting, 132 kills, 119 assists, 110 digs and 18.5 blocks.
Although Mann and the Gators dominated, Wise knows they have a tough week ahead as they get ready to take on No. 2 Texas and No. 6 Stanford.
“Some nights it’s not going to come easy, but it still doesn’t mean we won’t get everyone’s best shot,” Wise said.
“This team will compete, and some nights it will be good enough and some nights it won’t. The key is just keep getting better, and this group has a chance to do that.”
Contact Katie Agostin at kagostin@alligator.org.
