Something was missing for UF volleyball coach Mary Wise at the end of last weekend’s Nike Big Four Classic in Palo Alto, Calif.
She was not left wanting for experience — No. 7 Florida got its fill of elite competition, splitting five-set matches with No. 8 Texas and No. 2 Stanford.
Instead, she took issue with the event’s all-tournament team, which featured setter Kelly Murphy and outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel, both of whom are seniors.
“Look at the play of (right-side hitter) Tangerine Wiggs; she has just taken off,” Wise said. “I was disappointed she wasn’t named to the all-tournament team because her numbers this past weekend against both Texas and Stanford were ridiculous.”
Seeking recognition for an individual player this early in the season may seem out of place, but Wiggs’ recent performance demands attention.
The junior was an offensive force on the West Coast, posting 31 total kills — a career-high 18 coming against Stanford — and a team-leading .456 hitting percentage at the event.
She also stepped up defensively, doubling her season dig total from eight to 16 against the Longhorns and the Cardinal.
“[Murphy and Jaeckel] deserve to be on the all-tournament team, but we just wish there were more spots because I felt like [Wiggs] got a little bit slighted there,” Wise said.
While she was unable to crack the all-tournament team, Wiggs has been a key cog in the Gators’ rotation, playing in each of the squad’s 33 sets this season.
Her constant presence in the lineup has yielded stellar numbers like 77 kills (just one fewer than the All-American Murphy) and a .378 hitting percentage, the second-best mark on the team.
Although Wiggs is enjoying success now, it did not always come so easy for the Seattle native.
“Tange used to be a hitter who had a very small hitting window — the ball had to be set just so for her to be successful,” Wise said. “Her window has expanded and now she has the ability to get kills off of different tempos and different spots on the court.”
Wiggs’ success can be attributed to working with assistant coach Dave Boos on her footwork to the ball, Wise said.
Additionally, Wiggs increased her jump reach by five-and-a-half inches to a staggering mark of 10 feet, 6.5 inches since arriving in Gainesville, which has helped her at the net.
If her early efforts are any indication of how Wiggs will perform once Southeastern Conference play begins against Mississippi State on Friday, Florida should like its chances of winning a second consecutive league title.
“She is playing at such a high level with her contact point above the net,” Wise said.
“She hits some shots that just can’t be defended by anybody.”
Senior right-side hitter Tangerine Wiggs recorded 31 total kills during the weekend, including a career-high 18 in a five-set loss to Stanford.
