Since the season began, coach Mary Wise has described No. 11 Florida as a grind-it-out team.
If the Gators are the group of “grinders” that Wise claims they are, Holly Pole is the poster child.
The sophomore defensive specialist out of Ocala has never been asked to get the game-winning kill or assist, but she is the workhouse off the bench that serves and scrapes up digs.
“Holly has been typical of the theme,” Wise said. “She is one of those players who is fine behind the scenes and will just do her job. She’s not going to score the points to help us win, but she’s going to do what we need her to do to keep us from losing.”
Last year, Pole and fellow sophomore Madison Monserez were both reserves in the back row. Pole hit two service aces and made 85 digs in 60 sets.
This year, the Ocala Vanguard High grad already has 16 aces and 108 digs — good for second and third on the team — while playing in 57 of UF’s 59 sets.
She said she has embraced her role as the gritty defensive specialist this year, which is why her numbers and productivity have increased despite the fact that she plays in only half of UF’s rotations.
“The time I do get on the court I try to make the most of it and try and make the plays I should make and then go above and beyond and make the ones maybe I shouldn’t make,” Pole said. “It’s just part of my role. I’m not going to get kills. I’m just making sure I can help hold down the back row and take care of the ball when I need to.”
Wise said Pole played her breakthrough game Friday against Ole Miss.
She hit a career-high three service aces and racked up a season-high 13 digs in three sets off the bench.
Her performance during the weekend leaves Pole trailing only Taylor Unroe and Ziva Recek in digs. She is behind only Unroe for the team lead in aces.
“Holly perhaps had her best match of the season,” Wise said of the match against Ole Miss. “She was solid in the back row.”
Unroe, Florida’s libero, leads the team with 256 digs but said she is grateful for having Pole to bail her out.
“It’s really nice because Holly and I have a really good, trusting relationship in passing and defense,” Unroe said.
“It’s nice to know there’s someone back there who, if maybe you’re not at the top of your game that day, she can back me up.”
Florida sophomore defensive specialist Holly Pole celebrates during a match in 2011.
