Once a Gator, Always a Gator
Friday, October 17, 2003 | Volleyball
Former Gator Missy (Aggertt) Whittemore has stayed involved in the sport of volleyball since her playing days at Florida ended. From serving as the Head Girls Volleyball Coach at Buchholz High School to her current job as the color analyst for Gator volleyball radio broadcasts, Whittemore has transferred her experience as a player into something that many people benefit from.
Describe your experience at Florida, not only as an athlete, but as a student as well.
My student-athlete experience at UF was so top notch. I truly feel like I got to experience the best of both worlds. The amazing facilities that UF offers as an educational institution are mirrored in its athletic program as well. Looking back I know now that I was very spoiled. We had all the right tools available to us in the classroom as well as on the court. Being there during the building of the new VB facility was very rewarding, but perhaps most rewarding was the privilege of playing in front of thousands of fans every week. That is something you can't create at a school with no fan base. Mary's personality has drawn a lot of support to this program for many years.
As a setter, how valuable was Mary to you as a coach?
As a setter, Mary's coaching was critical to my development as a player. I was extremely raw in terms of decision making and game strategy when I arrived at UF. Luckily for me, Mary never stops teaching the game. She is a natural teacher and I am a natural student so I think it was a great mix. I really believe I got better every day at practice. I think I was just beginning to put it all together my senior year when it came to an end. Mary is forever correcting her setters' delivery of the ball and technique. Her attention to detail made me such a better setter.
How has she and her teams been able to be so successful throughout the last 12 years?
Mary's continued success is no doubt related to her game preparation. She prepares for every match like its the national championship and has the ability to convince her team to do the same. She leads by example in her work ethic and consistency. The other thing that I always say about Mary is that I believe she has a great ability to get the most out of every athlete. She doesn't try to turn you into something your not, but she makes you the best you can be.
Describe your experience as the head coach at Buchholz.
Being at Buchholz for three years, I think what I found most enjoyable was watching the development of a player over the long term. It is fun to look back over an entire 4-year career and see where someone has come not only athletically but also emotionally and as a person.
Do you think it's important for middle school and high-school age girls to be exposed to volleyball? Why?
I think volleyball is a great sport for all young girls. There are so many scholarship opportunities out there at so many different levels that girls should be going after. The younger the girls are exposed, the higher level of play the game will reach.
Why did you agree to do radio coverage for volleyball?
I agreed to do radio coverage for volleyball because I had left Buchholz when my second child was born and this opportunity gave me a chance to be involved in the game in a really fun hands on way, but also at a really high level. I will always enjoy being involved in this sport in some way. I've been around the game in some way since I was in the second grade.
When you're covering Florida volleyball for radio, does it make you reminisce about your playing days?
When I'm dong radio, I think about my playing days in terms of memorable moments with a specific opponent the Gators may be playing again. But, most often when ever there is a really good setting choice or a really bad setting choice I find myself looking to Mary to see her reaction. I'm sure I gave her a few heart attacks in my day.
In your spare time, what do you like to do?
Aside from the radio coverage, I work part time as pre-K teacher at St. Michael's Day School. In my spare time, I like to jog. I did my first half marathon last spring in Indianapolis with my sister -- we had a blast! My entire family likes to go boating and do some camping whenever we can get away.
