Head VB Coach Mary Wise Discusses Florida's First Spring Practice
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 | Volleyball
The University of Florida volleyball team opened its spring practice schedule at the Lemerand Center on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday's spring play date with Florida State. Head coach Mary Wise offered her thoughts on the Gators' spring debut after the session.
On her overall thoughts of Florida's first spring practice:
“Under these circumstances, meaning that we are without Kristina Johnson and we have five other players coming off of a long weekend with the USA Volleyball tryout, it was a fairly decent practice.”
On what area of the game she wants to focus on improving this spring:
“It's difficult to limit it to just one thing. We'll be learning through experience and repetition. The most important thing about the spring is the opportunity for players to assume new roles. It's wide open right now, and the players are responding.”
On the coaching staff's opportunity to teach during the spring with a young roster:
“There's a lot of teaching going on right now, and we think that will be the case through the fall season. The roster is full of talented players and athletes, and the team is going to be a work in progress throughout the spring.”
On her expectations for Saturday's matches versus Florida State:
“In the spring, you have no idea who is injured or what a team's roster is going to look like. Playing in the spring allows the players a break from practice, and it's also ideal feedback. Things happen in competition that you just can't simulate. Even though it doesn't have the atmosphere of the O'Connell Center or the pressure of a regular-season match, it's still playing. That's what young players need.”
On redshirt freshman Kristy Jaeckel beginning to face collegiate competition:
“If the USA Volleyball tryout was any indication, then Kristy Jaeckel is more than ready to go. As a redshirt freshman, she more than held her own in a gym full of talented collegiate players.”
On the team's fitness level heading into spring practice:
“The five players that went to the USA Volleyball tryout left their mark with their ability to bounce back from session to session, and the intensity that we saw at practice today is related to how hard they have worked under (strength and condition coach) Matt DeLancey. We are doing things from a fitness standpoint that are ahead of where some of our Florida teams have been in the spring.”
On her initial indication of how the USA Volleyball tryout went for Lauren Bledsoe, Kelsey Bowers, Elyse Cusack, Kristy Jaeckel and Callie Rivers:
“From my point of view, the fact that no one got hurt made it a great tryout! No matter what happens long term, it's a great experience. The opportunity for them to play with and against some of the best college players is invaluable.”
- UF -
