08 VB Preview: Right-Side Hitters
Thursday, July 31, 2008 | Volleyball
Editor's Note: This is the third of a five-part position-by-position preview of the 2008 Florida volleyball team that will be posted on GatorZone.com daily during the week of July 28. Florida begins its 2008 season on Aug. 29, when it plays host to UAB at 7 p.m.
The 2008 Florida volleyball team returns four upperclassmen – seniors Kelsey Bowers and Christina Diaz, and juniors Elyse Cusack and Kristina Johnson. With that quartet as the core that comprises the team's group of seven returning letterwinners and the nation's top recruiting class, the Gators must strike the right balance of experienced veterans and talented newcomers.
Freshman Kelly Murphy, the nation's top recruit according to PrepVolleball.com, headlines a class of newcomers that is one of the most impressive incoming groups in school history. The expectations for a young Florida volleyball team are no different – the first-time Gators will be expected to produce the same level of success displayed by Florida teams of the past.
“We feel that our schedule this season is loaded with many challenges, and it is also a nice fit for our personnel,” head coach Mary Wise said. “We are thrilled with the talent in the 2008 class, but they don't award rings based on recruiting classes.”
| RIGHT-SIDE HITTERS | |||||
| 17 | Lauren Bledsoe | RS | 6-2 | So. | Long Beach, Calif. |
| 12 | Kelly Murphy | S/RS | 6-2 | Fr. | Joliet, Ill. |
| 6 | Kristy Jaeckel | OH/RS | 6-2 | R-Fr. | Littleton, Colo. |
The Gators will have a strong presence on the right side after sophomore Lauren Bledsoe moved from the outside to the right side during the spring season. Bledsoe, 6-foot-2, finished the 2007 campaign on a high note, averaging 11.0 kills per game in her last two matches.
Bledsoe recorded a career-high 12 kills, including the match-clincher, in a win against No. 23 Oklahoma in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Her easy adjustment to the right side during the spring season has Bledsoe ready to provide leadership at that position.
Bledsoe looks to continue building on the success she had in last season's NCAA Tournament as she prepares for a breakout sophomore campaign.
“Lauren Bledsoe had a great spring, moving full-time to the right side,” Wise said. “She hits a very heavy ball as she continues to improve on her blocking.”
Murphy one of the most skilled hitters the Gators will have on the court, both as a setter and on the right side. A two-time PrepVolleyball.com All-American, Murphy's status as the Gatorade National Player of the Year puts her into a select group that includes Kerri Walsh (1995-96), Logan Tom (1998-99) and Ogonna Nnamani (2000-01).
“Kelly is the most decorated high school player to come into our program,” Wise said. “She has the skill set to score all sorts of points for us – both in the front and back row.”
Redshirt freshman Kristy Jaeckel will be the nation's most experienced redshirt freshman after being the only player in the country without a season of collegiate playing experience to be named to the USA A2 Blue Team. She helped lead that team to the bronze medal. Jaeckel posted a breakout spring season that included strong performances against Florida State and Miami.
In addition to playing on the outside, she also will also see time on the right side after seeing action at that position during her stint with the bronze medal A2 team. Her versatility gives the Gators a strong attack on both the left and right sides of the net.
“Kristy Jaeckel played some right during the spring and again with her A2 team,” Wise said. “We love Kristy's versatility and think she can play either position. One of our challenges will be to see how we can put so many of these hitters on the court at the same time.”
| DID YOU KNOW |
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GETTING TO KNOW FLORIDA'S RIGHT-SIDE HITTERS
Athletic Families
- Lauren Bledsoe – Cousin Cortez Hankton is a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Kelly Murphy – Mother played volleyball at Illinois State.
- Kristy Jaeckel – Sister Lauren plays volleyball at St. Mary's (Calif.) College. Uncle, Ovidio Garcia, was a two-time Olympian and six-time Spanish national champion in alpine skiing.
Gator Nation Tie-In
- Lauren Bledsoe – Chose Florida over Washington and Duke
- Kelly Murphy – Chose Florida because of the coaching staff, great campus and the opportunity to win a national championship.
- Kristy Jaeckel – Chose Florida over Minnesota, UCLA and Tennessee.
Major or Career Aspiration
- Lauren Bledsoe – Aspires to play volleyball professionally before entering the field of psychiatry.
- Kelly Murphy – Aspires to play volleyball professionally.
- Kristy Jaeckel – Is majoring in social and behavioral sciences.
END OF REPORT
