Florida Volleyball Notebook - Aug. 20
Thursday, August 21, 2008 | Volleyball
“Today we scrimmaged again and we are looking at lineups and substitution patterns with the 25-point game,” Florida head coach Mary Wise said following Wednesday's practice. “We know that there's a learning curve and many things that we have to consider in terms of playing to 25 points, including timeouts and substitutions, which are fewer this year. We've kind of gotten a feel for it. We're much further along than we were a week ago, but we've got to be ready to go against an experienced, veteran UAB team on the 29th.”
Wise said that the modification of the game to reflect a 25-point format was a change that was welcomed by her players.
“I remember the day that we told our players that the rule had been passed and how excited they were,” Wise said. “I've heard different reactions from athletes around the country, but our athletes were thrilled. They grew up playing to 25 points and they've watched it in the Olympics – that's what they're used to. It's less of an adjustment for them than it is for us as coaches.”
While some say that the 25-point format will create much shorter matches, Wise believes that the change will create much more competitive matches that will be enjoyable for fans to watch.
“One argument is that it is going to shorten the matches,” Wise said. “If the matches that were 3-0 remain 3-0, they will be shorter. But there is also the possibility – and, we'll find out in time – where matches that were once 3-0 are now going 3-1 and matches that were 3-1 are going 3-2.
“If it levels the playing field, I think the fans will love it,” Wise continued. “I think our game is best when, on any given night, one team can beat the other. We're moving towards that because we have more talented players playing. When the NCAA first sponsored women's volleyball championships, there weren't as many elite players around the country and so it was predictable.”
Wise compares the effect that 25-point system may have on the collegiate volleyball culture to the parody currently seen in NCAA men's basketball.
“I think the thing that has made men's basketball so exciting is match- ups in early rounds where you can throw the seed out the window,” Wise said. “I think that's good for the game. Men's basketball has created that and if with 25 points, we have a better chance against a better team, it could be fun for the players and the fans.”
OCT. 26 MATCH AT GEORGIA ADDED TO GATORVISION ONLINE SCHEDULE
Florida's Sunday, Oct. 26 match vs. Georgia, scheduled to be played in Athens, Ga., has been added to the GatorVision Online schedule for the 2008 season through a video sharing agreement. That match is scheduled to commence at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
GatorVision Online is a live streaming video service available through GatorZone.com. This collaboration between the University Athletic Association and JumpTV allows users to subscribe on a monthly or yearly basis to enjoy all of the content provided.
In 2008, GatorVision Online will provide complete coverage of at least nine matches.
In addition to its schedule of live volleyball matches, GatorVision Online carries Wise's frequent appearances at the All-Sports Press Conference each Monday during the season and also provides weekly interviews with Florida players.
REMINDER – FAN DAY ON SUNDAY, AUG. 24
Florida will host its annual Fan Day and Orange and Blue Match on Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with autographs scheduled for 1 p.m. and the scrimmage set for 2 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public with a reminder that only the team poster, which will be provided upon entrance, may be autographed.
