Live Blog: Florida Volleyball Fan Day
Sunday, August 24, 2008 | Volleyball
12:30 p.m. - Doors have opened at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center and fans have begun entering the arena to participate in 2008 Fan Day Festivities. Autographs with Gator players and coaches will begin at 1 p.m., so there is still plenty of time to get down to the O'Dome if you're in the area.
12:36 p.m. - Expect to see new assistant coach Ken Ko and new volunteer assistant coach Chris Keen show off their volleyball skills. Head coach Mary Wise has said that she expects both of her new coaching staff members to take part in the action today.
1:03 p.m. - The Gators have taken the court as public address announcer Jeff Cardozo announced the team. Fans are now in line to receive autographs from each of the players.
1:17 p.m. - Quite a line is building in the O'Connell Center as fans seek autographs from their favorite Gator players. Florida returns seven letterwinners and a redshirt freshman from a year ago, while welcoming six newcomers who comprised the nation's No. 1 recruiting class according to PrepVolleyball.com and Volleyball Magazine.
1:26 p.m. - Florida volleyball season tickets are now on sale. For more information, please log on to http://www.gatorzone.com/tickets/?tsport=vollb.
1:43 p.m. - A large contingent of fans are continuing to work their way through the autograph line. Fans of all ages are on hand to talk with players, have their photo taken and have the official team poster signed.
1:55 p.m. - The Gators are signing their final autographs and preparing to begin the Orange and Blue Scrimmage.
1:59 p.m. - Florida's volleyball players have returned to their locker room as a highlight video from the team's 2007 season, which finished 29-3 and advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinal, plays on the matrix boards in the arena.
2:06 p.m. - The Gators have taken the court at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in preparation for this afternoon's scrimmage.
2:08 p.m. - Gator fans are reminded to tune into Gator Hotline with Mary Wise tomorrow night on AM 850 in Gainesville from 6-7 p.m. The show will be live on location from the Beef O'Brady's in Alachua and audio also will be available at www.GatorZone.com. Fans are encouraged to call in with their questions for Wise, who along with host Tom Collett, will be previewing the 2008 season and this weekend's Aquafina Invitational.
2:09 p.m. - Florida's players are currently stretching on the court with strength and conditioning coach Matt DeLancey, who Wise credits as a major factor for the Gators' success. DeLancey tailors a year-round strength and conditioning program for each of the players that maximizes their needs for their individual positions.
2:20 p.m. - The Gators are currently warming up on the court.
2:24 p.m. - Florida has broken its huddle and Wise is announcing each player individually to the fans. One of the teams will be coached by associate head coach Nick Cheronis and the other will be led by assistant coach Ken Ko.
2:51 p.m. - The blue team won the first set 25-16 and the two teams are preparing for the second set.
3:14 p.m. - The blue team won the second set also by a score of 25-16. The two teams will play a 15-point third set.
3:51 p.m. - The blue team swept the match with a 15-13 third-set victory. Callie Rivers led the way with a double-double (10K, 10D) and Elyse Cusack had a match-high 15 digs.
4:02 p.m. - Remember, Florida's season opener is on Friday at 7 p.m. vs. UAB. Look forward to seeing you there!
