Volleyball Summer Preview - Pacific
Friday, July 3, 2009 | Volleyball
By: Sean Cartell
UF Communications
Editor's Note: Over the next 14 days, GatorZone.com will preview each of the team's upcoming matches on the 2009 schedule in chronological order. Today's feature is Pacific, one of two potential opponents for Florida on the second day of the 31st-Annual Community Bankers Classic.
MATCH INFO
· Florida vs. Pacific (potential opponent) (31st Annual Community Bankers Classic)
· Saturday, September 6, 2009 – 8/10 p.m. EST
· Alex G. Spanos Center – Stockton, Calif.
· Series Info – Pacific leads 6-1
· Last Meeting: UF def. Pacific, 3-0 (H) – August 30, 2008
PACIFIC QUICK FACTS
Location: Stockton, Calif.
Colors: Orange and Black
Nickname: Tigers
Conference: Big West
Head Coach: David Johnson
Record at Pacific: First Season
Career Record: First Season
2008 Record: 12-16
2008 Conference Record/Finish: 10-6/4th
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/4
Newcomers: 6
THE SCOOP
For the 31st time in program history, Pacific will play host to the Community Bankers Classic in its Alex G. Spanos Center. The Gators and Tigers could square off on Saturday, Sept. 5, depending on the results of the previous day of play. Last season, Florida posted its first-ever win against Pacific in program history, with a three-set victory in Gainesville.
Pacific is under the direction of first-year interim head coach David Johnson, who was just appointed to the position in early July. Previously, he had been an assistant with the Tigers for eight years. U of P is coming off a 12-16 record in 2008, but finished the year strong with a 10-6 record in Big West Conference play to place fourth in the league standings.
The Tigers return four starters from their 2008 squad, including senior outside hitter Mallori Gibson, who was an All-Big West First Team selection last season after transferring from Colorado. She led the team with a 3.51 kills per set average last season and was second on the squad with 31 service aces. She was the tea's third-leading blocker with 0.55 rejections per set. Pacific also returns junior outside hitter Svenja Engelhardt, an All-Big West Honorable Mention selection in 2008, who averaged 2.97 kills per set and 2.37 digs per set.
Florida's sophomore outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel looks to have a repeat performance against the Tigers. She tallied 12 kills on a remarkable .786 hitting percentage to lead the way for the Gators. That performance helped her earn Most Valuable Player honors for the two-day Aquafina Invitational.
THE MATCH-UP (USING 2008 FINAL STATS)
| Statistical Category | Florida | Adv. | Pacific |
| Kills Per Set | 13.47 | 3 | 13.45 |
| Assists Per Set | 12.51 | 3 | 12.41 |
| Service Aces Per Set | 1.53 | 3 | 1.33 |
| Digs Per Set | 13.26 | 4 | 13.66 |
| Blocks Per Set | 2.25 | 3 | 1.88 |
STANDOUT GATOR PERFORMANCES VS. PACIFIC
All from Aug. 30, 2008 match-up in Gainesville, Fla. – Box Score
- Kristy Jaeckel – 12 kills, .786 hitting percentage
- Kelly Murphy – 8 kills, .438 hitting percentage, 19 assists
- Colleen Ward – 7 kills, 3 service aces, 11.5 points
