Match Point: Posts from August 14, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009 | Volleyball
Florida welcomes three freshmen to its 2009 squad - Chloe Mann from Gainesville, Sundai Weston from Naples and Mariah Woodson from Atlanta.
Match Point recently had a chance to sit down with the three freshmen to offer Gator fans an opportunity to get to know them better. They will, in the Q&A, be identified by their initials.
What do you intend to major in?
CM: Business
SW: Public Relations
MW: Journalism
What are your hobbies?
CM: Watching movies, cooking, playing tennis, hanging out with friends, shopping and traveling
SW: Boating, traveling, skiing, hiking and beach volleyball
MW: Listening to my iPod, hanging with friends and family
Why did you choose Florida?
CM: Because of the great coaching staff, players and winning tradition
SW: For the incredible combination of academics and athletics, the opportunity to win a national championship and be coached by the best and play by the best
MW: It's a great volleyball program, the University is not too far from home for me and it is well-respected in my major
What are your goals at Florida?
CM: To work hard and learn something new each time I practice. Also to help contribute to continuing Florida's consecutive SEC title streak and win at least one national championship
SW: To work hard every time I step into the gym to become a better player so that the Gators can continue to be the top team in the SEC and win a national championship.
MW: To enjoy my experience and graduate from UF with a degree in journalism
Who do you most admire?
CM: My parents because they take each day as the blessing that it is and have taught me that no matter what you've been through, life goes on and tomorrow is a new day.
SW: My parents for teaching me that hard work and dedication is the key to success and to put my heart in everything I do 110 percent. My grandmother, Betty Woods, for teaching me to see the beauty in every experience and live every moment to the fullest. And my little sister, Casey, for showing me how dreaming big and never settling always gets you to the top.
MW: My mom – she is the strongest woman I know. She always puts herself before others.
MORE OPPONENT PREDICTIONS - August 14, 2009 - 4:21 p.m.
The BIG EAST today released its 2009 preseason predictions and Florida's last regular-season opponent of the season, Notre Dame, was picked to finish second in its league.
After finishing runner-up at the 2008 BIG EAST Conference Championship, the Notre Dame volleyball team received five first-place votes and was picked second in the league's 2009 preseason coaches poll released Friday. Louisville tallied 186 points including six first-place votes, edging out Notre Dame and Cincinnati who tied for second with 178 points each.
For the complete release from Notre Dame click here.
FAMOUS FATHERS? - August 14, 2009 - 1:26 p.m.
The Gators may have one of the more unique family storylines heading into the 2009 season. Florida is (thought to be) the only school in the nation to currently have two daughters of active NBA head coaches on their rosters.
Junior outside hitter Callie Rivers is the daughter of Doc Rivers, the head coach of 2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics. Freshman outside hitter Mariah Woodson is the daughter of Mike Woodson, the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.
Woodson made mention yesterday at media day that the experience was something that she and Rivers were immediately able to bond over.
DAILY WAKE-UP CALL - August 14, 2009 - 10:15 a.m.
Welcome to day five of Florida volleyball's training camp and of Match Point, the official blog of Florida volleyball. Yesterday was a fun day at the team's annual media day. If you missed it, a late post last night offered a few pictures of the team at media day. Check that out here. Thanks as always to Jim Burgess for his outstanding work on these photos.
Couple of stories of interest today in the world of volleyball:
