Florida Volleyball Notebook: Aug. 17
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 | Volleyball
AUDIO: Mary Wise Podcast Regarding the Strength of the SEC (.MP3)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The strength of the volleyball programs throughout the Southeastern Conference has been steadily increasing over the last several years and that was again confirmed on Monday with the release of the Preseason All-SEC Team, according to Florida head coach Mary Wise.
UF's Elyse Cusack, Kristy Jaeckel and Kelly Murphy each were named to the Preseason All-SEC Team, which Wise said was a credit to the talent within the Florida program.
The nine-person team was released on Monday afternoon and, according to the 11-time SEC Coach of the Year, there were several standout players who didn't even make the list – proving the depth of the talent in the conference.
“There are so many really talented players in this conference who have returned,” Wise said. “You could make such an elite all-star team from players in this conference. Some of those players who I would put on that list don't even make that top-nine. I think that's how deep the talent coming back in this league is.”
Wise said the strength of the conference is a direct result of quality coaching and support from the administration of each of the schools.
“We have, in this league, 11 schools and really good coaches who have made great commitments to their volleyball programs,” Wise said. “This isn't your mother's SEC. You combine programs that are supported with really good coaches who work hard and, of course, we're going to see very talented players.”
Because of the league's strength, Wise says that the All-SEC teams will continue to be much more competitive in the coming years.
"I think very seldom, from this point on, are you going to be able to easily pick that All-SEC team, before the season or after the season," Wise said.
The SEC is expected to release its preseason order-of-finish predictions on Tuesday.
The Gators practice twice on Tuesday at the L. Gale Lemerand Center.
The University of Florida is home to the 2009 NCAA Volleyball Regional. To order 2009 regular season and NCAA Regional tickets, log on to www.GatorZone.com/tickets. Follow Florida Volleyball on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GatorZoneVB and Coach Mary Wise on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GatorMary.
REMINDER: FAN DAY – AUGUST 23
Florida volleyball will host its annual Fan Day and Orange & Blue Scrimmage on Sunday, Aug. 23 in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. and autographs with players and student-athletes begin at 1 p.m. The intra-squad scrimmage will take place at approximately 2 p.m.
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