Florida Volleyball Notebook: Aug. 20
Friday, August 21, 2009 | Volleyball
During the 2008 preseason, much of the talk surrounding Florida volleyball centered on the team's switch to a 6-2 offensive scheme. One year later, the Gators feature a number of talented hitters experienced in that new scheme and setting group with expanded skill sets.
Florida returns AVCA National Freshman of the Year Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) as one of the two primary setters. Murphy, a dynamic hitter and offensive threat, spent increased time during the spring season with a renewed focus on her setting tasks.
“A year later, we have so many returning players experienced in this offense,” Florida head coach Mary Wise said following the second of two practices on Thursday. “The exciting thing is, as good as Kelly Murphy was a year ago, she has taken her game to another level. She has significantly improved in terms of her blocking and scoring off the serve. Remember, when she's playing in this position, she gets half of the reps of everybody else – half of the reps hitting and half of the reps setting. This spring, we took the time to really give her the time to work on the setting that we didn't get in during the fall.”
New to the Gators this season, but incredibly experienced both as a setter and a participant in a 6-2 offense is junior transfer Brynja Rodgers (Iowa City, Iowa), who joined Florida from New Mexico State University.
“Getting Brynja Rodgers really for us was the coup of the summer,” Wise said. “We were not anticipating having an open scholarship but, fortunately for us, Brynja was interested in coming to Florida. Her experience, her maturity and the game that she plays with has really taken us to another level. What I'm most thrilled about is how easily she has made the transition.
“To do it the way Brynja has says a lot about who she is as a person. I am really excited about the next two years with Brynja Rodgers on the court for us.”
The Gators practiced twice on Thursday and will participate in a single Friday practice.
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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