UF volleyball team expects usual road rage
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 | Men's Basketball, Volleyball, Scott Carter
The Florida volleyball team's early season schedule has been akin to stepping into the ring every fight with Mike Tyson when he was still known as Iron Mike.
The Gators (12-1, 5-0 SEC) have faced nine ranked opponents in their first 12 matches, losing only to defending national champion Penn State.
They knocked off LSU and Arkansas at home last weekend and travel to face Alabama and Mississippi State this weekend. Gators coach Mary Wise expects a rowdy crowd at Alabama on Friday night.
“This is the last year, as I understand it, that they are playing in their small auxiliary gym that I'm sure will be packed, probably still feeling good about Saturday,'' said Wise, referring to the Crimson Tide's win over the Gators in football. "I would expect a huge crowd as it always is when we play there.''
The Gators are used to rude welcomes on the road. Florida has dominated the SEC in Wise's 20 seasons and is once again in good position to win the SEC regular-season title.
Wise is interesting in watching how the Gators respond to this week's road trip. She knows that at both Alabama and Mississippi State that the Gators will face intense environments.
“I think it's one of the things our older players have learned to expect,'' Wise said. “Whatever marketing event that teams are going to highlight, it will be for the Florida match. We created that. It's part of the Gator way. I think you would much rather be in this position. It just makes us better.''
A couple of quick notes:
--Senior libero Erin Fleming, who missed Sunday's match against Arkansas after hitting her head in Friday's win over LSU, is expected to be back in the lineup on Friday at Alabama.
“She has really emerged as one of the team's leaders,'' Wise said. “It's a great story. She came here as a walk-on, very limited play, and here she is starting for a top 10 team.''
--Junior hitter Kelly Murphy continues to shine. Murphy is now using a jump top-spin serve that helped her record eight service aces in Sunday's win.
“I'm not sure we've ever had a player since we've been here … score that many in a single match,'' Wise said. “Kelly got on a pretty good roll there. This is where Kelly is now. I'm sure there were some [serves] that would have been over 50 mph.''
