Gators Move to No. 7 in AVCA DI Top-25 Poll, Wise Recaps California & Previews Upcoming Action
Monday, September 15, 2014 | Volleyball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators are the new No. 7 team in this week's AVCA Division I Top-25 Poll, announced by the organization Monday afternoon, after sweeping then No. 13 San Diego and No. 6 USC in Los Angeles.
Florida head coach Mary Wise added another milestone to her coaching legacy with career win No. 800 against the Trojans to become the only active female DI head coach to eclipse victory 800. Wise, the nation's winningest coach since 1991, is the third-winningest active coaching the county by winning percentage (.843).
GETTING WISE ON WIN 800
“What really made it special is how many of our former players were in the stands at USC. From Kari Klinkenborg, Kim Hale, Kelly Murphy, who is training with the National Team, Tangerine Wiggs, Callie Rivers, Cassandra Anderson, they were all there and that group -- they were a part of a whole lot of wins -- so I really did get to share it. I was asked if I remember No. 600 or 700 -- I remember number one but I will definitely remember No. 800 because it was with this group, at that match, shared with all those alums.”
IN THE NCAA
· Freshman middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan ranks second in the nation with her .529 clip in 2014 (first in the SEC)
· Alhassan additionally ranks 55th in the country with her 1.28 blocks per set (sixth in the SEC)
· Junior setter Mackenzie Dagostino ranks 29th in the NCAA with 11.00 assists per set (fourth in the SEC)
RECAPPING LAST WEEK
The No. 10 Florida volleyball team improved to 5-2 last week with a pair of wins against ranked opponents in No. 13 San Diego and No. 6 USC on the road in Los Angeles at the USC Classic. The Gators swept both the Toreros and Trojans in straight sets to give head coach Mary Wise her 799th and 800th career victories. UF's wins were the first two victories against ranked opponents this season. Wise became the only active female head coach in the NCAA to eclipse the 800-win milestone. The Gators were led by SEC Offensive Player of the Week, Rhamat Alhassan, who had career matches against both USD and USC with a .575 clip, 27 kills (4.50 k/s), 5.58 points per set and 2.0 blocks per set through the two-match road swing. UF hit a season-best .449 against San Diego, led by Alhassan's .800 hitting efficiency and career-high 16 kills on 20 errorless swings. The first-year Gator, who paces the SEC with her .529 hitting percentage this season, then returned against the No. 6 team in the country in USC and posted a career-best 7.0 blocks to contribute to Florida's 10.0 as a team, while hitting .350 with 11 kills, her third double-digit kill performance of the season. Junior middle blocker Simone Antwi turned in a .455 clip, while sophomore right side Alex Holston notched 3.33 kills per set for a .439 hitting efficiency. Junior setter Mackenzie Dagostino dished out all but six of UF's 79 assists in the tournament and senior Holly Pole led the Orange and Blue with 4.50 digs per set.
UP NEXT
Florida will now enjoy a weekend at home when the Orange and Blue play host to (rv) Marquette and UCF Friday and Sunday, respectively, sponsored by Campus USA Credit Union. Both matches will air live on SEC Network +.
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