By TARYN BRAY
GatorZone.com Writing Intern
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Taking on a new role for a team is tough, especially when it's the complete opposite of what a player is used to.
But Gators sophomore setter Abby Detering has taken the challenge head on.
“I really understand what my role is and what I have to do,” Detering said. “I want to do whatever is best for the team.”
Doing whatever is best for the team of late includes coming in to serve for sophomore middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan, which associate head coach Dave Boos called the Gators' “worst point scoring rotation earlier in the season.”
Now, with Detering subbing in for Alhassan at the end line, it's their top scoring rotation as the No. 11-ranked Gators prepare to host Mississippi State on Friday and travel to Auburn on Sunday.
A rotation that produced 14 consecutive points in a victory at Georgia on Sunday thanks to Detering's hot streak.
“When Abby comes into the game and subs with me, it's to literally scare our opponents with her serve,” said Alhassan. “Her service game has been a really big part of what she's doing and bringing energy to the court.”
Coming in strictly to serve means a new challenge for Detering: playing left-back defense. As a setter, it is natural to only play right-back defense so there has been a bit of a learning curve for her at the position.
“When I had to start playing left-back, Nikki [O'Rourke] helped me as well as other players who have played left-back,” she said. “It's been a much easier transition because of my teammates.”
Although she arrived at UF as a setter, that wasn't always the case for Detering.
The Mentor, Ohio, native started playing volleyball in fourth grade and played the middle and right side until she got to high school. Her freshman year she started to make the transition to setter.
That change paid off.
As a freshman in Lake Catholic High, she led the Cougars to the Ohio Division II state championship game and picked up MVP honors. Detering was the 2014 Ohio High School Female Athlete of the Year as well as the 2013-2014 Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year.
Those accolades drew attention from college coaches.
Once the college search began, Detering knew she wanted to be away from home and as soon as she stepped foot on Florida's campus, she knew it was the right place for her.
She enrolled early at UF and soon realized coming in and expecting to play immediately would be more difficult than anticipated.
“Not coming in and playing right away is really hard for everyone,” she said. “But then you start to realize that winning is the main priority and if you get a different role, it's awesome that you can help out the team in that way.”
She has certainly done so.
Detering gets to learn from one of the best, teammate and senior setter Mackenzie Dagostino, who has taken her under her wing and has nothing but praise for her younger teammate.
“I think Abby has done a really good job at being a winner but also being a stabilizer,” said Dagostino. “Playing a position she's never played before at left back just shows how much of a winner she is and it's huge to have someone on your team like that out there.”
Detering mentioned that she's thankful she gets to learn from Dagostino because it has made her more competitive and she's been able to learn how to run a team.
The loss of Dagostino, set to graduate after this season, means the role of setter will be up for grabs and Detering is hoping to fill that void.
“Clearly the thoughts have come through my head,” she said. “During practice when I get the opportunity to set, those are the building blocks for next year.”
But that's the future and for now, Detering is only worried about getting her job done for this season, whatever that entails.
“I'm the type of player that if they give me any type of role, I'll take full advantage of it,” she said.
