Humble Holston in Spotlight on Senior Day for Gators
Sunday, November 13, 2016 | Volleyball
A three-time All-American, Alex Holston has been a force from the start for the UF volleyball team.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- In the No. 6 Gators' sweep of South Carolina on Friday evening, Alex Holston tallied a match-high 11 kills, the fifth time in six matches Holston hit double digits.
It was the sort of statement performance that has become the norm for Florida's three-time All-American right side. This match was made extra special with her family in the audience, visiting from around the nation to watch Holston play as her college career winds down.
"I'm excited about the game, but I think I'm more excited to see my family, honestly," she said prior to Friday's matchup.
With another victory in the books, her family will join the Gators volleyball team in celebrating Holston on Senior Day prior to Florida's match against Alabama on Sunday – and as the lone senior on the team, all eyes will be on Holston.
"Though I've tried not to think of what life after Alex – that's what we'll call it, 'life after Alex' – is going to be like, we will stop to recognize her great career," Coach Mary Wise said.
Holston's accomplishments are certainly deserving of a list, no honor as significant as being name the 2014 SEC Player of the Year. There's both a lot to look back on in her career at the University of Florida, and a great deal to look forward to in her future.
But after just missing out on the Final Four last season, there remains a taste of unfinished business.
"I think, right now, we're playing our best volleyball that we have all season and that's ultimately what you want to do toward the end of the season – you want to get better and better, and I think we're making great strides," Holston said. "For me, especially since this is my last year, of course you want to go out with a bang and make it all the way."
It's the win-now mentality of a quiet, lead-through-example type of person – the type of person her Aunt Patrice has seen grow from the first moments she showed interest in volleyball. "When can I start?" she asked one day watching her cousin play.
That was it. Holston's volleyball journey took off from there.
"She had that special 'it' factor," Patrice Dozier said. "Everyone knew she was going to be really good from the moment she started playing, and she's never looked back."
Holston's impact at Florida was immediate. She has played an integral role in all four seasons, and although she's never been the voice of the team, she's always been the "steely-eyed" presence drawing the team in with the laser focus.
Given that description, it might seem out of character to see her laugh with junior middle hitter Rhamat Alhassan on the court, but part of it is history talking. Alhassan first committed to Florida to reunite with Holston from their days playing in Maryland together.
If Wise was glad the two found success together with her team, Holston gives a lot of that credit to her.
"I think Mary and the coaching staff did a great job of getting me out of my comfort zone a lot," Holston said. "Getting comfortable being uncomfortable was something I definitely had to learn being here, but I don't think Mary would have had it any other way."
She explained that Wise became a significant figure both on and off the court as well, helping her grow as a person, as opposed to just as a player.
The guidance was there. The talent was clear. But in the face of adversity on and off the court, hard work and humility have been the name of the game for Holston. Her aunt says that no one would ever know the accomplishments she's achieved in sports and in school unless they asked, and that the sweetness of her demeanor is never-ending.
"People in her life would walk over hot coal for her because she's just a lovely person," Dozier said. "If her mother were here, she would just be glowing with pride."
There is no shortage to be proud of in her time here at UF, and while Holston's focus is on the here-and-now of a playoff push, her future is bright.
And she sees volleyball as a big part of it.
"I'm probably going to play overseas for a couple years at least," she said. "Just to get the feel of it and see how I like it. I can't just imagine leaving the sport after our season ends. Definitely for a couple years, and then I guess we'll see where life takes me from there."
For now, she has her eyes set on a Gators' playoff run.
As the Gators hit the home stretch of the regular season, Holston is setting the tone. You won't hear her do it on Sunday, but you can see it.
Wise does. And she wants to enjoy it as long as she can.
"I think it's just a senior being a senior,'' Wise said of Holston's recent play. "She is playing her very best volleyball."
