Gators Tabbed Second in SEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Monday, July 11, 2022 | Volleyball
Two Florida players named to preseason All-SEC team
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida volleyball team earned the No. 2 ranking in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, as the league announced Monday morning.
Florida, who finished last season's campaign with a 22-9 record and finished third in the SEC, garnered two first place votes and totaled 132 points, just 10 points behind the reigning SEC Champions Kentucky for first place.
The Gators also boast two Preseason All-SEC selections in Merritt Beason (RS/OH) and Bre Kelley (MB). Both Beason and Kelley were members of the SEC All-Freshman team during the 2021 campaign.
UF returns eight players from last season's Regional Semifinal team, including two starters and Florida's starting libero: Merritt Beason, Bre Kelley and Elli McKissock.
The Gators welcome five freshmen and three transfers to the 2022 squad that looks to win its 25th SEC Championship this season – the most of any team in the league.
Florida's 2022 campaign will kick off with the Gators Invitational on Aug. 26/27, when the Gators welcome Virginia, North Florida and ETSU to Gainesville.
Preseason Coaches' Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)
Volleyball Preseason All-SEC Team
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Florida, who finished last season's campaign with a 22-9 record and finished third in the SEC, garnered two first place votes and totaled 132 points, just 10 points behind the reigning SEC Champions Kentucky for first place.
The Gators also boast two Preseason All-SEC selections in Merritt Beason (RS/OH) and Bre Kelley (MB). Both Beason and Kelley were members of the SEC All-Freshman team during the 2021 campaign.
UF returns eight players from last season's Regional Semifinal team, including two starters and Florida's starting libero: Merritt Beason, Bre Kelley and Elli McKissock.
The Gators welcome five freshmen and three transfers to the 2022 squad that looks to win its 25th SEC Championship this season – the most of any team in the league.
Florida's 2022 campaign will kick off with the Gators Invitational on Aug. 26/27, when the Gators welcome Virginia, North Florida and ETSU to Gainesville.
Preseason Coaches' Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)
| Place | School | Points |
| 1. | Kentucky (10) | 142 |
| 2. | Florida (2) | 132 |
| 3. | Tennessee (1) | 118 |
| 4. | Arkansas | 105 |
| 5. | Mississippi State | 103 |
| 6. | South Carolina | 75 |
| 7. | Ole Miss | 70 |
| 8. | LSU | 66 |
| 9. | Georgia | 63 |
| 10. | Texas A&M | 62 |
| 11. | Missouri | 31 |
| 12. | Auburn | 30 |
| 13. | Alabama | 17 |
Volleyball Preseason All-SEC Team
| Name, School | Pos. | Yr. | Ht. | Hometown |
| Jillian Gillen, Arkansas | OH | Sr. | 5-7 | Stilwell, Kan. |
| Merritt Beason, Florida | RS/OH | So. | 6-3 | Gardendale, Ala. |
| Bre Kelley, Florida | MB | So. | 6-4 | Rockwall, Texas |
| Eleanor Beavin, Kentucky | L | So. | 5-5 | Louisville, Ky. |
| Emma Grome, Kentucky | S | So. | 5-9 | Loveland, Ohio |
| Reagan Rutherford, Kentucky | OPP | Jr. | 6-0 | Missouri City, Texas |
| Azhani Tealer, Kentucky | MB | Sr. | 5-10 | Grand Prairie, Texas |
| Anita Anwusi, LSU | MB | Sr. | 6-3 | Houston, Texas |
| Sasha Ratliff, Ole Miss | MB | Jr. | 6-2 | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Gabby Waden, Mississippi State | MB/RS | Gr. | 5-10 | Columbia, S.C. |
| Anna Dixon, Missouri | OH | Sr. | 6-3 | Louisburg, Kan. |
| Jenna Hampton, South Carolina | DS/L | Gr. | 5-7 | Tampa, Fla. |
| Morgahn Fingall, Tennessee | RS | Sr. | 6-1 | Fairfax, Va. |
| Natalie Hayward, Tennessee | S | Sr. | 5-11 | Bothell, Wash. |
| Danielle Mahaffey, Tennessee | MB | Gr. | 6-1 | Cincinnati, Ohio |
TICKET OFFICE | Gator Ticket Office Online | Call: 352-375-4683 x6800 (Open M-F, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
Season Ticket Prices:
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Continue to check FloridaGators.com for further updates related to the upcoming volleyball season.
FOLLOW FLORIDA VOLLEYBALL
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Coach Mary Wise on Twitter | Coach Mary Wise on Instagram
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