Gators sophomore Kennedy Martin is a big reason why UF is in the Sweet 16, where it faces Stanford on Thursday night at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky. (Photo: Nicole Scharff/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Gators Not Ready to Pull Off Their Band-Aid in Rematch Against Stanford
Thursday, December 12, 2024 | Volleyball, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — They last met 16 months ago on a late-August evening at Maples Pavilion. The Gators, fresh off a pair of wins at Tampa's Amelia Arena over Penn State and USF to open the season, stepped onto the court on a Tuesday night in Stanford to face the No. 2-ranked Cardinal.
Florida was the younger team, and Stanford the nine-time national champion, expected to contend again for the game's biggest prize. If those back home had not stayed up late to follow the action on the West Coast, they may have been surprised the next morning.
Florida 3, Stanford 0.
In 1 hour, 44 minutes, the Gators made a loud statement that caught the attention of their diehard fans and women's college volleyball enthusiasts. The victory remains fresh in the minds of those preparing for tonight's rematch in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 in Louisville.
Perhaps no one more than Stanford head coach Kevin Hambly. He was tossed a question at Wednesday's press conference at Freedom Hall about Florida's underdog status.
"The last time they played us, they beat us at our place,'' Hambly said. "I don't feel like they're underdogs. They have some great players, and we're going to have to show up and do our best."
The victory was more than a significant win at the time for the Gators. It signaled that the 2023 Gators had the makeup of a team to be reckoned with. And that sentiment held true. Florida returned home to beat No. 5 Minnesota, then reeled off victories over Sacramento State, Clemson, Winthrop and a road win at Florida State.
The Gators climbed to No. 3 in the national rankings when a school-record crowd turned out at the O'Dome to watch the undefeated Gators face No. 1-ranked Wisconsin. After sweeping the first two sets, Florida appeared to be on its way to No. 1. However, disaster struck late in the second set when setter Alexis Stuckey, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Badgers stormed back, and Florida was never quite the same team, losing to Georgia Tech in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
So, here we are, 471 days since Florida swept Stanford early last season. The stakes are much higher this time, with the winner facing the Louisville-Purdue winner on Saturday for a trip to the Final Four.
Stuckey returned earlier this season and continues to provide an undeniable presence on the court. But while Stuckey was out, sophomore outside hitter Kennedy Martin went from a rising star to one of the best players in the country.
The 6-foot-6 Martin dominated in Florida's five-set victory at Kansas on Saturday, crushing a school-record 33 kills as UF upset the Jayhawks on their home court. Martin earned First Team All-SEC honors and is a semifinalist for National Player of the Year. She leads the NCAA in points per set (6.29) and is second in kills per set (5.58).
And she is still improving.
"A big sophomore, now,'' Florida head coach Mary Wise said Wednesday, turning to pat Martin on the shoulder as she discussed some of the reasons the Gators are still playing.
Gators head coach Mary Wise leads the Gators against Stanford tonight in the NCAA Tournament in Louisville, Ky. (Photo: Nicole Scharff/UAA Communications)
Martin's status has risen considerably since she arrived from Fort Mill, S.C., but her demeanor has not. She is driven to be the best from internal instincts.
"I just always have a voice in the back of my head telling me that I could be better,'' she told reporters Wednesday. "I'll watch people's reactions a lot, "Oh, she's doubting me, watch this.' I pay attention to the little things."
The Gators have a formidable challenge to keep their season alive. Stanford has won 11 consecutive matches and cruised into the Sweet 16. Meanwhile, the Gators defeated N.C. State in their tournament opener and then outlasted Kansas.
"It felt like we didn't even catch our breath,'' Wise said. "And then it was time to turn around."
But this Gators team, much like the one that started 2023 so hot, has found a way to win when counted out. The Gators lost Martin for a stretch after she suffered a high-ankle sprain the season opener.
"I'm not sure that I have ever coached a team that went an entire season without having one single match where we have everybody healthy for, and yet, somehow we're still playing, and we're thrilled to be so," Wise said. "It's just been a Band-Aid effect."
The Gators are ready to see how much stick their Band-Aid has left.
