In 2018, the world watched a young, but extremely talented, Gator Volleyball team grow and put on a stunning display of a season. The Gators finished the 2018 campaign at 26-7 and narrowly missed a shot at the National Championship in a heartbreaking 3-1 loss at the hands of BYU in the Regional Semifinal match.
Last season’s opening week featured the Gators taking on the No. 2, No. 3, and No.7 ranked teams in the country in Nebraska and Texas, and Southern California. After opening the season with a beaming 3-1 win over Nebraska, Florida would take losses from both Texas and USC. However, this didn’t stop Mary Wise’s Gators.
The 2019 Florida Volleyball team will open its season up on Friday in Kentucky when they take on 25th ranked Louisville in the Cardinal Classic. In the same competitive fashion as 2018, the next week features a daunting match against No. 1, and the reigning National Champions, Standford on September 4 in Gainesville. Just three days later the Gators travel to Minnesota to take on the No. 3 ranked Golden Gophers.
Florida comes into this season at No. 10 in the preseason rankings, marking the 28th consecutive season the Gators are a preseason top-15 team.
Tough competition seems to only drive this Gator team. After all, to be the best you have to beat the best, right?
The 2018 team was a young team learning and finding its way. However, this year is different. This Gator roster is nearly identical to last season as the squad returns all but two seniors in Allie Monserez and Taelor Kellum to their 2019 campaign. This seasoned Florida team features no freshman, four seniors, and two transfers. Head Coach Mary Wise says that the absence of freshmen in the team allowed them to prepare differently this preseason, such as practicing more than the basics and really refining the team.
Fans are expected to see some gritty games and unmatched fight this season from this experienced Florida team.
The Gators make their 2019 debut this Friday when they face off with Louisville at 7 p.m. in Kentucky.
ChompTalk.com 
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