Gators volleyball is well underway in its second season under coach Ryan Theis. After a year of transition, Florida found success later, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

A new season begins another opportunity to chase a Southeastern Conference or national title.

Florida is having a similar start to a year ago, posting a 5-1 record through its first six matches compared to last year’s 4-2 mark.  The Gators entered the week ranked No. 10, similar to how they entered week two in 2025 at No. 11. 

However, the situation and results are far from the same.

The Gators’ start to this season has been harder, facing three ranked opponents already. Even though their match against No. 1 Nebraska was an exhibition, Florida has been tested early. 

Beyond that, despite Theis no longer being new to the program, six added transfers created another adjustment period. That said, Florida’s performance so far on the court is statistically stronger than last season’s.

A Stronger Offense

First, the team is winning more sets.  The Gators have won 17 sets this season, compared to 13 through the first six matches last season.

Not only is the team winning more decisively, but it is also putting up a fight in losing sets. In the six matches, the Gators lost nine sets in 2025, but only four this season. When Florida is losing sets, the margin of loss is slimmer. 

In the four lost sets, the largest deficit was six points, and the average is 3.5 points.

Last season, the inconsistency on offense reflected in the margin of loss on the scoreboard, with a range as low as two points to a devastating 10-point set loss

Also, the team is hitting better. In all six matches this season, the Gators have not hit under .245, which is around the average D1 team-hitting percentage. On top of that, they have remained within the .245-.281 range every game, demonstrating increased consistency on the offensive end.

Last season, despite winning matches, Florida’s offense varied game-to-game, with high percentages like .414 against Norfolk State to low ones like .155 against North Carolina.

Florida is also hitting more efficiently against ranked opponents this year, posting .265 against No. 5 Wisconsin and .245 against No. 11 Minnesota, compared to .203 against No. 6 Stanford and .204 against No. 1 Pitt last season.

Individuals Dominating the Game

Strong hitting percentages don’t happen by accident. They come from quality swings and putting players in position to succeed — something a couple of key Gators have done consistently. 

Last year, Jordyn Byrd and Jaela Auguste led Florida’s offense. Byrd took over nearly all the first six matches of the season, totaling 85 kills on a .230 hitting percentage. Right behind her, almost every time, was Auguste.

She scored even more efficiently than Byrd with a .349 hitting percentage and 48 kills in the first six games. With Auguste gone and Byrd now taking a step back on offense, the Gators needed a powerhouse duo to get it done – and a powerhouse duo they got. 

Florida’s No. 1 and No. 2 offensive hitting options are transfers Kamryn Chaney and Selena Leban. 

Chaney is sitting with 70 kills under her belt already on top of an above-average hitting percentage of .333. Her most lethal game was against No. 20 Baylor, where she delivered 12 kills on a .786 hitting percentage. 

One of her biggest games so far this season was her dominance in set four against Minnesota that secured Florida’s first ranked win and upset. 

While she’s been quieter in recent games, Leban’s offensive capabilities are already evident. In the upset against No. 11 Minnesota, Leban led the Gators with 20 kills and four aces. She follows Chaney as the team’s second-best scorer with 54 kills.

Her hitting percentage, though, is inconsistent, averaging .124 and hitting great against Minnesota (.326), but poorly against Baylor (-.200). Despite this, Leban, Chaney and the players on the team add to the team’s depth that makes Florida’s offense strong.

“We’ve used 10-11 players in these matches to do it [win],” Theis said. “If we say depth is a strength, then when you go in, you have to do well.”

A major reason Chaney and Laban have been so dominant is junior Taylor Parks, who stepped up as the main setter after Alexis Stucky transferred to Penn State this offseason. 

Fans got a glimpse of Parks’ potential in 2025, when she only played in 61 sets. However, she made those sets matter, putting up 111 assists and was statistically the second-best setter on the team after Stucky.

This season, Parks has already outdone her performance last season. In 21 sets, she recorded 214 assists and is averaging 10.19 assists per set, ranking No. 41 in the NCAA in assists per set.

“These guys love to compete,” Theis said. “They love to get after it.”

Gritty Defense

The Gators have to prevent their opponent from going on runs – that comes on the defensive end.

So far, Florida’s defense is holding unranked opponents to low hitting percentages, including Stony Brook (.023), North Texas (.038) and Miami (.103). 

While the Gators also held No. 20 Baylor below average (.046), Minnesota and Wisconsin both hit on par with the team the entire match.

Florida has accumulated 59 blocks and 282 digs. In contrast, opponents only totaled 42 blocks and 254 digs.

For blocks, much of the credit goes to middle Alec Rothe, who accounts for nearly 50% of Florida’s total blocks with 27 assisted and solo blocks. Her best performance came in a loss to Wisconsin, where she recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 11 total blocks.

If somehow Rothe or another middle missed an attack, Lily Hayes cleans up the rest. Ranked No. 37 in the country going into the week, Hayes is averaging 4.43 digs per set and leads the Gators with 93. 

Hayes is also digging the ball well. Her reception percentage is .983 on 58 attempts, meaning she is successfully passing a serve without an error. 

Whether it is scoring off a Chaney kill or Rothe stuffing an opponent’s hitter, Theis appreciates the team’s versatility when it comes to scoring.

“I like their grit,” he said. “I like the way they fight, and we can do some different things.”

Looking Ahead

With the sweep streak of three, Florida’s offense and defense are finding a groove with this new roster. 

“I’d like us to be efficient and play clean,” Theis said after the win against Miami on Wednesday. “We’re still erring over nine balls a set … so I’d like us to stay efficient.” 

The Gators get their chance to be cleaner Friday against visiting Florida Atlantic ( (3-2) at 7 p.m. (SEC Network+).