On WRUF’s Ryan Theis Show: ‘We’re Focused on Getting Better, Not Rankings’
It’s no secret now that Gators volleyball is unranked in the AVCA Top 25 for the first time since 1991. An overall 9-6 record, with a pair of losses to unranked teams in North Carolina on Sept. 9 and LSU on Oct. 5, has placed them outside the Top 25 teams in the country.
For the first time, Gators coach Ryan Theis shared his thoughts about the unranking on “The Ryan Theis Show on WRUF” Monday night.
“We have made a really huge effort to avoid outside noise,” Theis said. “It’s a popularity contest and we have got three or four pretty good wins on our resume, and we are just focused on us being better and getting to December – that’s our goal.”
The Gators will be on the road for two straight games against top-25 teams, starting Wednesday at No. 17 Tennessee and Sunday at No. 3 Kentucky. After back-to-back wins against No. 25 Missouri and Vanderbilt, they hope to extend their winning streak.
“Really good team, looking forward to the challenge,” Theis said about Tennessee. “They are pretty physical … we will have our hands full for sure.”
Through the first 15 games of the season, plenty can be learned about the Gators, and Theis is adjusting accordingly. One of the biggest learning lessons of the season is how to battle through adversity.
“What we learned is frustration versus excitement,” Theis said. “When things are not going well, do we take frustration as individuals and radiate amongst the team? And that’s something we recognize and notice.”
One key point for this team is the young roster. Overall, the Gators have only three seniors, and the starting rotation is made up of mostly sophomores and freshmen players who are still growing to reach their ceiling.
Theis mentioned that development is a huge part of his approach with the Gators’ attackers, including: Jordyn Byrd, Aniya Madkin and Milica Vidacic.
“In two seasons, can all those three players be playing all the way around and attacking out the back row efficiently?” Theis asked.
Freshman phenom Lily Hayes has earned her spot in the starting lineup as a true freshman and was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week. Hayes had a total of 36 digs between last week matches, and career highs in aces (4) against Vanderbilt and assist (7) against Missouri.
“(Hayes) handled serve,received really well and just a couple of relentless pursuits on the ball, this might have been one of her best weekends of the year, ” Theis said.
After facing Tennessee and Kentucky, the Gators will return home to play Oklahoma on Oct. 22. The team has shown depth, with multiple players in double-digit scoring, yet there are some injuries impacting this Gator team.
Senior L/DS Emerson Hoyle- out for the season, Redshirt Sophomore OH Madi Gravlee- out for the season, Freshman MB De’Andrea McMillian- progressing and doing more at practice, “she is getting close” and Sophomore S Taylor Parks- is “closest” to being back.
No matter who’s on the court, the focus for the three-game stretch is clear.
“We have to serve well, side-out percentage and consistency,” Theis said.
Category: Gator Sports, Gators Volleyball, NCAA, SEC
