Roundtable: Impact Players for Florida Volleyball This Season
With Florida volleyball back in the AVCA Top 25, attention turns to the team’s matches against Georgia on Friday night and South Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
In this roundtable, WRUF Gators volleyball beat reporters choose their impact players of the season going into the weekend.
Tori Kitchens: Lily Hayes
Libero Lily Hayes is the first freshman to start at the position for the Gators since Elyse Cusack in 2006. Hayes, a Tampa native, has huge shoes to fill, as Cusack set the SEC record at the time in career digs (2,138). Former Gator Elli McKissock broke this mark in her five years in Gainesville, ending her college career last season with a program-record 2,147 digs.
Hayes said to bring on the challenge of becoming a name in Florida’s historic program like Cusack. She is doing just that, already working to cement hers in NCAA volleyball history.
A physical player, she said on “The Ryan Theis Show on WRUF” on Sept. 30 that she is used to taking digs all over her body from training with middle blocker Jaela Auguste. In addition to 73 assists, Hayes already has 288 digs in her career, averaging 3.7 per set. She put up a career-high 23 digs against Kentucky on Oct. 19.
This is only the beginning for the young star, as she will continue to push to the limit for the Gators with an exciting future ahead.
Charlie Jones: Milica Vidačić
When a roster loses an experienced and prolific hitter like 2024 AVCA All-American Kennedy Martin, a loss of offensive firepower is expected. What’s unexpected is to receive a new strategic dynamic amidst the change. That’s what freshman opposite hitter Milica Vidačić has brought to this “new era” Gators squad.
The Serbian import may have joined Florida’s program in early August due to international travel delays but has not missed a beat since donning the orange and blue. Vidačić’s role has greatly expanded since the start of SEC play, earning her first collegiate start in a four-set victory over Auburn.
“We didn’t have a ton of experience on the right side, so it’s been nice to watch her feel a little more acclimated, we’re seeing some good stuff from her,” Gators volleyball coach Ryan Theis said.
By impacting both the offensive and defensive phases of a point, Vidačić takes the pressure off of the Stucky-Byrd connection to constantly prevail on their joint efforts. An occasional set her way or a surprising block adds a layer of strategy and deception that Florida needs to start rallies or continue rolling.
While the attention centers on attacks from the left and middle from Jordyn Byrd and Alec Rothe respectively, you can’t count out the effect that Vidačić has on any given point from the right. Boasting hitting marks of .300 or higher five times, she has proven her accuracy and ability to execute tough attack angles.
As the regular season edges closer to conclusion, the implementation of Milica Vidačić into the offensive system continues to soar. Just as important, the faith from her teammates and coaches grows every match. Don’t be shocked to hear her name called early and often down the stretch and into postseason play.
Jelianys Ramos: Jaela Auguste
Sophomore Middle blocker Jaela Auguste, named 2024 SEC Freshman of the year, continues to make noise as the Gators’ go-to offensive weapon. Auguste has started all 13 matchups so far and has led Florida seven times in blocks, five times in hitting percentage and four times in aces.
She has proven that she can do it all. Her impact has been felt on and off the court, as she quickly rose to become one of the leaders for this young Gators team.
“The connection between me and [Alexis] Stucky, we work really hard on it,” August said.
As she continues to bring poise at the net for the Gators, the team will benefit from it. Auguste’s impact is not only about on-court production, but energy, excitement and desire to play for the orange and blue.
For Auguste the love towards the university began from day one.
“I chose Florida because I knew it was the best fit for me and my personality,” Auguste said.
The No. 25 Gators, now 12-7, hit the road to Athens, with first serve against the Bulldogs (14-6, 6-4) set for 7 p.m. Friday.
Category: Gator Sports, Gators Volleyball, NCAA, SEC, Volleyball
