Gators start volleyball season this weekend

Posted Aug 20, 2010 by Aaron Oberlin

Updated Aug 20, 2010 at 04:54 PM

Coming off its 19th consecutive 25-win season, the longest in the nation, the University of Florida volleyball team looks poised to make a run for its 20th.

But its first two opponents will not make it easy.

The Gators will travel to Omaha, Neb., to start the 2010 season this weekend, facing two formidable foes from the Big 12: No. 9 Iowa State on Saturday and No. 2 Nebraska on Sunday.

Five starters from last year’s team (25-6, 16-4 SEC) will take the court as Florida tries to win its seventh straight season-opening match. Junior right-side/setter Kelly Murphy, a pre-season All-Southeastern Conference selection and a two-time All-American, will lead the way. Florida is 18-8 in season openers.

Joining the team this year is Stephanie Ferrell, who hails from Hawaii after three seasons, including a spot on the second-team All-Western Athletic Conference last year.

She recently overcame a minor injury and has had to learn the Florida system in a short period of time. Florida coach Mary Wise hopes she’ll be ready this weekend.

“She has really been going at warp speed learning all our new defensive and offensive systems,” said Wise. “She is a physical player and hits the ball so hard. She is a great addition to our team.”

Wise has won the Southeastern Conference Championship 18 times in her 20 years with the Gators.