Florida Gators volleyball

Infobox College Volleyball Team
name = Florida Gators volleyball

logo_size = 138
university = University of Florida
conference = Southeastern Conference
conference_short = SEC
division =
city = Gainesville
stateabb = FL
state = Florida
coach = Mary Wise
tenure = 18th
arena = O'Connell Center
capacity = 12,000
nickname = Gators
color1 = Orange
color2 = Blue
color3 =
fontcolor = 0021A5
hex1 = FF4A00
hex2 = 0021A5
hex3 =
NCAAchampion =
NCAArunnerup = 2003
NCAAtourneys = 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
conference_tournament = 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007
conference_season = 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

Florida has been competing in NCAA Division I volleyball since 1984. Within that time, the Gators have reached many successes, including a record 17 straight SEC championships through 2007 and have reached the NCAA final four on seven occasions.

Past results

1991-92

1991 was the beginning of many successes for the program, as Mary Wise took over for the program, succeeding Marilyn McReavy. Wise became the youngest ever Division I coach to be hired, at 21. In the first year, the Gators won the SEC title, sharing it with LSU.

In 1992, Florida made it's first ever NCAA Final Four appearance, where they lost in the semifinals to eventual national runner-up UCLA 15-12, 15-12, 15-10. [National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (2007); NCAA Championship Women's Volleyball Program, p. 48]

1996-98

In 1993, Wise became the first Division I female head coach to guide her team to more than one final four. In 1996, the Gators made their trip to their third final four in five years, losing to Hawaiokinai in the semifinals. Wise was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I National Coach of the Year. [ [http://www.avca.org/collegiate/DIawards/DInationalcoy96.asp 1996 AVCA Coach of the Year] ]

In 1997, the Gators appeared in the final four once again, being swept by Penn State in the semifinals. The roster consisted of a young squad, only have three seniors on the team. [ [http://gatorzone.com/volleyball/bios.php?year=1997 1997 Roster] ]

The Gators made their third consecutive final four in 1998, where they again lost in the semifinals, to eventual national champion and undefeated Long Beach State, 15-2, 15-8, 15-10. [National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (2007); NCAA Championship Women's Volleyball Program, p. 50]

2002-03

Florida made their first final four appearance since 1998, defeating Temple in the Sweet 16 and Penn State in the Elite Eight. Florida lost to eventual national champion Southern California in the semifinals.

After being 0-for-6 in previous NCAA Final Four semifinals, Florida broke through in 2003, defeating Hawai'i in the semis, 30-28, 30-28, 23-30, 30-28. Appearing in their first NCAA title match in school history, the Gators lost to undefeated Southern California in four sets, 25-30, 30-27, 30-19, 30-26. Wise became the first Division I female coach to coach in a championship match. In addition, Florida set an NCAA record of 105 straight games won during the 2003 season - shattering the previous record of 69.

References

External links

*Gatorzone.com – [http://gatorzone.com/volleyball/ Florida volleyball home page]