10:05 pm | August 13, 2019 | Go to Source | Author: gatorsports
Florida will open the 2019 campaign ranked 10th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Preseason Division I Top 25 poll.
With the No. 10 spot, the Gators run their streak to 28 consecutive years of ranking in the top 15 of the AVCA preseason poll – the third-longest streak in the nation (Nebraska, Stanford – both still active).
Florida’s streak dates back to 1992, when the squad began the year ranked No. 12.
During the 2018 season, UF went 26-7 overall and 15-3 in SEC play. The team made its 29th NCAA Tournament, including its 28th consecutive trip, finishing the season with its 25th Regional Semifinal appearance.
With the 26 wins during season, Florida has now won at least 25 matches in each season under head coach Mary Wise.
Three Gators earned AVCA All-America honors in 2019 (Holly Carlton, Thayer Hall, Rachael Kramer) and four UF players earned SEC honors (Thayer Hall, Paige Hammons, Taelor Kellum, Rachael Kramer).
To start the 2019 campaign, Florida travels to Louisville, Ky. to compete in the Cardinal Classic, facing No. 25 Louisville on Aug. 30 and Dayton on Aug. 31. The Gators open the home portion of their schedule against reigning national champions and No. 1 ranked Stanford on Sept. 4.
Before Florida serves up its regular-season play, the team will host Fan Day on Aug. 24. The day will consist of an exhibition match with UCF, followed by team autographs. The event starts at 1 p.m. and admission is free.
Single-match and season tickets are still available for the 17 home matches this season. The Gators face six 2018 NCAA Tournament qualifiers in Exactech Arena – Stanford, Florida State, Northern Arizona, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee.
2019 AVCA Preseason Poll
| Rank | Institution (First Place Votes) | Points |
| 1 | Stanford (62) | 1598 |
| 2 | Nebraska (1) | 1451 |
| 3 | Minnesota | 1414 |
| 4 | Texas | 1385 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 1329 |
| 6 | Illinois | 1258 |
| 7 | Kentucky | 1204 |
| 8 | Penn State | 1182 |
| 9 | BYU | 1111 |
| 10 | Florida | 1028 |
| 11 | Oregon | 934 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh | 827 |
| 13 | Washington | 797 |
| 14 | Southern California | 664 |
| 15 | Michigan | 645 |
| 16 | Marquette | 596 |
| 17 | Purdue | 571 |
| 18 | Creighton | 457 |
| 19 | Tennessee | 438 |
| 20 | Baylor | 407 |
| 21 | San Diego | 313 |
| 22 | Washington State | 289 |
| 23 | Cal Poly | 213 |
| 24 | Arizona | 157 |
| 25 | Louisville | 120 |
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