At this point in her career, you might think Florida volleyball coach Mary Wise would be difficult to impress.
After all, Wise once went more than a decade without losing a Southeastern Conference regular-season match, a streak that has helped her earn 11 SEC Coach of the Year awards since taking over the Gators’ program in 1991.
But when talk turns to Penn State’s current NCAA record 108-match winning streak, Wise has two words to say: “It’s amazing.’’
In the history of college sports, only the University of Miami’s men’s tennis team owns a longer winning streak. The Hurricanes reeled off 137 consecutive victories from 1957-64. For a more modern comparison, consider the hype last spring when the Connecticut women’s basketball team won its second consecutive national championship.
The Huskies’ 53-47 win over Stanford in the title game marked their 78th consecutive victory and earned them regular play on SportsCenter. All they have to do to match Penn State’s current streak is start 30-0 next season.
“A hundred-and-eight is definitely a big number,’’ said Florida junior right-side hitter Kelly Murphy.
On Friday night at the O’Connell Center, the Gators get their second chance in nine months to do something no team has done since Stanford on Sept. 15, 2007: beat the Nittany Lions. The Gators host the Nittany Lions on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
in the first round of the Nike Volleyball Big Four Classic. Texas and Stanford square off in the event’s first match at 5:30 p.m. Florida’s 2009 season ended with a loss to Penn State in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 16 at the O’Connell Center.
Gators senior outside hitter Callie Rivers wouldn’t go as far as saying she has had the rematch with Penn State marked on her calendar, but there’s no doubt what a win would mean for the program in front of what Wise hopes is a large and loud crowd.
“I don’t think it gets much more fun than this,’’ said Rivers, whose dad Doc, head coach of the Boston Celtics, is a regular at the O-Dome this time of year. “You know [this tournament] is going to be against the top competition in the nation, so it’s really exciting.’’
How star-studded is the field? Well, Penn State became the first team in NCAA volleyball history to win three consecutive national titles last December in Tampa, knocking off Texas in the championship. Meanwhile, Stanford is a traditional power and currently ranked No. 2 in the nation behind the Nittany Lions. The Gators (5-0) are ranked fourth; and Texas fifth in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.
“We’re really excited,’’ Murphy said. “With all this top talent [playing each other] at the beginning of the season, it’s going to be really interesting to see who comes out on top.’’
At the start of the season, many didn’t know what to expect of the Gators after they lost several key players from last season’s team. But early season wins over Iowa State and Nebraska have Florida players thinking big as the Gators host perhaps the biggest regular-season event ever played at the O’Connell Center.
“We learned when we execute what we’re supposed to do we’re going to be successful,’’ junior outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel said of the early success. “That gave us a whole bunch of confidence.’’
Friday’s rematch with Penn State will provide the biggest challenge yet. When the Gators lost in December, the Nittany Lions swept the match, 3-0. Penn State remains loaded with talent, but 2009 AVCA Player of the Year Megan Hodge has graduated.
Rivers recalled Tuesday what she thought was the biggest difference when the teams met nine months ago.
“They had a lot of experience playing together,’’ River said. “Their senior class was great. They had been together and they worked well together.’’
The Nike Volleyball Big Four Classic isn’t a one-time event. Thanks to the urging of Penn State coach Russ Rose, the four schools have agreed to compete in the event in each of the next four years. After Florida hosts this season, Stanford will host in 2011, Texas in 2012, and Penn State in 2013.
Wise can understand Rose’s reasoning. When you win as often as the Nittany Lions, finding potential prey can become difficult.
“I wouldn’t be surprised that during his three-year run of undefeated seasons and national championships, scheduling did become a little difficult,’’ Wise said. “There were plenty of us who wanted no part of that Penn State team.’’
But Wise jumped at the opportunity to host such a prestigious event.
“It was one of those, ‘how could we say no?’ ’’ she said. “We’ll know a lot about our team and it can only help as we head into SEC play the following weekend. It’s just a who’s who of women’s volleyball.’’
Longest winning streaks in NCAA history
1. 137, Miami (Fla.) men’s tennis, 1957-64
2. 108, Penn State women's volleyball, 2007-present
3. 92, North Carolina women's soccer, 1990-94
4. 89, Stanford women's tennis, 2003-07
5. 88, UCLA men's basketball, 1971-74
