MADISON, Wis. — They arrived here Tuesday night, returning to the narrow strip of land between Lakes Mendota and Monona that is home to the University of Wisconsin.
When the UF volleyball team last visited in mid-September, the young Gators pulled off what is arguably their most meaningful win of the season, upsetting the reigning national champion Badgers in front of more than 16,000 fans at the Kohl Center. It was the largest regular-season crowd for a women’s volleyball game in NCAA history.
Naturally, they were asked to reflect on that memorable victory at Wednesday’s press conference leading into Thursday’s NCAA Tournament regional semifinal match against Pittsburgh.
They know what happened Sept. 16 a few blocks away – the Madison Regional is being played at the UW Field House, which is attached to Camp Randall Stadium – has no bearing on what happens Thursday when they face No. 2-seed Pitt (29-3).
Florida (25-5) made it to the Sweet 16 a season ago before being sent packing with a three-set loss to Louisville. This is a different year and different team, highlighted by that five-set victory over the Badgers.
She didn’t know what to expect of her latest team when it reconvened in the spring, infused by the addition of seven new players, including freshman setter Alexis Stuckey, the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year.
The Gators had talent but a lot to learn to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. As she assessed her team’s potential to make more noise in the postseason, Wise drilled down on why they are here in the first place.
“There are some teams that advance because of their experience. There are some teams that advance because they have a national player of the year-type candidate. And…
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