Boilers all set for the match against the Gators
There is much excitement and expectancy in the Boilers team for their match against the number one ranked team in the country. The Boilers have never defeated the Gators yet but they are determined not to repeat history this time around.
This win will also be crucial for the professional reputation of the Boilers as well. They have not yet been able to cross the Elite Eight mark since 1998. This was when the NCAA Tournament increased the number of participating teams to 64. Additionally,
the Boilers were able to make it to the top 16 teams in the NCAA tournament only once, and that was way back in 1982. That too with a lesser number of 28 teams participating. They stood fifth in the tournament.
Senior Kristen Arthurs of the Boilers expresses the team sentiment in the following words: “We want this year to do something that hasn't been done before. We want to make that turning point for Purdue volleyball.
"This one match could get us there -- knock off a No. 1 seed, make it to the Elite Eight. It will be amazing if we ... no, when we get that done."
Boilers have taken heart from the fact that the Gators found themselves in a difficult position against Florida State, going down to 12-7 in the fifth set of the match being played in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
"Our players look at that and they think, they're vulnerable," Purdue coach Dave Shondell said. "Florida is not as big and physical as some of the teams in our league, but they are every bit as talented as any team in our league."
However, it will not be prudent for the Boilers to be over-confident and underestimate the Gators team potential. The team has Kelly Murphy, who is one of the country’s best players. Murphy is a setter and outside hitter. She has the highest number of kills,
leads and assists in the Florida team.
To match Murphy, the Boilers have Senior Jaclyn Hart. Hart has been playing Murphy head to head in club volleyball in the Chicago area.
Shondell had the following statement to make about the two players: "They are probably the two most physical setters in the country with what they can do at the net and how they can block and how they can become offensive.”
The coach for Gators, Mary Wise, who was a setter at Purdue shares similar views with the Boiler coach: "A setter is much like a point guard and teams who make deep tournament runs have to have a good setter. In Hart, Purdue has such a unique talent with
her size and strength."
Though the Gators have an enviable record of having won 24-straight matches, the Boilers have also pushed themselves up from a 14-17 last season. They are currently at 0-11.
Hart feels her team is up to the match and is in competitive spirits: "Who wouldn't want to play the No. 1 team? Especially when we feel we have a comparable team ourselves, to maybe show the volleyball world how good Florida really is."
The last match that the number 24 ranking Purdue has lost this season was on 19th November at Michigan. After that, they have won five straight matches. In comparison, the Gators have not lost since 10 September. The match had taken place back
home, against Penn State.
The last match that was played between the Boilers and the Gators happened way back in 1995 in which the Boilers were defeated, giving Florida a lead of 3-2 in the series. If the Boilers win the upcoming game, it would be historic for them.
“We've got these big expectations and believe in ourselves, but we don't have that respect from many other people outside of our program," Arthurs said. “This is a chance to finally prove that on a bigger stage and accomplish our goals."
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