Gator Greats Return to Gainesville for Exhibition Action against No. 17 Gators

Sunday, August 16

2 PM

Florida Gators

Gators vs. Gator Greats

Florida volleyball athletes in white and blue jerseys pose for a photo in front of the net

The Gators joined Florida alums for the first Gators vs. Gator Greats match on Sunday afternoon. // Photo by Hannah White | UAA Communications

Gator Greats Return to Gainesville for Exhibition Action against No. 17 Gators

Sunday, August 16, 2026 | Volleyball

By: Andrew Hile

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida volleyball opened the 2026 season with an exhibition on Sunday afternoon, welcoming back several alumni for the Gators vs. Gator Greats matchup inside the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

With eight newcomers in the mix this season, Sunday’s action provided the Orange & Blue the opportunity to rotate through different lineups and showcase the 2026 squad as they continue to prepare for the regular season, which begins Sunday, Aug. 30, against Stony Brook.

Three volleyball athletes come together after a point

Two volleyball athletes in white jerseys celebrate after winning a point

Volleyball athletes in white and blue jerseys smile between points

The active team went head-to-head with alums AC Fitzpatrick, Rachael Kramer, Emily Canaan, Kennedy Muff, Marlie Monserez, Elli McKissock and Anna Dixon, who were coached by Jenny Manz Theis.

A volleyball head coach in a white hoodie claps while watching the game

Quotes from the Court - Head Coach Ryan Theis

…on thoughts from the first exhibition:

“I thought we seemed really slow early, like we couldn’t dig, whether it was nerves or just a different environment, we’ve only been in our practice gym, and then we settled down. I thought the comeback in game one got everyone locked in and on a better page. It took us a minute to get rolling, but that’s why we do these.

…on what he liked and what needs improvement:

“I think we have a number of players that can pass the ball, and that keeps you in games often if you’re insistent and in rhythm, putting stress on an opponent. We have a lot to work on. We were really high error, which could be first time in a new gym, but we’re going to have road games too. We’re going to have to minimize those and take good swings. We’ve just got to find the right formula on the floor.

…on what it meant to see Florida alums return and take the court:

“Our alums are awesome. Mary [Wise] made an appearance, which was great, and I hope and think there’s a lot of pride in being a Florida Gator and that they’re excited to come back to play another match on the O’Dome floor. Some of these women are pros, so this was a good workout for them, and we’ll try to do it every year.”

Up Next

The No. 17 Gators will turn their attention to Aug. 27, when they travel to Arlington, Texas, for the exhibition Spikes Under the Lights event, where they will meet No. 1 Nebraska in the opening round at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.