![Florida Gators outside hitter Kennedy Martin (18) hits the ball during the first set against the FGCU Eagles in the first round of the NCAA Women s Volleyball Championship at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, November 30, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_3760,h_2115/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01jt8h2tfc1rc3aq0fw8.jpg "Florida Gators outside hitter Kennedy Martin (18) hits the ball during the first set against the FGCU Eagles in the first round of the NCAA Women s Volleyball Championship at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, November 30, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]")
For decades, the Florida volleyball team has been a model of consistency. While some felt that Mary Wise was never able to get over the hump into the elite, the Gators made the Sweet 16 or better in seven of her final eight seasons before she retired after last season.
So, the new head coach, Ryan Theis, already has some big shoes to fill, and his debut campaign was just made even more difficult, as All-American Kennedy Martin announced yesterday that she would be entering the transfer portal.
In her two seasons in Gainesville, she had 492 kills in 2023 and 512 kills in 2024, including 33 kills in the NCAA Tournament against Kansas.
Softball falls in extras to Oklahoma
Last year in the WCWS, the Gators came as close as anyone to slaying the dragon that is the Oklahoma Sooners but fell just short. That theme played itself out again in Gainesville on Thursday as Florida took the Sooners to the brink but fell just short.
Florida had a 3-2 lead against the No. 1 Sooners heading into the 6th before things fell apart for Keagan Rothrock. After giving up a lead homerun and then getting an out, Rothrock hit a batter and walked the next two to load the bases.
Two singles later made it 5-3 Oklahoma.
But Florida fought back with a two-run home run from Mia Williams to make it 5-5.
Florida had a chance to win it in the 7th when Taylor Shumaker was on second with one out, but the Gators failed to cash in. Florida also had runners in scoring position in the 8th and 9th innings but failed to score, and ultimately, Oklahoma was able to find a run in the 9th to win 6-5.
Two Gators get minicamp looks
The 2024 season didn't go as planned for Joey Slackman. The defensive lineman transferred in as the 2023 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, but got hurt against Miami and seldom played in 2024.
He will still get a shot at the NFL as he will attend a rookie minicamp with the Bucs.
Likewise, R.J. Motten didn't see significant time on the field, but he, too, will get a look from the NFL as Philadelphia is bringing him in for their minicamp.