Check out the FloVolleyball NCAA Countdown, where we rank the top 20 collegiate women's volleyball teams in the country leading up to opening day on August 26. The No. 11 spot goes to Florida this year, and here's why:

The Upshot

Last year's Gators knew how to lose five-set matches. This year's much-younger Gators will need to learn how to win five-set matches.

Last Season

• 25-7 overall, 13-5 in SEC (4th place)
  
• 3-1 in NCAA Tournament (lost 3-2 [17-15] @ Texas)
  
• No. 5 in final 2015 RPI
  
• .313: Team hitting percentage: .313 (#1 in nation)
  
• Opponents' hitting percentage: .164 (#22 in nation)
  
• Team blocks per set: 2.76 (#23 in nation)
  

The Players

RETURNING STARS

Rhamat Alhassan | 6-4 | Junior | Middle Blocker
3.17 kills/set (.422, #8 in nation); 1.62 blocks/set (#2 in nation)

Alex Holston | 6-1 | Senior | Opposite
3.26 kills/set (.305); 0.61 blocks/set

Carli Snyder | 6-0 | Junior | Outside Hitter
2.42 kills/set (.260); 0.38 blocks/set

PROMISING NEWCOMERS

Caroline Knop | 5-8 | Junior | Defensive Specialist
Transfer from Michigan; 3.02 kills/set; 2.75 digs/set

Darrielle King | 6-3 | Freshman | Middle Blocker

Morgyn Greer | 6-3 | Freshman | Outside Hitter

Cheyenne Huskey | 6-2 | Freshman | Setter

Allie Gregory | 5-6 | Freshman | Defensive Specialist

Rachael Kramer | 6-8 | Freshman | Middle Blocker

Mia Sokolowski | 6-3 | Freshman | Outside Hitter

Camille Nieves | 5-7 | Freshman | Defensive Specialist

Chanelle Hargreaves | 5-4 | Freshman | Defensive Specialist

BIGGEST LOSSES

Abby Detering | 6-0 | Junior | Setter
Transferred to Penn State; 0.65 assists/set

Mackenzie Dagostino | 5-10 | Setter
11.38 assists/set

Ziva Recek | 6-0 | Outside Hitter
2.68 kills/set (.267); 0.49 blocks/set

Simone Antwi | 6-2 | Middle Blocker
1.95 kills/set (.373); 0.81 blocks/set

Nikki O'Rourke | 5-6 | Libero
4.26 digs/set

Non-Conference Matches to Watch

August 26 vs. Nebraska @ Oregon
August 27 @ Oregon
September 14 vs. Florida State

Outlook

Despite finishing fourth in the SEC last season, the Gators led the nation in hitting percentage, and trailed only Washington in the differential between its hitting percentage and its opponents' hitting percentage. But in 2015, the Gators were snakebit: Six of Florida's seven losses were five-set matches, including fifth-set scores of 18-16 (versus Arkansas and Auburn) and--most painfully--a 17-15 fifth set at Texas for the right advance to the final four. The Gators' only five-set win all season was a third-round win against Wisconsin. Head coach Mary Wise (25th season) graduated four key seniors from last year, and has just one senior--opposite Alex Holston--in 2016. Two starting juniors return, outside hitter Carli Snyder and all-everything middle Rhamat Alhassan, who could battle Penn State's Haleigh Washington for national Player of the Year. Caroline Knop transferred from Michigan to replace graduated libero Nikki O'Rourke. Among a large and talented freshman class, at least three may compete for playing time this season: 6-3 outside hitter Morgyn Greer, 6-3 middle blocker Darrielle King, and 6-2 setter Cheyenne Huskey.

Prediction

Florida should battle Texas A&M for the conference title, although Kentucky and Missouri will challenge. The SEC (like the ACC) still has a tough time reaching the national semifinals, however.

Previously:
20. Louisville
19. UNC
18. BYU
17. Illinois
16. Purdue
15. Texas A&M
14. Oregon
13. Ohio State
12. Penn State

Additional research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.