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By DEBI JONES
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 27, 2000
GAINESVILLE -- Unable to rebound from its season-opening loss, Florida fell Saturday in the consolation match of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators volleyball tournament to Penn State.
The Gators lost to the defending national champions 3-1, starting 0-2 for the first time under coach Mary Wise.
"The 0-2 things is a little rough to swallow," Wise said. "But we think we'll be better for next week. We had no idea what we were going to be like, but we got better, and that's the point."
The teams split the first two games with No. 2-ranked PSU winning the first game 15-7. No. 9 Florida won its game 15-8.
After the Nittany Lions won the third 15-5, the Gators had two game points but could not hold off a 5-0 run to win it for PSU 16-14.
"It was good that we were able to come back in the second and fourth games," PSU coach Russ Rose said. "But it is unfortunate that we had to have comebacks. There are a lot of similarities between the two teams, and we are pleased to come into Florida and beat Florida."
Florida was led by junior outside hitter Niki Harley who had a career-high 17 kills and 19 digs, and sophomore middle blocker Nicole McCray who had 15 kills and a .323 hitting percentage. McCray was named to the all-tournament team.
It was a rematch of last season's opening-round contest of the NACWAA tournament when the Gators handed the Lions their only loss of the season.
Despite the consecutive losses, Wise said she was pleased with the improvement of her young players.
"We were a whole lot better from last night to today," she said. "If we can improve in that aspect throughout the season, it is going to be a very bright future."
In the championship match, No. 13 Colorado State upset top-ranked UCLA 15-8, 8-15, 15-12, 11-15, 17-15.