Women’s Basketball Shows A 'New Bounce' At Pre-season Practice

Kelly Rae Finley begins season Number three with renewed energy and attention to detail

By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com

The Florida Gators women’s basketball team began preseason practice this week, looking to take another step forward under coach Kelly Rae Finley. The team Finley says is “fun to coach” had a different bounce to it from the start. And we don't mean the dribble.

Now in her third season, Finley is placing the responsibility of the team's leadership on experienced players such as Alberte Rimdal, Jeriah Warren, Zippy Broughton and transfer guard Ayiah Matharu. Finley and her staff has consistently reinforced communication on defense, attention to technique and the need for intentional offense.

Finley reinforced her philosophy of a strict offensive structure, encouraging her team to be efficient with the basketball, while exercising the freedom to score the basketball when the opportunity presents itself.

Florida Women's Basketball Kelly Rae Finley (Chris Spears photo)

The work that the team put in during the offseason was evident in the speed and overall athleticism. In particular post player Ra Shaya “Big Shay” Kyle, who was working her way into shape a year ago, appears to be leaner and faster this season. Kyle, who transferred from Purdue in 2022, is more in tune to Finley’s coachable moments and it seems to resonate to her teammates as well. Also notable is the work that combo guard Alberte Rimdal has put in to continue to improve her strength and overall game. Rimdal spent part of the summer as a member of the Denmark Women’s National Team and now looks to be a stronger on the ball defender and exhibits improved lift on her jump shot.

“I’m so excited, we have been working all summer, so it’s really good to be out here today”, Rimdal said. “I think we did really good (today). We competed, and we’ve been working hard,” Now in her third season, the junior guard is ready to take on more of leadership role.

“I’m definitely trying take more of a leadership role. I feel like it’s my time to step up and help lead the team.” Rimdal expressed her appreciation for the example that former Florida Gator and All-SEC performer Keke Smith set for her and her teammates two seasons ago. When asked what impressed her most about Smith Rimdal expressed, “her competiveness and her will to do everything it takes to be great as a team.”

Junior guard and Danish National Team member Alberte Rimdal (Chris Spears photo)

The Gators will enter the 2023 season looking to improve on last year's 16-13 overall record. The team is also primed to make its third consecutive postseason appearance for the first time since 2014. After making the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2022, the Gators reached the Great 8 of the Women’s Postseason NIT Tournament before falling to Bowling Green in that round.

Finley is 37-24 as the coach of the Gators and a third consecutive winning campaign would make her the first Gator coach since Carol Ross (1991-1993) to begin their Florida tenure with three consecutive winning seasons.

The Gators open their season Nov. 6 at Exacech Arena against North Florida.