Texas to host UTSA Saturday 4/24

Not that the scores matter but Texas won all 5 sets.

Texas ran a 6-2 with Kocher/Roberson subbing in for Allison/Webster. Jen Doris was wearing a left walking boot and did not play; neither did DS Arenas who was dressed in warm-ups.

Passers the entire match were Faucette, Yogi, and McNeal. Faucette looked more comfortable passing and McNeal held her own. When Texas was in system, they were tough to beat.

Webster played mostly OH but there were a couple of rotations where she was either the middle or opposite. She was hot and cold throughout the match...decent blocker and gets up high but really doesn't put any heat on the ball. Personally, I think she could do well as a MB. There was one play where she hit in front of the setter and actually blasted the ball straight down over the blockers.

Rachael Adams was a beast at MB. I can see her being an AA this season. She still doesn't do too well running the slide but she can put the ball down hitting in front of the setter.

Sha'dare will get lots of playing time this year at Opp. She has a fast armswing and was getting most of her kills from running the slide. I think I was most impressed by her today...blocking has improved, she was passing well, and serving tough.

Faucette was fun to watch and is definitely the emotional leader of the team. She had some really nice kills on the right side and from the backrow.

Setters Kocher and Allison were interchangeable to me with Kocher having a slight edge. Hannah just needs more experience learning/running the offense.

Roberson had her wrist taped up and wasn't set very often. I was hoping to see more from her.

Yogi has the libero spot locked up unless incoming FR Palmer can beat her out.

Speaking of the freshmen, if OH Ashley Bannister shows any signs of being a reliable passer, defender, and hitter, I can see her taking over the OH2 spot. Both Webster and Roberson are still playing inconsistently at a high level.

I foresee Jerritt and Co starting the season off with a 6-2, but by mid-season they will switch to a 5-1 with a predicted line-up of:

OHs- Faucette, Bannister
MBs- Adams, Doris
Opp- McNeal
Setter- Allison
Libero- Yogi
DS- Palmer

The scrimmage on Saturday was exciting to watch. I went in with pretty low expectations and was pleasantly surprised.

First, Julianne Faucette (JF) played all the way around as did Sha'Dare McNeal (SM). Yogi played libero and no other DSs were available. SM can hold her own on back row defense AND passing. Yogi's passing has improved as has her serve. She now has a very active jump float with power. JF was the biggest surprise! Her defense and serve receive is on a whole new level. She passed many 3s. Also she is using her HUGE jump serve to get some free points and disrupt the opponent's passing.

Amber Roberson (AR)/Michelle Kocher (MK) subbed for Bailey Webster (BW)/ Hannah Allison (HA). But it was an odd 6-2 in that the setters played one rotation in the front row. AR & MK seemed very smooth as I would expect. BW & HA had less that perfect connections.

The front row players switched to different positions along the net, so I saw JF hit the pipe (ok, but not consistent), she received serve and then attacked (LS & RS) very consistently, she also just blasted from the LS with authority. She even hit line a few times on the RS. There is something different about her. She seems confident again. She's a vocal leader. She uses her head on shot selection and she did not have that "tell" when she sent over an off speed shot. SM was the next player that impressed me on the front row. She played mostly middle last year, but she is so versatile and her RS & LS attack were good. Of course her slides, when delivered by MK or HA were unstoppable. Next on the front row that deserves note is Rachel Adams (RA). Her blocking was scary good and her offense very good and consistent. She scored with her block time & time again.

I still have offensive concern for BW. She was inconsistent, with moments of brilliance. Her block seemed stronger, which I love about her on the RS. JF's block on the LS was phenomenal with multiple solo blocks and team blocks.

Now, onto the subject of HA. I'm remembering back to when I first saw MK her freshman year and how she came in very poised. I see this in HA as well. Her floor defense might be a slight step above MK, but her location and timing with her hitters were a little erratic at times. MK, as a freshman, was impressive, I think. Granted she had some amazing hitters to set, but she never seemed phased. HA seemed mildly phased. One thing that I noticed in warm-ups, was that HA was allowed to hit a few from the RS, which MK has never done. HA's athleticism gives her the slightest of edges over MK, but I think the practice she is getting from being in a semester early will probably push her ahead of MK by the Fall.

I was really pumped to see the team and they played like a team. Yes, JF is a star, but the other talent around her has greatly improved as well.

UT & UTSA played a total of 5 sets. UT won each one. The first 2 were blowouts by UT. The third set saw more errors from UT and UTSA have a lead late (maybe 21-19). But UT regrouped and came back with steady play. The 4th set was another UT blowout and then they played a 5th set to 15, which UT never trailed IIRC. FYI, UTSA hosted Washington at an early season tourney last year and has seen some quality teams recently. That said, they did seem a little overwhelmed playing against UT. Until the 3rd set and UTs errors gave them some hope.

Overall I am VERY VERY excited for the team next year. Hosting a regional might be the piece this team needs to get back to the final four. Heck, MK, RA, AR & Yogi don't know what it is like NOT to finish the year at the FF. Lots of hope, way more after seeing them on Saturday.

Christina Arenas was there, but stayed in sweats and did not play. Jennifer Doris was there as well, but had a boot on here left foot. Not sure what injury of the extent.

Things I'm not necessarily expecting, but wouldn't be at all surprised to see by the end of 2010:

1) Hannah Allison becomes the main 5-1 setter with Kocher subbing in a situational 6-2.

2) Sha'Dare becomes a left side hitter/passer.

3) Adams is a 1st team AA.

4) Faucette is a 1st team AA.

5) Texas leads the Big12 in blocking.