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Post by mpsend on Dec 10, 2012 12:53:17 GMT -5
If Minnesota runs a 5-1 does anybody know if Israel can put up a block? Or how good of a setter she is? Just curious if she could be put in there a bit like Tabberson. I was wondering the same thing.
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Post by spikerthemovie on Dec 10, 2012 13:17:14 GMT -5
It's going to be very interesting and it's REALLY hard to predict what will happen. First, as with any team, it's about chemistry. Can the new pieces fit with the old pieces to form an effective whole. On paper, the talent level should be fine, but that's just one part of the puzzle. Illinois this year showed what great talent, but spotty chemistry can lead to. Second, can the freshman perform at an elite level, at least as the season wears on. Any number of teams have very talented freshman every year. Some can make an immediate impact, some can't, and some can, but not reliably. It's a big unknown. Nice that they have some major players returning in Dixon and Wittman (Santana and others as well) which should ease the transition. But, again, Illinois had some key returning players, yet fell well short of expectations. [Note: I don't have it in for IL. I went to law school there, and I'm a big fan. But, this season's team is a great example of good talent not always being enough.] Illinois lost two AA from the 2011 team and, what, 80% of their offense? Plus, an OH who transferred. MN will lose Harms, Knudsen, and Tabberson but retains Wittman, Santana, and Dixon. They have less offense to replace than Illinois had to. (R)uffda has suggested some interesting line-up possibilities for next year. It will be interesting to see what McCutcheon does now that he will have an entire off-season and fall practice to work with the team. Given the lack of a clear libero, I am intrigued by his line-up of replacing the middles with the setter should Dixon move to OPP. Hauer has shown she can pass so it is possible she could become a six rotation player. The heck with the final four! Let's get to August! Sounds counterintuitive but I think it was the loss of those two OH's DEFENSE that really killed Illinois this season. Illinois still had offensive weapons this season; they just didn't have anyone who could pass. Ward and Bartsch did a lot more than hit, and Harms became such a consistent piece of MN's defense that I hope that element won't get overlooked in all of the player-juggling that may occur.
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Post by ugopher on Dec 10, 2012 14:04:24 GMT -5
Illinois lost two AA from the 2011 team and, what, 80% of their offense? Plus, an OH who transferred. MN will lose Harms, Knudsen, and Tabberson but retains Wittman, Santana, and Dixon. They have less offense to replace than Illinois had to. (R)uffda has suggested some interesting line-up possibilities for next year. It will be interesting to see what McCutcheon does now that he will have an entire off-season and fall practice to work with the team. Given the lack of a clear libero, I am intrigued by his line-up of replacing the middles with the setter should Dixon move to OPP. Hauer has shown she can pass so it is possible she could become a six rotation player. The heck with the final four! Let's get to August! Sounds counterintuitive but I think it was the loss of those two OH's DEFENSE that really killed Illinois this season. Illinois still had offensive weapons this season; they just didn't have anyone who could pass. Ward and Bartsch did a lot more than hit, and Harms became such a consistent piece of MN's defense that I hope that element won't get overlooked in all of the player-juggling that may occur. Good point. But, if Hauer's performance on Saturday in the passing department is any indication, I think she would be able to hold up in that end of the game, too.
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Post by mnsports255 on Dec 10, 2012 19:52:34 GMT -5
If Minnesota runs a 5-1 does anybody know if Israel can put up a block? Or how good of a setter she is? Just curious if she could be put in there a bit like Tabberson. I was wondering the same thing. No, Israel, as nice she is isn't a capable setter. She was brought in as a walk-on, who wouldn't see court time, but had the opportunity to join the team. Definitely not one who would see court time in anything but blowout points.
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Post by mnsports255 on Dec 10, 2012 20:07:47 GMT -5
Too many unknowns for me at this point. I'll list them: 1. How good is Shau setting? Is she comparable to Palmer? If not, then no 6-2. How is her block? How is her defense? 2. If Hugh goes with a 5-1 with Palmer and somebody is hitting over her down the line, would he pull her for a blocking sub and have somebody else set for that rally like he did with the Logan Tom? Santana maybe? 3. Can Wilhite be ready to be a primary passer her freshman season? 4. How good is Mau? What are her strengths? 5. Are there going to be any transfers? A middle or libero perhaps? I'll attempt to answer these from what I've seen live in person, on video, and on knowledge! 1- Schau's a very nice setter. She is great at facilitating a team, and plays very nice backrow defense. Her block is similar, but still a bit better than Palmer's however. Palmer is the one I want feeding my attackers next year, as she has more chemistry and experience with the team though. But come 2014, I'm totally confident in what Schau will do! 2- Nebraska did this with Cook, having Broekhuis become setter. I say it's not probable, but possible. And the most likely setter there would be Paige Tapp due to her blocking skills along with being a part time setter. (just watch her club highlights) She's a very capable setter if she had to every so often in points. Another possiblity would be Wittman. 3- I love Wilhite!! However, probably not. Her defense and passing aren't bad, but it definitely needs a little improvement to be a steady, main passer for the team. Offense, on the other hand is probably ready to go or very nearly ready for competitive matches. 4- I don't know much about Mau. I do know she has good, power, but could use work on her jumping (vertical) and a little work on defense/passing. 5- Not probable again, because we have 5 coming in, 4 leaving. If someone transfers out early enough though. I'd say there's a decent chance! However I don't know that I see anybody leaving... *Hope it helps!*
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Post by Phillytom on Dec 10, 2012 20:28:54 GMT -5
I like Santana but I don't think she's going to be comparable to Harms as a hitter.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2012 20:38:23 GMT -5
I like Santana but I don't think she's going to be comparable to Harms as a hitter. Well, Harms wasn't anything special until her senior year. I think Daly has the ability to get to the level Harms is at.
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Post by mnsports255 on Dec 10, 2012 20:54:51 GMT -5
I like Santana but I don't think she's going to be comparable to Harms as a hitter. I think she could be even better tbh. Harms played a very underwhelming role her first 2 years here. Her junior year was quite nice, but not groundbreaking. Her senior year, well, 1st Team AA. Santana is frickin 17 yrs old, young enough to be a junior in high school and look what she did this year. Santana is almost 2 years younger than Harms was her freshman year.
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Post by mnsports255 on Dec 10, 2012 20:59:09 GMT -5
If Santana continues to improve, she has STAR written all over her.
The scary thing the ESPN analyst mentioned was, she is so young, the power for her will develop even more over the years and that is just flat out scary considering she hits one of the heaviest balls you'll find right now.
She will increase her vertical with the programs jump training, and if it gains 3-4 inches... Oh boy! Keep in mind that it's not out of the question for her to grow another inch or 2.
She should work on her serve receive, and passing.
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Post by hammer on Dec 10, 2012 22:09:47 GMT -5
If Santana continues to improve, she has STAR written all over her.
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Post by VBCOACH on Dec 10, 2012 23:19:10 GMT -5
I saw Tori Dixon play opposite her freshman year. I think that's her best position. And, she can play back row.
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Post by Babar on Dec 10, 2012 23:52:57 GMT -5
I will be very surprised if Hugh doesn't lead Minnesota to a conference title fairly soon. The Gophers closed the gap signiicantly during this past season. In a league of great coaching I think he has the brightest long term future.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2012 0:30:20 GMT -5
I will be very surprised if Hugh doesn't lead Minnesota to a conference title fairly soon. The Gophers closed the gap signiicantly during this past season. In a league of great coaching I think he has the brightest long term future. It's definitely possible, but IMO they need a stud of a libero to shore up the defense. Don't know if they have that just quite yet, but I'm confident (unlike many) in Lawmaster's abilties and that she will grow quickly
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Post by mplssetter on Dec 11, 2012 0:35:38 GMT -5
Too many unknowns for me at this point. I'll list them: 1. How good is Shau setting? Is she comparable to Palmer? If not, then no 6-2. How is her block? How is her defense? 2. If Hugh goes with a 5-1 with Palmer and somebody is hitting over her down the line, would he pull her for a blocking sub and have somebody else set for that rally like he did with the Logan Tom? Santana maybe? 3. Can Wilhite be ready to be a primary passer her freshman season? 4. How good is Mau? What are her strengths? 5. Are there going to be any transfers? A middle or libero perhaps? I'll attempt to answer these from what I've seen live in person, on video, and on knowledge! 1- Schau's a very nice setter. She is great at facilitating a team, and plays very nice backrow defense. Her block is similar, but still a bit better than Palmer's however. Palmer is the one I want feeding my attackers next year, as she has more chemistry and experience with the team though. But come 2014, I'm totally confident in what Schau will do! 2- Nebraska did this with Cook, having Broekhuis become setter. I say it's not probable, but possible. And the most likely setter there would be Paige Tapp due to her blocking skills along with being a part time setter. (just watch her club highlights) She's a very capable setter if she had to every so often in points. Another possiblity would be Wittman. 3- I love Wilhite!! However, probably not. Her defense and passing aren't bad, but it definitely needs a little improvement to be a steady, main passer for the team. Offense, on the other hand is probably ready to go or very nearly ready for competitive matches. 4- I don't know much about Mau. I do know she has good, power, but could use work on her jumping (vertical) and a little work on defense/passing. 5- Not probable again, because we have 5 coming in, 4 leaving. If someone transfers out early enough though. I'd say there's a decent chance! However I don't know that I see anybody leaving... *Hope it helps!* Just curious where you have seen Shau at?
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Post by jayson04 on Dec 11, 2012 7:28:41 GMT -5
Dalianliz Rosado, a libero from Puerto Rico, has verbally committed to Minnesota.
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