Florida State 2014

[volleyvolleyfan]

Since everyone is posting about their 2013 teams. I feel compelled to give a shout out to Florida State 2013 outlook:

They had the #3 overall recruiting class in 2012. Two of those players red shirted due to senior AA's ahead of them ( Freeman / Yildirin): these players: 6'5 MB, Sarah Burrington and 6'2 OH, Leah Mikesky- had an entire year to prepare and are ready to add significantly to the starting line up in 2013.

Finishing #12 year end RPI is about where they should have finished. Still disappointed they did not beat Purdue in round 2 but they are focused to spring to come back stronger in 2013.

In 2013, two Top Senior Aces join the team: Setter, Hailey Luke ( Senior Ace # 40) and Right Side Hitter, Izzy Carmona ( Senior Ace # 63)

Potential Starting Line up Fall 2013

OH's: Oli Medic- Senior
Nicole Walch- Soph
Leah Mikesky-Red Shirt Freshman

MB's: Ashley Neff- Senior ( AA 3rd team)
Sarah Burrington- Red Shirt freshman
Mara Green-Soph ( possible)

Right Sides: Elise Walch- Senior
Nicole Walch- Soph ( possible )
Mara Green - Soph ( possible)
Izzy Carmona- Freshman

Setters: Sarah Wickstrom - Junior
Hailey Luke- Freshman

Libero: Katie Mosher- Red Shirt Junior

The upper classman will provide the leadership on and off the court. Katie Mosher was elected captain of the team as a sophomore and will continue to provide that leadership.. Ashley Neff and Elise Walch, as seniors will add experience and leadership. Now that Oli Medic has also had a year to adjust to the D1 level game will bring confidence and leadership to the OH position.

Florida State runs a 6-2 offense and will most likely do the same in 2013.

The future is looking very bright for Florida State in 2013 as they strive to earn their 3rd ACC Championship in a row and make it back to the Big Dance and a deep run in the post season tournament.

[volleyvolleyfan]

To clarify (possible) starters: Green and Walch stepped in and played right side hitter in 2012 . They are versatile enough to do either position if needed. that is what the "possible" means

[baywatcher]

One of the Walsh sisters was the best flat footed attacker I saw last year, and didn't even seem to start. Just lined up and crushed the ball. A 6-10 rated team that will need to step up against a good Big 10 team in the playoffs. We are entering an era of elite teams and FSU will be on the edge, with a great record but a great team?

[paloalto]

In her early days Sarah Burrington was recruited by Stanford but wanted to stay closer to home. She is going to be good. I saw her on video in the Junior National Championship match. She played on the same team as Burgess, Dagostino, and Sidney Brown. That was a stacked team.

[volleyvolleyfan]

Elise Walch is the one I think you were referring too Baywatcher. She was rehabbing a leg inury most of the season,thus not starting- In that round 2 match vs Purdue, she did not start but came in towards the end of set 1. She contributed 16 amazing kills in that match. A healthy Elise will be a monster on that right side come fall 2013.

[oldunc]

I believe it's Walch, not Walsh.

[volleyvolleyfan]

yes, you are correct it's Walch not Walsh-easy mistake to make. no harm intended.

[mnsports255]

Yes, I was very impressed with Elise Walch watching her in the tournament! She hits a mean ball on the RS and should be a primary option for them this year.

I won't lie, I was stupidly doubtful of her ability to play competitively as an attacker/blocker because of reasons that you can imagine. I will never judge a player like that (a book by its cover) without seeing a good dose of their play again.

Elise is a great player and I look forward to seeing what she can do this upcoming season!

*She almost went to Minnesota, shoot! Would've made a nice RS replacement to Harms for us this upcoming season. Oh well.

[mnsports255]

How is Neff coming along?

[volleyvolleyfan]

Another key observation regarding the 2013 team is the reverse ratio of international players vs. American players now. Coach Poole has been highly criticized in the past for his team being mostly foreign players. Not the case now. Coach Poole and his staff will be entering their 5th season at FSU this fall and have done an exceptional job recruiting top players.

[bucky415]

Elise Walch has always been streaky, even her freshman year at Wisconsin, so she will need to work on that to emerge as a consistent force. Still, she is one of the few players about whom I can say that if she can get one kill, she might get six. Quickly.

[volleyvolleyfan]

Neff made 3rd team AA in 2012 and was named the ACC Player of the Year. She was AA Honorable mention in 2011. She finished among the top 15 nationally in both Hitting % and Blocking in 2012.

2013 will see her paired up with setter Wickstrom who will move into the starting setter spot. Neff should have her biggest season come 2013 fall-her senior year ! With continued strong passing from the back row she should be one of the impact hitters this fall -seeing lots of action to put the ball down

[mnsports255]

Mosher is a great Libero who seems like she's been around forever. I'd be happy with my chances if she were my team's Libero, that's for sure!

[sulo]

FSU should be formidable in 2013, but I'm picking UNC to win the title.

[volleyvolleyfan]

Mosher is one of those liberos that is under the radar. She just finished her 2nd season and already holds the #1 and #5 single season digs record at FSU and also moved into the 7th spot in school history with career digs. She helped her team win back to back ACC Championships in 2011 and 2012 and was a critical contributor to the team making the FINAL FOUR run in 2011 with her exceptional play at the Minnesota Regional vs. Purdue and Iowa State.

She was voted team captain by her peers in 2012 as a sophomore and according to her bio also was selected team's MIP in 2011 and the Most Trusted Player in 2012.

Mosher should be looking towards 2013 as one of her greatest opportunities to move into an even more pronounced role as a top recognized libero in the ACC. She has the resume to achieve that for sure.