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Post by redbeard2008 on Dec 24, 2013 18:36:41 GMT -5
Except for Vansant's, you can't look at positions in isolation. As for the rest, all other positions should be up for grabs. It isn't going to just be who is best at what position, but which players, at whichever positions, make for the best team. For instance, Nelson at OH2 allows playing DeHoog at OPP (assuming that Tanner will be at OPP/S), adding height at OPP and helping to replace Munoz' blocking.
JMac has said he believes Nelson can play six rotations, but just hasn't had the chance. I think she will get that chance, so we'll see if she can do it. If Tanner plays six rotations, someone could be subbed in backrow for the OH2.
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Post by ay2013 on Dec 24, 2013 18:55:08 GMT -5
While the 2013 season came to a disappointing end, Washington still had a very strong season, winning the Pac-12 championship outright, as well as returning to the final four for the first time since 2006, while losing only three matches (@ Colorado, @ Stanford, and to national champion Penn State). Four players graduated: Jenna Orlandini (L), Jenni Nogueras (S), Kylin Munoz (OPP), and Gabbi Parker (OH/MB). Three players redshirted: Bailey Tanner (OH/S), Carly DeHoog (OPP), and Jade Finau (S). Three players signed NLIs: Tiata Scambray (OH #9 recruit), Crissy Jones (MB/OH #14 recruit), Courtney Schwan (OH #19 recruit). Renee Meyer-Whalley (S/L) committed, but did not sign an NLI. The class breakdown for 2014 will likely be: SRs: Vansant* 6'2" (OH), Nelson* 6'0"(OH) JRs: Beals* 5-11" (S), Strickland* 5'8" (OH/L), Sybeldon* 6'1" (MB), Wade* 6'4" (MB), Condie 5'5" (L) SOs: Magraw 5'6" (L) RS-FRs: Tanner* 6'1" (OPP/S), DeHoog* 6'4" (OPP), Finau (S) FRs: Scambray* 6'0"? (OH), Jones* 6'3"? (OH/MB), Schwan* 6'2"? (OH/OPP), Meyer-Whalley 5'6" (S/L) * = signed NLI (11) Freshman heights are listed prep heights (but often shrink an inch when listed on UW's roster) Speculative initial (not necessarily final) positions: OH1: Vansant (Schwan) OH2: Nelson (Scambray) OP1: DeHoog (Jones) OP2: Tanner (Schwan) MB1: Sybeldon (Jones) MB2: Wade (Jones) St1: Tanner (Finau) St2: Beals (Finau) Lib: Strickland (Condie) Offense: Most likely 6-2, with Tanner setting backrow and hitting frontrow. Tanner playing all-around could allow one or two additional hitters (Scambray and Jones?) in the rotation. One will likely redshirt (Schwan?). Move #1: Strickland from OH2 to L Move #2: Nelson from OPP2 to OH2 New starter #1: DeHoog at OPP1 (replacing Munoz) New starter #2: Tanner at OPP2 and S (replacing Nelson and Nogueras) Hoped for improvements: * More offense from OH2 * More offense from OPP1 * Better blocking from OH2 and OPP2 Biggest issues: * Setting, setting, setting - esp. middle connection * Serve receive and defense (with Nelson or Scambray in backrow) * Offensive production when Vansant in backrow. Need second "go-to" player. Wildcards: * Strickland beats out Nelson and Scambray at OH2 (Who's the Libero?) * JMac plays a 5-2 (Beals sets backrow, Tanner sets frontrow) * JMac plays a 5-1 (Who's the Setter?) Agree? Disagree? Thoughts? You know I like you red beard, but you always have the more uncommon lineup speculations.
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Post by mikegarrison on Dec 24, 2013 19:01:01 GMT -5
Nelson started 2013 competing with Strickland at OH2, before JMac went back to the 2012 lineup (Strickland at OH2, Nelson at OPP). He has said that he'd like to see Nelson play all six rotations, which would mean playing OH2, which is really her natural position (she was at OH2 in 2011). One reason for doing it is that at OPP Nelson (UW's #2 scorer) was on the frontrow for two rotations, while at OH2 she'll be in the frontrow for three rotations, when Vansant's in the backrow. I suspect that the initial competition will be for OH2, with Nelson, Scambray, and possibly Strickland competing. My money right now is on Nelson, although Scambray can't be counted out. Nor can Strickland, for that matter. Um, what? Nelson was on the front row for three rotations, just like everybody else is. I guess you mean that there was one rotation when both Nelson and Vansant were in front? I don't really see the problem there. The decision will not be about offense, I'm sure. The decision will be based on which players can play the back row the best.
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Post by redbeard2008 on Dec 24, 2013 19:15:46 GMT -5
Um, what? Nelson was on the front row for three rotations, just like everybody else is. I guess you mean that there was one rotation when both Nelson and Vansant were in front? I don't really see the problem there. The decision will not be about offense, I'm sure. The decision will be based on which players can play the back row the best. You misread what I wrote (or I miswrote what you read). At OPP, Nelson was on the front row for two rotations when Vansant was in the back row. At OH2 she would be in the front row for three rotations when Vansant is in the back row. Front row offense when Vansant was in the back row was an issue for UW this year.
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Post by dawgnerd on Dec 24, 2013 19:43:05 GMT -5
While the starting Middles had good solid years, and we can hope/expect that to continue or improve next year (consistent setting was mentioned by RB), is there going to be a solid third option to back them up and push them? Is Jones that player?
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Post by mikegarrison on Dec 24, 2013 19:49:04 GMT -5
While the starting Middles had good solid years, and we can hope/expect that to continue or improve next year (consistent setting was mentioned by RB), is there going to be a solid third option to back them up and push them? Is Jones that player? Obviously somebody will have to be trained as a backup in case of illness or injury or whatever. But the Huskies are going to have one of the top MB combos in the conference next year with Wade and Sybeldon. It seems really unlikely that the incoming freshmen would seriously challenge for those spots. It would be great if they could, of course, but very unlikely.
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Post by redbeard2008 on Dec 24, 2013 19:54:40 GMT -5
While the starting Middles had good solid years, and we can hope/expect that to continue or improve next year (consistent setting was mentioned by RB), is there going to be a solid third option to back them up and push them? Is Jones that player? My sense is that Jones can play MB, OPP, or OH. She was recruited as an MB, but played OH for her HS this year. While Sybeldon is more like Swarbrick, my sense is that Jones is more like Rowland. If Tanner plays OPP/S, since you're not subbing an OPP in and out for her, that makes it easier to play three MBs.
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Post by dawgnerd on Dec 24, 2013 20:03:46 GMT -5
While the starting Middles had good solid years, and we can hope/expect that to continue or improve next year (consistent setting was mentioned by RB), is there going to be a solid third option to back them up and push them? Is Jones that player? My sense is that Jones can play MB, OPP, or OH. She was recruited as an MB, but played OH for her HS this year. While Sybeldon is more like Swarbrick, my sense is that Jones is more like Rowland. If Tanner plays OPP/S, since you're not subbing an OPP in and out for her, that makes it easier to play three MBs. A Rowland-style middle with 2-3 inches more height could provide some useful options to the mix. A quick, deceptive middle was Wisconsin`s most effective offense against Penn St. (Granted, passing and great setting had a lot to do with that).
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Post by hardbop on Dec 24, 2013 20:15:10 GMT -5
Sport is a cruel mistress. After what Washington accomplished over the year, in some people's minds all they will recall is one last match. Not fair but... Maybe a rematch next year in Rec Hall would be the way to rebalance the tilted order of things. You owe us one and I'd love to see Washington in person. Your cupboard is still full, ours is being restocked. Revenge could be sweet. What do you think? I'd love to see a pre-conference visit to PSU...with a PSU visit to UW the following year. One of the challenges, however is the new semi-balanced PAC-12 schedule and the PAC-12 Network which seems to have significant say in conference scheduling. The last two years, Washington has been saddled with an early mid-week match-up to start conference play, which limits pre-conference travel. Very anxious to see how the setter situation plays out. With the new arrivals, that's still the key link IMO. Well I hope something can be worked out. Pac 12 champ vs BT champ. Borrowing from Beth and Karch, we flush that last one and start over. What could be better to start the pre conference than that? I have no idea if the new expanded BT will be a factor in scheduling.
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Post by Boof1224 on Dec 24, 2013 20:16:29 GMT -5
Sport is a cruel mistress. After what Washington accomplished over the year, in some people's minds all they will recall is one last match. Not fair but... Maybe a rematch next year in Rec Hall would be the way to rebalance the tilted order of things. You owe us one and I'd love to see Washington in person. Your cupboard is still full, ours is being restocked. Revenge could be sweet. What do you think? I'd love to see a pre-conference visit to PSU...with a PSU visit to UW the following year. One of the challenges, however is the new semi-balanced PAC-12 schedule and the PAC-12 Network which seems to have significant say in conference scheduling. The last two years, Washington has been saddled with an early mid-week match-up to start conference play, which limits pre-conference travel. Very anxious to see how the setter situation plays out. With the new arrivals, that's still the key link IMO.
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Post by Boof1224 on Dec 24, 2013 20:17:34 GMT -5
Psu is already getting Stanford and ucla the next 4 years
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Post by redbeard2008 on Dec 24, 2013 20:26:06 GMT -5
I do think a more challenging pre-conference schedule is in order. An issue this season is that we didn't meet a team that we weren't familiar with and which was a significant challenge until Penn State. I'd like to see Texas on the schedule.
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Post by tomclen on Dec 24, 2013 20:28:39 GMT -5
1. Tougher pre-conference schedule. But not Hambly Illinois tough.
2. Figure out a way to give the middles good sets. That seems to be a problem that's hampered this team for about 5 years now.
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Post by dawgnerd on Dec 24, 2013 20:54:17 GMT -5
1. Tougher pre-conference schedule. But not Hambly Illinois tough. 2. Figure out a way to give the middles good sets. That seems to be a problem that's hampered this team for about 5 years now. They really seemed be working on #2 early in the season. It paid some dividends, but mostly dissipated when the competition got intense. There is a lot to be gained there next year, as both are good offensive threats when the pass and set are there (esp. LS). Would like to see occasional use of the middles on imperfect passes, but that is the next step. Both solid on the block.
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Post by chisovnik on Dec 24, 2013 21:00:20 GMT -5
Okay, can someone that actually knows something about volleyball tell me if Tanner is a legitimate setter? Or is she just a hitter that can set?
I don't think Beals has what it takes to run a successful 5-1 so hopefully Tanner does. She seems like she has the intangibles down bit I've never seen her play so I don't know about her actual setting ability.
I've said this a lot but I'm really excited for Scambray. If she was on the team this season I think Washington could have beat PSU. She's exactly what they need.
Jones is going to be good for them in the middle. I think she will take Wade's spot. Washington's problem was this was that they couldn't get consistent offense from anyone other than Vansant. Scambray and Jones will help a lot.
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