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Post by Xplaya on Mar 24, 2014 7:39:09 GMT -5
Palmer had a great freshman year setting for Arizona State. I would argue by comparing statistics that she had a better year setting the Sun Devils in 2012-2013 than did her sophomore replacement, Bianca Arellano, in 2013-2014. Palmer was named to the PAC-12 All Freshman team for the 2012-2013 season as a setter. She sat out the season last year. Not trying to be harsh, but Palmer didn't just sit out last year, she got beat out then she quit the team.
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Post by c4ndlelight on Mar 24, 2014 8:05:26 GMT -5
I am very tempted to drive to Indianapolis April 5th to watch not one but two Fighting Illini teams playing their first spring matches. I am particularly interested in seeing how the two new members of the squad, freshman Brandi Donnelly and sophomore Allison Palmer, are worked into the lineups by the coaches. Both Donnelly and Palmer have good defensive/passing skills. Palmer had a great freshman year setting for Arizona State. I would argue by comparing statistics that she had a better year setting the Sun Devils in 2012-2013 than did her sophomore replacement, Bianca Arellano, in 2013-2014. Palmer was named to the PAC-12 All Freshman team for the 2012-2013 season as a setter. She sat out the season last year. Since I heard that Palmer was joining the Illini all I can do is sing along with Pharrell 'because I'm HAPPY': How much have you seen of Palmer? No way she had a better year setting than BA. When she set in 2012, her location was very spotty and she ran a pretty boring high-ball outside offense. She showed some potential but was clearly beaten out by Arrellano, who sped it up, mixed it up, and added a ton of athleticism to the position. I wish Palmer the best, but I don't think you should expect her to walk onto campus and easily replace Viliunas.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Mar 24, 2014 8:10:39 GMT -5
Palmer had a great freshman year setting for Arizona State. I would argue by comparing statistics that she had a better year setting the Sun Devils in 2012-2013 than did her sophomore replacement, Bianca Arellano, in 2013-2014. Palmer was named to the PAC-12 All Freshman team for the 2012-2013 season as a setter. She sat out the season last year. Not trying to be harsh, but Palmer didn't just sit out last year, she got beat out then she quit the team. I admit to knowing that the coaches chose Arellano (a transfer from Tennessee that apparently left in the big UT Anti-Patrick Exodus following the 2012-2013 season) as the team's starting setter over Palmer. I just wonder after comparing Arellano's and Palmer's setting statistics (and where ASU finished in the PAC 12 standings) from the years each of them set the team, if the coaches made the right choice. I believe there is probably a much larger story here than by just stating that Arellano beat out Palmer for the setting position. Let's not forget that Arellano's club career was at Phoenix based Club Red which is co-coached by none other than ASU's head coach, Watson. So Watson and Arellano already had a bond and relationship. I do find it interesting that Arellano chose to go across country to play for Tennessee her freshman year, when I would bet she was recruited by Watson. She may have been his first choice for filling his setting need before she chose Tennessee, and thus Watson's signing of Palmer. Perhaps, Watson was hoping he could have Arellano set the team, and Palmer would be happy playing either libero or ds for the Sun Devils. She is an exceptional defensive player as well as an exceptional setter. If one happens to base their evaluations and comparisons strictly on statistics, Palmer as a true freshman was more successful setting the Sun Devils than Sophomore Arellano.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Mar 24, 2014 8:28:17 GMT -5
I am very tempted to drive to Indianapolis April 5th to watch not one but two Fighting Illini teams playing their first spring matches. I am particularly interested in seeing how the two new members of the squad, freshman Brandi Donnelly and sophomore Allison Palmer, are worked into the lineups by the coaches. Both Donnelly and Palmer have good defensive/passing skills. Palmer had a great freshman year setting for Arizona State. I would argue by comparing statistics that she had a better year setting the Sun Devils in 2012-2013 than did her sophomore replacement, Bianca Arellano, in 2013-2014. Palmer was named to the PAC-12 All Freshman team for the 2012-2013 season as a setter. She sat out the season last year. Since I heard that Palmer was joining the Illini all I can do is sing along with Pharrell 'because I'm HAPPY': How much have you seen of Palmer? No way she had a better year setting than BA. When she set in 2012, her location was very spotty and she ran a pretty boring high-ball outside offense. She showed some potential but was clearly beaten out by Arrellano, who sped it up, mixed it up, and added a ton of athleticism to the position. I wish Palmer the best, but I don't think you should expect her to walk onto campus and easily replace Viliunas. Full disclosure...I have never seen Palmer set the ball. I have watched a full season of Viliunas setting the Illini. I am basing my excitement for Palmer on the esteem other coaches in the PAC 12 had for her when she was voted onto the All-Freshman team as the setter at ASU. And, after studying her statistics as a true freshman setter in the PAC 12, and comparing those statistics to those of Arellanos and Viliunas. I know that there are coaches who do not like to use statistics to make comparisons, but I also know there are coaches who say that statistics DO NOT LIE.
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Post by Stanlifornia on Mar 24, 2014 9:45:53 GMT -5
From what I recall, Palmer essentially ran much of the same style of offense for ASU that Viliunas ran last year for Illinois: pin-heavy.
Granted this might have been based on the personnel both of them had on the wings (Palmer dishing to Gardner/ Wilson, Viliunas to Birks/ McMahon), but I'm guessing Hambly gives the 6-2 a look at some point next year.
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Post by VBintents on Mar 24, 2014 10:34:50 GMT -5
N
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Post by VBintents on Mar 24, 2014 10:36:31 GMT -5
Now that's a no BRAINER! Looking forward to watching Palmer at Illinois. Wishing her the best there!
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Post by WI FIB on Mar 24, 2014 11:28:09 GMT -5
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Post by c4ndlelight on Mar 24, 2014 11:59:59 GMT -5
4 PAC-12 teams! For RPI reasons alone, now hoping Illinois wins the Big Ten next year! A very challenging schedule but a lot fewer toss-ups and more "really should win" matches for the Illini. I do admire Hambly's commitment to tough scheduling.
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Post by rocwest on Mar 24, 2014 15:16:08 GMT -5
Beth Prince is recovering from an injury. I like Purdue's recruits, but Prince is going to be special at Illinois. Shondell has been referring to Beth Prince in his tweets a lot lately. Is she going to Purdue instead?Yeah? That might be an NCAA violation to tweet about a committed but unsigned PSA of another school. Are you thinking of Burgundy Price? She's headed to PU as part of their touted class.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2014 20:09:22 GMT -5
According to this video, it looks Illinois may be speeding up their offense like several predicted.
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Post by VBintents on Mar 24, 2014 21:14:48 GMT -5
Smart! I really like to see the aggressive schedule and the quicker offense!
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Post by jma22 on Mar 25, 2014 1:48:19 GMT -5
Wow, I'm surprised the schedule was released so early. Looks like Hambly toned down the tough non-conference scheduling a bit, but still scheduled some good teams. We should be favored in all of those games, except stanford and maybe @creighton. Really excited for the season, but unfortunately I won't be able to attend many matches this year.
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Post by jma22 on Mar 25, 2014 1:49:57 GMT -5
According to this video, it looks Illinois may be speeding up their offense like several predicted. The video's private
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Post by LovePennState on Mar 25, 2014 6:26:03 GMT -5
I was able to watch the entire practice. Actually saved it. Illinois - like most teams in March, have plenty of work to do, but are ahead of most teams. They did only graduate one or two players.
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