Nside
Sophomore
Posts: 201
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Post by Nside on Apr 15, 2014 18:50:10 GMT -5
The Huskers return 5 starters from last year's team who made it to the regional final. The loss of Robinson will be huge no doubt, and her outside spot will likely be one of the more competitive positions come fall camp. My main concern is setting and offensive production out of the middle and right side. Earlier this year, Cook said he knows what he needs to do to help Mary improve, which I think anyone can guess what that is. Hunter's injury has kind of shifted the focus away from her, and I haven't heard how she's doing. Overall I think ball control and defense will be very solid, with Justine, Kadie, Brenna, and Amber returning. The only hitters in my opinion that are locks for next year are M2 (Hall) and L1 (Kadie). Amber will definitely start, but there's been talk of her moving back to outside. Kira Larson got a lot of praise last year, and should challenge Haggerty for middle, but Haggerty has been doing some sort of individual training this spring so who knows. Here's my prediction for starters:
L1: K. Rolfzen L2: Fien/Albrecht M1: Larson M2: Hall OPP: A. Rolfzen L: Wong-Orantes S: Pollmiller
However nothing would surprise me. Too bad there aren't any home spring games this year
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Post by coloradokidd on Apr 15, 2014 19:50:31 GMT -5
Probably get a decent prevue of existing players in the "spring" matches the next 2 weeks before the frosh arrive this summer/fall. No matches at home this spring as they are finishing up construction on the south side of the Devaney. Sat, Apr 19 vs. Iowa State @ Ames, IA (2pm) - "live" stream at Huskers Nside (membership required / min. 1 month @ $12.95 Sat, Apr 26 vs. Creighton @ Wayne, NE (Wayne State College - Rice Auditorium) - capacity 2,500 - (2pm) - SOLD OUT! Hope you have tickets. Link: www.wscwildcats.com/news/2014/2/25/WVBALL_0225142930.aspx?path=wvballAttachments:
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Post by chisovnik on Apr 15, 2014 20:55:07 GMT -5
The Huskers return 5 starters from last year's team who made it to the regional final. The loss of Robinson will be huge no doubt, and her outside spot will likely be one of the more competitive positions come fall camp. My main concern is setting and offensive production out of the middle and right side. Earlier this year, Cook said he knows what he needs to do to help Mary improve, which I think anyone can guess what that is. Hunter's injury has kind of shifted the focus away from her, and I haven't heard how she's doing. Overall I think ball control and defense will be very solid, with Justine, Kadie, Brenna, and Amber returning. The only hitters in my opinion that are locks for next year are M2 (Hall) and L1 (Kadie). Amber will definitely start, but there's been talk of her moving back to outside. Kira Larson got a lot of praise last year, and should challenge Haggerty for middle, but Haggerty has been doing some sort of individual training this spring so who knows. Here's my prediction for starters: L1: K. Rolfzen L2: Fien/Albrecht M1: Larson M2: Hall OPP: A. Rolfzen L: Wong-Orantes S: Pollmiller However nothing would surprise me. Too bad there aren't any home spring games this year I'm curious to see what they do with Amber. Do they keep her on the right or do they move her to the left? If they do the latter, who plays OPP? Maybe they'll try a three middle offense? I saw Nebraska play in person a couple of times last season and aside from Robinson and the Rolfzens, the one player that really stood out to me was Kiel. Very quick, fundamentally sound, and polished player. I thought she'd be undersized but she plays a lot bigger. I couldn't figure out why she wasn't a starter. I know Kira Larson has gotten a lot of praise from the coaching staff but I'd be surprised to see her in the middle. She's definitely not 6'2" and even 6'1" might be pushing it. Very athletic girl though. Needs to work on her blocking. I hope Pollmiller gets more comfortable setting the middles and I hope Haggerty proves that she is one of the elite middles in the country.
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Post by nothingbutcorn on Apr 16, 2014 10:55:20 GMT -5
After the two spring matches we may have a clearer picture. I think Amber stays on the right until someone else can develop into that position. Cook like a nice block on the right side and Amber can provide that. Her kill production does need to go up.
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Post by vbgirls2 on Apr 16, 2014 11:20:11 GMT -5
Heard that Hunter is progressing nicely, we will see how she does in the two spring matches. Alishia is working on OH/RS. Maybe one of the incoming freshman will also get some time at RS, they need a backup there for Amber. Amber does put up a nice block on the RS. Interesting to see who the L2 will be in the fall. So maybe some shake up at L2, MH 1&2, opp2 and setter?
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Post by milkmandan on Apr 16, 2014 15:13:36 GMT -5
As it stands at the moment, Amber is staying on the right, where she'll remain the starter. Ostrander will back her up unless Boender or Maddie Haggerty can impress as freshmen.
The surprise may be Cook is very high on Keil, she could start in the middle along with Cece Hall. I wouldn't be shocked if she surpasses Haggerty this fall.
Pollmiller will be the starter at setter, I think no question. Cook gushes over her leadership.
My predictions before any of the freshmen's arrivals.
L1: Kadie L2: Kelsey Fien M1: Hall M2: Keil RS: Amber S: Pollmiller Libero: Wong-Orantes
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Post by FreeBall on Apr 16, 2014 15:37:32 GMT -5
Fien doesn't have the back row skills to be the L2. I suppose you could DS for her, which would leave the Rolfzens and Wong-Orantes as your serve receive options while Fien is in the front row. In that case, it's more likely Fien would be the L1 and Kadie would be the L2.
The competition for the two MB spots should be intense between Haggerty, Hall, Keil and probably Larson. Hopefully two of them will separate from the pack and be the clear choices.
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Post by WahineFan44 on Apr 16, 2014 15:40:43 GMT -5
I thought Larson was supposed to be the real deal. Werent Nebraska fans and Cook really excited about her play in practice. At least thats what I remember reading on here. Or do people think she still has stuff to improve on before she starts?
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Post by jasonr on Apr 16, 2014 15:47:40 GMT -5
I thought Larson was supposed to be the real deal. Werent Nebraska fans and Cook really excited about her play in practice. At least thats what I remember reading on here. Or do people think she still has stuff to improve on before she starts? They're still real high on Larson, but her offensive skills far exceed her defensive skills at the moment. For a middle, you usually want to start with superior blocking ability, so that's why she isn't being immediately penciled into a spot yet. The problem is, all of the Husker middles are talented, but none of them have shown a complete skill set yet. Keil is probably closest, but she's also the smallest of the middles. Haggerty has a lot of skill and high VB IQ, but her athleticism needs to improve (we still don't know how her off-season training will translate), Hall is the best athlete overall, especially given her size, but she also is the most raw in terms of skills. The Huskers have quality options, but two of them need to step up and show an overall skill set to contribute consistently.
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Post by Longhorn20 on Apr 16, 2014 16:14:04 GMT -5
I imagine this will be the starting lineup come fall.
OH: K. Rolfzen OH: Ma. Haggerty MB: Kiel/Hall MB: Me. Haggerty S: Pollmiller Opp: A. Rolfzen L: Wong-Orantes
I think Megan will be that M2 as we saw her freshman year she has the potential with the right sets. I also think Maddie will be the L2 because of her prowess of defense and serve recieve along with offense. That's exactly what you want out of an L2.
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Post by chisovnik on Apr 16, 2014 17:26:44 GMT -5
I thought Larson was supposed to be the real deal. Werent Nebraska fans and Cook really excited about her play in practice. At least thats what I remember reading on here. Or do people think she still has stuff to improve on before she starts? They're still real high on Larson, but her offensive skills far exceed her defensive skills at the moment. For a middle, you usually want to start with superior blocking ability, so that's why she isn't being immediately penciled into a spot yet. The problem is, all of the Husker middles are talented, but none of them have shown a complete skill set yet. Keil is probably closest, but she's also the smallest of the middles. Haggerty has a lot of skill and high VB IQ, but her athleticism needs to improve (we still don't know how her off-season training will translate), Hall is the best athlete overall, especially given her size, but she also is the most raw in terms of skills. The Huskers have quality options, but two of them need to step up and show an overall skill set to contribute consistently. Again, as someone who has seen Nebraska play in person, Kiel is taller than Kira Larson.
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Post by chisovnik on Apr 16, 2014 17:27:14 GMT -5
If Amber really does stay on the right, I think Annika Albrecht will be Nebraska's OH2.
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Nside
Sophomore
Posts: 201
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Post by Nside on Apr 16, 2014 18:49:37 GMT -5
If Amber really does stay on the right, I think Annika Albrecht will be Nebraska's OH2. I've never seen her play, what separates her from Maddie Haggerty?
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Post by jasonr on Apr 16, 2014 19:50:31 GMT -5
They're still real high on Larson, but her offensive skills far exceed her defensive skills at the moment. For a middle, you usually want to start with superior blocking ability, so that's why she isn't being immediately penciled into a spot yet. The problem is, all of the Husker middles are talented, but none of them have shown a complete skill set yet. Keil is probably closest, but she's also the smallest of the middles. Haggerty has a lot of skill and high VB IQ, but her athleticism needs to improve (we still don't know how her off-season training will translate), Hall is the best athlete overall, especially given her size, but she also is the most raw in terms of skills. The Huskers have quality options, but two of them need to step up and show an overall skill set to contribute consistently. Again, as someone who has seen Nebraska play in person, Kiel is taller than Kira Larson. As someone with season tickets and occasional practice access, no she isn't. That said, both are dwarfed by CeCe...she's a player I'd like to see have that "light bulb" moment. She's so big, strong, and explosive, she could be dominant based on physical presence.
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Post by WahineFan44 on Apr 16, 2014 20:03:59 GMT -5
I thought Larson was supposed to be the real deal. Werent Nebraska fans and Cook really excited about her play in practice. At least thats what I remember reading on here. Or do people think she still has stuff to improve on before she starts? They're still real high on Larson, but her offensive skills far exceed her defensive skills at the moment. For a middle, you usually want to start with superior blocking ability, so that's why she isn't being immediately penciled into a spot yet. The problem is, all of the Husker middles are talented, but none of them have shown a complete skill set yet. Keil is probably closest, but she's also the smallest of the middles. Haggerty has a lot of skill and high VB IQ, but her athleticism needs to improve (we still don't know how her off-season training will translate), Hall is the best athlete overall, especially given her size, but she also is the most raw in terms of skills. The Huskers have quality options, but two of them need to step up and show an overall skill set to contribute consistently. Ahh I see. Thanks for the heads up. Seems like the only confirmed starters are really Kadie, Amber, Mary, and Justine. Everything else seems like its up for grabs
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