Post by 808valleyguy on Sept 21, 2014 14:26:48 GMT -5
I've been a negative nancy as of late, but I agree with other posters in that Hawaii has a lot of growth potential. As we now seem to have solidified a starting line up and enter conference play, here are my opinions on the players so far:
Higgins: needs to improve set location. Passing has been inconsistent, but even when pass is good set is off. We need the set to be there especially with the diverse arsenal we now have. She will get there. Her tough serving is a definite plus (when in). Her back row defense is adequate, though not as good as Uiato.
Olevau: improved leaps and bounds over last year. Passing and defense has been solid. She is no longer a liability in the back row. Armswing looks quicker and hitting a harder ball. The switch to jump serve has been a boon for the team. Who knew?!
Taylor: definitely nice having her back. I thought she was excellent in back row defense last year (especially given her height), but has understandably been holding back in the back row with her injury. Tall, formidable front row offense and defense. After a great sand season and once her health and conditioning return, look out!
Greely: high volleyball IQ. Solid passer and good defense. Even though a freshman, she has good court vision and makes smart plays. I would like to see her jump higher to hit balls, but has been pretty efficient without
Adolpho: Has been pretty inconsistent this season and so far is hitting for a low hitting percentage for a middle. Not entirely her fault because setting has been questionable. Hopefully this season will be the opposite of last season where she started off strong and tapered off as the season progressed. Has a good slide, though can still be quicker.
Magill: Great get for Hawaii. Nice having two middle offensive threats. Jumps high and is an imposing defensive player in the front. Getting kills and hitting for a high percentage despite getting not so great sets many times. Would like to see her add a slide attack to her skill set
Mendoza: adequate libero. Felt she did better as a defensive specialist last year, but agree that she is the best choice to be libero (right now). Has a good low, flat serve. Feel like she gives up going after balls sometimes
The reserves:
Kahakai: deserving of scholie as a DS. Passing and defense are good. Serve not as tough as Mendoza's, but less errors and can place where needed. Bummed that she got injured
Koelsch: Adequate back up setter. Good placement. Provides height for blocking needs. I feel not jump setting makes set pretty predictable though. If she could jump set, could she be primary setter?
Huff: Adds height to front line when needed. Does not get many kills when in, but at least not error prone
Long: error prone. I dunno if she will see much playing time for the remainder of her career with Hawaii, offensively or defensively, if starters remain healthy and the personnel we have on bench and recruits coming in
Passi: has also been error prone, but has also been getting junk sets. Hits a hard ball the few times was able to, but was still dug.
Maglio: looked good in practice. Not much time on court. Should be used if another middle struggling
Ponce/Anderson/Guinasso: all are steady players--defensively and from the service line
As a Team: When passing and setting improve, we will definitely be a tough team offensively. We have OHs that can all hit left, right, and back row. We also have middles that can terminate. Just need to cut down on the service errors.
Imagine the plays we could run and damage we could do if our passing and setting was as good as Toyota Auto Body? ;-)
(Sorry for the novel. Typing while car getting fixed)
Higgins: needs to improve set location. Passing has been inconsistent, but even when pass is good set is off. We need the set to be there especially with the diverse arsenal we now have. She will get there. Her tough serving is a definite plus (when in). Her back row defense is adequate, though not as good as Uiato.
Olevau: improved leaps and bounds over last year. Passing and defense has been solid. She is no longer a liability in the back row. Armswing looks quicker and hitting a harder ball. The switch to jump serve has been a boon for the team. Who knew?!
Taylor: definitely nice having her back. I thought she was excellent in back row defense last year (especially given her height), but has understandably been holding back in the back row with her injury. Tall, formidable front row offense and defense. After a great sand season and once her health and conditioning return, look out!
Greely: high volleyball IQ. Solid passer and good defense. Even though a freshman, she has good court vision and makes smart plays. I would like to see her jump higher to hit balls, but has been pretty efficient without
Adolpho: Has been pretty inconsistent this season and so far is hitting for a low hitting percentage for a middle. Not entirely her fault because setting has been questionable. Hopefully this season will be the opposite of last season where she started off strong and tapered off as the season progressed. Has a good slide, though can still be quicker.
Magill: Great get for Hawaii. Nice having two middle offensive threats. Jumps high and is an imposing defensive player in the front. Getting kills and hitting for a high percentage despite getting not so great sets many times. Would like to see her add a slide attack to her skill set
Mendoza: adequate libero. Felt she did better as a defensive specialist last year, but agree that she is the best choice to be libero (right now). Has a good low, flat serve. Feel like she gives up going after balls sometimes
The reserves:
Kahakai: deserving of scholie as a DS. Passing and defense are good. Serve not as tough as Mendoza's, but less errors and can place where needed. Bummed that she got injured
Koelsch: Adequate back up setter. Good placement. Provides height for blocking needs. I feel not jump setting makes set pretty predictable though. If she could jump set, could she be primary setter?
Huff: Adds height to front line when needed. Does not get many kills when in, but at least not error prone
Long: error prone. I dunno if she will see much playing time for the remainder of her career with Hawaii, offensively or defensively, if starters remain healthy and the personnel we have on bench and recruits coming in
Passi: has also been error prone, but has also been getting junk sets. Hits a hard ball the few times was able to, but was still dug.
Maglio: looked good in practice. Not much time on court. Should be used if another middle struggling
Ponce/Anderson/Guinasso: all are steady players--defensively and from the service line
As a Team: When passing and setting improve, we will definitely be a tough team offensively. We have OHs that can all hit left, right, and back row. We also have middles that can terminate. Just need to cut down on the service errors.
Imagine the plays we could run and damage we could do if our passing and setting was as good as Toyota Auto Body? ;-)
(Sorry for the novel. Typing while car getting fixed)
