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Post by zero-rotation outside hitter on Dec 3, 2014 12:01:44 GMT -5
I figured I'd add this since Gopher fans, like me, are already looking forward to next season.
I'm glad that Sam Swenson will be joining the team already in the spring, so we'll get a chance to see how she connects with current players at the spring tourney in April. A few thoughts about how the lineup may shape up for next year:
Let's assume that Swenson earns the starting setter position and that they run a traditional 5-1. I imagine Lohman and Paige will stay at middle. Santana for sure OH. That leaves spots for Opp and the other OH. The three players most likely to fight for them (assuming no big transfers or unexpected recruits) are of course Goehner, Wilhite and Hannah Tapp.
I wish we could combine these last three players into one hitter. Or actually, just take a little bit of each of them and give it to one who is lacking in that skill. If Goehner had even two more inches in height, we'd be looking at a future first team All-American on the outside. Hey, she still may be, but it'll be tough.
Wilhite needs to work on her attack; she needs to be more explosive in her jumping and arm swing. This got a bit better the second half of the season, but she's a decent ball-handler, so I'd like to see her on the left, not the right.
Hannah is a fantastic blocker and jumper, but someone needs to help her with her hitting mechanics. She drops her elbow and hikes her shoulder so much that it's limiting her consistency and height over the net. She could be a force in either the middle or the outside.
I have a feeling Goehner will stay on the left and Wilhite will take over on the right. Then in two years with Daly gone Wilhite/Goehner on left and Hannah on right.
Then we have Taylor Morgan, who is a big jumper, coming in next year. I have a feeling she'll be moved to the pin as a hitter. Maybe challenge for right side, or even on the left (if her defense is good enough) after Wilhite and the Tapps graduate. I could see her on the R, Goehner and Brittany Mclean on the left in three years. But that's getting pretty far ahead.
Rosado will only get better and I thought she was great the second half of the year. Confidence seemed to pick up.
This is SO long.
Ready...GO.
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Post by wonderer on Dec 3, 2014 12:39:30 GMT -5
I think the Gophers will be a much better team next year than this year. Daly seemed to be more comfortable in her new role in the team by the end of the season, Goehner also showed better play. Rosado played a solid second half of season, Paige will definitely be a force in the B1G in the next years, and Lohman played consistent enough. This was a very young team this year that have been winners all their life and who will be very hungry for some wins next year.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 13:01:09 GMT -5
Far be it from me to throw a wet blanket over the shivering Minnesota fans' attempt to restart their fire, but there were A LOT of young teams in the conference this year. Minnesota probably will need the continued development of this year's team just to stay where they are -- the middle of the conference standings.
Minnesota needs more talent.
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Post by ugopher on Dec 3, 2014 13:02:28 GMT -5
Had Hannah ever played OPP before? On a consistent basis?
It might be the move for her and working there in the spring and off-season may help.
Seems to me that when Paige and Hannah were together in the front row (usually Paige in rotation 4 and and Hannah in 2), Hannah would play middle and Paige to the right side. When Hannah would then rotate to the back row and Wilhite came in, Paige would play middle and Wilhite to the right side. So, it may just take some time for Hannah to feel comfortable there.
I would like to see Hannah on the right. She did a great job on the block. If we can get some offense there, that would be huge.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 13:06:03 GMT -5
I'm still not convinced Paige isn't the better choice for the right, with Hannah back in the middle. If Paige can improve as much as she did from 2013 to 2014, especially in terms of hitting power, she'd be a terrific opposite.
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Post by ugopher on Dec 3, 2014 13:06:59 GMT -5
Far be it from me to throw a wet blanket over the shivering Minnesota fans' attempt to restart their fire, but there were A LOT of young teams in the conference this year. Minnesota probably will need the continued development of this year's team just to stay where they are -- the middle of the conference standings. Minnesota needs more talent. No doubt with that. But, they should be better next year than they were this year. Which would/could get them over the top against Michigan, Purdue, Northwestern. Will they be able to compete and win against Wisconsin and Penn State? Maybe, maybe not. And, how many teams had rotations with 3 freshman, 4 sophomores, and 1 junior? And, won during the last month of the year?
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Post by volleyhead on Dec 3, 2014 13:14:55 GMT -5
I think the Gophers will be a much better team next year than this year. Daly seemed to be more comfortable in her new role in the team by the end of the season, Goehner also showed better play. Rosado played a solid second half of season, Paige will definitely be a force in the B1G in the next years, and Lohman played consistent enough. This was a very young team this year that have been winners all their life and who will be very hungry for some wins next year. Problem for them is so will the B1G! Nebraska is young and if they can survive the Rolfzens they will be better with Hunter setting and Foecke. Penn State will have to deal with Micah graduating but they have young physical hitters. If Michigan is healthy, they will be better. I still see Minnesota finishing at best 4th next year.
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Post by craftylefty on Dec 3, 2014 14:13:08 GMT -5
One thing that I am a little concerned about is the possibility of losing more players between now and next season. One year ago today, the team had some extras in every position, but that's not really the case now. To lose what we already have from this season could be particularly devastating. I'm not implying in any way that a certain player or players would leave, just stating that we need to hang on to any depth and growth that we have acquired from the '14 season.
Hoping for the best! Maybe bring in a big-time transfer too, eh?
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Post by craftylefty on Dec 3, 2014 14:17:42 GMT -5
I think the Gophers will be a much better team next year than this year. Daly seemed to be more comfortable in her new role in the team by the end of the season, Goehner also showed better play. Rosado played a solid second half of season, Paige will definitely be a force in the B1G in the next years, and Lohman played consistent enough. This was a very young team this year that have been winners all their life and who will be very hungry for some wins next year. Spot-on! I really think they are beyond tired of losing and particularly blowing leads, so it's simply more fuel to stoke the fire for next season. Confidence was and could still be an issue for a couple players, but hopefully they are starting to see how good they can really be at this level.
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Post by vbcoltrane on Dec 3, 2014 14:23:04 GMT -5
I'll predict they return to the tourney. Other than that -- conference finish, wins over top competition, performance in the tourney, overall competitiveness, etc., I don't know what to say.
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Post by uhwahine510 on Dec 3, 2014 14:40:49 GMT -5
for 2015 i wanna see
5-1 sss- setter paige/hannah - middle wilhte - right side goenher/ santana - outside rosado- libero
6-2 sss/schua - setter paige/hannah - middle - they are too good at blocking to not be on the court. paige is #3 national so why would we move her to the right side when she has proven that she is a force in the middle, and hannah was very good as a freshmen, but im not worry about her, i see so much potential from these two. wilhte / lohman- right side goenher- santana - outside rosado- libero
handley would come in if schua is off
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Post by firedup on Dec 3, 2014 15:22:46 GMT -5
Far be it from me to throw a wet blanket over the shivering Minnesota fans' attempt to restart their fire, but there were A LOT of young teams in the conference this year. Minnesota probably will need the continued development of this year's team just to stay where they are -- the middle of the conference standings. Minnesota needs more talent. No doubt with that. But, they should be better next year than they were this year. Which would/could get them over the top against Michigan, Purdue, Northwestern. Will they be able to compete and win against Wisconsin and Penn State? Maybe, maybe not. And, how many teams had rotations with 3 freshman, 4 sophomores, and 1 junior? And, won during the last month of the year? Minnesota will be better, but I agree with others that the entire conference will be better and is youthful. As for answering your second question, the answer is Michigan. Started four freshmen in the last month.
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Post by snickers on Dec 3, 2014 15:59:07 GMT -5
Morgan will play middle -- a quote from Hugh.
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Post by gophergal on Dec 3, 2014 18:34:05 GMT -5
Does anyone know that there will be a spring tournament? I was wondering if the trip to Japan will preclude the Gophers having one. Thoughts?
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Post by permagrin on Dec 3, 2014 18:40:12 GMT -5
Trip is in march so i would assume there will be in april, these trips extend spring training time once every 4 years i believe.
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