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Post by Kamja68 on Dec 14, 2015 19:46:18 GMT -5
What are everyone's thoughts about the future of Illinois volleyball? I'm a little worried. We had a worse season than expected, lose our best player, and don't have any highly ranked recruits coming in next year as far as I know. We still have a few great players, but will we have the pieces to compete at the top of the Big Ten again anytime soon? Beth Prince basically is a 2016 recruit now with her red shirt season. From most accounts she is going to be really good and an extra year of practice shouldn't do anything but help. I think worrying about how high ranked a recruit is alright for fans but the coaches know who they are recruiting and how they fit. Certainly many high ranked recruits work out but I'm sure many don't.
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Post by Pasquale on Dec 14, 2015 20:51:51 GMT -5
I'm excited about 2016. I believe some of the younger players are ready to take over and lead the team (something that had been missing the past couple of seasons). Against Minnesota, Strizak played as she had played earlier in the season and should be more consistent with a year of experience as a starter. Bastianelli and Crittenden made significant progress over the season and will be stronger next year. Poulter and Donnelly will continue to excel. I'm most excited to see Prince play - she will be good fun to watch.
I'm curious what Humbly plans to do about a middle - he really needs to find a transfer or international player to replace Mayers.
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Post by thechief on Dec 15, 2015 11:38:50 GMT -5
What are everyone's thoughts about the future of Illinois volleyball? I'm a little worried. We had a worse season than expected, lose our best player, and don't have any highly ranked recruits coming in next year as far as I know. We still have a few great players, but will we have the pieces to compete at the top of the Big Ten again anytime soon? I am mostly excited to see how the new pieces fit together next year. Though this senior class was successful, they never got over that hump. I have my own theories as to why but this is not the place or time. I will say, I have growing concerns about Hambly as a coach. Before this season, I had thought that he was strong but I think this season is really on him. I think he can certainly recruit well but I am not sure if he has the right attitude for a coach hoping to be a national contender. We'll see but I will say, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in him.
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kabvb
Sophomore
Posts: 155
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Post by kabvb on Dec 15, 2015 17:21:59 GMT -5
What are everyone's thoughts about the future of Illinois volleyball? I'm a little worried. We had a worse season than expected, lose our best player, and don't have any highly ranked recruits coming in next year as far as I know. We still have a few great players, but will we have the pieces to compete at the top of the Big Ten again anytime soon? I am mostly excited to see how the new pieces fit together next year. Though this senior class was successful, they never got over that hump. I have my own theories as to why but this is not the place or time. I will say, I have growing concerns about Hambly as a coach. Before this season, I had thought that he was strong but I think this season is really on him. I think he can certainly recruit well but I am not sure if he has the right attitude for a coach hoping to be a national contender. We'll see but I will say, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in him. [ You should be disappointed in your coach - he had one of the best hitters in the Big Ten that he used by his own admission for garbage plays ! I couldn't believe what I just read and that was a direct quote from him. You had the top setter, one of the best Liberos and an all America hitter and he couldn't pull together a decent win. Illinois having all kinds of trouble behind the scenes this year.
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Post by sunsuphornsup on Dec 15, 2015 17:29:36 GMT -5
I am mostly excited to see how the new pieces fit together next year. Though this senior class was successful, they never got over that hump. I have my own theories as to why but this is not the place or time. I will say, I have growing concerns about Hambly as a coach. Before this season, I had thought that he was strong but I think this season is really on him. I think he can certainly recruit well but I am not sure if he has the right attitude for a coach hoping to be a national contender. We'll see but I will say, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in him. [ You should be disappointed in your coach - he had one of the best hitters in the Big Ten that he used by his own admission for garbage plays ! I couldn't believe what I just read and that was a direct quote from him. You had the top setter, one of the best Liberos and an all America hitter and he couldn't pull together a decent win. Illinois having all kinds of trouble behind the scenes this year. Please, do tell.
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Post by big10vb on Dec 15, 2015 19:20:09 GMT -5
I was just going over the stats after I read somewhere that the Illinois defense broke down in the MN game. I was surprised to see that Poulter and Birks led in digs with 7, followed by Conard with 6. Donnelly only had 5 digs. MN libero had double that number. Next year, the passing and defense has to get better if Illinois is going to have any chance at being successful.
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Post by vbfanantic on Dec 15, 2015 21:00:50 GMT -5
I am so sad to see the season end. I love Birks. She is such a strong player but also so composed. We have been blessed to have her.
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kabvb
Sophomore
Posts: 155
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Post by kabvb on Dec 23, 2015 13:39:20 GMT -5
[ You should be disappointed in your coach - he had one of the best hitters in the Big Ten that he used by his own admission for garbage plays ! I couldn't believe what I just read and that was a direct quote from him. You had the top setter, one of the best Liberos and an all America hitter and he couldn't pull together a decent win. Illinois having all kinds of trouble behind the scenes this year. Please, do tell. I was simply referring to what's in the news Coaches being fired now AD is fired. Nothing I know of first hand.
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