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Post by SportyBucky on Aug 11, 2015 16:10:34 GMT -5
If you read many posts from badger fans, you will realize that we actually value our back court quite highly. The strength of the backcourt defines our style of play in many ways. Getting back to B1G 2015, as others have stated, I think the badgers will be OK in the backcourt this year with Bates and Morey returning. Based on Sheff's prior evaluation of MacDonald, and given Dilly's coaching touch , I am assuming she comes up to speed quickly as the main DS. We may actually be stronger this year than last in that area. How do the other teams in the B1G look in the backcourt? PSU has some big losses there. Who steps up...and how long will it take to come up to speed? Are there historical precedents to draw from? What about the other teams? Illinois looks to be virtually unchanged and should be strong. How does MSU deal with losing Moster? Any likely improvements or challenges this year for the other teams? Wong-O is still going to be a force at NE. Question is can an OH pass well all 6 rotations as there were some rough patches for Kadie last year. She can be lights out, but she seemed to be a target and it paid off. MSU lost Moster, who was an amazing defensive player. Hard to see them not taking a step back.
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Post by FreeBall on Aug 11, 2015 16:15:49 GMT -5
How do the other teams in the B1G look in the backcourt? PSU has some big losses there. Who steps up...and how long will it take to come up to speed? Are there historical precedents to draw from? Nebraska should be improved, even though back court play has been one of the strengths of the team the past few seasons. Primary passers/defenders should be: 1. Justine Wong-Orantes in her 3rd season as the starting Libero. 2. Kadie Rolfzen as quite possibly the only six rotation player in the 2015 lineup. 3. Annika Albrecht in her 2nd year as the primary DS. 4. Kenzie Maloney, one of the highest rated back court players in the 2015 freshman class. 5. Sydney Townsend, who may continue her role from last year as a serving sub for the 2nd MB. In his season-opening press conference, Coach Cook talked about learning from Penn State and Wisconsin the value of high quality back court subs. While I'm guessing he still favors players with all-around skills and the ability to play all six rotations, I think going forward he will be more willing to use DS's for his pin hitters.
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Post by FreeBall on Aug 11, 2015 16:19:44 GMT -5
Wong-O is still going to be a force at NE. Question is can an OH pass well all 6 rotations as there were some rough patches for Kadie last year. She can be lights out, but she seemed to be a target and it paid off. With the other solid back court players listed in my previous post, there should be ample opportunity to take Kadie out of the serve receive pattern more frequently this year.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2015 21:40:19 GMT -5
Could she be Big Ten FOTY? I think it's possible. If Foecke and Poulter decided to play in a different conference, sure.
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Post by firedup on Aug 11, 2015 23:59:09 GMT -5
If you read many posts from badger fans, you will realize that we actually value our back court quite highly. The strength of the backcourt defines our style of play in many ways. Getting back to B1G 2015, as others have stated, I think the badgers will be OK in the backcourt this year with Bates and Morey returning. Based on Sheff's prior evaluation of MacDonald, and given Dilly's coaching touch , I am assuming she comes up to speed quickly as the main DS. We may actually be stronger this year than last in that area. How do the other teams in the B1G look in the backcourt? PSU has some big losses there. Who steps up...and how long will it take to come up to speed? Are there historical precedents to draw from? What about the other teams? Illinois looks to be virtually unchanged and should be strong. How does MSU deal with losing Moster? Any likely improvements or challenges this year for the other teams? Back row in Ann Arbor should be fantastic, again. The Maize and Blue return all defenders as Seniors Tiffany Morales (Libero) and Lindsey Lerg (DS) are back to anchor the defense. Meanwhile, the Wolverines have added one of the best DS/L in this year's class in Lindsey's younger sister, Jenna and there's the potential that Caroline Knop, recruited to play L/DS but made the All B1G Freshman team as an OH in her freshman campaign in 2014, may move to the back row if other OH's return from injury. Knop played on this year's USA Women's Junior National Team as one of two Libero/DS's. Taking a peek to the future, Tiffany Clark, Michigan commit in the class of 2016, is the starting Libero for the 3-1 USA Youth National Team in Lima, Peru. Go Blue!
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Post by Wiswell on Aug 12, 2015 14:02:53 GMT -5
Big Ten in AVCA poll: #1 PSU T-5 NE, WI 8 - Illinois 14 - OSU 19 - MSU RV - Purdue then MN, then MI
No listed: Indiana, Northwestern, Maryland, Rutgers, Iowa
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Post by tclenpsu1 on Aug 12, 2015 18:56:27 GMT -5
From the Big 10: "Check back tomorrow when we announce the Preseason All-B1G Team and the 2015 Preseason Coaches Poll right here at 10:30 AM ET"
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Post by rampageripster on Aug 12, 2015 22:03:29 GMT -5
Big Ten in AVCA poll: #1 PSU T-5 NE, WI 8 - Illinois 14 - OSU 19 - MSU RV - Purdue then MN, then MI No listed: Indiana, Northwestern, Maryland, Rutgers, Iowa I think everyone is about right, though I really don't expect to see Purdue and Minnesota to stay out of the top 25. While I think MSU will be decent this year, they will drop some games OOC (@ UNC, @uk, possibly v MiamiFL) and it may knock them out.
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Post by andrewwmic on Aug 13, 2015 10:06:34 GMT -5
B1G Pre-season Coaches Poll
1. PSU 2. Nebraska 3. Illinois 4. Wisconsin 5. Minnesota 6. MSU 7. Purdue 8. OSU 9. Michigan 10. NW 11. Iowa 12. Indiana 13. Maryland 14. Rutgers
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Post by tclenpsu1 on Aug 13, 2015 10:14:16 GMT -5
All B1G:
Annie Drews - Purdue Taylor Sandbothe - OSU Kadie Rolfzen - Nebraska Taylor Morey - Wisconsin Aiyana Whitney - PSU Kelsey Fein - Nebraska Ali Frantti - PSU Paige Tapp - MN Megan Courtney - PSU Chloe Reinig - MSU Abby Cole - Michigan Haleigh Washington - PSU Jocelynn Birks - Illinois Lauren Carlini - Wisconsin
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Post by badgerbreath on Aug 13, 2015 13:34:50 GMT -5
B1G Pre-season Coaches Poll 1. PSU 2. Nebraska 3. Illinois 4. Wisconsin 5. Minnesota 6. MSU 7. Purdue 8. OSU 9. Michigan 10. NW 11. Iowa 12. Indiana 13. Maryland 14. Rutgers I can buy the reasoning for the top 4. I'm a little less sold on the relative rankings of the next 4. OSU seems low, for one thing. What do others think?
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Post by badgerbreath on Aug 13, 2015 13:38:49 GMT -5
All B1G: Annie Drews - Purdue Taylor Sandbothe - OSU Kadie Rolfzen - Nebraska Taylor Morey - Wisconsin Aiyana Whitney - PSU Kelsey Fein - Nebraska Ali Frantti - PSU Paige Tapp - MN Megan Courtney - PSU Chloe Reinig - MSU Abby Cole - Michigan Haleigh Washington - PSU Jocelynn Birks - Illinois Lauren Carlini - Wisconsin A predictable list, as is to be expected. What chance a freshman pulls a Carlini and breaks in this year?
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Post by c4ndlelight on Aug 13, 2015 13:40:17 GMT -5
B1G Pre-season Coaches Poll 1. PSU 2. Nebraska 3. Illinois 4. Wisconsin 5. Minnesota 6. MSU 7. Purdue 8. OSU 9. Michigan 10. NW 11. Iowa 12. Indiana 13. Maryland 14. Rutgers I can buy the reasoning for the top 4. I'm a little less sold on the relative rankings of the next 4. OSU seems low, for one thing. What do others think? I don't think it's too far off actually.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2015 15:14:59 GMT -5
B1G Pre-season Coaches Poll 1. PSU 2. Nebraska 3. Illinois 4. Wisconsin 5. Minnesota 6. MSU 7. Purdue 8. OSU 9. Michigan 10. NW 11. Iowa 12. Indiana 13. Maryland 14. Rutgers I can buy the reasoning for the top 4. I'm a little less sold on the relative rankings of the next 4. OSU seems low, for one thing. What do others think? I think OSU is low as well. I think Minnesota will end the season high, but like UW, has a lot to prove.
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BIG 2015
Aug 13, 2015 18:19:46 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by StarRingo on Aug 13, 2015 18:19:46 GMT -5
I can buy the reasoning for the top 4. I'm a little less sold on the relative rankings of the next 4. OSU seems low, for one thing. What do others think? I think OSU is low as well. I think Minnesota will end the season high, but like UW, has a lot to prove. Seven or eight of these teams will be "top 15" in the country. Mark it down. There is zero doubt in my mind that the B1G is going to be murderer's row in 2015. With Iowa and Maryland stepping up, Northwestern being pesky, and nine others capable of advancing to Sweet 16's, this season will be a challenge for all 14 teams. Minny, Purdue, and Michigan are somewhat sleepers IMO. I was surprised the AVCA poll did not indicate the awesomeness of this league, but why would 56 coaches from other leagues bow down to the B1G?
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