Post by chatchu-off moksri on Jun 8, 2015 12:36:18 GMT -5
Just wanted to start this thread because I didn't see one about the WCC.
I feel like Gonzaga and BYU are going to be the frontrunners for the WCC title this year. BYU returns Alexa Gray, but loses Hamson (6 rotation opposite), Withers (DS), and Nobles (6 rotation outside). That is a lot of passing lost, and unless Gray learns how to pass that puts a lot of responsibility on the libero Parker. That is a big question mark for them next season.
Gonzaga has one of the best players in the conference with Savannah Blinn. They also have a pretty good transfer with Emmy Allen. I personally feel like this could be the year that Gonzaga could upset Washington. This team will be a tournament team, IMO, and could go pretty far if the team works well together. However, Blinn needs to be able to play 6 rotations for that to happen.
There are a lot of question marks for the other teams.
LMU- Lost Keil and De Witt, their two biggest weapons. Who is gonna replace them? Will they be at the same level of play as last year?
Pacific- No doubt they will be hungry to win because they just barely missed out on the tournament last year, but who is gonna play at that opposite position now with Kat Schulz leaving? Is their new transfer middle good enough to replace Howard?
Pepperdine- They have a lot of new talent in the gym and several spots to fill. It will be interesting to see how the team develops over the season. Who is gonna start on the outside? Middle? Will they run a 6-2 or 5-1? Could Dykstra be a possibility at outside and be a Lilia Frederick type of player?
Portland- Not really sure what to say. May get a couple of wins but will most likely be at the bottom of conference.
Saint Mary's- This team will be very young. They lost one outside, an opposite, a setter (I don't think Dalas Dodd is playing her fifth year) and a middle blocker, and all of them were significant contributors so it will be interesting to see who plays those positions next year. Also, their current roster for 2015 on the website looks a little bit thin, so the team will have to stay healthy.
Santa Clara- Lose Taylor Milton and Kaity Edwards, but keep everyone else. They have a strong core of returning players so it will be interesting to see how they do. Who is gonna take over that opposite position? Milton had a lot of passing responsibilities so either Clayton needs to learn how to pass or the opposite needs to be able to pass.
USF- Loses their best player in Zaloznik. She led the team in kills, points, blocks, and service aces. She will be a big hole to fill.
USD- I think this team could be very interesting. They are hosting a regional so that gives the team extra motivation to play well and hopefully obtain a seed so they could have the possibility of hosting up to 4 home matches. This team will most likely run a 6-2, and have all of their opposites and middles returning. If Edwards is eligible to play right away, they it will be interesting to see where she fits in the offense. The big question mark is for the outsides. There are only two outsides on the roster currently. I feel like a large part of the team's success will depend on the development of Merve Tanyel. Hopefully she can be a reliable outside hitter.
Really excited to see this upcoming season in the WCC!
I feel like Gonzaga and BYU are going to be the frontrunners for the WCC title this year. BYU returns Alexa Gray, but loses Hamson (6 rotation opposite), Withers (DS), and Nobles (6 rotation outside). That is a lot of passing lost, and unless Gray learns how to pass that puts a lot of responsibility on the libero Parker. That is a big question mark for them next season.
Gonzaga has one of the best players in the conference with Savannah Blinn. They also have a pretty good transfer with Emmy Allen. I personally feel like this could be the year that Gonzaga could upset Washington. This team will be a tournament team, IMO, and could go pretty far if the team works well together. However, Blinn needs to be able to play 6 rotations for that to happen.
There are a lot of question marks for the other teams.
LMU- Lost Keil and De Witt, their two biggest weapons. Who is gonna replace them? Will they be at the same level of play as last year?
Pacific- No doubt they will be hungry to win because they just barely missed out on the tournament last year, but who is gonna play at that opposite position now with Kat Schulz leaving? Is their new transfer middle good enough to replace Howard?
Pepperdine- They have a lot of new talent in the gym and several spots to fill. It will be interesting to see how the team develops over the season. Who is gonna start on the outside? Middle? Will they run a 6-2 or 5-1? Could Dykstra be a possibility at outside and be a Lilia Frederick type of player?
Portland- Not really sure what to say. May get a couple of wins but will most likely be at the bottom of conference.
Saint Mary's- This team will be very young. They lost one outside, an opposite, a setter (I don't think Dalas Dodd is playing her fifth year) and a middle blocker, and all of them were significant contributors so it will be interesting to see who plays those positions next year. Also, their current roster for 2015 on the website looks a little bit thin, so the team will have to stay healthy.
Santa Clara- Lose Taylor Milton and Kaity Edwards, but keep everyone else. They have a strong core of returning players so it will be interesting to see how they do. Who is gonna take over that opposite position? Milton had a lot of passing responsibilities so either Clayton needs to learn how to pass or the opposite needs to be able to pass.
USF- Loses their best player in Zaloznik. She led the team in kills, points, blocks, and service aces. She will be a big hole to fill.
USD- I think this team could be very interesting. They are hosting a regional so that gives the team extra motivation to play well and hopefully obtain a seed so they could have the possibility of hosting up to 4 home matches. This team will most likely run a 6-2, and have all of their opposites and middles returning. If Edwards is eligible to play right away, they it will be interesting to see where she fits in the offense. The big question mark is for the outsides. There are only two outsides on the roster currently. I feel like a large part of the team's success will depend on the development of Merve Tanyel. Hopefully she can be a reliable outside hitter.
Really excited to see this upcoming season in the WCC!