I couldn't find a thread so I thought I'd start one. They had their worst season under Mick Haley and had a pretty brutal off season. That said, I think they'll be a much better team in 2015 than they were this past season. I watched several USC games last season, and the bigger issues to me were:
1. Setting-The setting was simply awful last year. Crone and Pizzasegola had nightmare seasons, and Emily Young was not the answer as a setter or a RS hitter.
2. Passing and defense-Part of the reason why the setting was so poor was the awful passing. That said, Whittingham took some time to come into her own, and once she did, she was one of the better defenders in the league. Bricio was streaky and Gillis looked awful in the first part of the season.
3. On court chemistry/leadership-USC never looked like they were having a good time and the communication was awful. I was never sold on the fact that the team enjoyed playing together and was having fun.
4. Middles-A lot of this has to do with the setters, but the middles were NEVER utilized. Ogoms, Schraer and Dunn had nice moments over the season but all of them combined took about half the number of swings that Bricio took. While Bricio is solid, she is no Karsta Lowe to outlet to. Additionally, the blocking was dreadful, as USC finished 10th out of 12 in the Pac-12 in blocks per set.
All of that said, I think USC has the players and ability to be a MUCH better team this year.
1. Baylee Johnson has been with the team since January and should run a 5-1 from the get go. This should stabilize setting, or at the very least be a major upgrade.
2. Still not sold on passing/defense, but Whittingham is back and should have more ownership of the back row.
3. A big question mark, but with all of the departures, it can help bring a team together and lead them to play more focused volleyball. With a more stable line up, the on court chemistry should be improved.
4. Middles-Ogoms and Dunn are both a year older, Ruddins might emerge as a presence in the middle if she isn't on the outside, and Reed who is a freshman might contend for playing time. I don't see a major upgrade here, but the middle attack should be better with more experience and a new setter.
Even without Gillis and Nwanebu, USC still has a pretty loaded lineup:
S-Baylee Johnson (top 30 recruit)
OPP-Brittany Abercrombie, former top 5 recruit
OH-Samantha Bricio, former NFOY
OH-Alyse Wallace Ford, top 20 recruit
MB-Alicia Ogoms
MB-Elise Ruddins, former #2 recruit
L-Taylor Whittingham