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Post by vbman100 on Sept 1, 2015 11:45:40 GMT -5
Where on paper does this side look any different than it was last year? They ended the season looking like a bubble qualifier. The bright spot on the season was their opening Big10. Pinning hopes on a freshman 5-1 setter to once again place the team in a top 4 B1G seems an aweful big hope. A 20-25 top 8 finish will be a nice step forward; not sure if things have changed enough to allow the team to come together and do any better than that. With the results that Carlini posted as a freshman and with how Poulter and the Illini have looked so far, expectations of a top 10 recruit at setter are very high.
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Post by volleylearner on Sept 1, 2015 12:06:24 GMT -5
The only time I have watched these Minnesota players was this weekend, but I wanted to add one more comment on the setter-hitter connections. Hugh spent a bunch of time during the matches coaching hitters on their swings, e.g., getting too far under the ball, timing the snap, and follow-through. I wonder if the theory of the offense is a level above the abilities, leading to choosing shots that are too hard in many cases and therefore the high error rate. Some of the quick attacks that were long or wide were pretty ambitious swings. Just a thought.
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Post by alpacaone on Sept 1, 2015 13:18:19 GMT -5
I agree and too have higher hopes. That the staff has not yet decided on a setter tells me that they don't have the Frosh 1st or 2nd team AA that it will take to make the hitting what it needs to be to put their name on top of the conferance.
I don't think they have the outsides strong enough to pull off a consistant year. I like the 6-2 on a side with two strong middles, and five hitters; but it requires a coach not hesitant to make line up changes. IMO this side without that AA setter simply does not have the outsides to find their way to the top.
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Post by vballfreak808 on Sept 1, 2015 13:26:21 GMT -5
After watching the match against Stanford, I would have to agree that the setter position may be the biggest issue. I applaud SSS for going at a nice pace and tempo for her sets but many of her sets were too low for her hitters. Santana struggled to adjust to the really low sets and all she could do was hit straight into the block or tip the ball. The sets to both of the Tapps were pretty inconsistent. Hannah got trapped a lot while the location to Paige was not always there. I believe SSS will stay the starting setter and hope she improves after this weeks performance.
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Post by craftylefty on Sept 1, 2015 13:29:41 GMT -5
Anyone know where to find video of the Stanford match?
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Post by alpacaone on Sept 1, 2015 13:39:37 GMT -5
Where on paper does this side look any different than it was last year? They ended the season looking like a bubble qualifier. The bright spot on the season was their opening Big10. Pinning hopes on a freshman 5-1 setter to once again place the team in a top 4 B1G seems an aweful big hope. A 20-25 top 8 finish will be a nice step forward; not sure if things have changed enough to allow the team to come together and do any better than that. With the results that Carlini posted as a freshman and with how Poulter and the Illini have looked so far, expectations of a top 10 recruit at setter are very high. It wasn't all Carlini, add a coach who thus far Hugh pales in comparison to.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2015 14:15:54 GMT -5
And THERE you see alpacone's REAL criticism.
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Post by alpacaone on Sept 1, 2015 15:08:17 GMT -5
That's true, but I love the Gopher more. I'm twenty year's removed from Minnesota "nice." If he was brought in to coach the Yankees fired we would all want him to be.
As per the OP: a loss against Stanford is nothing, and great for rpi, a five set loss to a TAMU side that should be at least as good as last year's SEC top4 is basically a wash and should show this side to be at least a first round tourny team. Ruffda likes must wins; avenging the loss against a hot/cold Louisville is a must. UNC won't be as good this year as last and a win could show this Minny team to be a B1G top 8. B1G problem for the Gophers is that the bar never falls too far; I do not see the horses or chemistry needed for them to pull off a 2013 Wisky 4th place run thing.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2015 15:31:12 GMT -5
And I have no problem with any of that. But the idea that White, Mau or Hauer would be starting is pretty far-fetched. And, like I said, they didn't want to be here. I liked them all. But I don't want players to be here who don't want to play for the Gophers.
Jack's situation was totally different, by the way. As was Lawmaster's.
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Post by alpacaone on Sept 1, 2015 16:35:13 GMT -5
That's too far, you have no idea what you're talking about. For you to even think any of those ladies would not have been given a chance to start either this or last season is simply sourness. I will choose to let it go. Last years play was a total train wreck, it was underachievment, and one which was foretold! Hopefully there are things learned from what happened, and the team's future a brighter one. I'm wishing our Senior the absolute best this year, I think that Daly can take this team perhaps as far as a home NCAA, but ATM, like last year a 6-8 finish should be seen as an acheivement.
You answer this: did the team show at all an ability to run with the big dogs and finish top 4 in the PAC or B1G this last weekend? If the staff is seeing the next Carlini then why were they running the hybrid 6-2? Don't kill the messenger, sorry you don't like what is clearly seen when not wearing rose coloured glasses. At this point the hitting/defensive stats needed to must not be there. I am hoping by mid conference that this can be thrown back at me.
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Post by B1Gminnesotafan on Sept 1, 2015 18:18:36 GMT -5
I saw an improved team this weekend. Passing is better - that's a big item. The fact that a new freshman setter didn't connect well on her first outing, in a rather loud gym, for preseason, doesn't mean she won't be great. The problem on the left will be for the coaches to figure out. I just have to show up and cheer. You know Stanford had a pep band, cheerleaders and a mascot there, for preseason. They are going all out after that title and I wish them good luck.
I also think that the faster paced game is the right way to go. We might get a point or two more with a slower game but we still won't beat the likes of Stanford. If we want to win, we need that faster pace and to improve our game to go with it.
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