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Post by Pasquale on Dec 14, 2015 21:26:00 GMT -5
I'm ready for 2016 - thought it would be a good time to create a new thread. Below is the projected roster for next year's team. I have to believe Hambly is looking for another middle blocker. I recognize that Palmer was primarily used as a serving specialist this year, but she will be the team's backup setter in 2016. Discuss . . .
Setter
Jordyn Poulter 6'2", Sophomore
Allison Palmer, 5'9", Senior
Outside
Michelle Strizak, 6'1", Senior
Katie Roustio, 6'2', Senior
Beth Prince, 6'3, R-Freshman
Jacqueline Quade, 6'2", Freshman
Kaylin Korte, 6'1", Freshman
Opp
Naya Crittenden, 6'2", Senior
Middle
Katie Staddick, 6'3", Senior
Alison Bastianelli, 6'3, Sophomore
Libero/DS
Brandi Donnelly, 5'8", Junior
Danielle Davis, 5'9, Senior
Caroline Welsh, 5'8', Freshman
McKenna Kelsay, 5'7" Senior
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Post by vbplaya on Dec 14, 2015 22:41:53 GMT -5
Hey Girlfriend. I'll bite.
I'm most comfortable with our setter, middle, and right side positions. Another year of practice and reps can only improve the connections between Poulter and those three hitters. Most excited about the potential of Bastianelli as she really started to come on offensively at the end of the year. Blocking should be solid.
Biggest question mark is on the outside. First time in many years where we won't have that established returning hitter to rely on out there. Doesn't seem like Strizak or Roustio will be the answer, does it? And will either of them be good enough defensively to play back row and receive serve? Everyone's hoping Prince can make a splash next year, but I don't know that we have the data yet to put any real stock in that hope. Birks redshirted, then came on like gangbusters her first year. Can Prince do the same and stay injury-free?
Maybe the real wild card will be if this is the year that Hambly decides to speed up the offense a bit. I don't know what style is the true strength of Poulter, but whichever style that is, I hope that Illinois lets her run it. Poulter is special and I don't feel like we got to see all she has to offer this past season.
The great thing about college volleyball is that you can never be too sure if a certain group will "click" on all cylinders. Illinois never got over the hump this season though expectations were pretty high. Who knows...maybe next season will be the other way around!
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Post by Kamja68 on Dec 14, 2015 22:55:56 GMT -5
I'm ready for 2016 - thought it would be a good time to create a new thread. Below is the projected roster for next year's team. I have to believe Hambly is looking for another middle blocker. I recognize that Palmer was primarily used as a serving specialist this year, but she will be the team's backup setter in 2016. Discuss . . . SetterJordyn Poulter 6'2", Sophomore Allison Palmer, 5'9", Senior OutsideMichelle Strizak, 6'1", Senior Katie Roustio, 6'2', Senior Beth Prince, 6'3, R-Freshman Jacqueline Quade, 6'2", Freshman Kaylin Korte, 6'1", Freshman OppNaya Crittenden, 6'2", Senior MiddleKatie Staddick, 6'3", Senior Alison Bastianelli, 6'3, Sophomore Libero/DSBrandi Donnelly, 5'8", Junior Danielle Davis, 5'9, Senior Caroline Welsh, 5'8', Freshman McKenna Kelsay, 5'7" Freshman McKenna Kelsay is going to be a Senior if I remember correctly and she could be a back up setter as well. There is another Freshman Libero/DS that you didn't list. |
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Post by Pasquale on Dec 14, 2015 23:07:03 GMT -5
Kelsay is now corrected - thanks.
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Post by oldmanvb on Dec 15, 2015 10:49:32 GMT -5
What happens if one of our middles is injured?
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Post by Socleanclean on Dec 15, 2015 10:57:15 GMT -5
What happens if one of our middles is injured? Maddie Myers decided to graduate early. Illinois is actively looking for a transfer middle this offseason. |
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Post by thechief on Dec 15, 2015 11:33:17 GMT -5
I'm actually excited for next season, despite some question marks. The Class of 2015 was obviously instrumental in our success but I'm excited to see some new blood.
Hopefully we can find a transfer or two to fill the voids. Bastianelli and Stadick will be top quality Big Ten talent, yes, but we do need to be prepared in case of injury.
I'm looking for Naya to take a big step next season and become the go-to attacker. Hopefully she can work on her passing as well, as I'd like to see her all six rotations.
The battle for the outside spots will be interesting. Strizak was inconsistent, Roustio is not a great passer, Beth Prince is still an unknown commodity and the two freshmen will likely take time to adjust to the collegiate level. Should be interesting to see how it all plays out.
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Post by huskerjen on Dec 15, 2015 13:14:13 GMT -5
I want notpriddy's take. I heard 2016 Illinois might be better than their 2011 squad  |
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Post by northwoods on Dec 15, 2015 14:23:36 GMT -5
Illinois was so tough to figure out this year. Their talent was on par with the rest of the BIG but they just couldn't put it together to beat anybody that was good... Call it bad chemistry I guess. So, their success in 2016 depends on whether the elements leaving allow for a better connection between the remaining players. If not, the good news is that by 2017 nearly the entire roster will have turned over and you just have to decide if you want to move forward with the same coach.
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Post by oshkoshdadmjs on Dec 15, 2015 14:34:21 GMT -5
Illinois was so tough to figure out this year. Their talent was on par with the rest of the BIG but they just couldn't put it together to beat anybody that was good... Call it bad chemistry I guess. So, their success in 2016 depends on whether the elements leaving allow for a better connection between the remaining players. If not, the good news is that by 2017 nearly the entire roster will have turned over and you just have to decide if you want to move forward with the same coach. They need an assistant coach that will take care of the offense, similar to Kniff. Hambly does an amazing job training blockers and defense, but a set of eyes to manage the offensive transitions and distribution of the ball in serve receive and transition would help. Being able to establish a formidable quick middle attack in transition in that 5 to 8 ft off the net area (not just slides) will help all the hitters. I would like to see more hitters get solo blocks and be able to terminate the ball rather than just rely on Birks, who is gone, to hit through double and triple blocks. |
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Post by oshkoshdadmjs on Dec 15, 2015 14:38:09 GMT -5
I want notpriddy's take. I heard 2016 Illinois might be better than their 2011 squad Let's all be nice to notpriddy, I'm worried about him. It's been a rough year for him. He loves this Illini team. |
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Post by WI FIB on Dec 15, 2015 14:55:17 GMT -5
McKenna Kelsay is going to be a Senior if I remember correctly and she could be a back up setter as well. There is another Freshman Libero/DS that you didn't list. Kelsay isn't going to be a setting option unless she overcomes the "yips," so to speak. She can't seem to set the ball without doubling it. Sad, because she was a tremendous setter and would have been the second setter in the 6-2 in 2014 before this happened. Illinois is going to need a better backup setter option that Palmer, IMO. |
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Post by Pasquale on Dec 15, 2015 17:22:30 GMT -5
I've lost track . . . is next summer a travel year? I believe they are allowed to travel every fourth year, but can't remember when they last played overseas. For some reason, I thought their last trip was in 2012. It would be helpful if they could spend some time playing together next summer.
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Post by Pasquale on Dec 15, 2015 19:57:37 GMT -5
McKenna Kelsay is going to be a Senior if I remember correctly and she could be a back up setter as well. There is another Freshman Libero/DS that you didn't list. Kelsay isn't going to be a setting option unless she overcomes the "yips," so to speak. She can't seem to set the ball without doubling it. Sad, because she was a tremendous setter and would have been the second setter in the 6-2 in 2014 before this happened. Illinois is going to need a better backup setter option that Palmer, IMO. What are the yips? With Bruder arriving in 2017 and Brown in 2018, I don't see anyone coming in next year. |
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Post by WI FIB on Dec 15, 2015 20:05:40 GMT -5
What are the yips? With Bruder arriving in 2017 and Brown in 2018, I don't see anyone coming in next year. Mentally being unable to do that which you used to do without thinking. Like catchers who can no longer throw the ball back to the mound. McKenna was an amazing setter, but just all of a sudden couldn't set the ball 5 times without mangling one. Sad. GREAT kid. |
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