WCC 2016

[chatchu-off moksri]

Just wanted to start the WCC thread!

BYU:
Well BYU will no longer have Alexa Gray who left BYU as one of the best players to ever be in the program. This team will have to find a way to be able to replace the offensive production of Gray and the defense of libero Ciara Parker. BYU will be fine with Robins-Hardy at setter, Boswell and Young Howard in the middle, and Burnett on the right side. Veronica Jones and Danielle Parady both got some experience on the outside so I would assume that they would be in contention for the OH spots. I have no idea who the incoming freshman are. Any idea if any of them will be able to make an impact?

USF:
I personally think that USF will be the most improved team from last year. Okaro and Murtaugh will most likely be at the middle and Kim Gutierrez will stay at the libero position. Pilepic will obviously be at the OH, and I think that the other OH will be either the freshman from Brazil (Bia Franklin) or Emily Reed. I think that incoming freshman Nicole Peterson could set and hit in a 6-2. When she hits, she reminds me a little bit of Liz Brenner. She has got an arm! Who ever doesn't win the other OH spot will probably compete at a spot for the other OPP position in the 6-2 with the incoming freshman Nika Markovic. I am excited to see this tema play next season because I think that they can be much improved from this past season.

www.usfdons.com/news/2015/11/17/WVB_nika-markovic-bia-franklin-katie-ashman-usf-dons-volleyball.aspx?path=wvball
www.usfdons.com/news/2015/11/11/WVB_nicole-peterson-volleyball-nli.aspx

Pacific:
They missed out on the tournament yet again. Pacific started out the year so well but they fizzled out towards the end. Lexi Elman and Macie Labass are returning on the outside. With Labass’s improvement towards the end of the season, I expect them to balance each other out next season. Katrin Gotterba will likely be at libero and Andie Shelton will take the reigns at setter. I am interested to see who will take the MB2 and OPP positions.

Pacific Signed Four:
pacifictigers.com/sports/w-volley/2015-16/releases/20151109sjuqfw

Saint Mary’s:
I’m really proud of how this team performed even though they are so young. Saint Mary’s graduated no one and returns all of their starters. I am looking forward to seeing how this team improves next season. The line up probably won’t change from last season. It wouldn't hurt for this team to get another middle or another DS as they are thin at those positions.

They signed one outside hitter for their 2016 class.
www.smcgaels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=101599&SPID=12532&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=210554187&DB_OEM_ID=21400

Santa Clara:
I think that Santa Clara has a really good chance of winning the WCC next year. They return Nikki Hess and Sabrina Clayton on the outside, Kirsten Mead at setter, McCreadie at OPP, and Cunningham at MB with Calkins and Odom both returning from injuries. I think Santa Clara should find themselves at the top of the WCC and back in the tournament again. Nikki Hess will likely be a good candidate for WCC player of the year.
From what I know, they have signed Michelle Gajdka, Allison Kantor, and Laura Willems for the class of 2016.

Pepperdine:
With Strehlow, Dykstra, and Okoro graduating, it seems like this team should be worried but Pepperdine just seems to be reloading. Tunnell will likely fill in at setter. I think the incoming freshman Jasmine Gross and WCC freshman of the year Tarah Wylie will be forces to be reckoned with in the middle. I think that for the OH and OPP positions, the freshman Hannah Frohling and sophomore Nikki Lyons will be on the outside, and Dyer could take place in the opposite position. The senior Palmeri would be a good replacement for any of the pin hitters if they struggle.
www.pepperdinesports.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/111315aaa.html

Gonzaga:
Gonzaga graduated their All American Savannah Blinn, along with Jordan Gasser, and Lauren Joseph. McKayla Ferris has proved a couple times this season that she can be very effective and that she can be a go to hitter. Imani Wimbush and Paige Folger will stay in the middle. The setter position is up in the air for me. Tiyana Hallums seems like a really good candidate for the other OH because she is able to pass. Emmy Allen can take the OPP position.

Gonzaga signed 2 middles and a lefty setter for 2016.
www.gozags.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/111515aaa.html

Portland:
They had one of the best seasons in the history of the program last year, and I am expecting that they will improve next year. The biggest question mark is the OH position. Hannah Troutman will take one of those spots. The other OH spot is up for grabs. I wonder what will happen with the setter position with senior Djurdjina Milovic and incoming freshman Cali Thompson.

Portland signed 3 for 2016.
www.portlandpilots.com/news/2015/11/17/VB_1117153651.aspx?path=wvball

USD:
I think USD is the other team that is in the running for the WCC title. With the return of Lisa Kramer, and the eligibility of Kaity Edwards, this team will be a lot better and a lot more balanced, IMO. Hunter Jennings will definitely be the starting libero. I think the middles will be Schad and Edwards. The pin hitters will probably consist of Kramer, Fayad (incoming freshman), Kennedy, and maybe Tanyel. I personally think it is best for this team to run a 6-2 to have as much offense as they can as possible.

LMU:
They just finished one of the best seasons in school history. The scary thing is that I think that this team can be even better next year. The only starters that I am fairly certain about are Sponcil and Castellanos. I think that every other position is up for grabs.

LMU has signed 2 as of now for 2016. I think they have also signed Tess Reid (S) and Emma Johnson (MB).
www.lmulions.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/111815aaa.html

[volleyl0ver]

Here is byu's signing class
byucougars.com/w-volleyball/cougars-add-three-recruits-2016-roster
 
M. Lake(#52 senior ace) will probably be the new libero as she will enroll next semester to byu. And Miller ( 40 something ace) has a shot at an OH spot

[hittherock]

volleyball1234567, thanks for the WCC info...being a Pacific fan i am looking forward to next season..

[chatchu-off moksri]

Santa Clara has also signed Callie Jones and Taylor Laugero. I have no idea if they have signed any more players but 5 people already seems like a pretty big class.

www.santaclarabroncos.com/sports/w-volley/2015-16/releases/20151217pkla4l

[5280volleyball]

I saw Pepperdine play BYU, and they had a bunch of freshmen out there. They should be pretty good next year with everyone back.

[minncoach]

Two KC players who I have seen in club are headed to WCC. KC Power Setter, Reid, who I personally think is one of the most underrated setters in the country and Invasion VBC hitter Taylor Akason who has played in the shadow of top 10 players on her own club team. Amazing that the midwest programs let these gals go.

[trojansc]

Dec 23, 2015 18:12:14 GMT -5 minncoach said:

Two KC players who I have seen in club are headed to WCC. KC Power Setter, Reid, who I personally think is one of the most underrated setters in the country and Invasion VBC hitter Taylor Akason who has played in the shadow of top 10 players on her own club team. Amazing that the midwest programs let these gals go.

If Tess Reid can fill Tedrow's shoes -- LMU is going to be real good again next year.

[bosch]

Isn't Kyra Banko from San Gabriel Elite also headed to Gonzaga as a 2016? No mention of her in the release notes posted above.

[bayarea]

Dec 23, 2015 20:27:48 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Dec 23, 2015 18:12:14 GMT -5 minncoach said:

Two KC players who I have seen in club are headed to WCC. KC Power Setter, Reid, who I personally think is one of the most underrated setters in the country and Invasion VBC hitter Taylor Akason who has played in the shadow of top 10 players on her own club team. Amazing that the midwest programs let these gals go.

If Tess Reid can fill Tedrow's shoes -- LMU is going to be real good again next year.

I haven't seen Reid play, but Tedrow was deceptively good at running the show for 4 years, and will be hard for any freshman to immediately replace.  Suaava and Mirabello, who carried quite a few of LMU's matches from the middle, are also gone.  It will be interesting to see how they reload at those 3 positions, since their excellent back row and starting pin hitters return, with more good players available on the bench.

[volleyl0ver]

Hope pepperdine makes it back to tourney next year

[minncoach]

Doubtful a frosh can replace a vet setter like Tedrow but I'm tellin ya this Reid girl is really good. A bit undersized but one of grittiest players I saw the entire year last year (she made JNO all tourney team). She also runs an offense as well as any setter I've seen her age. I sometimes wish the Gophers would go with quick, tenacious, crafty setters instead of tall lumberers who are there to block Big 10 hitters.

[C]

Dec 24, 2015 17:24:49 GMT -5 minncoach said:

Doubtful a frosh can replace a vet setter like Tedrow but I'm tellin ya this Reid girl is really good. A bit undersized but one of grittiest players I saw the entire year last year (she made JNO all tourney team). She also runs an offense as well as any setter I've seen her age. I sometimes wish the Gophers would go with quick, tenacious, crafty setters instead of tall lumberers who are there to block Big 10 hitters.

Well the Gophers have a pretty good setter for the next 3 years, interested in seeing that Reid girl play though

[puwave]

Dec 19, 2015 22:43:35 GMT -5 chatchu-off moksri said:

Pepperdine:
Tunnell will likely fill in at setter.

Norte Dame transfer Maddie Dilfer might have something to say about that.

[chatchu-off moksri]

Dec 24, 2015 22:29:41 GMT -5 puwave said:

Dec 19, 2015 22:43:35 GMT -5 chatchu-off moksri said:

Pepperdine:
Tunnell will likely fill in at setter.

Norte Dame transfer Maddie Dilfer might have something to say about that.

I wrote this before I found out about the transfer, but yes Maddie Dilfer would definitely have a shot at the starting setter position. It is going to be tough to replace Strehlow but it is a good thing that there are a couple candidates that can compete for that setter spot. Should make for some good competition.

[puwave]

Dec 24, 2015 23:37:07 GMT -5 chatchu-off moksri said:

Dec 24, 2015 22:29:41 GMT -5 puwave said:

Norte Dame transfer Maddie Dilfer might have something to say about that.

I wrote this before I found out about the transfer.

I figured - I sounded more snarky than intended. More competition will be good for sure.