I definitely feel your disappointment
spoilerboilermakers. No one wants to see their team go out in the 2nd Round, especially a team that had potential. And I can't answer all your questions but I'll try to after I say this:
Congratulations Purdue. No one expected them to have the season they did this year. For the past few years, Purdue has always managed to upset at least one very good ranked opponent and then drop a match or two to unranked opponents that they should've beat in conference play. Mind you, every night in the B1G is a grind and you can't take any team for granted but these are teams that had Drews, Epenesa, Evans, Cuttino, Stahl, Nichol... a lot of great pieces that shouldn't have lost the matches they did.
This year? Purdue beat every opponent they were
supposed to beat and managed to upset No. 4 Penn State at Rec Hall after 26 years of being unable to do that. They did this with a team that consisted of 90% sophomores and freshmen. Atkinson developed into an elite attacker and a decent back row player. Mohler did her part as a MB. Peters started well. The next most experienced player on the court was a sophomore DS in Otec. Everyone else was new or had limited playing time last year, including Newton who didn't get a start at OH until late last season.
Purdue lost to the SEC champions. Kentucky dominated the SEC this year. 18-0. They're
supposed to beat Purdue. It's unfortunate that Purdue couldn't give them more of a fight.
As to what Purdue could do to make it farther in the tournament... Good question. You'd think last year, with Evans, Stahl, and Cuttino on the court, it would've happen.
Bush isn't a problem. She's a great setter. She's feisty and she goes for it all the time. I question some of her choices in
who to set from time to time but there's no questioning she did all she could with the passing being uneven all season.
Hornung will make a fine libero. But she's a freshman. She'll get aced and learn from more court time. But she's the answer to that position. Peters lost some of what made her great on the court. And Hornung brings the energy you need from a libero. Think of Cramer. Neil. Those girls were not only great defensively but they got the rest of the team fired up. Hornung does the same. But I also believe Otec is going to give her a run for her money, which is also good.
Purdue needs to have consistent passing because a lot of their offense is in-system. They don't have many hitters who are good OOS. This was a hard year because Cleveland was transitioning from MB to OH -- which means she wasn't a very good passer. That meant for three rotations, Purdue had to depend on Otec/Peters or Otec/Hornung to pass. That wasn't always pretty. Then Peters lost her mojo and her passing kind of fell apart. Reisinger provided a little stability in that role but she didn't win the spot from Peters.
It also wouldn't hurt to have a 6-rotation OH who was an elite passer. Three strong passers at all times would help Purdue be more effective.
Better passing = quicker offense. More sets to Mohler/Johnson. A better ball for Newton to swing at.
I might be calling it a bit early but next year will be a great year. Yes we have to replace Atkinson but we had to replace Drews too at one point. Turner as well. But we have the pieces that developed surprisingly well over this season (Hornung, Johnson, Newton, Otec, Bush) and a few 6-rotation players coming in. We stil have Joiner, who I saw warming up as an OPP at a few games. Still have Mohler. Cleveland will hopefully grow as an attacker as she proved she's probably the best left side blocker Purdue has had in awhile.
This is a long post to say I'm happy we went 24-9. I'm happy Atkinson dominated like she did. I'm so stoked about the future. And I'm thrilled Purdue proved me wrong this season with this young squad!