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Post by BadgerAce42 on Feb 10, 2018 21:41:53 GMT -5
Inexperience could have played a key role in a number of specific ways - especially in those 5 setters the badgers kept losing this year. But I don't think it's as simple as counting the number of years players were starters, or the time they had in practice. It's more about the compromises the coaches felt they had to make, the lack of familiarity at key positions during the crunch time of long matches, the inability to make adjustements, and then the mental doubts that haunted the team once those 5-set losses started piling up. I really like Hilley as a player, but early in the season she looked a little overburdened with learning all the elements of being a B1G setter in real competitive matches. She was in her head a lot - not always playing as free as she can. Sheff says she is an analyzer. You have to remember that she split time as setter and hitter in club and HS, so she just isn't as experienced coming in as some freshman. I remember watching her in person and you could almost see her trying to remember all the things she was supposed to do and remember. I felt it slowed her down a touch in some instances. For example, they were training her in preseason to change her setting technique to go off one foot, to get some more lift on outside sets. Also, her connection with Williams took a while to develop because the MB wasn't around in Spring. That meant she was afraid to go to Tionna in key moments, which made the offense one dimensional in some rotations when the chips were down. Duello has not been a starter, and when she has played, she did not always play on the right, and she had not seen any real success coming into the season. Last year her playing time even in practice was limited. For her, any experience she had was actually a negative in my view, something she had to overcome in her head. Plus, she was playing a new inexperienced setter, who seemed to forget her at times. She did OK by the end of the year despite all this, but it was a challenge, especially in the beginning of the B1G. Clark was a starter at Michigan, but not at libero, and not with this team. Her play was good, but her insertion disrupted the back row initially, with knock-on effects on Dodge's passing after she moved to DS and right back. Clark was also coming off an injury which limited her serving, and may have had an effect on her passing which got better as the season went on. She really struggled with bump setting - something it took a while for the team to adjust to. It didn't help that one of the most experienced players in the back row was hindered by a long term injury to her forearm. Sheff leaned much more heavily on Bates and Gillis for leadership than he might if there was a more experienced crew around them. The coaches apparently (according to quoted interviews) had stats that indicated that the other players were better when Gillis was on the court. So one of the results of inexperience elsewhere on the team was that they felt they had to keep her in even when she really struggled. Even after Loberg was inserted, they had Gillis play back row rather than Dodd or Amac, I'm assuming for the same reason. Gillis put in a really good shift there at the end, but to me, Loberg's inexperience was a real problem for the team, since she was the one player capable of taking Haggerty's mantle. Rettke's amazing play mitigated a lot of the problems with inexperience at other key positions, it's true. But she also often had difficulties on the block, fooled by the much more experienced setters she was facing. When that started happening, she had a hard time recovering, which again, I think is indicative of her lack of experience. She will get better in that respect. All in all, it meant that at key moments the offense became too predictable, defense (and especially the block) got weaker, and doubt crept in and the service game got more conservative. That was a real problem in these 5 setters. Later in the season, I felt knock-on effects from problems earlier in the season. This is a great analysis, badgerbreath. You touched on all concerns of the 2017 season instead of just reiterating disappointment based on how the Badgers looked on paper (PVB rankings, tenure, etc.). Completely agree on all fronts, and I especially think Hilley showed what she’s made of in the Stanford match (aside from the match result). I hope the addition of Haggerty, a stronger and more consistent Loberg, and maybe even a 3-middle offense with Hart, will blow away even the biggest doubters. Backcourt is still a bit of concern and I’ll wince each time Molly dives, but Dodge looked so good at the end of the season.
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Post by northwoods on Feb 11, 2018 9:48:27 GMT -5
I don't think last years pre-season schedule did much to prepare this group for BIG10 play. Sheff chose to play a lot of home matches and no top contenders in order to ease his young group into the routine of NCAA volleyball and college life in general. That was probably a good call with a large freshman class, but lead to a rude awakening when the conference schedule hit.
I think he treated last year as a rebuilding season, not that he'd say that in an interview. His seniors were good in a league that demands great to win. He stuck with them out of loyalty (which I respect), and redshirted better options to fight another day. The Cubs analogy would be the years Soriano and Aramis Ramirez played out their big contract while Kris Bryant & Schwarber played in the minors. Like those Cub teams, the Badgers weren't going to win the conference last year regardless of who played (ridiculous schedule) and now we will get an extra year of Haggerty, Hart and Whalen with a core that can be great.
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Post by boh on Feb 11, 2018 11:33:08 GMT -5
Hilley hit during club season? I know she did in HS season but during club her last 2 years I only ever saw her run a 5-1
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Post by badgerbreath on Feb 11, 2018 11:40:37 GMT -5
Hilley hit during club season? I know she did in HS season but during club her last 2 years I only ever saw her run a 5-1 Yes. She hit in HS her last two years and set in club.
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Post by greatlakesvballer on Feb 11, 2018 13:25:08 GMT -5
Gist of the article: “we were inexperienced, inexperienced inexperienced!” Which I struggle to understand: - They played the vast majority of the season with two six-rotation senior four-year-starters at outside hitter. How many other teams had that kind of experience on the left?
- They also started a two-time All-American junior middle blocker.
- Their two freshman starters arrived in the spring and had 8 months to train and acclimate to college life before playing their first match.
- One of their freshman was one of the most dominant players in the country all season, and will leave as one of the best players in collegiate history - experience be damned.
- Their opposite was in her third season in the program.
- Their libero started in the Big Ten at her previous school.
- Five of their six front row players were top-ten recruits coming out of high school. Texas is the only other school that can say that.
Just seems like a lot of excuses for a poor season, results-wise. A lot of teams would've loved to have that kind of "inexperience." Yours is honest analysis based on knowledge and observation. It doesn't upset me at all...I appreciate it. And if the UW coaching staff doesn't discuss the same points in private, and re-calibrate, then we're doomed to be wannabees for even longer. As for their public-facing gloss-overs and PR-ish statements...just something we have to put up with.
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Post by 402 on Feb 11, 2018 14:35:03 GMT -5
Gist of the article: “we were inexperienced, inexperienced inexperienced!” Also the part about Duello “making the most of her opportunity” is a nice way to put it... Sheffield used to blame things on injuries until that became uncool on Volleytalk among the Wisconsin fans. Now it’s “inexperience”.
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Post by 402 on Feb 11, 2018 14:36:31 GMT -5
Oh, great, this one’s back to talk down another Wisconsin post or thread. Go away. Wisconsin fans.
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Post by SportyBucky on Feb 11, 2018 17:02:14 GMT -5
Gist of the article: “we were inexperienced, inexperienced inexperienced!” Which I struggle to understand: - They played the vast majority of the season with two six-rotation senior four-year-starters at outside hitter. How many other teams had that kind of experience on the left?
- They also started a two-time All-American junior middle blocker.
- Their two freshman starters arrived in the spring and had 8 months to train and acclimate to college life before playing their first match.
- One of their freshman was one of the most dominant players in the country all season, and will leave as one of the best players in collegiate history - experience be damned.
- Their opposite was in her third season in the program.
- Their libero started in the Big Ten at her previous school.
- Five of their six front row players were top-ten recruits coming out of high school. Texas is the only other school that can say that.
Just seems like a lot of excuses for a poor season, results-wise. A lot of teams would've loved to have that kind of "inexperience." Do you really think a coach would ever say we sucked and choked in tight matches in public? Or our outsides were far below the level we needed? WTF is in your water? I'd like to think there's a reason you're so senseless.
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Post by 402 on Feb 11, 2018 18:40:14 GMT -5
Which I struggle to understand: - They played the vast majority of the season with two six-rotation senior four-year-starters at outside hitter. How many other teams had that kind of experience on the left?
- They also started a two-time All-American junior middle blocker.
- Their two freshman starters arrived in the spring and had 8 months to train and acclimate to college life before playing their first match.
- One of their freshman was one of the most dominant players in the country all season, and will leave as one of the best players in collegiate history - experience be damned.
- Their opposite was in her third season in the program.
- Their libero started in the Big Ten at her previous school.
- Five of their six front row players were top-ten recruits coming out of high school. Texas is the only other school that can say that.
Just seems like a lot of excuses for a poor season, results-wise. A lot of teams would've loved to have that kind of "inexperience." You're stupid. Do you really think a coach would ever say we sucked and choked in tight matches in public? Or our outsides were far below the level we needed? WTF is in your water? I'd like to think there's a reason you're so senseless. Sheffield’s team went 22-10 in 2017, so take several seats.
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Post by northwoods on Feb 11, 2018 21:45:52 GMT -5
Gist of the article: “we were inexperienced, inexperienced inexperienced!” Also the part about Duello “making the most of her opportunity” is a nice way to put it... Watching how Duello's role evolves next year will be interesting. RS will have her, Hart and maybe Rettke vying for playing time. She settled into being good last year, but I'm not sure how much better she will get. On a team that aspires to be great next year will she be the best option?
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Post by SportyBucky on Feb 11, 2018 21:55:26 GMT -5
You're stupid. Do you really think a coach would ever say we sucked and choked in tight matches in public? Or our outsides were far below the level we needed? WTF is in your water? I'd like to think there's a reason you're so senseless. Sheffield’s team went 22-10 in 2017, so take several seats. Huh? I'm saying he probably thinks these things but wouldn't say it in public. Try pulling your undies down. The bundle seems to be causing some issues with blood to your brain.
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Post by boh on Feb 11, 2018 22:33:08 GMT -5
Hilley hit during club season? I know she did in HS season but during club her last 2 years I only ever saw her run a 5-1 Yes. She hit in HS her last two years and set in club. I think I misunderstood what you were saying. I thought you were saying she hit for Mn select when I'd never seen her not running their offense
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Post by volleyca on Feb 11, 2018 22:37:25 GMT -5
Yes. She hit in HS her last two years and set in club. I think I misunderstood what you were saying. I thought you were saying she hit for Mn select when I'd never seen her not running their offense She hit for her high school. If you want you can look it up
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Post by boh on Feb 11, 2018 22:39:47 GMT -5
I think I misunderstood what you were saying. I thought you were saying she hit for Mn select when I'd never seen her not running their offense She hit for her high school. If you want you can look it up Yes, I mentioned that earlier...but like I said, I misunderstood and thought the poster meant for select
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Post by badgerbreath on Feb 11, 2018 22:50:34 GMT -5
Gist of the article: “we were inexperienced, inexperienced inexperienced!” Also the part about Duello “making the most of her opportunity” is a nice way to put it... Watching how Duello's role evolves next year will be interesting. RS will have her, Hart and maybe Rettke vying for playing time. She settled into being good last year, but I'm not sure how much better she will get. On a team that aspires to be great next year will she be the best option? It's one of the main questions heading into the season. This team could easily have a new MB, a new RS and, of course, two "new" OHs. It could look quite a bit different from last year. Sheff claims that the B team actually had a winning record against the A team in practice, which might mean Mallory Dixon has been doing well as setting the likes of Hart, Loberg and Haggerty. That begs the question, might we even see a 6-2 at times, with Hilley hitting in the front row? I doubt it, but who knows? But this is turning into another Badger 2018 thread... we should continue any discussion there.
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