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Post by zero-rotation outside hitter on Oct 26, 2018 9:50:13 GMT -5
I could've sworn there was a "future of MN" thread but I searched for it and didn't find it. People get a little prickly if you mention anything beyond the current season in the regular team thread and I enjoy speculating on future seasons.
In particular, with how well the team is doing this season and the fact that we're losing only one impact player next year (SSS will be an enormous loss, however), what do people think of what it will look like if/when Sara Neilsen takes over setting next year? From what I've seen in the few glimpses this year, she serves well, but her sets were a bit suspect. Obviously it's not going to be as dynamic as Sam, but if this year's team ends up going really far in the tournament and we return 7 of our 8 regular players, it would be so unfortunate to not do well next year.
I have a feeling Hugh may put feelers out for a senior transfer (see Carico in 2009).
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Post by mpsend on Oct 26, 2018 11:03:25 GMT -5
I was talking about topic earlier this season with some fellow MN volleyball fanatics. Our general consensus was also that Hugh will be looking for a senior transfer. I like Sara, but am not sure if her setting matches the offense Hugh likes to run (a bit slower and higher sets). Of course, I have no idea...maybe Sara will thrive when given the chance to do more.
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Post by wiscvball on Oct 26, 2018 11:38:40 GMT -5
Does Shaffmaster run a fast offense? I've only seen tape of her a few times, but I didn't get the impression that she's going to step in and be near the same tempo SSS can run.
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Post by zero-rotation outside hitter on Oct 26, 2018 12:01:49 GMT -5
Does Shaffmaster run a fast offense? I've only seen tape of her a few times, but I didn't get the impression that she's going to step in and be near the same tempo SSS can run. From the video I've seen of Schaffmaster, she runs a pretty quick tempo. Of course she's setting prep players so it's also a question of if she has hitters who can actually hit with a fast tempo, maybe she'd actually be more comfortable with that for all we know.
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Post by courtwatchers on Oct 26, 2018 13:03:31 GMT -5
I believe Rachel Kilkelly from Shakopee who will be a Gopher next Fall is a Setter/OH/DS for Shakopee. Could be wrong. Seen her a couple of times. Love her defense. She is a scrapper. If I remember correctly, she is under 6'. Maybe somebody has more information on her. Just thinking she could possibly be another option for Hugh in setting next season.
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Post by craftylefty on Oct 26, 2018 13:15:13 GMT -5
I could've sworn there was a "future of MN" thread but I searched for it and didn't find it. People get a little prickly if you mention anything beyond the current season in the regular team thread and I enjoy speculating on future seasons. In particular, with how well the team is doing this season and the fact that we're losing only one impact player next year (SSS will be an enormous loss, however), what do people think of what it will look like if/when Sara Neilsen takes over setting next year? From what I've seen in the few glimpses this year, she serves well, but her sets were a bit suspect. Obviously it's not going to be as dynamic as Sam, but if this year's team ends up going really far in the tournament and we return 7 of our 8 regular players, it would be so unfortunate to not do well next year. I have a feeling Hugh may put feelers out for a senior transfer (see Carico in 2009). I could see the senior transfer idea happening. Nielsen is fine but I agree that her setting overall is maybe not the best match for the style of offense that Hugh likes to run. I do think that given a longer period of playing time, we would see Nielsen's setting improve or even out. She's a fine player but we still have a pretty small sample size. I don't see McMenimen (the other setter on the roster) seeing playing time as a setter, or even a DS. Nothing against her, but nothing has indicated that she is ready to play at this level. Tl:DR - having an incoming upperclassmen setter transfer could make sense.
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Post by vbgans on Oct 26, 2018 13:20:08 GMT -5
Sara is more than capable to set for the Gophers and lead them to success. Is she SSS good, no, but not many setters out there are as good as SSS. The tempo is not the problem, and tempo is probably the easiest thing to train. Having great and consistent location and being deceptive (positioning of body to ball when setting) is far more difficult. Sara played for one of the premier clubs (no matter what you think about the other issue about this club) in the nation known for training setters, and Hugh and Matt are pretty good at training as well. I wouldn't go worrying too much about this area for the future.
The future looks extremely positive with the recruits coming in to go along with the talent that is already on hand. I understand it is always a worry when there is a piece that is an unknown, but given an opportunity and plenty of training it shouldn't be much of a problem. See Taylor Morgan.
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Post by zero-rotation outside hitter on Oct 26, 2018 13:40:42 GMT -5
Sara is more than capable to set for the Gophers and lead them to success. Is she SSS good, no, but not many setters out there are as good as SSS. The tempo is not the problem, and tempo is probably the easiest thing to train. Having great and consistent location and being deceptive (positioning of body to ball when setting) is far more difficult. Sara played for one of the premier clubs (no matter what you think about the other issue about this club) in the nation known for training setters, and Hugh and Matt are pretty good at training as well. I wouldn't go worrying too much about this area for the future. The future looks extremely positive with the recruits coming in to go along with the talent that is already on hand. I understand it is always a worry when there is a piece that is an unknown, but given an opportunity and plenty of training it shouldn't be much of a problem. See Taylor Morgan. I think this is a good point. We've seen so little of Sara and with more playing time and coaching I might end up being pleasantly surprised. Totally agree re Taylor Morgan. She is a big reason the gophers are at a different level this year. Nothing against Molly Lohman, but she was nowhere near as dynamic an attacker at Morgan. Hugh's transformation of Sarah Wilhite is a good example too of someone really exceeding expectations (after her freshman/sophomore years anyway).
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Post by memorybankrupt on Oct 26, 2018 17:32:46 GMT -5
I like this Minnesota team so I hope they do pick up a strong transfer setter next season. It would be a shame if the heir to SSS isn't elite, because every other piece is in place. Could mean the difference between contending for a NT or just being part of the pack.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2018 17:36:56 GMT -5
At the very least, you would hope they have a backup. Maybe that's McMenimen. I haven't seen her set enough to know.
Three top MN setters went to or are going to other schools. Not to mention the other ones who were in her class. That's what happens when you have a stud like Sam already there. Too bad Shaffmaster wasn't a 19.
I hope Sara is up to it. I'm rooting for her.
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Post by bucky415 on Oct 26, 2018 19:05:01 GMT -5
Isn't the discussion of this topic essentially around whether they break through and win a national title or merely stay very good?
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Post by B1Gminnesotafan on Oct 26, 2018 19:19:43 GMT -5
In the preseason scrimmage, I thought Nielsen's pace and location were just as good as S-S. Her team even won a couple of sets. Note that no one is saying she is slower or has poor location, because it isn't true. Its the rest of the game I don't know about, defense, leadership and OOS setting. I think we will do fine so long as we can pass. Going after a transfer is risky business and you can upset team chemistry or end up with someone who looked good until she had to play in the B1G or both. If someone great walks on your team to compete for setting time, a la Carico, then great but I don't advocate for going out to get someone.
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Post by permagrin on Oct 26, 2018 19:28:59 GMT -5
I have watched kilkelly play alot in juniors and have never seen her set. Nielsen will be good i think and she seems like a pretty cool customer out there. Time will tell
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2018 22:03:14 GMT -5
Isn't the discussion of this topic essentially around whether they break through and win a national title or merely stay very good? If they win an NT, who cares? We can all just die happy.
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Post by JT on Oct 26, 2018 23:06:04 GMT -5
As one of those "prickly" people... a really sincere "thank you" goes out from me for the creation of this thread.
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