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Post by volleynerdmw on Feb 19, 2020 9:40:12 GMT -5
There hasn't been much talk since Luka Slabe was hired. What are everyone's thoughts? There was some discussion on the jobs thread about the hire... sounds like a bit of the outside the box hire. Last HC had a winning record over 4 years but was trending down I guess the new administration is looking to "step it up". If you believe what was said on VT there were some really great candidates interviewed and one on them turn the position down. Then Luka was hired. This team was 5-8 in five set matches (3 or 4 of those were reverse sweep) last season. Reason I bring this up was as an outsider who follows ACC vball this team has looks to have some good pieces but not enough grit. From what I have read Luka is very training oriented and "direct". Seems like his is the fiery one on the USA bench. Time will tell... Training and leading an entire program are very different. Good Luck to the Pack next season.
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Post by waynevb1 on Feb 19, 2020 18:51:19 GMT -5
I think there's at least some reason to be optimistic. If nothing else, one would hope that Slabe can continue to keep NC State at least in the middle of the ACC. The two previous coaches (Bryan Bunn and Linda Hampton-Keith) brought State out of the cellar of the ACC. In fact, prior to Bunn's arrival, State was probably way below the cellar if that's even possible.
Both Bunn and LHK followed very similar paths during their time in Raleigh, and I'm honestly not sure why either were fired (let go, resigned, whatever). Both brought in pretty talented transfers with them, and the program took an initial good leap forward. But once those transfers were gone, the program took a few steps back. Guess what...it's not easy to recruit at a program that won maybe 5 total conference matches in an entire decade before you got there. Something Bunn and LHK learned the hard way. Personally, I think if both coaches had spent a little more time at State, both would've kept the program relevant, and hopefully in an upward trend.
If the rumors are true, then Washington associate/assistant turned down the original offer. Maybe that's a good thing since State had already gone the Pac12 assistant route twice before. Stubbs (Arizona) was an absolute distaster. LHK (ASU) was at least decent. Slabe is at least somewhat of a splash hire on paper, and will hopefully bring excitement to the program. I don't know if he'll have the early successes that Bunn and LHK had, but I hope he lasts longer term. He just needs to be able to recruit to State. Hopefully his pedigree and time with Team USA is attractive to recruits. He's added Megan Wargo-Kearney (Arkansas assoc) to the staff, who was the lead recruiter there. If the two of them can work some magic and also use the newly renovated Reynolds Coliseum (which is amazing by the way) to their advantage, I think they'll do well.
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Post by Wahinevball1234 on Feb 19, 2020 22:10:20 GMT -5
Personally, I think this is a great hire..... Before heading to the NCAA, he was the head coach of the Slovenian men’s national team. Then at BYU, his team was national runner-up two years in a row and a national semi-finalist. And, now, he is the top assistant on the Women’s National Team, which has won the VNL two years in a row, and is currently the number two team in the world. Only issue I see is recruiting experience, so hopefully he can find an assistant coach that has some experience handling that side of things.
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Post by volleynerdmw on Mar 27, 2020 13:24:42 GMT -5
Wonder if Luka is staying on with Team USA?
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Post by volleynerdmw on Apr 14, 2020 16:38:45 GMT -5
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Post by volleynerdmw on Apr 15, 2020 8:52:38 GMT -5
Forgot to post the first interview with Luka Slabe from earlier as well. Seems like NC State has put together a pretty good staff.
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Post by bigfan on Apr 15, 2020 9:00:38 GMT -5
Well I was going to wait until they hired a new coach but here is some 2020 news Never wait
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Post by volleynerdmw on Apr 19, 2020 23:02:28 GMT -5
Looks like the staff’s first recruit.
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Post by volleynerdmw on Apr 28, 2020 10:51:05 GMT -5
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Post by volleynerdmw on May 8, 2020 8:02:17 GMT -5
Sounds like the Pack just missed having a top 30 recruiting class according to PVB (PVB had them in the top "39"). They lost Riley Whitesides (committed to South Carolina) late in the game when LHK was fired. Look forward to seeing what the new staff can do with this team. If Taylor Rowland (and the rest of the team) can stay healthy she could really turn the tide for a team that underachieved last year.
Hartley Myers, 6-1 OH, Greer (South Carolina); Riley Shaak, 6-3 MB, Academy of Notre Dame (Newton Square, Pennsylvania); Mackenzie Taylor, 6-0 OH, Lake Norman (Mooresville, North Carolina)... added Penn State Transfer Sydney Ferguson as well.
Riley Shaak will have the best chance to make an immediate impact as the Pack is a little thin at MB this year.
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Post by Friday on May 8, 2020 9:42:24 GMT -5
I'm excited to see what this new staff will do. Things definitely seem to be getting some positive momentum.
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Post by volleynerdmw on May 9, 2020 11:22:05 GMT -5
Excited to hear who this might be. Seems like it might be getting a little crowded but I assume with any new staff they want to bring in their own style of player. I am sure some current players might find a better fit elsewhere.
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Post by vballfreak808 on Jun 8, 2020 18:44:18 GMT -5
Slabe adds one his former men’s players to the staff
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Post by volleynerdmw on Jun 9, 2020 9:21:16 GMT -5
Slabe adds one his former men’s players to the staff Well if your names start with an "L" you have a good shot at being on this staff. Also some serious setting instruction will be happening.
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Post by yoda on Jun 9, 2020 10:52:04 GMT -5
Slabe adds one his former men’s players to the staff Well if your names start with an "L" you have a good shot at being on this staff. Also some serious setting instruction will be happening. Yes...Megan Wargo-Kearney
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