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Post by cbrown1709 on Mar 12, 2006 18:13:22 GMT -5
Florida's blocking will have to pick-up to put them in the Final Four like I think they could be. Their blocking will help with the lose of Jane.
Harmotto hit very well on the RS off of Kehoe and Spicer with the JNT last summer too. She is a very good player.
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Post by roy on Mar 12, 2006 18:17:54 GMT -5
In just taking the middle blocker into consideration, I think Crimes of Long Beach has to be thrown in there. However, the supporting cast around her has been a bit suspect. But in terms of a top middle, I think her name should be in there.
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Post by vballmaniac40 on Mar 12, 2006 20:40:54 GMT -5
Am I the only one who doesn't see Florida in the Final Four next year? I agree they have two very good players in McGinnis and Killingsworth but who is going to put the ball away on the outside? They're really going to miss the power Jane brought because neither Hampton or Klinkenborg (possible OH candidate?) have it.
Minnesota ran into the same problem last year--lack of an impact player on the left side.
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Post by GatorVball on Mar 12, 2006 21:28:41 GMT -5
Well, those are legit questions and certainly big question marks heading into the season. Passing will be a question mark as well, as they lost 2 of 3 primary passers.
So far in the spring, 2 of their 3 freshmen are with them. Williams on the outside and Cusack who is fighting for the libero position. Right now on the outside, Florida has Marcie, Stefanie Douglas and Janine Williams. Stefanie on the right side is interesting. She's been injury plagued in her 3 years at Florida, but having her on the left is a different look, kind of like when they had Jenny Whitehead back in 1999. She's slow footed but has long arms and a very high contact point and won't have to worry about blocking as much. But, of course, she's not gonna play back row, so you have to use more subs if she does play. Janine is a good freshman, but who knows how effective she will be.
If Florida can pass, I expect them to be a middle/right side attack dominant team, as well as having Angie be even more offensive minded. Amber on the right, the 4 K's in the middle(assuming Kari recovers from her blown ankle, she's out all spring), Marcie and whoever is the L2. They'll definitely have to be a more balanced team this year and can't rely on just the OH's getting it done. They won't be very good if Marcie and the OH's are taking the majority of swings, cause they just don't have the ability to consistently put the ball down, at least they haven't shown that.
I'd say at this point, Final 4 is a stretch, but who knows. They are certainly talented and if they do host the regional and get a decent draw, I wouldn't bet against them. I do expect the 5 juniors to improve even more, however, and that is a great nucleus to build around. They might take some bumps early on, but I think they'll be pretty good at the end of the year.
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