Get the Lead Out: Freshmen of the Year

[leadbrain]

Since we're starting to compile All-American lists, etc I figured might as well start the Freshmen of the Year candidates. Not sure if anyone will really dispute that this is pretty much a two horse race between Klineman and Faucette.

I guess it's no shock to anyone what these two have done in college except that maybe they're doing earlier than some people thought. Is there anyone else out there that is being overlooked? And who wins the award, Klineman or Faucette? I've been wavering back and forth and can't make up my mind. Arguments:

Klineman - Has solidified the outside position. The lack of effectiveness of Richards last year against Nebraska was a big reason why, I believe, Stanford lost in the Finals. Klineman has come in and proven against some very tough competition that she is not only better offensively but may be a better defensive player.

Faucette - Basically was the leader on Texas while Engle and Hooker were out with injuries. Was hitting over 400 for a bunch of key matches and practically put the team on her shoulders for stretches.

Not sure which one is more impressive but if i had to put money on it I would have to go with . . . . Klineman, and that is reluctant since I see them as 1 and 1a in this conversation.

[bownlovingfreak]

What? The lack of effectiveness of Richards? What the hell you talking about? Richards swung hard everywhere. Her backrow attacks were effective and took Nebraska out of system. Richards is irreplacable on this team.

I'd hate to say this, but if anyone was a 'big reason" for losing in te finals, it was Barboza.

[Reach]

I agree. Richards was an amazing player who just had an on and off year. She was a great hitter that could terminate extreamly well her junior year when she was the go to player after barboza's acl injury. As far as passing and defense goes. Richards is still better than anyone on the Roster this year. Ailes included! Ailes is good, but not Richards good, at this point.

[pedro el leon]

Richards had the second best Finals game out of everybody on the floor (after Pavan.) She played her butt off. If you blame anybody for the loss it has to be on Barboza's shoulders if anybody at all, she left her A game in the hotel room that match.

But I agree that Richards was sub-par for the year in '06. Klineman's probably an improvement along the net, and a digress in the backrow.

[leadbrain]

the numbers are already close. klineman still has 5 weeks of season and ncaa's to go. at least comparable or better than richards in every category

Richards - 397kills 3.78kpg .226% 350digs 3.33dpg 56blocks 0.53bpg

Klineman - 266kills 4.22kpg .291% 147digs 2.33dpg 41blocks 0.65bpg

but however, we digress. who is freshman of the year? klineman or faucette

[utexrulz23]

JFK...no doubt! It's not as close as everyone is making it, IMO.

[abcd098]

I wonder what their stats look like against ranked teams, or top 10 teams. I, for one, am too lazy to look it up.

[Keystonekid]

This isn't even a race. If there where a vote today, it would be Faucette going away. Her numbers are much better, and she is her team leader. Forget about while Engle and Hooker were out, she is their best player.

[Deleted]

Is she playing all the way around and how is she doing if so. I hate it when all these discussions are based on offensive ability.

[leadbrain]

you mean like last year with hodge? and pretty much every year before that?

[Keystonekid]

I agree with Ruffda in that regard. I am basing it on her overall impact on her team and on opponents. Klineman certainly better, Faucette greater impact, thus greater first year.

[leadbrain]

Klineman - 266kills 4.22kpg .291% 0.24sapg 11re 147digs 2.33dpg 41blocks 0.65bpg

faucette - 263kills 4.87kpg .351% 0.15sapg 12re 119digs 2.20dpg 32blocks 0.59bpg

also note that faucette has played in 54 games and klineman in 63

[hammer]

Richards by far a much better passer and a spectacular defender. One of the few who could dig hard driven balls near the 10-ft line. Klineman is a better hitter mainly because of her height, but Richards usually played strong against the best opponents. Klineman also has stamina problems, which should abate with time. As for thunderous hits, there's Stacey Gordon at #1, but it doesn't take long to call the roll before you get to Richards.

[Gelatinous Mass]

So far this season Faucette has had the biggest offensive impact as a freshman. Klineman will probably always be a better all-around player but if it's based on offense then I would give the nod to Faucette. If she can get her back row skills, offensively and defensively, up to par she may become a 6 rotation force but she is a long way from being the best all around player on her own team much less in the country.

[utexrulz23]

It's important to note that JFK is not only playing like the best freshman in the country, her game is showing continual improvment. If you compare her defense from the first couple games to the last couple games, you will see that she is improving. JFK all day!!!