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Post by sunsuphornsup on Aug 25, 2013 19:40:05 GMT -5
I don't know whether or not the girls were just tired of playing each other or the fact that it was an early game, but the scrimmage lacked some energy. A lot of it had to do with, as one poster noted, relatively short rallies. The long rallies that were produced did elicit a few oohs and aahs from the crowd. I know one way to fix that... have the team scrimmage against alumni! Can you imagine how exciting the players and the fans would be if players like Hooker, Faucette, Adams, Paolini, Engle, Kisner, Doris, Sha'dare, Roberson, Kocher, Moriarity, etc. were all on one side of the net?!?! I would pay to see that! Me too. Let's make it happen.
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Post by lhlg on Aug 26, 2013 11:28:38 GMT -5
I know one way to fix that... have the team scrimmage against alumni! Can you imagine how exciting the players and the fans would be if players like Hooker, Faucette, Adams, Paolini, Engle, Kisner, Doris, Sha'dare, Roberson, Kocher, Moriarity, etc. were all on one side of the net?!?! I would pay to see that! Me too. Let's make it happen. Ditto. I'm sure there has been discussion. Contracts are out but are being delayed due to Destinee Hooker-Coulter's pregnancy. Just kidding. I wouldn't mind waiting until after D's pregnancy for this match, though.
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Post by sunsuphornsup on Aug 26, 2013 11:46:23 GMT -5
I'm surprised it's taken this long for someone to organize it. It's a great way to showcase all the talent from the program. Lot of other programs do it, so I assume there are no NCAA barriers that are stopping them from organizing it.
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Post by elevationvb on Aug 26, 2013 12:28:24 GMT -5
Last night watched an interview with Elliott done after the scrimmage. He was not happy - said the team was tight and didn't play anything like they have done in practice.
Time to stop talking about having 2 great teams on the roster, because we don't. We have several top players - Webster, Eckerman, Bell, Allison, McCabe and Palmer and support players (Neal, Dalton, Brooks and Hattis and some green freshmen.
Pilar and Chiaka have potential but it's rare to perform at a high level like Eckerman.
Collins is a very good setter, but her height is a major issue - - that was clear at the scrimmage. The team has only been practicing together a couple of weeks, but already have nullified her left handed hitting. She was completely ineffective during the scrimmage with her hitting attack. And she can't block. Quality teams will have her figured out and I believe she will be a liability on the front row. So does Elliott go to a 6-2 to get her & an extra hitter on the court? I hope not. If yes, better make sure Allison is setting Webster.
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Post by hornsup on Aug 26, 2013 12:39:15 GMT -5
I agree with Sunsuphornsup, the scrimmage lacked some energy, but as stated to me by some of the players, it's difficult to keep their composure mentally when they literally just finished with 150 screaming kids at that little clinic they put on. So in all fairness, we seen some great stuff Saturday. Texas will be rolling through teams this year and right on in to Seattle most likely. While I am excited that we host PSU and Stanford at Gregory, I'm worried it's too soon to play each other but we shall see how this team this year responds to pressure an the same athleticism they have on the other side of the net. Like I said though, we played each other, and WOW, the Texas practie gym is like playing in a round 2 match or maybe a sweet sixteen match up. So many weapons for Texas AGAIN, and the ball control is going to be great again.
Some great things I seen and my opinion....benched....baker and dalton as they are redshirting this year... He will try the 6:2 guaranteed, but it will not last past Hawai'i, I think Hannah will win it out, she's just too good defensively, while Chloe, our girls went right over her in this scrimmage.
As far as the freshman go, Chi is not an OPP player at all, maybe with a ton more work but NOPE, she is super comfortable in the middle. She was a different player in the MB spot in the scrimmage..puts up a monster block...
Bell is a BEAST.....absolutely crushing the ball Eck--- Crushing the ball...and backrow was pretty decent on D....it will come. Potential NPOY status.
Bailey---- hasn't skipped a beat, AA 1st team again, potential NPOY status also.
Sarah, great job, she will go out with a bang at Texas, she is fire in the back row...with the likes of Futch, and Brooks, well no one can say our passing will lack...
Hattis was impressive too, monter block, when she gets there, she for me is on the bottom of the depth chart but still very good.
My MVP of this scrimmage, I have 2..McCage and Pilar....WOW!!!!
McCage bombing balls and blocking everything...while Pilar, every chance the coaches could they were just there coaching her every step...she was impressive WOW!!!..so calm and poised..bombs the ball...from the OH and OPP spots..
Here is what I see Texas doing to roll through teams.....
OH-Eckerman OH-Webster MB-McCage MB-Bell OPP-Pilar Victoria Setter-Allison Libero-Palmer DS for Webster...Brooks...
He could do a ton of things with these girls that would form another National Championship team....we shall see...I could see him working Bailey on the OPP too for that HUGE block or Molly...and have CHI middle...but I see Molly and Bell in MB spots.
Thanks! Good luck to all this season!
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Post by southie on Aug 26, 2013 13:12:52 GMT -5
I watched the replay yesterday. Was very glad to see Sara Hattis playing with so much confidence and physicality. She won't be a starter this season or next, but her ceiling is high. She is a player who I think could benefit from a redshirt season due to the current depth at her position, and where she lies on the MB depth chart.
I still don't know who will win the starting spot at Opposite; seems like it will either be Pilar or Chiaka, unless the coaching staff moves Molly McCage there from her MB spot (and inserts either Chiaka or Hattis at MB). For some reason, I think we will see a surprise or two in the starting lineup in Honolulu on Friday night.
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Post by sunsuphornsup on Aug 26, 2013 13:22:07 GMT -5
Based on what I saw this Saturday, and if Texas decides to run a 5-1, I could see:
OH-Eckerman OH-Webster MB-Chiaka MB-Bell OPP-McCage Setter-Allison or even Chloe Libero-Palmer DS for Webster...Pilar/Brooks/Futch
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Post by texasex01 on Aug 26, 2013 13:50:53 GMT -5
Based on what I saw this Saturday, and if Texas decides to run a 5-1, I could see: OH-Eckerman OH-Webster MB-Chiaka MB-Bell OPP-McCage Setter-Allison or even Chloe Libero-Palmer DS for Webster...Pilar/Brooks/Futch Who's gonna pass in this line-up? Eckerman is still a very weak passer and her floor defense is still not consistent. That's why they had Amy frequently DSing for her in the backrow. McCage has the potential to pass, but she isn't there yet and neither is her backrow defense...so she would need a DS as well. I think having 3 different subs coming in to play in the back row messes up with the serve-receive rhythm. Plus, they would hit the substitution limit quickly. As someone stated earlier, Sha'Dare's primary role was to pass ALL 6 rotations and to provide steady floor defense. She just developed really well into a RS attacker, blocker, and secondary setter. The only person that comes close to fitting that role right now is Pilar (and Dalton for sure if she weren't injured)... that's why they had Pilar playing the whole time on the Libero side at the scrimmage...to develop their chemistry. But I really do like the potential of having McCage at Opp. I think she could do really well in that role cause she can run her slide attacks or attack with a traditional approach and be a shut-down blocker. She was just that good at the scrimmage! And I just don't think the team should run a 6-2 at all this year. It throws the timing off between the hitters and setter since Hannah and Chloe set such different balls. If Chloe does start, they just need to put the best defenders in the backrow when she's upfront.
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Post by elevationvb on Aug 26, 2013 13:59:23 GMT -5
Collins as a setter in a 5 - 1 would be disastrous. If our players after 2 weeks of practice are hitting over her and defending her left handed attacks, what will Penn State, Stanford, etc do? And rationalizing a sub par performance on a setting clinic is silly. Elliott would never accept that. Just hope they are tired of playing each other.
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Post by texasex01 on Aug 26, 2013 14:05:09 GMT -5
Collins as a setter in a 5 - 1 would be disastrous. I wonder what you will think when our 5'7/5'8 2016 setter recruit comes in....
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Post by elevationvb on Aug 26, 2013 14:17:58 GMT -5
Name?
Hope I'm overreacting, but right now I'm not happy we let A&M get Aiple when she wanted to come to Texas.
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Post by southie on Aug 26, 2013 14:29:38 GMT -5
Collins as a setter in a 5 - 1 would be disastrous. I wonder what you will think when our 5'7/5'8 2016 setter recruit comes in.... Not sure you'll have to wait until 2016 as Chloe will be the starting setter one year fron now, unless Nicole Dalton returns in that capacity . . .
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Post by elevationvb on Aug 26, 2013 15:23:52 GMT -5
I wonder what you will think when our 5'7/5'8 2016 setter recruit comes in.... Not sure you'll have to wait until 2016 as Chloe will be the starting setter one year fron now, unless Nicole Dalton returns in that capacity . . . Oh boy - - Here comes the 6-2??
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Post by austex2010 on Aug 26, 2013 16:39:43 GMT -5
Collins as a setter in a 5 - 1 would be disastrous. If our players after 2 weeks of practice are hitting over her and defending her left handed attacks, what will Penn State, Stanford, etc do? And rationalizing a sub par performance on a setting clinic is silly. Elliott would never accept that. Just hope they are tired of playing each other. What happened with Penn State when they had 5'6 Carpenter setting for them??....... I do think Chloe was taking it over on 2 too much for my liking but it also not about always scoring the point, sure that is great, but it also about pulling blockers and making them aware that you are a threat at the net.....something I think Allison does not do often enough.
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Post by elevationvb on Aug 26, 2013 19:17:50 GMT -5
Collins as a setter in a 5 - 1 would be disastrous. If our players after 2 weeks of practice are hitting over her and defending her left handed attacks, what will Penn State, Stanford, etc do? And rationalizing a sub par performance on a setting clinic is silly. Elliott would never accept that. Just hope they are tired of playing each other. What happened with Penn State when they had 5'6 Carpenter setting for them??....... I do think Chloe was taking it over on 2 too much for my liking but it also not about always scoring the point, sure that is great, but it also about pulling blockers and making them aware that you are a threat at the net.....something I think Allison does not do often enough. Understand what you are saying about Allison, but I think she is relying on her talented hitters and dumps the ball here and there. Yes, Penn State won with Carpenter, but look what Russ did the following year. Don't get me wrong, I think Collins is very talented, but her height at a program like Texas may be a major drawback. Maybe Elliott thought she would grow some when he offered so many years ago.
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