Florida,Minnesota game last week

[JellyBelly]

Moscovic is a proven great setter, no doubt, but didn't get the job done last year with a higly talented and experienced Gator team. Will she this year with a less experienced cast? Highly doubtful. McGinnis's JNT experience in NORCECA's (2 Gold Medals for US with teams that could have gone far in the NC2A according to Collier) and World Championships (where the US placed 4th in the world in which the Russian coach commented that the reason the US beat Russia was because of "McGinnis") is enough to convince me that is the way to go. I've seen them both play enough in my decision, but like you said, let's hope Wise's decision is the "best" decision for FL.

[Gorf]

From the matches here in Minnesota for Florida against Kansas State, Northern Illinois, and the Gophers I thought McGinnis has a nicer "touch" on her sets in some of the games than Moscovic.

That said, however, I thought Moscovic made much better decisions on which players to set, had better location on her sets, had better overall poise and much better control of the Florida team.

Saying that Florida "didn't get it done" last year, and trying to lay blame on Moscovic for a loss to an undefeated USC team in last year's national championship match is extremely ridiculous.

If Angie can be the better fit for the Florida team this season, then allow her to show Mary (and the team) that she can do the job better than Lauren.

Angie had her chances in all 3 matches here, and she didn't consistantly do all that much to make her case for a full time starting position ahead of Lauren.

As the saying goes "actions speak louder than words".

[fightingminime]

People keep refering to Angie's "lack of experience" . . . are we choosing to ignore the fact that she set for the JNT for the past two years?
Any setter needs time and game experience to work within a system. I say go with your future. She's too good to leave on the bench.

[Deleted]

I still think the 5-1, modified, is a good idea. They get to use both setters and McGinnis gets prepared for next year.

Switching back and forth is fine, too, if the team gets used to it. But I think that sort of thing ultimately chips away at everyone's confidence.

Moscovic for Engel is intriguing, but do we have any reason to believe that would be an upgrade?

The 6-2, OTOH, offers playing time to BOTH Douglas and Killingsworth, which also has its advantages.

It's a tough decision, but that's why she's the Head Coach.

[JellyBelly]

The 6-2 definitely does not work, unless of course, one of the setters is a dominant hitter. I'm not sure what you mean by a modified 5-1. I really like the idea of Moscovic as a libero. But I think you also have to look at what rotations the two setters are in before you can say let "actions speak louder than words". Consider who Moscovic has hitting for her vs. McGinnis and vice-versa. Has anybody thought about what setter is or isn't at a disadvantage? Tough decision, definitely yes. To keep team chemistry, to get ready for next year, in this particular case, would be hard on any coach.

[Deleted]

Modified 5-1 in that Moscovic plays the back row and McGinnis the front, but they share the same position in the rotation--i.e., they sub for each other.

This is what they used a lot v. Minnesota...

[brybry]

JellyBelly said:

The 6-2 definitely does not work, unless of course, one of the setters is a dominant hitter. I'm not sure what you mean by a modified 5-1. I really like the idea of Moscovic as a libero. But I think you also have to look at what rotations the two setters are in before you can say let "actions speak louder than words". Consider who Moscovic has hitting for her vs. McGinnis and vice-versa. Has anybody thought about what setter is or isn't at a disadvantage? Tough decision, definitely yes. To keep team chemistry, to get ready for next year, in this particular case, would be hard on any coach.

JellyBelly, have you seen Moscovic play as libero? Do you have 1st hand knowledge that she can succeed in that position? She might be a good defender, but first and foremost as a libero you should be a good passer. If she's like a Kehoe, I'd say sure, turn her into a libero. But she has to be a good serve receiver.
I thought Moscovic did a great job against USC last year. I don't think her blocking was so much of a liability as it just wasn't a strength. Burdine was taking advantage of big holes and seams in the block. She wasn't hitting balls straight down over Moscovic.
I agree w/ Gator in that a decision needs to made soon of whether to go w/ Moscovic or McGinnis soon. I don't like modified 5-1s or 6-2s for the most part. I think they can screw up chemistry particularly when your setters are so different. Mary does have some big decisions to make, because if she goes w/ McGinnis, you know there's going to be some struggle early on. A freshman setter is going to make mistakes. But at that point, would she let McGinnis fight through her errors or then sub in Moscovic? But would McGinnis be able to grow that way, and more importantly, will Florida as a team be able to grow?
Sticking w/ Moscovic might be the best bet at this point. She's proven she can run the team. If Florida were anywhere near their level last year, they would easily win the title. There is no one at the level of last season's USC and Hawaii.

[The Bofa on the Sofa]

JellyBelly said:

The 6-2 definitely does not work, unless of course, one of the setters is a dominant hitter.

Huh? Why should that matter? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the whole purpose of the 6-2 was that you don't have to have the setter in the front row? If that is the case, then why should it matter if one of the setters is a hitter or not? What's she doing? Back row attacks?

The modified 5-1 Ruffda mentions is interesting. It's not really a "modified" 5-1, it is more of a 5-1 but with two setters.

I can see potential advantages to it, depending on the setter styles.

[JellyBelly]

brybry, thanks for your comments. No, I haven't seen Moscovic play libero (I've seen her pass and she passes extremely well), and yes, I've seen Kehoe play, which does steer my thoughts in that sort of direction. Kehoe, a terrific setter, shorter and more athletic than most, a lot like Moscovic, who did play behind McGinnis because McGinnis was so effective as an attacker and blocker for the US JNT. Moscovic and Kehoe are so closely related in this situation. Collier made it work, and perhaps Toshi will someday as well. And as someone said earlier, I think McGinnis can make up for any lost speed and quickness with her intelligence and her long long arms and those even longer legs. Again, I'm pro both, I'm simply trying to address what I think and love to hear what others have to say on this issue.

[JellyBelly]

"To have an attacking setter in the front row can be destructive."

Albert Einstein

[Deleted]

Agent said:

Huh? Why should that matter? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the whole purpose of the 6-2 was that you don't have to have the setter in the front row? If that is the case, then why should it matter if one of the setters is a hitter or not? What's she doing? Back row attacks?

The modified 5-1 Ruffda mentions is interesting. It's not really a "modified" 5-1, it is more of a 5-1 but with two setters.

I can see potential advantages to it, depending on the setter styles.

The big problem with USC's 6-2 (and Florida's) is that it burns subs like there is no tomorrow. Fortunately for Florida, they don't need subs for Collymore or Hampton, and Engel plays for the middles. But you WILL run out of subs in a long game...

Of course, this isn't a problem if McGinnis just stays in through the front row for 1 or 2 series of rotations.

[The Bofa on the Sofa]

(R)uffda! said:

The big problem with USC's 6-2 (and Florida's) is that it burns subs like there is no tomorrow. Fortunately for Florida, they don't need subs for Collymore or Hampton, and Engel plays for the middles. But you WILL run out of subs in a long game...

Granted it basically means that you can't use any defensive replacements.

Therefore, isn't the bigger concern that the 6-2 will not work if your other hitters can't play the back?

It's not that you need a setter who can hit, but you need hitters who can pass.

Although the L has made that even less of an issue. But still, you have to have at least two hitters who can play the back.

[foreignball]

JellyBelly said:

1. ......didn't get the job done last year with a higly talented and experienced Gator team.
2. McGinnis's JNT experience in NORCECA's (2 Gold Medals for US ........
3. ..... let's hope Wise's decision is the "best" decision for FL.

1. If FL’s best ever NCAA finish after a losing a close game against the defending champ that had xxx consecutive wins by that time could be qualified as “didn't get the job done” I’ll take it. On top of everything else FL wasn’t able to play their best lineup. What the outcome would have been if B. Jenkins had played?

2. All Burdine, Davis, Adams, Ross, Robinson and Venski used to practice/play for different NT formations (JNT, A1; A2). Candelas has been Mexico’s 1st team starter for years (played at WC 2002). On the other half of the court we got Williams (ex-JNT), Collymore (ex-JNT) and Cruz – 1st team PR (was also at WC2002). Plus their maturity after some years spent in women’s game. That’s why we can’t say McGinnis would be something exceptional among the above company just because of her JNT experience while Moscovic showed in both 2002&2003 seasons she can play successfully at the highest NCAA level.
It is possible McGinnis to take over by the end of the season but no coach would hand the setter’s job to a FR right away provided experienced and proven veteran is still available.

3. M Wise has built this program from nothing and more important she has been able to keep it among the top 5-6 in the US for years so she should how to get her job done.

[GatorVball]

Much like a football team using two quarterbacks, Gators volleyball coach Mary Wise has implemented a two-setter rotation this season for Florida.

On one side, there's an eager freshman with all the tools to be a great setter. On the other, there's an experienced veteran who has led Florida to the national title match.

Freshman Angie McGinnis is Florida's setter of the future. But that doesn't mean senior Lauren Moscovic is in the past.

"Lauren is still our starting setter," Wise said. "But she has easily accepted her role. Using two setters is a huge advantage for us."

It's a system that seems to be working well for No. 4 Florida (7-1) heading into tonight's 7 p.m. match against Clemson (7-3) at the O'Connell Center. Moscovic, who entered the season fifth on Florida's all-time assists list, has sacrificed some playing time for McGinnis, who was rated by one recruiting service as the No. 2 recruit in the nation last year. Moscovic, though, has handled the situation with class.

"Lauren is all about winning," Wise said. "Whatever you asked her to do, she would do it in order to win."

Moscovic does not refute her coach's assessment.

"As long as we win," Moscovic said, "things are great."

And so far, everyone is happy. Florida's only loss this season was a grueling 3-2 defeat at No. 1 Minnesota last weekend.

But Moscovic continues to see the bulk of the action at setter. She leads Florida with 224 assists. McGinnis is close behind with 164.

But the reason Wise is using two setters is their different styles give the Gators a fresh, more versatile look.

Moscovic brings quick footwork and the ability to turn bad contact into settable balls while McGinnis has the ability to set balls high above the net. McGinnis, who is listed at 5-foot-11, but is actually closer to 6-1, has a long body and big hands, both assets for a setter.

"Some of the best setters who have ever played have been tall," Wise said. "With Angie's length, her long torso, her big hands ... she has the ability to set balls passed above the net."

McGinnis said when she was recruited out of Fraser, Mich., Wise told her she would be able to play her freshman year, provided she work hard once arriving in Gainesville.

"I knew Lauren was a great setter, but I expected to work my butt off and hopefully share time with her," McGinnis said. "Since we're both good setters, it helps us all."

Moscovic insists she's happy, even as she spends some time during matches resting on Florida's bench. Moscovic rarely sat out a single point when she led Florida to a 70-5 record as a starter during her sophomore and junior seasons.

"That's my role and that's what I'm going to do to help this team win," Moscovic said.




I can tell from this article, that Lauren isn't happy. I know she says she wants what is best for the team, but I don't think she believes the 6-2 is what is best for the team. I agree with her. I just fear this is going to cause problems down the road, when things aren't going as well, say when Florida loses another match, or they lose in the SEC, which I think can happen this year. Only time will tell, but I'm not a fan of the 6-2 at this point.

[Gorf]

Agent said:

Granted it basically means that you can't use any defensive replacements.

Therefore, isn't the bigger concern that the 6-2 will not work if your other hitters can't play the back?

It's not that you need a setter who can hit, but you need hitters who can pass.

Although the L has made that even less of an issue. But still, you have to have at least two hitters who can play the back.

Or you have 2 setters that can play in the front row effectively and are also very good defensive players so the DS subs can be used for the OH's and the libero can play for the MB's.