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Post by tempesthorn on Jun 12, 2015 8:04:07 GMT -5
Texas is in a great position to compete for national championships already, just like they've been doing since 2008. How far they go will be determined by a variety of factors as other posters with common sense and the ability to reasonably understand success have pointed out. Uhh thank you. See when I use the word "continue" that means they are already competing for national championships. Now they are trying to get over the "hump" that has bee apparent to most after being upset the past 2 seasons in matches they were favored to win. Good coaches / programs accomplish that by assessing and making the necessary adjustments. Those adjustments can be strategic; they can be personnel related. Sometimes both.
Now you & some others may think it's just a coincidence that Elliott is bringing into the program players with size like let's say a Carlini, but some of us with zero "common sense" recognize the key recruiting decisions being made to get over that hump.
Kudos to Elliott. He's demonstrated he's not satisfied with that one national championship in '12. When you use the word "CONTINUE" how am i supposed to know that applies to this year? Your other posts certainly don't talk about Texas competing for a national championship in '15. You in fact have made statements they won't win the regional they host this year and I believe in one post you questioned whether they'd make it to the regional. So which is it? Thee is no coincidence involved in recruiting. It's as strategic as it's been since he started getting the likes of Paolini, Engle, Hooker, etc. He's always recruited taller players and he has gone after players less than 6 feet who he believes will help with ball control. Dariam Acevedo ring a bell? The recruitment of Neal and Collins was not some great experiment. You've created that in your mind to paint those recruitments as mistakes that he's now corrected. The recruitment in the coming years is no change designed to get over a hump you've tried to create on a message board.
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Post by SportyBucky on Jun 12, 2015 8:12:21 GMT -5
Elliot is bringing in probably a top 5 2016 class and a top 2 2017 class. If they don't win a natty in the next 5 years then something is wrong with the coaching not recruiting. Top recruiting classes do not always equal national championships. Many players do not pan out as expected. Sometimes, key pieces aren't there despite top classes.
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Post by southie on Jun 12, 2015 8:46:52 GMT -5
Strictly my opinion, but there might have been a lesson learned over the last few years regarding recruiting. I believe when 5'9 Amy Neal signed, the official release mentioned that she was going to play Libero; so, the mindset was to develop her from a high school hitter to a collegiate backrow player: www.texassports.com/news/2012/5/30/053012aad_47.aspx?path=wvballAs it turned out, that wasn't a very good experiment, but it's not all on Amy; part of it is the pieces around her. I've always thought that Amy's natural instinct is to hit, and not pass; and, don't think she was ever truly happy being relegated to the backrow. With 5'11 Pilar Victoria, we got a player who had some very good skills. But, it just seemed to me that she was hot and cold from set to set, and match to match. Started out the 2014 season on fire, but was passed over by Neal a few games into September. Granted, she was versatile enough to play OH or RS, and that helped our depth. While each was subbed in when the other struggled (hitting or passing), it was going to be difficult to have them on the court at the same time. Based on the above experiments, I doubt we see Elliott signing any pin hitters who are under 6'0 (unless they are truly special). And, I doubt we see the staff trying to convert high school hitters into collegiate backrow players. I think it's better to utilize the skills a player has excelled at throughout high school and earlier. As for the height of our setters, when 5'10 Michelle Kocher was running the 5-1 offense as a freshman in 2008, I don't necessarily recall her being a huge liability with her blocking. I believe Chloe Collins has a much higher vertical jump than Kocher despite being about 3 inches shorter. I realize blocking is much more than just height and jumping, but if Chloe ends up needing to run a 5-1 offense in 2015 for whatever reason, we'll just have to roll the dice.
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Post by elevationvb on Jun 12, 2015 8:58:58 GMT -5
Uhh thank you. See when I use the word "continue" that means they are already competing for national championships. Now they are trying to get over the "hump" that has bee apparent to most after being upset the past 2 seasons in matches they were favored to win. Good coaches / programs accomplish that by assessing and making the necessary adjustments. Those adjustments can be strategic; they can be personnel related. Sometimes both.
Now you & some others may think it's just a coincidence that Elliott is bringing into the program players with size like let's say a Carlini, but some of us with zero "common sense" recognize the key recruiting decisions being made to get over that hump.
Kudos to Elliott. He's demonstrated he's not satisfied with that one national championship in '12. When you use the word "CONTINUE" how am i supposed to know that applies to this year? Your other posts certainly don't talk about Texas competing for a national championship in '15. You in fact have made statements they won't win the regional they host this year and I believe in one post you questioned whether they'd make it to the regional. So which is it? Thee is no coincidence involved in recruiting. It's as strategic as it's been since he started getting the likes of Paolini, Engle, Hooker, etc. He's always recruited taller players and he has gone after players less than 6 feet who he believes will help with ball control. Dariam Acevedo ring a bell? The recruitment of Neal and Collins was not some great experiment. You've created that in your mind to paint those recruitments as mistakes that he's now corrected. The recruitment in the coming years is no change designed to get over a hump you've tried to create on a message board. Goodness. Of course Texas Volleyball is at the level of competing for national championships. But that doesn't mean programs, even the great Texas Longhorns, do not run into obstacles or the wall at times. Does Mack Brown and Texas Football ring a bell - ding, ding?
I commend Elliott for making the necessary adjustments to address the issues that have been demonstrated to most after the upset losses to Wisconsin and BYU. Will they work? Barring injuries, we'll see in the next 2 to 4 years.
If you don't agree that is your opinion which counts as much as anyone else here - - which is not much. But you don't always need to be the protector of the burnt orange realm. The flagship will continue to move forward even with those who dare to question / discuss coaching decisions regarding strategy, players, etc.
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Post by tempesthorn on Jun 12, 2015 9:54:30 GMT -5
When you use the word "CONTINUE" how am i supposed to know that applies to this year? Your other posts certainly don't talk about Texas competing for a national championship in '15. You in fact have made statements they won't win the regional they host this year and I believe in one post you questioned whether they'd make it to the regional. So which is it? Thee is no coincidence involved in recruiting. It's as strategic as it's been since he started getting the likes of Paolini, Engle, Hooker, etc. He's always recruited taller players and he has gone after players less than 6 feet who he believes will help with ball control. Dariam Acevedo ring a bell? The recruitment of Neal and Collins was not some great experiment. You've created that in your mind to paint those recruitments as mistakes that he's now corrected. The recruitment in the coming years is no change designed to get over a hump you've tried to create on a message board. Of course Texas Volleyball is at the level of competing for national championships.
If you don't agree that is your opinion which counts as much as anyone else here - - which is not much. But you don't always need to be the protector of the burnt orange realm. Just trying to reconcile crazy. You were on here in the spring critical of players and talking about their inability to take the team to the regional/past the regional. Now they are the level of competing for national championships, of course. I guess the transfer has jeopardized the drama you were trying to create around the coach/program. As far as me being the protector of the burnt orange realm, the voice of dissent can be expected to be met with facts and information that dispute their self-proclaimed volleyball expertise. As you've said, my opinion counts as much as anyone elses, so I'll thank you kindly not to concern yourself with the frequency of my protective posts.
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Post by SportyBucky on Jun 12, 2015 10:22:37 GMT -5
Of course Texas Volleyball is at the level of competing for national championships.
If you don't agree that is your opinion which counts as much as anyone else here - - which is not much. But you don't always need to be the protector of the burnt orange realm. Just trying to reconcile crazy. You were on here in the spring critical of players and talking about their inability to take the team to the regional/past the regional. Now they are the level of competing for national championships, of course. I guess the transfer has jeopardized the drama you were trying to create around the coach/program. As far as me being the protector of the burnt orange realm, the voice of dissent can be expected to be met with facts and information that dispute their self-proclaimed volleyball expertise. As you've said, my opinion counts as much as anyone elses, so I'll thank you kindly not to concern yourself with the frequency of my protective posts.
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Post by elevationvb on Jun 12, 2015 14:05:22 GMT -5
Of course Texas Volleyball is at the level of competing for national championships.
If you don't agree that is your opinion which counts as much as anyone else here - - which is not much. But you don't always need to be the protector of the burnt orange realm. Just trying to reconcile crazy. You were on here in the spring critical of players and talking about their inability to take the team to the regional/past the regional. Now they are the level of competing for national championships, of course. I guess the transfer has jeopardized the drama you were trying to create around the coach/program. As far as me being the protector of the burnt orange realm, the voice of dissent can be expected to be met with facts and information that dispute their self-proclaimed volleyball expertise. As you've said, my opinion counts as much as anyone elses, so I'll thank you kindly not to concern yourself with the frequency of my protective posts. I suggest you read Southie's post and the posts of so many others that are discussing the same subject. Hope you are not too offended when he uses terms like lessons learned; experiments not working; not signing pin hitters under 6'in the future unless they are special; and rolling the dice with Collins in a 5-1. Is he being personal? Sure seems similar to what I have been posting. Keeping out emotion and the need to attribute motive to every little thing sure would go a long way.
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Post by elevationvb on Jun 12, 2015 14:15:19 GMT -5
Strictly my opinion, but there might have been a lesson learned over the last few years regarding recruiting. I believe when 5'9 Amy Neal signed, the official release mentioned that she was going to play Libero; so, the mindset was to develop her from a high school hitter to a collegiate backrow player: www.texassports.com/news/2012/5/30/053012aad_47.aspx?path=wvballAs it turned out, that wasn't a very good experiment, but it's not all on Amy; part of it is the pieces around her. I've always thought that Amy's natural instinct is to hit, and not pass; and, don't think she was ever truly happy being relegated to the backrow. With 5'11 Pilar Victoria, we got a player who had some very good skills. But, it just seemed to me that she was hot and cold from set to set, and match to match. Started out the 2014 season on fire, but was passed over by Neal a few games into September. Granted, she was versatile enough to play OH or RS, and that helped our depth. While each was subbed in when the other struggled (hitting or passing), it was going to be difficult to have them on the court at the same time. Based on the above experiments, I doubt we see Elliott signing any pin hitters who are under 6'0 (unless they are truly special). And, I doubt we see the staff trying to convert high school hitters into collegiate backrow players. I think it's better to utilize the skills a player has excelled at throughout high school and earlier. As for the height of our setters, when 5'10 Michelle Kocher was running the 5-1 offense as a freshman in 2008, I don't necessarily recall her being a huge liability with her blocking. I believe Chloe Collins has a much higher vertical jump than Kocher despite being about 3 inches shorter. I realize blocking is much more than just height and jumping, but if Chloe ends up needing to run a 5-1 offense in 2015 for whatever reason, we'll just have to roll the dice. I admire Amy Neal for her tenacity and will to excel at a program like Texas. Hardest working player & smartest on the team imo. But it sure seem like every attempt has been made to keep her from being OH. Baker was brought in to be an OH. Prieto comes into the program in August '15. Victoria is given the OH job ahead of Neal . . . Through it all Neal has stuck it out. Clearly, she loves and wants to be a Texas Longhorn. And she will be fondly remembered at Texas. But I agree it's an experiment that is over - the recruits Elliott is bringing in is a strong statement of the future direction of the program. Will there be exceptions? Of course, for the reason you clearly point out.
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Post by elevationvb on Jun 12, 2015 14:29:30 GMT -5
Just trying to reconcile crazy. You were on here in the spring critical of players and talking about their inability to take the team to the regional/past the regional. Now they are the level of competing for national championships, of course. I guess the transfer has jeopardized the drama you were trying to create around the coach/program. As far as me being the protector of the burnt orange realm, the voice of dissent can be expected to be met with facts and information that dispute their self-proclaimed volleyball expertise. As you've said, my opinion counts as much as anyone elses, so I'll thank you kindly not to concern yourself with the frequency of my protective posts. Actually, these guys may be more representative! I won't say which one I am because I don't want to cause another spat!
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Post by tempesthorn on Jun 12, 2015 19:10:28 GMT -5
Just trying to reconcile crazy. You were on here in the spring critical of players and talking about their inability to take the team to the regional/past the regional. Now they are the level of competing for national championships, of course. I guess the transfer has jeopardized the drama you were trying to create around the coach/program. As far as me being the protector of the burnt orange realm, the voice of dissent can be expected to be met with facts and information that dispute their self-proclaimed volleyball expertise. As you've said, my opinion counts as much as anyone elses, so I'll thank you kindly not to concern yourself with the frequency of my protective posts. I suggest you read Southie's post and the posts of so many others that are discussing the same subject. Hope you are not too offended when he uses terms like lessons learned; experiments not working; not signing pin hitters under 6'in the future unless they are special; and rolling the dice with Collins in a 5-1. Is he being personal? Sure seems similar to what I have been posting. Keeping out emotion and the need to attribute motive to every little thing sure would go a long way. I am not offended by Southie's post even though I don't entirely agree with him. I know I could also express my disagreement with him on this forum and he would not feel the need to go searching on Facebook for my identity in an attempt to discredit my posts the way you have. I believe if memory serves me correctly Southie is the gentleman who I secured a ticket for in the Texas section for the 2009 final in Tampa. So he actually knows who I am and might still have my cell phone number. I know he's capable of handling any disagreement we might have on this forum and not try to bring personal information into it. Are you remembering your actions towards me? Your attempts to present yourself as the one who takes the high road and merely expresses opinions is, like most of your posts, quite far from the actual truth. It's quite comical to me that you talk about a need to attribute motive to every little thing when you've gone on and on and on about my friendships with parents and how that makes me too defensive to post. You like things to be a one way street Devaluation. All your actions are acceptable but when someone throws it back at you, they are too emotional or easily offended. As for Southie's post, I don't disagree that Amy was recruited to be a libero when she played OH in club and high school. Becoming a libero never came to be at Texas. Nonetheless both her and Pilar were recruited to help stabilize ball control. Ball control remains an issue for Texas. One could interpret his post to mean we've given up on ball control players because of lessons learned with Pilar and Amy. Your better ball control players tend to come in packages under 6'. I would hope that's not the intended implication, Texas will always need ball control players in the mix to complement the 6'2" and above players. Lessons will be learned in recruiting, I have no doubt. I hope there is no perceived lesson that made anyone think we don't need ball control. As Texas fans we like to kid ourselves that these freakishly athletic/tall girls who commit are going to be able to play 6 rotations in college because we think they did, heard they did or saw them do it in club. Besides Engle and Dalton, I've yet to see one of our taller pin hitters be able to stabilize ball control.
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Post by Longhorn20 on Jun 13, 2015 8:23:46 GMT -5
On a different note, there was an article on Micaya on LoneStarVolleyball. She talked about how defense is her favorite part of volleyball and that she really wants to be a steady passer (paraphrasing). The coach also talked about how he can't keep her out of the gym practicing and such.
I think this bodes well for the future as I've already seen improvements in her passing and defense and it seems like this is something she will put a lot of work into for the future!
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Post by texasex01 on Jun 13, 2015 18:28:03 GMT -5
Besides Engle and Dalton, I've yet to see one of our taller pin hitters be able to stabilize ball control. Let's not forget about Sha'Dare McNeal.... In 2013, Texas essentially had the same starting line-up from the 2012 National Championship team minus McNeal (and Dalton as a DS) and the passing/ball control was night and day between those two teams.
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Post by southie on Jun 13, 2015 20:46:19 GMT -5
Yeah, tempest, that's me. Thanks again for hooking me up with that ticket for the Omaha Final Four.
Neal coming in as a projected Libero was always a head-scratcher to me; but, if not for her hitting ability and other responsibilities as OH, where would we have been as a team in 2014?
Strange that both Neal and Pilar would be pulled in favor of the other when each struggled with their ball control / serve receive, since that was supposed to be one of their strengths. So, if you're gonna falter with one of your supposed strengths, that makes it tough on everyone on the court with you.
When I mentioned that I doubted we'd recruit any more pin hitters shorter than 6'0, I was trying to put into words what you mentioned about ball control; if that's what they're being brought in for, they need to bring it when they are on the court; can't have them being inconsistent.
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Post by southie on Jun 13, 2015 20:50:16 GMT -5
So, some type of camp going on in the metroplex?
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Post by elevationvb on Jun 14, 2015 11:33:19 GMT -5
A good read / interview with former UT President Bill Powers in today's newspaper. Interview focuses on Texas athletics during his tenure. He talks about loving Texas volleyball. I Like that he specifically mentions the importance of volleyball when asked about Texas joining the PAC 12 during the expansion talk a few years back. Hi quote, How close was Texas to joining the Pac-10?"We always wanted to stay in the Big 12, for a number of reasons — the rivalries, it’s our part of the country, but also if we played volleyball on a Tuesday night in Seattle, our kids wouldn’t get home until 9 in the morning."Powers was good for Texas and Texas athletics. Had the pleasure to meet him several times during his tenure - mostly at Longhorn Foundation athletic events or fundraisers for the University. Definitely had a passion for Texas athletics. My one regret is that he did not use his influence to have the Big 12 expand to 12 teams after A&M and Missouri left the conference. Not adding Louisville to the conference was a major blunder. I know he relied on AD Deloss Dodds, but this selfish decision by Texas and OU to stay at 10 teams has backfired on both programs and significantly hurt the conference prestige wise. www.mystatesman.com/news/sports/college/the-statesman-interview-former-ut-president-bill-p/nmcbb/
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