|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 4, 2015 16:32:20 GMT -5
hawaii will be better, with most of the lineup returning (hopefully improved by a good margin) and more-than-capable replacements waiting in the wings. the two critical areas are setting (is higgins' decision making and location improved?) and passing (kahakai is a solid passer, but last year it was usually the OHs, usually olevao, sometimes greeley, who broke down).
hawaii's strengths last year were its block, tough serving, and a balanced offense (when the passing and setting allowed them to run it effectively). those will be strengths again this year.
i'm hoping hawaii doesn't just improve their RPI, but to also get back in contention for seeding. i think they have a diverse enough nonconference schedule to accomplish the former, but it may not be enough to earn them the latter. even if hawaii is back in the top 20 of the RPI, and are on the bubble for a seed, they may not have played enough top 25 RPI teams to persuade the committee to give them a seed. florida might be the only top 25 RPI team on the schedule by the season's end. hawaii also plays oregon st and ucla, who both finished in the top 25 of RPI last year, but it's tough to say whether those teams land there again.
|
|
|
Post by n00b on Aug 4, 2015 16:45:36 GMT -5
hawaii will be better, with most of the lineup returning (hopefully improved by a good margin) and more-than-capable replacements waiting in the wings. the two critical areas are setting (is higgins' decision making and location improved?) and passing (kahakai is a solid passer, but last year it was usually the OHs, usually olevao, sometimes greeley, who broke down). hawaii's strengths last year were its block, tough serving, and a balanced offense (when the passing and setting allowed them to run it effectively). those will be strengths again this year. i'm hoping hawaii doesn't just improve their RPI, but to also get back in contention for seeding. i think they have a diverse enough nonconference schedule to accomplish the former, but it may not be enough to earn them the latter. even if hawaii is back in the top 20 of the RPI, and are on the bubble for a seed, they may not have played enough top 25 RPI teams to persuade the committee to give them a seed. florida might be the only top 25 RPI team on the schedule by the season's end. hawaii also plays oregon st and ucla, who both finished in the top 25 of RPI last year, but it's tough to say whether those teams land there again. If they are on the bubble for a seed, they likely won't get one. Playing zero non-conference road matches and 19 home matches overall is something the committee considers. I think they'll need to finish in the top 12 of the RPI to get a seed.
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 4, 2015 16:57:30 GMT -5
hawaii will be better, with most of the lineup returning (hopefully improved by a good margin) and more-than-capable replacements waiting in the wings. the two critical areas are setting (is higgins' decision making and location improved?) and passing (kahakai is a solid passer, but last year it was usually the OHs, usually olevao, sometimes greeley, who broke down). hawaii's strengths last year were its block, tough serving, and a balanced offense (when the passing and setting allowed them to run it effectively). those will be strengths again this year. i'm hoping hawaii doesn't just improve their RPI, but to also get back in contention for seeding. i think they have a diverse enough nonconference schedule to accomplish the former, but it may not be enough to earn them the latter. even if hawaii is back in the top 20 of the RPI, and are on the bubble for a seed, they may not have played enough top 25 RPI teams to persuade the committee to give them a seed. florida might be the only top 25 RPI team on the schedule by the season's end. hawaii also plays oregon st and ucla, who both finished in the top 25 of RPI last year, but it's tough to say whether those teams land there again. If they are on the bubble for a seed, they likely won't get one. Playing zero non-conference road matches and 19 home matches overall is something the committee considers. I think they'll need to finish in the top 12 of the RPI to get a seed. maybe, but past history hasn't always shown that hawaii has been penalized for a home-heavy schedule. hawaii has been seeded all but 2 times (i believe) when it's been in the tournament. more often than not, it has appeared that hawaii was penalized because the nitty gritty of their schedule wasn't good enough (i.e., not playing enough or not winning enough against teams ranked in the top 25 or top 50 of the RPI). maybe the home-heavy schedule plays a factor, we just don't know how much weight the committee places on it, in light of or compared to other factors. i do agree in part that a certain RPI, no matter what the 'nitty gritty' of hawaii's schedule looks like, will snag a seed for them. i think a top 12 might still leave them vulnerable. perhaps they need to be RPI top 10 (and i don't think hawaii's schedule gets them there).
|
|
|
Post by thesnakeguy on Aug 5, 2015 14:51:12 GMT -5
Arizona State
Libero - Brings back starter Halle Harker (So) and Mia Mazon (Jr) and adds Blair Robalin (Fr)
This is one area I think the Devils have room for improvement.
Setter - Brings back starter Bianca Arellano and adds 6'0" left hander Kylie Pickrell (Fr) Loses Shannon McCready to graduation and Madison McDaniel who transferred to Rice.
I am curious to see how the Pickrell Arellano Battle plays out. Does anyone think a 6-2 is a possibility? Arellano is fun to watch because she has some hops and suprises with some blocks, but hasn't always been consistent. It sounds like Pickrell has some offensive abilities as well. This should be an upgrade from last year. It's been tough for me to figure out what Watson has been thinking setter wise the last few years. Curious to see if they will utilize Arellano's jump serve again.
Middle Blocker - Keeps Starter Whitney Follette (Sr), Andi Lowrance (Sr), Mercedes Binns (Sr) and adds 6'3" Kierstin Fowler (Fr) and 6'2" Jasmine Koonts (Fr), and 6'0" Tia Philippart (Fr)
This should be a slight upgrade with an older healthier Follette and more depth.
Opposite - Keeps BreElle Bailey (Jr) and adds 6'2" Lexi Maclean (Fr)
Bailey improved her serve in the off season last year, but her passing was a liability and they went away from using her as much for serving later in the year. I think she is a hard worker and I will be curious to see where she is at this year. With all the middles they have now, I don't expect her to go back to that role. This should be a slight improvement over last year.
Outside - Keeps rockstar starter Macey Gardner (Sr) and Kizzy (Willey)Ricedorff(JR)adds transfer Cassidy Pickrell (JR)Lost Tuioti-Mariner to graduation. Kwyn Johnson is no longer on the roster, and I don't know why, maybe she is focusing on Sand?
This is Macey's chance for a deep run in the tournament and I'm hoping to see further improvement from Kizzy. This should be an upgrade.
So every area except maybe Libero I feel ASU is better and I think the Watson has choices at setter that he hasn't had. Looking forward to a great season from them.
|
|
|
Post by chatchu-off moksri on Aug 7, 2015 0:25:13 GMT -5
ASU looks pretty stacked in my opinion. Looks like Macey is going to be taking a lot of swings next season.
|
|
|
Post by rockhopper on Aug 7, 2015 12:18:54 GMT -5
Lipscomb's RPI will be hurt by having to play NJIT twice instead of NKU in the Atlantic Sun. According to the ASun website, NJIT only has 19 matches scheduled.
|
|
|
Post by Not Me on Aug 7, 2015 12:52:55 GMT -5
Lipscomb's RPI will be hurt by having to play NJIT twice instead of NKU in the Atlantic Sun. According to the ASun website, NJIT only has 19 matches scheduled. NJIT has 35 scheduled as per their web site.
|
|
|
Post by rockhopper on Aug 7, 2015 15:20:46 GMT -5
According to the ASun website, NJIT only has 19 matches scheduled. NJIT has 35 scheduled as per their web site. Where did you find that? I can't find the 2015 schedule on their website. They did play 35 matches in 2014.
|
|
|
Post by trollhunter on Aug 7, 2015 15:47:56 GMT -5
NJIT 2015 schedule is on their website - but it is still in progress. They have 21 matches listed, but must still add 9 conference games to schedule. They are probably waiting to complete travel plans before listing them.
|
|
|
Post by jaypak on Aug 17, 2015 16:03:45 GMT -5
Didn't Marquette have several transfer? What is Creighton's setting situation like this year? I didn't realize Lipscomb was in the top 40. Marquette lost Bailey to Michigan State, Nele Barber to Long Beach State, and Gabby Benda to Georgia Tech. The Golden Eagles tranferred in Joy Miley from Long Beach (traded for Barber?) and Sara Blasier from Rice. Creighton's setter, Baumert, is a senior who split time with Michelle Sicner last year. The two of them alternated throughout the year, with Baumert drawing the start in the 3 postseason contests.
|
|
|
Post by Ralph Kramden on Aug 17, 2015 17:10:30 GMT -5
ASU looks pretty stacked in my opinion. Looks like Macey is going to be taking a lot of swings next season. If ASU can get more consistent setting they could very well make a run at the top 3-4 in Pac 12. I've not seen Pickrell play yet and am wondering if she can have an impact her freshman season.
|
|