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Post by socalsurf on Dec 13, 2015 4:28:17 GMT -5
I wanted to make this thread because I'm a bummed USC fan that just watched Samantha Bricio play for the last time in a Trojan uniform, so, forgive me.
While it was a pretty tough way to end what has been a great season, I'm very proud of what this 2015 team has accomplished. Going from 16-16 last year, finishing 2014 unranked and losing eight players from that roster, to completely changing the offense in the offseason, being picked to finish fifth in the Pac-12 and #22 ranked overall preseason, then shooting all the way up to #1 in the nation for a big portion of the season and winning a Pac-12 championship, it's been quite a ride. The WoT definitely turned some heads this year and it seemed like the few of us USC faithful on here were on cloud nine for a while, but alas it was finally time for us to come back down to Earth. But, I'm still very proud of all that was accomplished this year!
I appreciate all that Coach Haley has done this season with changing the culture of the program as well. Things were much different this year and you could see it in the players' faces. The best thing I heard was in a presser after the opening weekend against #7 UNC and #11 BYU, when USC won both matches after not knowing what to expect with their new offense and after the horrible year they had in 2014. Haley told reporters that Bricio had sent a team-wide text message after the game ended, saying, "Thank you to each and every one of my teammates for making me love the game again."
After hearing that, I knew that this team was going to be a special one. Haley and Bricio led this team to a 33-3 overall record with three freshmen starters and riding the arm of our all-everything (and hopefully NPOY), so we've definitely come a long way and I'm very proud to call myself a Trojan fan.
So looking ahead, for anyone out there on this board, I'd love to hear some of your thoughts on the future of USC, whether that be recruiting or coaching or player improvements. It's been a pleasure to follow along this season, and here's to many more great ones to come. Fight On!
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Post by socalsurf on Dec 13, 2015 4:32:32 GMT -5
Forgot to mention that we're (thankfully) getting #1 recruit and Gatorade National Player of the Year Khalia Lanier coming in to "replace" Bricio, although I'm not sure if you can really replace that much production. Next year will be tough without her and Ogoms, but if Lanier can do about half of what Bricio did, we should be okay. I'm not entirely sure of how she plays since I haven't watched much film of her, but I know she hits the heck out of the ball! We also get Nebraska Gatorade POY in OH/L Raegan LeGrand and a 6'5" middle Imani Davis from Texas.
Not sure how the projected lineup will be though. Will we stick with a 6-2 or move to a 5-1 with Johnson?
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Post by scottysocc on Dec 13, 2015 5:02:18 GMT -5
It's going to be so sad not seeing Bricio in a Trojan uniform. She has been the face behind the USC program for so many years. Really crushing how this season ended. Of course they wanted a NC, but I think Haley would have felt the season was quite a success if they made it back to the final four - which they haven't done for a long while. I'm sure he still thinks the season was a big success - because it was - but falling just short in the regional final stings
.Setting was really USC's downfall this year. If they had a great setter, running the offense with consistency they would probably have won the NC.
Bricio was the best player of the year this year and regardless of who gets NPOY. It's going to suck if missing the final four by two points costs her the award. Regardless, It will also be fun to go watch Bricio tear it up on the international scene.
Next year I think USC will be strong, although I see Stanford as the favorite.
We're only losing two players - Yes two hugely influential players, one of them Bricio - but there's a lot of young talent on the rise. Johnson is athletic, has grit and so much potential. And Ford will only get better too. Abercrombie was solid this year and I see her being an impact player next year. Ruddins and T.W. will both be key senior players on this squad.
Mick seems kind of at his wits end with Pizza, so next year it might just be Johnson setting. Hopefully the Freshmen can have an impact next year too.
Im proud of what USC accomplished this year.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2015 5:24:50 GMT -5
For USC's sake I hope Johnson's poor setting against Kansas was just one bad match and won't be a trend of choking in big NCAA matches, like some setters.
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Post by ballervolley on Dec 13, 2015 7:55:01 GMT -5
For USC's sake I hope Johnson's poor setting against Kansas was just one bad match and won't be a trend of choking in big NCAA matches, like some setters. yeah like stanford haha. |
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Post by bumper2bumper on Dec 14, 2015 16:39:30 GMT -5
Yeah, with SC down 14-13 in the 5th set and they couldn't get a kill in that last rally, I knew it was over.....and I didn't watch the post game press conference.
But next year's team should have more expoerience because those 3 TRUE freshmen will be sophomores. Hard to replace Bricio and Ogoms, but Ruddins, Whittingham, Abercrombie, Dunn (hopefully!) Pizzasegola, and the sophomores will help Lanier through her 1st year. And she will, at some point, have her freshman moments like everyone else, but they can ride that out with all of that experience around her.
Like their men's basketball team this past summer, the women should plan a summer trip abroad to.....Italy. Have the team bond over there, like Washington's and Cal's teams a few summers ago. Play some club teams, site see and have Alice Pizzasegola be the tour guide. It may have been hard to watch her at times trying to run the 6-2, but she's a big part of the team and they'll need here to be engaged with the system. They can meet here family and friends and they can watch her play with her team, which they probably haven't done yet. And the team get some international experience.
For their non-conference schedule, have them play one match against Ohio St in Columbus. Next year's championship is there, show them the arena, put that goal in their minds now and play a probably top 15 team in OSU, who undoubtedly will be shooting to make the FF.
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Post by afanofthegame on Dec 14, 2015 21:23:53 GMT -5
Another thread to throw Johnson under the bus; how fitting. The problem wasn't the setter. She is elite and will be one of the best. In the last rally of the match, bricio had 4 sets to her, Ogoms 2 sets and ambercromie 1 set, 7 total sets. They swing hard at 6 of them. Didn't score. I don't necessary think it's the setters fault. It's takes the team to win and the team to lose to blame a loss on a single player who as a freshman lead the team to a 33-3 record I'd completely unfair.
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Post by afanofthegame on Dec 14, 2015 21:37:02 GMT -5
I believe the key for next year is getting Ford passing and playing back row defense. She already has a nice serve and can hit the pipe (although not like Bricio yet). And getting Khalia acclimated to the new offense. And the new middle healthy and ready to play to take Ogoms place. I think that will be Dunn if she can get healthy. They have a lot of work to do. Will probably struggle early but will be good when it counts. My two cents.
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Post by socalsurf on Dec 14, 2015 22:44:18 GMT -5
Next year will be a lot different, that's forsure. I'm thinking that this was probably our best chance at a Final Four appearance, as the Bricio-less team we'll have for the next few years will be very young and will take some time to get back to an elite level. Maybe 2018? I just hope the team and the coaching staff aren't too demoralized after this season. They put in a lot of work and seemed to be all in with this team...
I'm still very impressed with the freshman class this year though. Ford, Johnson, and Garrick all really surprised me. Ford is very solid in this kind of offense. She had some flashes of brilliance this year and just needs to work on being confident in herself. Her and Lanier on the pins could be very solid in 2-3 years...
I love Johnson's fight too, the kid is tough and a true competitor. Yeah she had a bad regional final, but as a freshman leading us to the year we had, I think she's the real deal. I could see her being next year's team captain as a sophomore too, that's how good of a leader she is. She brings it every single night and the team wants to go to war with her. Love watching her compete.
Garrick was the biggest pleasant surprise for me, she's just soo consistent/solid every match. She has a good serve, great digger, and brings the energy when she's in. Mick wasn't lying when he said he saw a little bit of Nat Hagglund in her. I really, really like watching them play so at least the future is bright at those positions.
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Post by socalsurf on Dec 14, 2015 22:48:30 GMT -5
I'm just wondering about what Mick's going to do with the players next year. The only real open position seems to be MB. Jordan Dunn or Rachel Reed? Both would be sophomores if Dunn got the redshirt this season. Dunn is a legit 6-4 while Reed is undersized though, so I wonder how that will pan out. Other than that, we have no depth. We need a solid backup OH/MB. Wonder if any players transfer out, transfers come in, or if he redshirts any of the incoming frosh?
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Post by StanfordFan on Dec 14, 2015 22:49:25 GMT -5
Why would they be demoralized after this season? They did phenomenally better than anyone expected. I would think that would be more a motivator. Next year will be a lot different, that's forsure. I'm thinking that this was probably our best chance at a Final Four appearance, as the Bricio-less team we'll have for the next few years will be very young and will take some time to get back to an elite level. Maybe 2018? I just hope the team and the coaching staff aren't too demoralized after this season. They put in a lot of work and seemed to be all in with this team... I'm still very impressed with the freshman class this year though. Ford, Johnson, and Garrick all really surprised me. Ford is very solid in this kind of offense. She had some flashes of brilliance this year and just needs to work on being confident in herself. Her and Lanier on the pins could be very solid in 2-3 years... I love Johnson's fight too, the kid is tough and a true competitor. Yeah she had a bad regional final, but as a freshman leading us to the year we had, I think she's the real deal. I could see her being next year's team captain as a sophomore too, that's how good of a leader she is. She brings it every single night and the team wants to go to war with her. Love watching her compete. Garrick was the biggest pleasant surprise for me, she's just soo consistent/solid every match. She has a good serve, great digger, and brings the energy when she's in. Mick wasn't lying when he said he saw a little bit of Nat Hagglund in her. I really, really like watching them play so at least the future is bright at those positions. |
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Post by sunsuphornsup on Dec 14, 2015 23:06:06 GMT -5
I saw a video of Lanier winning the Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year and she seems incredibly sweet and humble. Can't wait to see how she develops at USC!
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Post by bumper2bumper on Dec 14, 2015 23:32:10 GMT -5
If they can get Withers, Livingston and Reed up to speed, their depth will be fine. Legrand and Davis will sit and learn, but depth shouldn't be a problem if Dunn is healthy. |
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Post by deacondive on Dec 14, 2015 23:43:23 GMT -5
I saw a video of Lanier winning the Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year and she seems incredibly sweet and humble. Can't wait to see how she develops at USC! My question is will either Ford or Lanier play six rotations next year. |
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Post by sunsuphornsup on Dec 14, 2015 23:51:34 GMT -5
I saw a video of Lanier winning the Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year and she seems incredibly sweet and humble. Can't wait to see how she develops at USC! My question is will either Ford or Lanier play six rotations next year. Why not both? |
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