Future for USC

[trojansc]

Dec 15, 2015 16:26:45 GMT -5 jgrout said:

Dec 13, 2015 5:02:18 GMT -5 scottysocc said:

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.

But why would this hypothetical setter want to set for Coach Haley? He has a well-deserved reputation of running off setters at both the college and national team level.

Former USC head coach Chuck Erbe mellowed as he aged. Since Coach Haley did drastically change his offense, perhaps he is more open to change in other ways these days.

Please - USC develops and improves players constantly. If you don't want to work hard, you aren't meant to be at USC. I'd take Haley over Dunning any day.

Dunning improved Bugg so well that she was able to best New Mexico State! Congratulations on her career. Couldn't even take a set off Loyola Marymount.

[bballnut90]

USC will be very good again next year. I'd look for Abercrombie to play 6 rotations opposed to either of the pin hitters. Her back row defense was unexpectedly very good against Kansas, and she has a nasty jump float. She also cranks well from right back, giving SC three solid options in all 6 rotations.

Lanier and Ford are safe bets on the outside. Which one will pass? That remains to be seen.

Defensively SC will be outstanding with Garrick and Whittingham back. Johnson had a poor regional final but was a huge upgrade from the Crone/Pizza combo of 2013 and 2014. She'll develop into one of the better setters in the nation over her career.

For the 2nd middle spot, what do people think of Imani Davis taking that spot? A big 6-5 athletic middle, what are the odds she beats out Ruddins?

USC might struggle early to replace Bricio, but I think the team will be very motivated this offseason and has the roster to make a Final Four next year.

[trojansc]

Dec 15, 2015 19:19:51 GMT -5 bballnut90 said:

USC will be very good again next year. I'd look for Abercrombie to play 6 rotations opposed to either of the pin hitters. Her back row defense was unexpectedly very good against Kansas, and she has a nasty jump float. She also cranks well from right back, giving SC three solid options in all 6 rotations.

Lanier and Ford are safe bets on the outside. Which one will pass? That remains to be seen.

Defensively SC will be outstanding with Garrick and Whittingham back. Johnson had a poor regional final but was a huge upgrade from the Crone/Pizza combo of 2013 and 2014. She'll develop into one of the better setters in the nation over her career.

For the 2nd middle spot, what do people think of Imani Davis taking that spot? A big 6-5 athletic middle, what are the odds she beats out Ruddins?

USC might struggle early to replace Bricio, but I think the team will be very motivated this offseason and has the roster to make a Final Four next year.

Crone was setting absolute butter in 2013 -- theres about 10 matches on youtube to prove that. Also, Nwanebu had 30 kills on no errors against UW and you have to think Crone helped out in that.

Mick was very high on Crone at that point and me too.

[eldorado]

Who does USC have slotted as a Pizzasegola replacement in 2017? Usually top setters are verbal several years in advance and many (not all) top 2018 are already spoken for. I don't see any recruits on RIch Kern.

[socalsurf]

Dec 15, 2015 19:25:24 GMT -5 eldorado said:

Who does USC have slotted as a Pizzasegola replacement in 2017? Usually top setters are verbal several years in advance and many (not all) top 2018 are already spoken for. I don't see any recruits on RIch Kern.

I was thinking about the USC sand team and their top pair of Sara Hughes/Kelly Claes were both really good indoor setters in HS, very complete all-around players. Having those two indoors would be amazing, but they're the #1 sand pair in college right now and have their eyes set on Tokyo 2020 for beach.

We do have a 6'2" OH from Texas in Brooke Botkin committed for 2017. She was a freshman in HS when she pledged and I believe she set back then, so perhaps Mick planned on using her as a hitter/setter? Although it seems like she's only a hitter now so I don't know... She's got good height though if she set in 2017, so if she could learn how to hit on the right side that would be even better. Kinda like the role Johnson plays now.


Other than Botkin, I have no clue who else they have coming in for 2017. Anyone?

[bumper2bumper]

Dec 15, 2015 19:19:51 GMT -5 bballnut90 said:

USC will be very good again next year. I'd look for Abercrombie to play 6 rotations opposed to either of the pin hitters. Her back row defense was unexpectedly very good against Kansas, and she has a nasty jump float. She also cranks well from right back, giving SC three solid options in all 6 rotations.

Lanier and Ford are safe bets on the outside. Which one will pass? That remains to be seen.

Defensively SC will be outstanding with Garrick and Whittingham back. Johnson had a poor regional final but was a huge upgrade from the Crone/Pizza combo of 2013 and 2014. She'll develop into one of the better setters in the nation over her career.

For the 2nd middle spot, what do people think of Imani Davis taking that spot? A big 6-5 athletic middle, what are the odds she beats out Ruddins?

USC might struggle early to replace Bricio, but I think the team will be very motivated this offseason and has the roster to make a Final Four next year.

[bumper2bumper]

I'm still waiting for Dunn to occupy the 2nd middle. She supposedly is quick off her feet and can run the slide, but her issue is to get healthy and get on the court. Not sure if a freshman middle is the way to go for 2nd middle yet.

[mikegarrison]

The sequential nature of actual events is not illuminated with lengthy precision by the powers of prescience except under the most extraordinary circumstances. The oracle grasps incidents cut out of the historic chain. Eternity moves. It inflicts itself upon the oracle and the supplicant alike. Let Mick's subjects doubt his majesty and his oracular visions. Let them deny his powers. Let them never doubt Eternity.

[bballnut90]

Dec 15, 2015 20:34:06 GMT -5 bumper2bumper said:

I'm still waiting for Dunn to occupy the 2nd middle. She supposedly is quick off her feet and can run the slide, but her issue is to get healthy and get on the court. Not sure if a freshman middle is the way to go for 2nd middle yet.

Dunn had some nice moments in 2014 and runs a good slide, but I do recall she had ample room for improvement as a blocker. Based on her frame and build, I'd guess Davis has more upside of the two and could take over the M2 spot by the end of the year. It should be a good battle between the two of them.

I'm also really curious to see if Ruddins steps up as a senior and lives up to her #2 Senior Ace rating from 2013. Did a good job in the middle of this year for USC but it was by no means a standout.

[Deleted]

I'd like USC to go to 5-1. I think Pizza is not very good.

[5280volleyball]

I think they go 5-1 with Johnson...she's gritty and a leader. Her hitting didn't do much for them this year, and she's not a liability on the block.

Bricio did play 6 rotations as a freshman but if memory serves, they had Katie Fuller on the right as a passer with Hagglund and Shaw. With a DS in back at all times (and in a 5-1 you could do that), you could pass with two most of the time. Nebraska has made it to the final four with this, but they also can drop Kadie Rolfzen into the reception pattern (much like Fuller did) off the right.

Lots of options out there for Haley...having 3 libero type players who are all talented is a good problem to have.

[alt]

Going to be interesting to see Lanier play this fast of an offense. She seems like a hitter that would be more successful in a slower offense. She's a high jumper but I'm not sure if she will be successful getting set that fast.

[bumper2bumper]

Dec 15, 2015 21:03:44 GMT -5 bballnut90 said:

Dec 15, 2015 20:34:06 GMT -5 bumper2bumper said:

I'm still waiting for Dunn to occupy the 2nd middle. She supposedly is quick off her feet and can run the slide, but her issue is to get healthy and get on the court. Not sure if a freshman middle is the way to go for 2nd middle yet.

Dunn had some nice moments in 2014 and runs a good slide, but I do recall she had ample room for improvement as a blocker. Based on her frame and build, I'd guess Davis has more upside of the two and could take over the M2 spot by the end of the year. It should be a good battle between the two of them.

I'm also really curious to see if Ruddins steps up as a senior and lives up to her #2 Senior Ace rating from 2013. Did a good job in the middle of this year for USC but it was by no means a standout.

Yeah, Dunn at times played the middle like she was inexperienced (net violations, poor blocking technique, not in the right place) so maybe that was due to "playing like a freshman" and learning to play at this level. My guess is Davis will probably go through the same things. Can Reed be ready to play in increased minutes? She's listed as the same size as Sybeldon (6'-1") but like rebounding in basketball, blocking is more about attitude, and Sybeldon had the attitude to make her 1st AA.

[bumper2bumper]

Dec 15, 2015 14:22:04 GMT -5 zenyada said:

Dec 15, 2015 13:32:30 GMT -5 c4ndlelight said:

She's done well in the back when they've switched to the 5-1 this year, and she has a really good serve. She probably won't be passing.

Mick may try everything early, for at least a practice or two.  But as he indicated in his post Kansas match interview, identifying leadership is a top priority each year.  He said leadership on the floor is essential to success.  Johnson looks the type, but others have to step up.  This emphasis makes expanding Abercrombie's role unlikely imo.  If she serves, she'll be off after. 

Leadership is key for next year's squad. I think the leader could and should be Ruddins. That #2 senior ace talent needs to show up. She shown flashes of that talent this season, looks to be more vocal on the court and has been in more post match interviews, so I'm hoping it's now her time. It could be Whittingham, but Abercrombie also seems about ready to assume a larger role, so it will be interesting.

[eldorado]

Tim Nollan was the guy I always saw at club tournaments recruiting (as well as Mick), how does his departure affect USC recruiting? Who will take up his responsibilities and how do you expect them to be similar and different?

Only one 2018 commit so far although that seems a light year for needs. 2019 will likely require a Ford and Johnson replacement. This club season will be a big year to scout setters in particular as they seem to be first to go these days.