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Post by curiousvolleyballdad on Aug 21, 2017 15:53:53 GMT -5
With that said they are not too far down the totem pole. Agreed and very happy for Francesca. Even more excited about the season that starts in 4 days! Gator fans, or not, other than the predictions already made and posted about UF's record for the year, how do you think Florida does this season? Where do they finish in the SEC and where do they end their season? I am also excited for Francesca. With all that was said she is in the right place. This is what Wise does often and well. As for this season they will most definitely miss Holston but I feel they have enough experience and fire power to edge out as SEC Champs. I do foresee them having some issues post season. I can see them going into 3-4 round of the NCAA playoffs. |
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Post by eastcoastopp on Aug 21, 2017 17:21:33 GMT -5
Agreed and very happy for Francesca. Even more excited about the season that starts in 4 days! Gator fans, or not, other than the predictions already made and posted about UF's record for the year, how do you think Florida does this season? Where do they finish in the SEC and where do they end their season? I still think UK takes the SEC this season but I see UF in second place. Then again, I said that last year and I put Mizzou in 3rd and look what happened. I am just hoping for an Elite 8 or Final 4 for Carli, Rhamat and CK. Pleaseeee. I also still think a lot rides on Joseph on the RS. If she can consistently deliver, then UF will be in good shape. I honestly don't think that much rides on Joseph. After Sokolowski's numbers against Coastal Carolina, I think she could slide over to the right side and have Hammons and Snyder on the left. I like Joseph, but as Florida fan, I'm not gonna bet on her production. |
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Post by liquid running on Aug 21, 2017 19:10:40 GMT -5
I still think UK takes the SEC this season but I see UF in second place. Then again, I said that last year and I put Mizzou in 3rd and look what happened. I am just hoping for an Elite 8 or Final 4 for Carli, Rhamat and CK. Pleaseeee. I also still think a lot rides on Joseph on the RS. If she can consistently deliver, then UF will be in good shape. I honestly don't think that much rides on Joseph. After Sokolowski's numbers against Coastal Carolina, I think she could slide over to the right side and have Hammons and Snyder on the left. I like Joseph, but as Florida fan, I'm not gonna bet on her production. Has Sokolowski ever played on the right? |
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Post by secsportsfan on Aug 21, 2017 19:52:05 GMT -5
I honestly don't think that much rides on Joseph. After Sokolowski's numbers against Coastal Carolina, I think she could slide over to the right side and have Hammons and Snyder on the left. I like Joseph, but as Florida fan, I'm not gonna bet on her production. Has Sokolowski ever played on the right? Not that I know of. She hasn't even played in an actual NCAA match. Only spring matches and the exhibition match. And I say this with the hope that she does well and helps the team out. |
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Post by eastcoastopp on Aug 24, 2017 21:06:47 GMT -5
On a random note, the Gators will be bringjng out new black uniforms this weekend. Probably their best looking uniforms ever.
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Post by agean09 on Aug 24, 2017 21:16:47 GMT -5
YESSSSS I've been longing for these for seemingly forever! My first year at UF, Elyse Cusack wore a black libero jersey and it was sick. Can't wait to see them this weekend!
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Post by Wjordan078 on Aug 25, 2017 23:48:21 GMT -5
Tonight's game was a lot of fun and a really electric atmosphere! Hope to see more of those type games this year. Florida played really well tonight and deserved the win!
As good as Holston was, I think that as a team, Florida might actually be better because they aren't relying solely on Holston to terminate a bunch of out system balls. They were really well balanced and spread the ball fairly evenly.
Din't see Wise throwing in the modified 5-1 but I'm sure glad she did! Huskey has really improved and at times she's simply a monster blocking up front. She also does some really crafty things as a front row setter going over on two. The exciting thing is that the connection with the hitters (for both setters) isn't all the way there yet which means they will only get better!
Mia will be a stud! Yes she will have her share of mistakes early on but I'm willing to live with it because the upside is really there! You could even see as the match went on that she was getting better at shot selection. There were times where she was going over both Nwanebu and Ogbogu. Quite a few of her shots were simply long or straight down into block but again, once the timing and shot selection improves, she will be a lot to handle. I love the Hammons sub for Mia; lose nothing in passing and maintains back row attack option at all times.
Carly was lights out! Her serve is so much stronger and accurate this year. Her overall game has improved tremendously. If I'm not mistaken, she had a double-double with 20 or more digs. She was great!
Alhassan and Kramer were as expected. I think they can be utilized more but of course a lot of that is dependent on the passing. I was happy to see both middles hitting behind the setter at different times. While Monserez is the more experienced setter, Huskey seems to have a better connection with the middles going behind on the slide. I hope they continue working on that and keep the opposing block honest.
Passing was great at times and but had some moments of breakdown.The biggest issue seemed to be that they were not used to one another in certain rotations and unsure who got what balls. Hammons is good and will be a great 6-rotation player in the coming years but she's till adjusting to passing next to certain players. I think those are issues that will be solved as they become more accustomed playing with each other.
To me, the most intriguing part of the entire puzzle that is Florida volleyball this year is Joseph and not in the way that some others might think. Simply put, Joseph is an out-of-this world athlete and strangely enough, I think it is her athleticism that gets her into trouble at times. We all know she jumps out of the gym. However, she's also quick as hell and a lot of times, it was her quickness that became an issue. Because she gets up so high and gets up FAST, there were a number of instances where she got up before the set arrived and had to hang. While her hang time is impressive, to say the least, it often meant she was either tipping or banging away at a ball as the block has solidly forming and she was on the way down. She seemed to attack best in two different situations: 1) when balls were set quick and low and the block simply couldn't catch up with her and 2.) when the ball was set way outside the net and she had more space to work around the block. There were specifically two or three sets that were way outside the net and she destroyed them and I couldn't believe how she managed to even keep it in play. I say all this to say that once the connection is finally there between Joseph and the setter, there won't be that major drop off on the RS that everyone expected after graduating Holston.
Overall, contrary to some beliefs, I don't think Florida is nowhere near close to peaking yet and has a high a ceiling and as much room to grow in much the same way that Texas and other programs do as the season goes on. I'm glad that Kentucky appears to be stronger this year because it means Florida can't get complacent once they enter SEC play. I hope they get pushed by other teams in the league, as well. If, and I think they will, Florida continues on the upward trajectory, they will be a dangerous team come tournament time.
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Post by curiousvolleyballdad on Aug 26, 2017 0:05:12 GMT -5
Great assessment! I am glad Mia got an opportunity to start and show everyone what she can bring to the team. With that said I do not think she has a long leash. With the arrival of Hammons she will need to get it right sooner rather than later. I did like Huskey in the front and her ability to block.
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Post by curiousvolleyballdad on Aug 27, 2017 15:07:35 GMT -5
After this weekend opposing teams are going to have to figure out a way to beat Florida. Both Kramer and Joseph showed out. Oh yeah let me throw in the freshman Hammons. Both Huskey and Monserez setting, OMG! FYI, I think they worked on their passing this past summer.
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Post by liquid running on Aug 27, 2017 16:23:04 GMT -5
They worked on their heads this summer, too. I'll admit, before this weekend I was still bitter about the total collapse against FSU in the tournament last year. I wouldn't be surprised if the team stewed over that all winter, spring and summer, and is using it as motivation.
The Gators had mental issues in other matches last year, including being swept at home by Kentucky. So far they look to be keeping their composure and plugging way and it paid off for them, particularly against Nebraska. I hope it continues.
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Post by eastcoastopp on Aug 28, 2017 6:11:51 GMT -5
I'm actually not really concerned with how the Gators will perform against ranked competition or the top schools in the SEC. My real concern is how they play against Georgia and the Mississippi schools (the schools they should roll through and look good doing it). In their sweep of South Carolina last year, the passing looked horrendous and they team itself seemed so uninterested. The gamecocks didn't help their own cause so it didn't really matter but that lack of focus can cause a good team to take a bad loss at any time.
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Post by JB Southpaw on Aug 28, 2017 8:50:20 GMT -5
I'm actually not really concerned with how the Gators will perform against ranked competition or the top schools in the SEC. My real concern is how they play against Georgia and the Mississippi schools (the schools they should roll through and look good doing it). In their sweep of South Carolina last year, the passing looked horrendous and they team itself seemed so uninterested. The gamecocks didn't help their own cause so it didn't really matter but that lack of focus can cause a good team to take a bad loss at any time. Hopefully the quality of depth will keep everyone hungry. There is a good amount of talent standing on the sides just looking for a chance to play. |
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Post by vbprisoner on Aug 28, 2017 9:05:12 GMT -5
I was wrong about my assessment of Florida for 2017. They looked better against Texas than any match I saw them play last year, and showed they can grind out a win with Nebraska match.
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Post by curiousvolleyballdad on Aug 28, 2017 10:55:22 GMT -5
The setting was not on point this weekend. I did like when Wise put huskey on the front row. just saying.
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Post by Wjordan078 on Aug 28, 2017 11:00:56 GMT -5
The setting was not on point this weekend. I did like when Wise put huskey on the front row. just saying. I agree! I hope she continues with the two setters. I like Huskey's length and what she can do defensively and at times, offensively. I also think she has the better connection with Rhamat. |
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