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Post by c4ndlelight on Aug 16, 2017 16:36:15 GMT -5
Bechard did not go into details about his plans for Simpson other than "she will play". Burse picked it up at the end of last season, so she would not be a pushover, but it will be interesting to see how he utilizes Simpson against UMKC. I am a big fan of the exhibition matches. The in-squad matches are just a cluster with a bunch of kids who know what each other are going to do, it takes an element of the game out of the equation. Even in a match like UMKC-KU or Drake-Iowa State, they are clear mismatches, but just having a different opponent across the net adds a different factor for the players. One last exhibition note, there are two great exhibitions this weekend with Creighton at Kansas State (Friday, 6 PM) and Texas A&M at TCU (Saturday, 2 PM). I don't think there is live video for either, but hopefully fans will be out in force to see those matches. The improvement of Burse from FR to SO is the main reason why I think Kansas could be considerably better this year than last year. She improved a lot during her Freshman season - and the jump from FR to SO can be one of the bigger ones. Her potential on the front row is very high.
Montero is a real loss - as I would have thought her to be one of the best options at Libero. She has excellent instincts - and often times undersized OH make good Liberos. At the minimum, she provided a DS for Burse that *could* play the front row.
Just doesn't seem like Simpson transfers to Kansas in order to only provide 'depth'. She clearly gives alternatives in case of an injury that wasn't there before. A lineup of Havili, Rigdon, Burse, Payne (MB), Alexander, and Simpson matches up very well with whatever Texas decides as their starting lineup. Kansas likes to move players around on the front row with combination plays - and they can move Payne around. They also have the option to sub Havili out of the front row when serving late in a set.
Has there been any discussion of moving Payne to MB? I just don't see taking her out of the OPP spot, but it seems USAV sees her as a middle too and she may want to get as many reps in as she can there and adding Simpson may make that move less unpalatable for Bechard.
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Post by southie on Aug 16, 2017 16:46:33 GMT -5
Some players suffer a sophomore slump. So, we'll just have to wait and see how these players look once they hit the court in a couple of weeks.
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bluepenquin
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Post by bluepenquin on Aug 16, 2017 17:13:46 GMT -5
The improvement of Burse from FR to SO is the main reason why I think Kansas could be considerably better this year than last year. She improved a lot during her Freshman season - and the jump from FR to SO can be one of the bigger ones. Her potential on the front row is very high.
Montero is a real loss - as I would have thought her to be one of the best options at Libero. She has excellent instincts - and often times undersized OH make good Liberos. At the minimum, she provided a DS for Burse that *could* play the front row.
Just doesn't seem like Simpson transfers to Kansas in order to only provide 'depth'. She clearly gives alternatives in case of an injury that wasn't there before. A lineup of Havili, Rigdon, Burse, Payne (MB), Alexander, and Simpson matches up very well with whatever Texas decides as their starting lineup. Kansas likes to move players around on the front row with combination plays - and they can move Payne around. They also have the option to sub Havili out of the front row when serving late in a set.
Has there been any discussion of moving Payne to MB? I just don't see taking her out of the OPP spot, but it seems USAV sees her as a middle too and she may want to get as many reps in as she can there and adding Simpson may make that move less unpalatable for Bechard. Nothing I have seen in print - I am just giving outsider speculation. For all I know, there is some sort of injury concerns - sounds like Payne wasn't able to play in Europe with National team this summer, but my sense is that isn't really much of a concern (but I don't really know anything).
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bluepenquin
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Post by bluepenquin on Aug 16, 2017 17:34:29 GMT -5
The improvement of Burse from FR to SO is the main reason why I think Kansas could be considerably better this year than last year. She improved a lot during her Freshman season - and the jump from FR to SO can be one of the bigger ones. Her potential on the front row is very high.
Montero is a real loss - as I would have thought her to be one of the best options at Libero. She has excellent instincts - and often times undersized OH make good Liberos. At the minimum, she provided a DS for Burse that *could* play the front row.
Just doesn't seem like Simpson transfers to Kansas in order to only provide 'depth'. She clearly gives alternatives in case of an injury that wasn't there before. A lineup of Havili, Rigdon, Burse, Payne (MB), Alexander, and Simpson matches up very well with whatever Texas decides as their starting lineup. Kansas likes to move players around on the front row with combination plays - and they can move Payne around. They also have the option to sub Havili out of the front row when serving late in a set.
Are you saying that Payne is going to move to MB? Call me a homer but I just don't see Kansas throwing any line-up out there that matches up with what Texas is going to throw. If Sun plays, they'll most likely start her as OH1 so she'll match up against Havili while in the front row. I want Kansas to do well because it benefits the Big 12 but if Texas plays the way they're supposed to, they could very well go undefeated in Big 12 play. Should be an interesting season. If they were to play matches where each team could eliminate 5 or 6 players from the other team playing - then Texas is going to destroy every team in the country. They have crazy depth and will be able sustain injuries during the season. But if we are talking about the starting rotation for one game at full strength - it doesn't take much squinting to see Kansas being very close to as good as Texas.
S: Shook vs. Havili - Shook may be very good this year, hard to see her being better than Havili. OH: White vs. Rigdon - I think White is great. Rigdon is extremely valuable to Kansas. I do like White more. OH: Sun vs. Burse - If Sun is playing 6 positions, then this really becomes Burse + a DS. I am sure Sun will be a better player and she may be a better player right now, but is she really going to be better than Burse on the front row this year? I guess this depends on whether Burse becomes a big time terminator as I see her potential. She is already big time in blocking. MB: Ogbogu vs. Payne - no one is better than Payne. MB: Johnson/Butler vs. Alexander - We will see, but for the 1st time Kansas is going to be as tall as Texas in both middle spots. RS: Nwanebu vs. Simpson - I don't know what to expect from Simpson. I am sure that Nwanebu is better, I suspect that Simpson will be good enough.
But then I may be a homer.
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Post by texasex01 on Aug 16, 2017 18:17:26 GMT -5
Are you saying that Payne is going to move to MB? Call me a homer but I just don't see Kansas throwing any line-up out there that matches up with what Texas is going to throw. If Sun plays, they'll most likely start her as OH1 so she'll match up against Havili while in the front row. I want Kansas to do well because it benefits the Big 12 but if Texas plays the way they're supposed to, they could very well go undefeated in Big 12 play. Should be an interesting season. If they were to play matches where each team could eliminate 5 or 6 players from the other team playing - then Texas is going to destroy every team in the country. They have crazy depth and will be able sustain injuries during the season. But if we are talking about the starting rotation for one game at full strength - it doesn't take much squinting to see Kansas being very close to as good as Texas.
S: Shook vs. Havili - Shook may be very good this year, hard to see her being better than Havili. OH: White vs. Rigdon - I think White is great. Rigdon is extremely valuable to Kansas. I do like White more. OH: Sun vs. Burse - If Sun is playing 6 positions, then this really becomes Burse + a DS. I am sure Sun will be a better player and she may be a better player right now, but is she really going to be better than Burse on the front row this year? I guess this depends on whether Burse becomes a big time terminator as I see her potential. She is already big time in blocking. MB: Ogbogu vs. Payne - no one is better than Payne. MB: Johnson/Butler vs. Alexander - We will see, but for the 1st time Kansas is going to be as tall as Texas in both middle spots. RS: Nwanebu vs. Simpson - I don't know what to expect from Simpson. I am sure that Nwanebu is better, I suspect that Simpson will be good enough.
But then I may be a homer.
Yes, you are a homer.
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bluepenquin
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Post by bluepenquin on Aug 16, 2017 22:55:45 GMT -5
I finally got around to listening to Bechard's press conference today. Here are the takeaways I got:
1) Havili is the setter, no chance of a 6-2 or any kind of modified 6-2. She is going to be on the court at all times. Carlson was specifically named as the backup setter.
2) I take it that there is no chance (plans) of Payne playing the middle. She is more likely to be on the left side than play middle. They want her to play 6 positions, they plan to use her for back row attacks and with the improved defense will be receiving serve on occasion. I think she is 95-99% likely to be the RS.
3) I thought Bechard was vague in describing Simpson's role on the team. He described her as having a presence in the gym. A multi-talented player that will find her niche on the team. Her two best positions are already filled by Havili and Payne and that isn't going to change. So now we get into my speculation - what are the potential roles/niche she can fill? Libero/DS - seems highly unlikely - although a back row attacker sounds intriquing. MB - he didn't mention her as a potential MB - seemed extremely doubtful anyway. OH - seems unlikely as a LH hitter and Burse was mentioned as a much improved player for this year. I am back to the possibility of Redshirt - or at least I haven't ruled it out.
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Post by cyclonepower on Aug 16, 2017 23:39:27 GMT -5
I think it is one of those situations where Bechard does not want Simpson to just be the rainy day player in case something happens to his two best players, but there is only so much he can do with her (you are only allowed six players on the court at a time). I struggle with the idea of KU doing a situational 6-2 to bring size to the front row, I think the only way Havili is not on the court for KU is if she is injured.
I am going to go back to my original premise on 2017 Kansas: they are going all-in this year. Anything regarding 2018 and beyond will be dealt with at a later date, every decision will be made with the intention of maximizing 2017. The future of Kansas volleyball is now!
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Post by pointtexas on Aug 17, 2017 10:17:54 GMT -5
Are you saying that Payne is going to move to MB? Call me a homer but I just don't see Kansas throwing any line-up out there that matches up with what Texas is going to throw. If Sun plays, they'll most likely start her as OH1 so she'll match up against Havili while in the front row. I want Kansas to do well because it benefits the Big 12 but if Texas plays the way they're supposed to, they could very well go undefeated in Big 12 play. Should be an interesting season. If they were to play matches where each team could eliminate 5 or 6 players from the other team playing - then Texas is going to destroy every team in the country. They have crazy depth and will be able sustain injuries during the season. But if we are talking about the starting rotation for one game at full strength - it doesn't take much squinting to see Kansas being very close to as good as Texas.
S: Shook vs. Havili - Shook may be very good this year, hard to see her being better than Havili. OH: White vs. Rigdon - I think White is great. Rigdon is extremely valuable to Kansas. I do like White more. OH: Sun vs. Burse - If Sun is playing 6 positions, then this really becomes Burse + a DS. I am sure Sun will be a better player and she may be a better player right now, but is she really going to be better than Burse on the front row this year? I guess this depends on whether Burse becomes a big time terminator as I see her potential. She is already big time in blocking. MB: Ogbogu vs. Payne - no one is better than Payne. MB: Johnson/Butler vs. Alexander - We will see, but for the 1st time Kansas is going to be as tall as Texas in both middle spots. RS: Nwanebu vs. Simpson - I don't know what to expect from Simpson. I am sure that Nwanebu is better, I suspect that Simpson will be good enough.
But then I may be a homer.
Yeah, unfortunately while Texas plays with a big bullseye on their back all year the KU games are going to have the intensity not likely seen in any other big12 match this year. Texas will go scorched earth on the jayhawks this year.
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Post by cyclonea on Aug 17, 2017 14:57:13 GMT -5
I think Iowa State is going to jump up and surprise some folks. Conaway and West are solid in the middle. Herbst is coming into her own.
Baylor will also be near the top of the second tier. Much improved and Stager is a beast.
Texas and Kansas will battle each other all season although neither seems to care about academics. Funny how you look at both rosters and you see so many undeclared players or bogus majors. Sad but true.
TCU is fading away. Nice transfers the last 2 years but the recruiting, other than Buckingham has been a waste. The Langs kid had so many accolades in high school but doesn't seem to have any athletic ability. The high school awards must have been mainly due to playing with Ebony and in a sub-6A conference.
Oklahoma needs a fresh start. Losing Brown will hurt and he hasn't brought in any recruits which are worthwhile.
Tech will probably lose them all again. Graystone needs to recruit Big 12 players, not Southland conference players.
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Post by houstonbear15 on Aug 17, 2017 18:10:34 GMT -5
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Post by cyclonepower on Aug 18, 2017 10:57:11 GMT -5
Stats from last night's Baylor-Rice match, for those interested, here. Looks like they ran Lockin in a 5-1 most of the time.
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Post by txjulia on Aug 18, 2017 11:09:38 GMT -5
I think Iowa State is going to jump up and surprise some folks. Conaway and West are solid in the middle. Herbst is coming into her own. Baylor will also be near the top of the second tier. Much improved and Stager is a beast. Texas and Kansas will battle each other all season although neither seems to care about academics. Funny how you look at both rosters and you see so many undeclared players or bogus majors. Sad but true. TCU is fading away. Nice transfers the last 2 years but the recruiting, other than Buckingham has been a waste. The Langs kid had so many accolades in high school but doesn't seem to have any athletic ability. The high school awards must have been mainly due to playing with Ebony and in a sub-6A conference. Oklahoma needs a fresh start. Losing Brown will hurt and he hasn't brought in any recruits which are worthwhile. Tech will probably lose them all again. Graystone needs to recruit Big 12 players, not Southland conference players. TCU has had top 30 recruiting classes the last 2 years, their highest ever. Not sure you can say their recruiting has been a waste. Also, I know at Texas most of the athletes have declared a major, the media relations person just hasn't updated it and I would assume a similar situation happens at Kansas. If you look at the academic all big 12 release, all 8 of of the Kansas athletes have declared a major and 3 of the 4 from Texas have.
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bluepenquin
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Post by bluepenquin on Aug 18, 2017 11:35:25 GMT -5
I think Iowa State is going to jump up and surprise some folks. Conaway and West are solid in the middle. Herbst is coming into her own. Baylor will also be near the top of the second tier. Much improved and Stager is a beast. Texas and Kansas will battle each other all season although neither seems to care about academics. Funny how you look at both rosters and you see so many undeclared players or bogus majors. Sad but true. TCU is fading away. Nice transfers the last 2 years but the recruiting, other than Buckingham has been a waste. The Langs kid had so many accolades in high school but doesn't seem to have any athletic ability. The high school awards must have been mainly due to playing with Ebony and in a sub-6A conference. Oklahoma needs a fresh start. Losing Brown will hurt and he hasn't brought in any recruits which are worthwhile. Tech will probably lose them all again. Graystone needs to recruit Big 12 players, not Southland conference players. I have to say - I generally don't notice. I assume this is a baseless comment?
Last year Cassie Wait was 1st year Law while playing her Senior season of volleyball - having graduated in 3 years. Having grown up watching the movie 'The Paper Chase' - it seems impossible for someone to be 1L and a full time athlete at the same time - but evidently she did it. I wish I had that kind of academic drive in my 20's...
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Post by cyclonepower on Aug 18, 2017 23:40:11 GMT -5
Creighton beat Kansas State in five sets in their exhibition tonight. Both teams are keeping full details about the scrimmage secret, but there are a couple of K-State nuggets coming out:
1. K-State ran a 5-1. Starting setter was Sarah Dixon, and starting libero was Reilly Killeen. University of Arizona Northeast! 2. The returners led the hitters, Flowers, Schultejans, Vogel and Zumach all had at least 10 kills. Surprising that Elle Sandbothe did not get over 10 kills, but she did lead K-State with five blocks. 3. On that note, sounds like there might be a little bit of a battle for the MB slots. Flowers, and Sandbothe would seem to be the default options, but Zsofia Gyimes started over Sandbothe and got a lot of time. 4. Despite being a five-setter, Creighton still hit close to .300. Could easily just be a good team being a good team, but I do wonder about K-State's back row defense with Brand, Kober and Sassin all graduated. Only Vogel played significant back-row minutes last year among the returners, and Schultejans and Zumach have never really been six-rotation players.
It is just an exhibition, and it was at K-State's oppressive gym (hotter than the surface of hell in there, and that is during November matches!) but to go five with a top-10 team is always impressive. Suzie Fritz is a great coach, so it would not surprise me to see her team be right back with Baylor and Iowa State battling for third.
UMKC-KU, Texas A&M-TCU and scrimmages for Iowa State, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia all on the docket tomorrow!
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Post by cyclonepower on Aug 19, 2017 15:30:33 GMT -5
Just got back from the Iowa State Scrimmage. Not too much to report, saw most of what I was wondering about last week against Drake. Mostly ran 6-2, but CJL did test out some 5-1 stuff with both setters.
Hali Hillegas had an incredible match at libero, she finished with 25 digs and was everywhere. Cassie Wait stopped Iowa State's run of eight-straight Big 12 Libero of the Years in 2016, but I think that run is going to resume this year with Hillegas.
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