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Post by eastcoastopp on Dec 17, 2017 22:25:50 GMT -5
After a 2017 season (30-2 record) which brought an unexpected national championship berth, the Florida Gators are looking to reload more than rebuild for 2018. We will be losing some outstanding seniors and their contributions to the program will not soon be forgotten. The passion, fire and fight that they brought to the team is something that has been lacking in past years. They mention in their press conference that they wanted to change the culture of the program; now its up to the returning players to match that intensity and mentor the incoming freshmen on what being a Florida Gator is all about.
Departing Players:
{Seniors} Carli Snyder [6'1 Outside Hitter] Rhamat Alhassan [6'4 Middle Blocker/holds career total blocks record at UF] Shainah Joseph [6'1 Opposite] Caroline Knop [5'8 Libero] Lindsey Rogers [5'9 Defensive/Service Specialist]
{Juniors}
Ann-Lorrayne Bzoch [5'5 Defensive Specialist]{No longer playing volleyball; pursuing Master's at UF}
{Sophomores} Cheyenne Huskey [6'2 Setter](Transferred to Texas State) Camille Nieves [5'7 Defensive Specialist]{No longer playing volleyball; still enrolled at UF}
Florida will lose a large portion of its offense as well as two of their four primary passers. Snyder's skills as a do-it-all (3.4 kps, 3.2 dps, .49 aces/s, Second Team AA) six rotation player will definitely be missed along with Alhassan's ability to control the middle of the court (2.6 kps, .401%, 1.7 bps, First Team AA). After years of playing multiple positions to fit team needs, Joseph finally started on the right side and led the Gators offensively in the second half of the season (2.5 kps, .356% Second Team AA); and CK (the transfer from Michigan) solidified the back row defense putting up some of the best season digs numbers in program history (517 for 4th in 2017, 459 for 11th in 2016/4.46 dps for 6th in 2017, 4.3 dps for 8th in 2016, 2x Honorable Mention AA). And we can't leave out Lindsey Rogers, who may not have seen a lot of playing time during her Florida career, came up with a huge service run (including 2 aces) in a comeback at the end of the third set in the Second Round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament against Florida State to put the Gators up 2-1 and ultimately win in four. Florida will also lose front row setter Cheyenne Huskey, who was their second best blocker in terms of blocks per set (1.07, the best of any setter in the country).
Incoming Freshmen:
Thayer Hall [6'3 Outside Hitter/First Team UA All-American/#1 Recruit] (Early enrollee)
Haley Warner [6'1 Opposite/Second Team UA All-American/#25 Recruit]
Marlie Monserez [6'0 S/#24 Recruit]
Lauren Dooley [6'6 MB/OPP/#58 Recruit] (Early enrollee)
Riley Fischer [5'8 Libero/#95 Recruit]
Paula Cerame [5'7 Libero/Third Team UA All-American]
Incoming Transfers:
Holly Carlton [6'7 Setter/Opposite from UNC]
In 2018 comes one of the best classes in recent years for the Gators, highlighted by #1 Recruit, Thayer Hall. While every team's goal is to be in a position to compete for a national championship, the immediate goal for these young ladies is to create a strong rapport with the returning squad and (hopefully) quickly adjust to the speed of the college game. Some of these women will most likely start for the Gators next season, while other's roles are yet to be defined. Thayer Hall will likely get the start at OH2 and the opposite position is looking to be a real battle with Sokolowski, Warner and Carlton all looking for playing time. Dooley showed what a force she can be with her blocking during the spring, but her offense and footwork will need to continue to improve. Marlie Monserez (the younger sibling of Madison and Allie), could be an x-factor. There are a lot of questions surrounding the setter position. Allie will be a redshirt senior but is unlikely to play the front row because of her height. Marlie has the height to maintain a blocking presence but does not yet have the college reps to say she's a lock to start. Though Holly was a setter/opposite at UNC, Mary Wise has already mentioned that the focus will be on her attacking (at least for this year). Macy was a setter during her high school days and could take the pressure off Holly and set opposite of her. The Gators have options but no clear cut answer.
Once the incoming freshmen arrive, there will be a logjam at opposite (Sokolowski-RsSoph/Carlton-RsSoph/Warner-Fr) and middle (Taelor Kellum, Rachael Kramer, Darrielle King, Lauren Dooley), so one would assume that at least one or two would redshirt in 2018 (but that would also create questions on what to do with our incoming 2020 6'3 left-handed opposite). More than likely, Sokolowski will maintain the title of OH though. I don't think it's a reach to say that Florida will have the deepest bench in the country, expect to maybe Oregon, but they will certainly be the tallest.
* 2018 Recruiting Class (includes the accolades for Hall, Warner, Monserez and Dooley as well as Mary's comments on each player) * 2018 Recruiting Class Part II (includes the accolades for Carlton, Cerame and Fischer as well as Mary's comments on each player)
* 2018 Schedule
* 2018 Roster
As for the coaches, Mary isn't going anywhere. Dave Boos and Shannon Wells are both expected to get some looks at various coaching opportunities but it's doubtful that they'll leave with such a good class coming in (and I'm pretty sure they still want to stick it out with Mary to get that elusive national championship). Next season will start off just as it has the last three years will the VERT Challenge, this time taking place in Lincoln, Nebraska, with the Gators taking on Nebraska on Friday and Texas on Saturday. The experience of the returning players as well as the international experience of some of the incoming freshmen and transfers will hopefully pay dividends in what will be a hostile environment in the always sold out Devaney Center. While the two matches that will be played here (along with the next match against what will probably be a ranked USC team that visits Gainesville) will not determine how the Gators season will go, it will give a great deal of insight to the team's cohesiveness and a look into how the coaching staff plans to use a deep and athletic bench. So many things can happen between now and December 2018 and we look forward to seeing the progression of the program and its athletes.
*This OP will be edited during the offseason in accordance with coaching changes, transfers, walk ons and decommitments. |
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Post by vbshrink on Dec 17, 2017 23:47:41 GMT -5
Nice post. Curious to see how King will do in full-time duty. Hammons was impressive in the back row this year, but I was not fully sold on her in the front row. The off-season will give her some good development opportunities, though. Lots of talent, but a few questions, too.
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Post by superfan1 on Dec 18, 2017 0:16:54 GMT -5
I know this isn't the plan, but I wonder about Hammons as a libero... She really impressed me with her passing, especially the second half of the season.
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Post by BeiBei on Dec 18, 2017 1:04:54 GMT -5
I am surprised how underwhelming Hammons was in the front row although her passing was top notch
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Post by eastcoastopp on Dec 18, 2017 1:05:45 GMT -5
I know this isn't the plan, but I wonder about Hammons as a libero... She really impressed me with her passing, especially the second half of the season. I think a role something like what Annika Albrecht had in her early years at Nebraska would be great for Hammons. Gives her a chance to really focus on defense while still being an offensive threat. But that also means she'd have to be set while in-system and not just when the passing breaks down.
I know it's EXTREMELY early to say this but I'm already looking forward to the possibility of Hall, Hammons and Warner all playing six rotations in 2020!
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Post by Sbilo on Dec 18, 2017 6:08:45 GMT -5
Still surprised about Warner as the 25th ranked recruit in the class.
Anyway, you guys better be excited with Thayer Hall. She's extremely good! What a replacement for Snyder. Mary knows how to recruit. I think Hall was down to Penn State and Florida.
Hammons and Hall should be a good OH combo for Florida. Alhassan, though, is hard to replace.
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Post by ironhammer on Dec 18, 2017 6:09:57 GMT -5
How good are these incoming freshmen?
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Post by WahineFan44 on Dec 18, 2017 6:31:12 GMT -5
I know this isn't the plan, but I wonder about Hammons as a libero... She really impressed me with her passing, especially the second half of the season. I think a role something like what Annika Albrecht had in her early years at Nebraska would be great for Hammons. Gives her a chance to really focus on defense while still being an offensive threat. But that also means she'd have to be set while in-system and not just when the passing breaks down.
I know it's EXTREMELY early to say this but I'm already looking forward to the possibility of Hall, Hammons and Warner all playing six rotations in 2020!
Hammons was a top ten recruit, dont think shell want to just have a DS role. But who knows, maybe just being at florida is what makes her happy |
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Post by eastcoastopp on Dec 18, 2017 6:40:53 GMT -5
Still surprised about Warner as the 25th ranked recruit in the class. Anyway, you guys better be excited with Thayer Hall. She's extremely good! What a replacement for Snyder. Mary knows how to recruit. I think Hall was down to Penn State and Florida. Hammons and Hall should be a good OH combo for Florida. Alhassan, though, is hard to replace. The good thing about King is that her defense is slightly better than her offense so I have no worries about her ability to block (but no one blocks like Alhassan). She probably has the best slide on the team so for her its about transitioning off the net as well as hitting in front of the setter.
Warner at #25 was a shock to me too. Guess it speaks to how stacked these other OH are in this class.
Thayer coming to Gainesville is the best cure for what is hopefully a short hangover for Florida fans. She's already a phenomenal player. Wait until she's a senior!
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Post by eastcoastopp on Dec 18, 2017 6:46:02 GMT -5
I think a role something like what Annika Albrecht had in her early years at Nebraska would be great for Hammons. Gives her a chance to really focus on defense while still being an offensive threat. But that also means she'd have to be set while in-system and not just when the passing breaks down.
I know it's EXTREMELY early to say this but I'm already looking forward to the possibility of Hall, Hammons and Warner all playing six rotations in 2020!
Hammons was a top ten recruit, dont think shell want to just have a DS role. But who knows, maybe just being at florida is what makes her happy Hammons doesn't seem like the type of player to give the coaches an ultimatum on playing in the front row. Truly seems like one who is willing to play wherever necessary to win. And if there's one thing she could learn from Shainah, it's to trust the process.
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Post by nakedcrayon on Dec 18, 2017 9:15:55 GMT -5
I wonder if Greer transfers. she got beat out by Mia who will likely get beat out by Thayer
She is a player whose demeanor in club when I watched didn't seem like someone who is willing to ride the bench for four years. She is fourth likely on the depth chart at OH and unless Warner doesn't start at RS will not get significant playing time in the future.
Can Warner play back row ? Or do they use that position for a serving specialist again? I think it is Florida and Kentucky once again but who will step up and be the 3-5 in conference
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Post by southeastvbfan on Dec 18, 2017 9:27:24 GMT -5
Hammons was a top ten recruit, dont think shell want to just have a DS role. But who knows, maybe just being at florida is what makes her happy Hammons doesn't seem like the type of player to give the coaches an ultimatum on playing in the front row. Truly seems like who is willing to play wherever necessary to win. And if there's one thing she could learn from Shainah, it's to trust the process.
I think if you give Hammons a solid spring in the weight room she will beef up and up her front row play. Possibly like a Snyder-type development. |
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Post by eastcoastopp on Dec 18, 2017 9:40:23 GMT -5
I wonder if Greer transfers. she got beat out by Mia who will likely get beat out by Thayer She is a player whose demeanor in club when I watched didn't seem like someone who is willing to ride the bench for four years. She is fourth likely on the depth chart at OH and unless Warner doesn't start at RS will not get significant playing time in the future. Can Warner play back row ? Or do they use that position for a serving specialist again? I think it is Florida and Kentucky once again but who will step up and be the 3-5 in conference No one is getting "beat out" by Thayer. Hall is simply taking Snyder's spot at OH1. The spot that is up for grabs is OH2, specifically the front row. Hammons back row play will keep her competitive for it. Mia's athleticism will keep her competitive for it as well. Morgyn's offense and ability to serve receive (if she's in zone four) is keeping her in it. Mia is the highest error out of all of them but has the most upside. If Hammons can consistently nail that line shot she keeps going after and improve with her blocking, the front row is her's. Morgyn is the most offensively dependable of the three of them but her blocking needs a lot of work. Way too many blocking errors and frequently out of position when setting up to block. Mia got the start to end the season mainly because of her high reach and block touches, but we saw her hit the ball into the net a lot, especially when the OOS ball went to her. If either blocks better and takes smarter swings, Hammons won't be able to do enough to keep them out of the front row. Warner WILL start at Opp. That's a given with her being a lefty. She can play back row but I doubt Mary puts that much pressure on her early in the season. A DS will probably come in for her. The SEC will be deep with potential next year. As far as reality, we're not really sure yet. Auburn will have their best ever recruiting class (not to mention their tallest ever with 6'3 OH, 6'4 OH, 6'1 S, 5'11 OH), LSU will build on last season's success as well as bring in some VERY good recruits, Georgia won't take anyone by surprise this year and will also remain competitive. If Texas A&M can fuse the new coach, returning team members and new recruits (6'3 OH, 6'2 S), they'll be in the mix. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 10:54:52 GMT -5
I am surprised how underwhelming Hammons was in the front row although her passing was top notch Hammons is a player with many talents. From what I have seen, I think she was over utilized in club on the offensive side of things and that can be detrimental for maintaining strength in arm swings. I think she could do very well as a libero myself as a previous poster pointed out. |
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Post by curiousvolleyballdad on Dec 18, 2017 23:02:59 GMT -5
I am excited to see how the MB position comes together. That was Florida's strength. Also do not count out the younger Monserez. She has height and she is a hell of a setter. Didn't see consistency in that position this year. Can Hall and Warner make an immediate impact? They both were being courted by Penn State. I think Wise will have the #1 recruiting class with Penn State and Washington following a close 2nd and 3rd place. I wish Alhassan had one more year. Just saying.
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