|
Post by newbeach on Nov 15, 2018 14:08:09 GMT -5
I know Erika is for sure, but likely both. Maidment has signed but Cindy says that Vermette will be staying in Canada to play indoor. Bummed to hear that but a great opportunity for her. That's too bad. I think Vermette has more opportunity on the beach than indoors in Canada.
|
|
|
Post by brooselee on Nov 15, 2018 16:03:05 GMT -5
The “problem” I have with Maglio and Scoles is that both are blockers. It’s best you match up a blocker with a defender. Scoles at 6-1 have very good vertical. It would be a waste to make her a defender.
I like matching up Ari or Pani with her but there is the issue of chemistry to worry about. Ari and Amy Ozee worked well together last season and I would like to see them stay together. They had good chemistry off and on the sand. Pani was said to be close to playing last season but there was no room for her so she redshirted.
The heavy senior class from last season have really limited the options. Lost of Monkhouse hurts too because now Hall have find a new partner for Martin too.
My pairing without witnessing any workout would be this:
Maglio and Napoleon
Martin and Loker
Ozee and Homayun
Scoles and Dreeuws
Huddleston and Banz
Burkett and Forbes
Of course, things could change if some of the indoor girls cross over.
|
|
|
Post by newbeach on Nov 15, 2018 17:20:41 GMT -5
I know my pairings are a bit of a long-shot and in some of my scenarios, I have similar pairings (Ozee and Homayun, Martin and Loker etc.) to yours. However, many teams are competing with the "prototypical professional" pairings of 6'0" - 6"1" (e.g. USC projected 1 and 2 flights - Graudina 6'0" -Bustamante 6'0", Cannon 6'3"-Hallgren 6'1"). Pepperdine has some decent height and I anticipate more "prototypical pairings" as well. In fact, I think we will see more of it this year to counteract the Graudina/Bustamante pairings. UCLA is an exception with the twins, but they have exceptional ball control and synergy. Even UCLA's projected two flight of Sponcil 5'9" or 5'10" and Van Winkle 6'3" is going to make it more difficult for some of our "smalls" to side out.
Ari is a great defender but not as proficient at offense. I have always wanted her with Maglio, but I think this pairing is getting tougher to win out at the one or two flight. Pani is better at offense than Ari but needed work on her defending last year. It's too bad we don't have a couple defenders in the 5'9" - 5-11" range at least (Weaver).
Last year Martin (6'1") and Monkhouse (6'0") were a good pairing. Martin did most of the blocking though they technically had split duties. Monkhouse wasn't the best defender (compared to an Ari or other small) and was not one of the best blockers (Maglio, Martin, Ozee) but they were proficient enough to make it work. A team like this is tough for opposing teams. Who do you target (unlike a "small") on serve receive when both players can terminate.
Scoles has already been pairing with Ozee in practices. Hall had Ozee and Martin paired together for that World University games tryout 2 years ago. So, to me, Scoles with Maglio wouldn't be that unconventional. Scoles was known for her defense (and double-doubles at NC). She only had 0.51 blocks per set. She was a decent blocker but by no means one of the best. I just think it would be really tough for teams to target either Scoles or Maglio because either can put it away but both could block when required. Maglio could still do the majority of blocking and Scoles would likely take a good deal of the hits anyway. I think they would have lots of potential as a really good #1 pair. Why not put two of the best together?
I think we may be seeing Russo in the lineup. Also, not sure if any indoor girls are going to cross-over...maybe just Granato? It will be interesting to see if Granato can get in the top flights?
This weekend will be interesting, but still nothing for sure until January when we have everyone.
|
|
|
Post by brooselee on Nov 15, 2018 17:46:47 GMT -5
Only one can block so I don’t think size matter. I don’t think it would work well if you have two tall girls who are both good blockers but cannot dig or mobile enough to chase after balls tip to the back of the court.
Professional beach players are the best of the best. They train like crazy to become very good all around players. College kids are not at that level. Still young, immature and lack overall experience to be able to do both. Plus they can only train X amount of hour per day due to school.
I get it you want to get the best pair to match up with other teams best but USC and UCLA are so darn deep....they can mix pairs and not t harm the team.
UH is not deep enough to plug all the talent at the top and ignore the bottom flights. I would rather we win 3-2 then to put up a good fight at the top flights but lose the duals.
|
|
|
Post by newbeach on Nov 15, 2018 17:53:45 GMT -5
Well, I guess I have to disagree with you on this. Obviously, there are some really good pairings that are making it work (Graudina/Bustamante, Martin/Monkhouse, Cannon/Hallgren, several of the Pepperdine teams etc.). They just have to be proficient enough in the skills to make it work. As long as they can handle the service, it is going to be tough for teams to return the ball and it puts a lot of pressure on them.
Torrey Van Winden 6'3" played to a bronze medal with Emily Sonny 5'11" at the USAV pairs, Morgan Martin 6'1" played WC with Plummer 6'6". I think teams are trying to gain an advantage with height. You gain an advantage blocking, siding out, etc. but lose a little on defense. Obviously, it's not going to work with every pair, but many can be very successful and in my opinion, we are going to see more of these pairings.
I think Scoles can handle the defensive duties (usually the defender or shorter player gets served anyway and therefore gets to hit). Scoles can dig a lot of balls (as well as say a Monkhouse), so why not? I guess, we wait and see what pans out. I think we may need to go a little less "safe" in order to be in the mix this season.
|
|
|
Post by brooselee on Nov 15, 2018 18:03:10 GMT -5
Yeah...I will take your word that Scoles can be effective at the upper flights. I have yet to see her work out with the team so you obviously knows more than I do.
I was thinking that Mags and Martin will do well regardless of who they paired up with but thought Scoles at the mid flight(flight 3 or4j woukd give the team a better chance to win the duals.
I will definitely check out the exhibition this week to see for myself. I was super stoked when we got Julia but thought she needed time to adjust to playing beach. Sounds like she didn’t miss a beat and is doing well.
|
|
|
Post by newbeach on Nov 15, 2018 18:37:32 GMT -5
Yeah...I will take your word that Scoles can be effective at the upper flights. I have yet to see her work out with the team so you obviously knows more than I do. I was thinking that Mags and Martin will do well regardless of who they paired up with but thought Scoles at the mid flight(flight 3 or4j woukd give the team a better chance to win the duals. I will definitely check out the exhibition this week to see for myself. I was super stoked when we got Julia but thought she needed time to adjust to playing beach. Sounds like she didn’t miss a beat and is doing well. I agree I think Martin and Maglio could be effective. Julia has played beach tournaments before, so she is not entirely new to it as some people think. She picks up things quickly and is a very good athlete. She may need some time to adjust but I think after a few months, she will really improve. Some pairings start out a little slower than others but work things out and improve throughout the season. I can see a pair like Scoles and Maglio working hard to be the number 1 pair even if they don't start at it. I'd like to see Maglio with a really competitive player. I agree as well that generally, strong flights at 2, 3, 4 are really effective in duals. This year the team may just have to go for it and take some chances. In any event, this weekend should be fun and will be a bit of a gauge as to where the players are at. Go Bows!
|
|
|
Post by VolleyChick on Nov 15, 2018 18:54:35 GMT -5
Do any of you know of a live feed or someone using periscope this weekend? I'd love to get to see Sofia Russo play - I've been friends with her parents forever : ) Go Bows! Thanks
|
|
|
Post by newbeach on Nov 16, 2018 18:49:12 GMT -5
Do any of you know of a live feed or someone using periscope this weekend? I'd love to get to see Sofia Russo play - I've been friends with her parents forever : ) Go Bows! Thanks Sofia is apparently playing well! If I hear of anyone who can Periscope the games, I will definitely post it here. I wish someone from UH team would Periscope games when they are away too. A lot of other teams Periscope too. I always do a search for the team they are playing too as sometimes you find a family member or friends who Periscope (if not one of the teams).
|
|
|
Post by VolleyChick on Nov 16, 2018 19:52:09 GMT -5
That's awesome to hear, thanks so much!!! For Georgia State, Beth has the girls who aren't playing periscope the games, I thought that was a great idea. Fingers crossed someone will be doing it, I'll check on here, thanks much.
|
|
|
Post by vballfreak808 on Nov 17, 2018 0:25:45 GMT -5
Looks like Laurie McGrath has decommitted from Hawaii and signed with San Francisco for beach. Probably best for her, will make the starting line-up right away.
|
|
|
Post by HawaiiVB on Nov 17, 2018 4:34:57 GMT -5
Angel Gaskin will play beach this season. Not sure where. Maybe Hawai'i?
|
|
|
Post by hwnstunner on Nov 17, 2018 15:18:37 GMT -5
Angel Gaskin will play beach this season. Not sure where. Maybe Hawai'i? Yes, Hawaii. It was published somewhere that it was part of why she came to Hawaii. I will say though, a lefty beach player is an interesting concept to me...
|
|
|
Post by kaipono on Nov 17, 2018 16:33:48 GMT -5
Angel Gaskin will play beach this season. Not sure where. Maybe Hawai'i? Yes, Hawaii. It was published somewhere that it was part of why she came to Hawaii. I will say though, a lefty beach player is an interesting concept to me... It will be interesting to see how she does on the beach. I don't think she will crack into the top 5 flights, but you never know.
|
|
|
Post by raian13 on Nov 17, 2018 17:06:50 GMT -5
But Gaskin has been hitting out on cross court shots all season while on indoors. How will she fare on the beach that has a very smaller court?
|
|