Future of Minnesota

[BigDigEnergy]

Sept 2, 2024 11:53:01 GMT -5 vbruh said:

With the new roster limits next year, I expect staff will want 4 L/DS ideally 1 from each class year. Both Z and Kate will be Jrs, Garr a Frosh, my guess is staff will look to Portal to bring in a transfer either a Grad student or perhaps a Sophomore. If a Sophomore, they’d have 5 littles in 2026, but that’s only for one year.

Also, both 25 pins currently pass. Gilk is a RS and passes a high rate, which will provide multiple options in serve receive that do not exist today.

Yes I am very intrigued by Gilk as a passing RS. With her ability to pass and Garr addition, I think the backcourt will look very different next year.

[SayonaraTachikara]

Sept 10, 2024 11:55:40 GMT -5 justafan44 said:

Sept 10, 2024 11:49:23 GMT -5 holms said:

I wonder if Shaff’s decision to take a 5th year which caused SS to redshirt will have any effect on our ability to land Deboer or Bjorkland. Let’s hope not, both are amazing

I feel like it has to be a big factor for both sides.  The recruit has to be willing to sit for 2 years (with a redshirt, I assume) but would come in as a sophomore with a lot of training under their belt.  The drop off from setter to setter shouldn't be as much of a factor as a 4th year starter to a fresh freshman.  And then on the gophs side, do they want someone that will only play for 3 years? How will that affect their future recruiting?  I think there's a strong chance that Minne holds off for a '28 unless they are gonna go for the Minnesota talent to try to keep them home.  They have been trending in that direction with Gilk, Garr, Hoecke, Craft, etc.  The Swenson redshirt definitely throws a wrench in things. 

With the setters mentioned with as high of a potential ceiling. I would be shocked if someone wanted to sit behind a seemingly already anointed starting setter. There needs to be competition in the gym and the setters need to be challenged and pushed for sure. It will also be interesting to see how the offensive strategy shifts losing most of the intangibles Shaff brings to the table, including lack of depth with offensive minded middles. It would not shock me if they went the portal route for backup setter. Someone with experience at the position who has proven themselves at a mid major or lower D1 with a chip on their shoulder.

[ay2013]

Sept 10, 2024 10:47:58 GMT -5 justafan44 said:

Thought I would provide an update from a previous discussion on this thread regarding PrepDig and their absurd rankings. For 2027s in MN -- The first rankings were: Deboer started as 1, Bjorkland was 2. Second rankings came out and Deboer was 2, Bjorkland 1. Rankings came out today and you guessed it: Deboer is back to 1, Bjorkland is 2. If only they had some people working for Prepdig who actually knew what they were doing and weren't just looking for subscribers. In all honesty, Cora Bicknese, a DS from Chatfield should probably be the #1. She is SOLID and will be a huge get for whatever program gets her.

10000% re Bicknese.

[gopherhim]

Sept 10, 2024 11:52:05 GMT -5 zero-rotation outside hitter said:

Sept 10, 2024 11:49:23 GMT -5 holms said:

I wonder if Shaff’s decision to take a 5th year which caused SS to redshirt will have any effect on our ability to land Deboer or Bjorkland. Let’s hope not, both are amazing

Who's the girl from one of the Dakotas who's supposed to be VERY good and would be a 2028 I think?

*setter

Josalyn Samuels from Kairos (same club as Bergen Reilly) is a 2028.

[GoGophs]

Sept 10, 2024 12:29:36 GMT -5 gopherhim said:

Sept 10, 2024 11:52:05 GMT -5 zero-rotation outside hitter said:

Who's the girl from one of the Dakotas who's supposed to be VERY good and would be a 2028 I think?

*setter

Josalyn Samuels from Kairos (same club as Bergen Reilly) is a 2028.

There’s also Kaelyn Easton who was at this summers camp but she’s a ‘29. I have to imagine that with the numbers Shaff is putting up this season and the reputation KK has as a setting coach MN would be a prime spot for a top setting recruit

[gopherhim]

Sept 10, 2024 12:58:43 GMT -5 GoGophs said:

Sept 10, 2024 12:29:36 GMT -5 gopherhim said:

Josalyn Samuels from Kairos (same club as Bergen Reilly) is a 2028.

There’s also Kaelyn Easton who was at this summers camp but she’s a ‘29. I have to imagine that with the numbers Shaff is putting up this season and the reputation KK has as a setting coach MN would be a prime spot for a top setting recruit

A ‘29 at the elite camp summer after 7th grade? Wow. Or is that not that uncommon?

Tatum Kelly (who switched from New Wave to 1st Alliance) is a 2028 setter that was at the elite camp, and I have a feeling she will be a top setting recruit.

As for the woes about current and recent Gopher passing and hopes for Gopher commits to come and save the day, I too am hopeful. Would be amazing if Kinney came and passed like Harper Murray her freshman year. I also remember it took CC a few years to become a better passer at the DI level. Her defense was never in question, but wasn’t it not until her third or fourth year when she started getting some praise for her passing? Who can forget CC’s mom logging in and asking people to stop ripping into her daughter? Nothing is a given based on 15/16/17 Open play, and I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus for not arriving on campus and passing well enough in the B1G to bench multi-year starters.

[GoGophs]

Sept 10, 2024 13:43:49 GMT -5 gopherhim said:

Sept 10, 2024 12:58:43 GMT -5 GoGophs said:

There’s also Kaelyn Easton who was at this summers camp but she’s a ‘29. I have to imagine that with the numbers Shaff is putting up this season and the reputation KK has as a setting coach MN would be a prime spot for a top setting recruit

A ‘29 at the elite camp summer after 7th grade? Wow. Or is that not that uncommon?

Tatum Kelly (who switched from New Wave to 1st Alliance) is a 2028 setter that was at the elite camp, and I have a feeling she will be a top setting recruit.

As for the woes about current and recent Gopher passing and hopes for Gopher commits to come and save the day, I too am hopeful. Would be amazing if Kinney came and passed like Harper Murray her freshman year. I also remember it took CC a few years to become a better passer at the DI level. Her defense was never in question, but wasn’t it not until her third or fourth year when she started getting some praise for her passing? Who can forget CC’s mom logging in and asking people to stop ripping into her daughter? Nothing is a given based on 15/16/17 Open play, and I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus for not arriving on campus and passing well enough in the B1G to bench multi-year starters.

It's rare now since they raised the commitment age. Theres a clip on her insta of her setting Kinney which is kinda fun. She was also at Nebraska, Tennessee and Michigan state and as of right now it looks like she'll be the top setter in her class. 

[courtwatchers]

Now after reading through many of the most recent posts, I am really questioning if SS should not have been the starting setter this year no matter what the final W-L for this season would have been. Many of you were talking about concern for the future recruiting of a top backup setter for SS, which no doubt is needed, and how much her sitting out a year will affect the decision of another top setter recruit.

There has been talk about looking toward the portal. I have no inside information but it just appears in Hugh's last season til now it just has not happened for us...why, who knows. Unfortunately, this season might not be helping us that much either. I think we just have to get these next two recruiting classes going and get back to a top competitive program.

Many of our Minnesota etc. players have been praised in tha past for their athleticism before arriving at the college level. It is great to be optimistic; however, one must admit it sure becomes a different playing field at the D1 College level.

[SayonaraTachikara]

Sept 11, 2024 11:27:46 GMT -5 courtwatchers said:

Now after reading through many of the most recent posts, I am really questioning if SS should not have been the starting setter this year no matter what the final W-L for this season would have been. Many of you were talking about concern for the future recruiting of a top backup setter for SS, which no doubt is needed, and how much her sitting out a year will affect the decision of another top setter recruit.

There has been talk about looking toward the portal. I have no inside information but it just appears in Hugh's last season til now it just has not happened for us...why, who knows. Unfortunately, this season might not be helping us that much either. I think we just have to get these next two recruiting classes going and get back to a top competitive program.

Many of our Minnesota etc. players have been praised in tha past for their athleticism before arriving at the college level. It is great to be optimistic; however, one must admit it sure becomes a different playing field at the D1 College level.

There are a ton of underrecruited setters out there currently. Along with just as many overhyped setters. KK has a pretty strong network and I am sure can find the right blend of someone that buys into the culture and can push or win the job from SS. That is the type of individual we need to find.

[PpprPrtnr]

Gopher Roster		2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
Melani Shaffmaster	S	R-SR
Elise McGhie	S	R-SR
Chloe Ng	S	R-SO	R-JR	R-SR
Stella Swenson	S	FR	SO	JR	SR
Mckenna Wucherer	OH - Pin	JR	SR
Julia Hanson	OH - Pin	JR	SR
Alex Acevedo	OH - Pin	R-FR	R-SO	R-JR	R-SR
Olivia Swenson	OH - Pin	FR	SO	JR	SR
Kelly Kinney	OH - Pin		FR	SO	JR	SR
Makenna Crosson	OH - Pin			FR	SO	JR	SR
Lydia Grote	OP - Pin	R-SR
Lauren Crowl	OP - Pin	R-JR	R-SR
Sydney Schnichels	OP - Pin	R-FR	R-SO	R-JR	R-SR
Carly Gilk	OP - Pin		FR	SO	JR	SR
Phoebe Awoleye	MB	GR
Kali Engeman	MB	SR	GR
Calissa Minatee	MB	SO	JR	SR
Jordan Taylor	MB		FR	SO	JR	SR
Elena Hoecke	MB			FR	SO	JR	SR
Kate Thibault	L/DS	SO	JR	SR
Zeynep Palabiyik	L/DS	SO	JR	SR
Skylar Gray	L/DS	SR
McKenna Garr	L/DS		FR	SO	JR	SR
Maddi Kraft	L/DS			FR	SO	JR	SR
Setters		4	2	2	1	0	0
Pin Hitters		7	8	6	6	3	1
Middles		3	3	3	2	2	1
Defensive Specialists		3	3	4	2	2	1
Total		17	16	15	11	7	3

[zero-rotation outside hitter]

Sept 17, 2024 18:56:54 GMT -5 PpprPrtnr said:

Gopher Roster		2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
Melani Shaffmaster	S	R-SR
Elise McGhie	S	R-SR
Chloe Ng	S	R-SO	R-JR	R-SR
Stella Swenson	S	FR	SO	JR	SR
Mckenna Wucherer	OH - Pin	JR	SR
Julia Hanson	OH - Pin	JR	SR
Alex Acevedo	OH - Pin	R-FR	R-SO	R-JR	R-SR
Olivia Swenson	OH - Pin	FR	SO	JR	SR
Kelly Kinney	OH - Pin		FR	SO	JR	SR
Makenna Crosson	OH - Pin			FR	SO	JR	SR
Lydia Grote	OP - Pin	R-SR
Lauren Crowl	OP - Pin	R-JR	R-SR
Sydney Schnichels	OP - Pin	R-FR	R-SO	R-JR	R-SR
Carly Gilk	OP - Pin		FR	SO	JR	SR
Phoebe Awoleye	MB	GR
Kali Engeman	MB	SR	GR
Calissa Minatee	MB	SO	JR	SR
Jordan Taylor	MB		FR	SO	JR	SR
Elena Hoecke	MB			FR	SO	JR	SR
Kate Thibault	L/DS	SO	JR	SR
Zeynep Palabiyik	L/DS	SO	JR	SR
Skylar Gray	L/DS	SR
McKenna Garr	L/DS		FR	SO	JR	SR
Maddi Kraft	L/DS			FR	SO	JR	SR
Setters		4	2	2	1	0	0
Pin Hitters		7	8	6	6	3	1
Middles		3	3	3	2	2	1
Defensive Specialists		3	3	4	2	2	1
Total		17	16	15	11	7	3

Wow! What a great grid. Thanks for posting. How do I bookmark just this post ha.

[gopherhim]

Sept 17, 2024 19:02:23 GMT -5 zero-rotation outside hitter said:

Sept 17, 2024 18:56:54 GMT -5 PpprPrtnr said:

Gopher Roster		2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
Melani Shaffmaster	S	R-SR
Elise McGhie	S	R-SR
Chloe Ng	S	R-SO	R-JR	R-SR
Stella Swenson	S	FR	SO	JR	SR
Mckenna Wucherer	OH - Pin	JR	SR
Julia Hanson	OH - Pin	JR	SR
Alex Acevedo	OH - Pin	R-FR	R-SO	R-JR	R-SR
Olivia Swenson	OH - Pin	FR	SO	JR	SR
Kelly Kinney	OH - Pin		FR	SO	JR	SR
Makenna Crosson	OH - Pin			FR	SO	JR	SR
Lydia Grote	OP - Pin	R-SR
Lauren Crowl	OP - Pin	R-JR	R-SR
Sydney Schnichels	OP - Pin	R-FR	R-SO	R-JR	R-SR
Carly Gilk	OP - Pin		FR	SO	JR	SR
Phoebe Awoleye	MB	GR
Kali Engeman	MB	SR	GR
Calissa Minatee	MB	SO	JR	SR
Jordan Taylor	MB		FR	SO	JR	SR
Elena Hoecke	MB			FR	SO	JR	SR
Kate Thibault	L/DS	SO	JR	SR
Zeynep Palabiyik	L/DS	SO	JR	SR
Skylar Gray	L/DS	SR
McKenna Garr	L/DS		FR	SO	JR	SR
Maddi Kraft	L/DS			FR	SO	JR	SR
Setters		4	2	2	1	0	0
Pin Hitters		7	8	6	6	3	1
Middles		3	3	3	2	2	1
Defensive Specialists		3	3	4	2	2	1
Total		17	16	15	11	7	3

Wow! What a great grid. Thanks for posting. How do I bookmark just this post ha.

Not sure how serious you are but here's the direct link to the post haha volleytalk.proboards.com/post/4036010

If you click on the gear/settings icon on the right side of posts, you can get a link. That function isn't there for mobile VT though.

[gopherhim]

Do your thing Gopher volleyball fans! Vote for Kelly Kinney for Palm Beach midseason player of the year!
poll.fm/14372968

You can also vote for Jordan Taylor for TX high school athlete of the week. She had 21 kills in a sweep last week wowza.
www.si.com/high-school/texas/vote-who-should-be-texas-high-school-athlete-of-the-week-9-16-2024-01j7yamk7bs0


Updates on local commits' team rankings by MN volleyball coaches association:
-Champlin Park (Carly Gilk 2025) #2 Class AAAA
-Eagan (Madi Kraft 2026) #4 Class AAAA

2027s: Cora Bicknese's team Chatfield is #2 Class AA and Ellery DeBoer's Willmar is #4 Class AAA. #3 Class AAAA Lakeville South's Elleora Utecht (OH) is another player Kristen Kelsay follows.

[sptimes2]

Sept 17, 2024 23:43:24 GMT -5 gopherhim said:

Sept 17, 2024 19:02:23 GMT -5 zero-rotation outside hitter said:

Wow! What a great grid. Thanks for posting. How do I bookmark just this post ha.

Not sure how serious you are but here's the direct link to the post haha volleytalk.proboards.com/post/4036010

If you click on the gear/settings icon on the right side of posts, you can get a link. That function isn't there for mobile VT though.

Thanks, I am definitely bookmarking this.

Mobile VT!?!  How come nobody told me?  What is the app called?

[curiouskg]

Sept 18, 2024 7:47:54 GMT -5 sptimes2 said:

Sept 17, 2024 23:43:24 GMT -5 gopherhim said:

Mobile VT!?!  How come nobody told me?  What is the app called?

Tapatalk