|
Post by diyakuno on Jan 22, 2019 18:28:16 GMT -5
Saw the Sandbows practice in Makaha over the weekend, and it was interesting to see some alum play like Hartong... I agree it is great that they are practicing at Makaha. The players too are excited to be playing there. On your observations, I agree Dreeuws has improved from last season and that Ozee has stepped up her defense. I also agree that the team may be underestimated this season with all the losses from last season. They still have a ways to go, but they will be competitive. Maglio returning has helped give the team much more depth and versatility. Banz and Abels have had some injuries as of late and it will be interesting to see how they come along. I don't see Abels in the top flights at the moment...maybe Banz depending on the way the pairs shake out. Huddleston can play very well but needs work on consistency to play the way she can. She has a lot of shots but not the obvious power that Maglio, Scoles, Naploean, and Loker have. Some of our power hitters need a little more work on their passing skills. There are a few players that are close to being in the lineup and it does depend on what happens with the pairs (chemistry etc.). Maglio has had three months off volleyball completely and hasn't played in the sand since the beginning of last May. I personally don't see her in anything but the #1 flight especially once she gets more acclimatized (after only one full week of practice). The coaches need to find the right partner for her because I wouldn't want to see a stud like her not be utilized to the full extent in her last season. I'm still not convinced Homayun is the right fit. They'd be good together, but I'd still like to see a bigger defender like Ozee with Maglio. Gaskin practiced a little in December with Scoles but has officially had just over a week of beach, so it is definitely too early to tell if she can pick it up enough to be competitive. It's a huge transition, but there are indoor players who have successfully transitioned. Scoles, on the other hand, has been practicing strictly in the sand since last Spring. Martin and Ozee are very close in depth (even with Martin's recovery) but have different skill sets. I also don't see Ozee and Homayun together again. Unless partnered with Maglio or Ozee, I can see Homayun on the third or fourth flight. Thanks! I agree withyour observations, too. Now that I think about it, I may have mistaken Abels for someone else (Forbes, maybe?)... lots of dirty blonde-haired players, and they all look alike from a distance. Ozee and Homayun was such a great partnership last year... really sucks that they are splitting, but whoever their partners are will be very lucky! The only thing I disagree about your comments is Homayun being in #3/#4 unless with Maglio. Maybe it's the Ari fan in me (I just admire her personally), but I think she definitely deserves to be a higher flight player. But we shall see!
|
|
|
Post by diyakuno on Jan 22, 2019 18:46:11 GMT -5
Scoles does like playing with Napolean and has had good success, but I think she could improve a lot playing with a savvy beach player like Homayun. She could just concentrate fully on her hitting. Russo and Napolean could be a good combo, but both Napolean and Russo have decent arms but could benefit from playing with savvy beach defenders as well. Napolean is very offensive minded so playing with Huddleston might be a good balance in terms of offense and defense...blocking is their weakness. It would be nice if Hurkett or another blocker would be able to step up... The #5 flight is the hardest for me, especially if Ozee plays defense. In many ways, it does make sense to spread out the blockers, but she WANTS to play defense and I can see Hall giving her a chance to have that prototypical AVP type team paired either with Maglio or Martin. Maglio is just returning to the beach and won't have the obvious chemistry, but whoever she partners with, they will have good success. I would love to see her and Ozee match up against Graudina and Bustamante. Unfortunately, UCLA and USC match-ups are early in the season and a Maglio and Ozee pairing is a team that would only get better with time. There are lots of variables for the coaches to consider... do you let a returning two-time All-American (Maglio) play at anything but flight #1 (if paired with Homayun does this affect the flight she plays at)? What about a one-time All-American (Martin) who is still in recovery mode? Does Homayun play at a top flight because she is a senior and has the most experience as a defender, or give the spot to a hard-working junior in Ozee? Will Martin's shoulder continue to get better as the season progresses? I try to compare to last season's flights and hope for an upgrade from last season... Last season 1. Maglio and Schucht 2. Martin and Monkhouse 3. Kan and Weaver 4. Ozee and Homayun 5. Zalopany and Dreeuws Here's the combo's I am playing with: Combo 1 1. Maglio and Ozee 2. Martin and Loker 3. Scoles and Homayun 4. Russo and Dreeuws 5. Huddleston and Napolean OR Combo 2 1. Maglio and Ozee 2. Martin and Loker 3. Scoles and Napolean 4. Russo and Homayun 5. Huddleston and Dreeuws OR Combo 3 1. Maglio and Martin 2. Ozee and Homayun 3. Scoles and Napolean 4. Loker and Huddleston 5. Russo and Dreeuws It is so tough to figure out the best line-up. Chemistry will be important but, how much do you weight potential to improve as the season nears/progresses? Not all pairs will have immediate chemistry or success but Hall does like to look at potential as well and pairing players that matchup athletically (e.g. Maglio/Ozee, Scoles and Napolean). I know Maglio and Homayun gives the team more balance over the flights, but I am not sure Homayun is a #1 flight player this year due to her limited offensive abilities. Interesting line ups and I dig them! I think Maglio/Martin have been partnered before so I don't think they will be partnered again. Unlike the traditional mix/match of tall/"short" players, Hall has a tradition of partnering tall/tall & short/short players. 2017 Martin/Tucker - Tall/Short Taylor/Schucht - Tall/Short Maglio/Weaver - Tall/Tall Homayun/Kan - Short/Short Ozee/Zalopany - Tall/Short 2018 Maglio/Schucht - Tall/Short Martin/Monkhouse - Tall/Tall Weaver/Kan - Tall/Short Ozee/Homayun - Tall/Short Zalopany/Dreeuws - Short/Short 2016 has a lot of mixing and switching, so it's hard to gauge that. Based on the previous line-ups, your and other posters' predictions, we may see atleast two pairs of non-traditional pairings, at least per height. I personally think this is a smart move and Hawaii has found success with this tradition. I noticed that many schools, like Pepperdine & USC, really put their best players on the top flights, with the lower flights disproportionately lacking with firepower that it became their Achilles's heel. I love your Russo/Homayun pairing. Never thought about that.
|
|
|
Post by newbeach on Jan 22, 2019 19:27:49 GMT -5
I agree it is great that they are practicing at Makaha. The players too are excited to be playing there. On your observations, I agree Dreeuws has improved from last season and that Ozee has stepped up her defense. I also agree that the team may be underestimated this season with all the losses from last season. They still have a ways to go, but they will be competitive. Maglio returning has helped give the team much more depth and versatility. Banz and Abels have had some injuries as of late and it will be interesting to see how they come along. I don't see Abels in the top flights at the moment...maybe Banz depending on the way the pairs shake out. Huddleston can play very well but needs work on consistency to play the way she can. She has a lot of shots but not the obvious power that Maglio, Scoles, Naploean, and Loker have. Some of our power hitters need a little more work on their passing skills. There are a few players that are close to being in the lineup and it does depend on what happens with the pairs (chemistry etc.). Maglio has had three months off volleyball completely and hasn't played in the sand since the beginning of last May. I personally don't see her in anything but the #1 flight especially once she gets more acclimatized (after only one full week of practice). The coaches need to find the right partner for her because I wouldn't want to see a stud like her not be utilized to the full extent in her last season. I'm still not convinced Homayun is the right fit. They'd be good together, but I'd still like to see a bigger defender like Ozee with Maglio. Gaskin practiced a little in December with Scoles but has officially had just over a week of beach, so it is definitely too early to tell if she can pick it up enough to be competitive. It's a huge transition, but there are indoor players who have successfully transitioned. Scoles, on the other hand, has been practicing strictly in the sand since last Spring. Martin and Ozee are very close in depth (even with Martin's recovery) but have different skill sets. I also don't see Ozee and Homayun together again. Unless partnered with Maglio or Ozee, I can see Homayun on the third or fourth flight. Thanks! I agree with your observations, too. Now that I think about it, I may have mistaken Abels for someone else (Forbes, maybe?)... lots of dirty blonde-haired players, and they all look alike from a distance. Ozee and Homayun was such a great partnership last year... really sucks that they are splitting, but whoever their partners are will be very lucky! The only thing I disagree about your comments is Homayun being in #3/#4 unless with Maglio. Maybe it's the Ari fan in me (I just admire her personally), but I think she definitely deserves to be a higher flight player. But we shall see! Actually, perhaps I didn't say it very well. What I meant is that Ari needs a very good blocker to be considered at the #1 spot (Maglio, Ozee or Martin). She is definitely capable of playing higher than a #3 or 4 flights with one of them (and I am a huge fan too!). What I meant is that possibly Maglio, Ozee, Martin are the most likely to be considered at the #1 flight. If two of them are partnered together than she may find herself at a lower flight (with more of a freshman type - Scoles, Loker, Russo etc.) because of her experience. I would say she is most likely to play with Maglio or Ozee as her blocker than with Martin (but never say never). The main reason I would suspect is that Morgan is more of a shooter than a hitter right now, so Ari is better off with someone who is going to make the most of her good defensive and passing skills. My biggest concern with Ari is at the #1 spot is that the competition is fierce at the #1 flight this season and it would be easy for opposing teams to pick on her and make her play offense (and thereby making the blocker less relevant on offense). Yes, maybe you were thinking of Forbes. Abels actually has brown hair right now.
|
|
|
Post by newbeach on Jan 22, 2019 19:33:19 GMT -5
Scoles does like playing with Napolean and has had good success, but I think she could improve a lot playing with a savvy beach player like Homayun. She could just concentrate fully on her hitting. Russo and Napolean could be a good combo, but both Napolean and Russo have decent arms but could benefit from playing with savvy beach defenders as well. Napolean is very offensive minded so playing with Huddleston might be a good balance in terms of offense and defense...blocking is their weakness. It would be nice if Hurkett or another blocker would be able to step up... The #5 flight is the hardest for me, especially if Ozee plays defense. In many ways, it does make sense to spread out the blockers, but she WANTS to play defense and I can see Hall giving her a chance to have that prototypical AVP type team paired either with Maglio or Martin. Maglio is just returning to the beach and won't have the obvious chemistry, but whoever she partners with, they will have good success. I would love to see her and Ozee match up against Graudina and Bustamante. Unfortunately, UCLA and USC match-ups are early in the season and a Maglio and Ozee pairing is a team that would only get better with time. There are lots of variables for the coaches to consider... do you let a returning two-time All-American (Maglio) play at anything but flight #1 (if paired with Homayun does this affect the flight she plays at)? What about a one-time All-American (Martin) who is still in recovery mode? Does Homayun play at a top flight because she is a senior and has the most experience as a defender, or give the spot to a hard-working junior in Ozee? Will Martin's shoulder continue to get better as the season progresses? I try to compare to last season's flights and hope for an upgrade from last season... Last season 1. Maglio and Schucht 2. Martin and Monkhouse 3. Kan and Weaver 4. Ozee and Homayun 5. Zalopany and Dreeuws Here's the combo's I am playing with: Combo 1 1. Maglio and Ozee 2. Martin and Loker 3. Scoles and Homayun 4. Russo and Dreeuws 5. Huddleston and Napolean OR Combo 2 1. Maglio and Ozee 2. Martin and Loker 3. Scoles and Napolean 4. Russo and Homayun 5. Huddleston and Dreeuws OR Combo 3 1. Maglio and Martin 2. Ozee and Homayun 3. Scoles and Napolean 4. Loker and Huddleston 5. Russo and Dreeuws It is so tough to figure out the best line-up. Chemistry will be important but, how much do you weight potential to improve as the season nears/progresses? Not all pairs will have immediate chemistry or success but Hall does like to look at potential as well and pairing players that matchup athletically (e.g. Maglio/Ozee, Scoles and Napolean). I know Maglio and Homayun gives the team more balance over the flights, but I am not sure Homayun is a #1 flight player this year due to her limited offensive abilities. Interesting line ups and I dig them! I think Maglio/Martin have been partnered before so I don't think they will be partnered again. Unlike the traditional mix/match of tall/"short" players, Hall has a tradition of partnering tall/tall & short/short players. 2017 Martin/Tucker - Tall/Short Taylor/Schucht - Tall/Short Maglio/Weaver - Tall/Tall Homayun/Kan - Short/Short Ozee/Zalopany - Tall/Short 2018 Maglio/Schucht - Tall/Short Martin/Monkhouse - Tall/Tall Weaver/Kan - Tall/Short Ozee/Homayun - Tall/Short Zalopany/Dreeuws - Short/Short 2016 has a lot of mixing and switching, so it's hard to gauge that. Based on the previous line-ups, your and other posters' predictions, we may see atleast two pairs of non-traditional pairings, at least per height. I personally think this is a smart move and Hawaii has found success with this tradition. I noticed that many schools, like Pepperdine & USC, really put their best players on the top flights, with the lower flights disproportionately lacking with firepower that it became their Achilles's heel. I love your Russo/Homayun pairing. Never thought about that. Good observations about the history of tall/tall and short/short players! I think one of the differences in say a Kan and Homayun pairing is that Kan (like the McNamara twins) is a decent enough blocker even at her height. Maglio and Martin have never partnered together at UH (they have played together this season in fun matches once or twice and did really well together).
|
|
|
Post by volleyman808 on Jan 23, 2019 0:08:49 GMT -5
I think Huddleston is due for a spot in the lineup this year. She's always been at the 6th flight, barely missing the top 5 flights. If paired with the right player, I think she can do great things, especially at the lower flights.
|
|
|
Post by volleyman808 on Jan 23, 2019 0:11:00 GMT -5
Also I can't wait for season to start. I'm so excited to see what the SandBows can bring to the table this year. With Big West teams Cal Poly & LBSU loading up their arsenal, the title is up for grabs and it's anyone's game.
|
|
|
Post by Wolfgang on Jan 23, 2019 13:55:55 GMT -5
Why not redshirt Morgan Martin if she's still not 100%? I'd think the coaches would be in favor of extending her career, if possible. I think Martin wants to graduate on time. She also believes her shoulder will be better once the season progresses. She is just shooting more than hitting right now. What is "shooting"?
|
|
|
Post by newbeach on Jan 23, 2019 15:58:12 GMT -5
Sorry...I guess it is my lazy way of saying that she uses mostly shots...cut shots, pokey's etc. instead of full swings.
|
|
|
Post by newbeach on Jan 24, 2019 23:47:12 GMT -5
Two questions for UH fans: 1. If your only two choices for the #1 flight was Maglio/Ozee or Maglio/Martin - who would you prefer and why? 2. If Maglio were to play with either Martin or Ozee at the #1 flight, who would you like to see the other paired with at the #2 flight? My own personal preference for flight #1 is Maglio and Ozee (as if it were my choice lol), but somehow, I can see Maglio and Martin together as I think Ozee is slightly more versatile than Martin. Here are my thoughts (blocker listed first):
| Choice #1 | Choice #2 | Choice #3 | Choice #4 | Flight #1 | Maglio/Martin | Maglio/Ozee | Maglio/Martin | Maglio/Ozee | Flight #2 | Scoles/Ozee | Martin/Napolean | Loker/Ozee | Loker/Martin | Flight #3 | Loker/Homayun | Scoles/Homayun | Scoles/Homayun | Scoles/Napolean | Flight #4 | Russo/Napolean | Loker/Huddleston | Russo/Napolean | Russo/Homayun | Flight # 5 | Huddleston/Dreeuws | Russo/Banz | Huddleston/Dreeuws | Huddleston/Banz |
Thoughts? I personally don't see Homayun at the #1 flight. She is very good but I think her height limits her somewhat and it is getting harder to compete at the top flights with a shorter defender. IMO.
|
|
|
Post by brooselee on Jan 24, 2019 23:58:21 GMT -5
Ari will not be at flight #1. She is a good volleyball but not great. Not really that explosive an athlete. Does not have super physical ability. She belongs where she was last season.....at flight #3.
|
|
|
Post by kaipono on Jan 25, 2019 3:19:45 GMT -5
Two questions for UH fans: 1. If your only two choices for the #1 flight was Maglio/Ozee or Maglio/Martin - who would you prefer and why? 2. If Maglio were to play with either Martin or Ozee at the #1 flight, who would you like to see the other paired with at the #2 flight? My own personal preference for flight #1 is Maglio and Ozee (as if it were my choice lol), but somehow, I can see Maglio and Martin together as I think Ozee is slightly more versatile than Martin. Here are my thoughts (blocker listed first):
| Choice #1 | Choice #2 | Choice #3 | Choice #4 | Flight #1 | Maglio/Martin | Maglio/Ozee | Maglio/Martin | Maglio/Ozee | Flight #2 | Scoles/Ozee | Martin/Napolean | Loker/Ozee | Loker/Martin | Flight #3 | Loker/Homayun | Scoles/Homayun | Scoles/Homayun | Scoles/Napolean | Flight #4 | Russo/Napolean | Loker/Huddleston | Russo/Napolean | Russo/Homayun | Flight # 5 | Huddleston/Dreeuws | Russo/Banz | Huddleston/Dreeuws | Huddleston/Banz |
Thoughts? I personally don't see Homayun at the #1 flight. She is very good but I think her height limits her somewhat and it is getting harder to compete at the top flights with a shorter defender. IMO. Honestly, I think I would prefer Maglio/Martin over Maglio/Ozee. I do think a Maglio/Ozee pair could be really good, but I feel that a Maglio/Martin pairing could have a little more balance, and with Martin working her way from injury, I feel that it is better to pair her with Maglio. I do think Ozee should be a part of the 2nd flight, but I am not sure who her partner would be. The Scoles/Ozee pairing seems interesting, but I don't think I would put Scoles in the 2nd flight just yet. Personally, I have no idea which line-up would be the best.
|
|
|
Post by noblesol on Jan 25, 2019 4:38:09 GMT -5
If Martin isn't full strength, does she belong at either Flight 1 or 2 at season start? Maybe easing her in at Flight #3 is the answer. I think you start by picking the top flight then working down. If Maglio is a clear Flight #1, and Martin isn't yet, that opens it up for Ozee to pair with Mags. Easing in Martin at Flight #3, make that a pair that can move up as Martin gets to full strength. So, might look like this at season start: Flight #1: Maglio/Ozee Flight #2: Scoles/Napolean, or Scoles/Homayun, or Loker/Homayun, or Loker/Napolean Flight #3: Martin/Homayun, or Martin/Napolean, or Martin/Loker, or Martin/Scoles Flights #4 and #5: a pick'em after establishing Flights #1 through #3.
|
|
|
Post by newbeach on Jan 25, 2019 10:33:56 GMT -5
Two questions for UH fans: 1. If your only two choices for the #1 flight was Maglio/Ozee or Maglio/Martin - who would you prefer and why? 2. If Maglio were to play with either Martin or Ozee at the #1 flight, who would you like to see the other paired with at the #2 flight? My own personal preference for flight #1 is Maglio and Ozee (as if it were my choice lol), but somehow, I can see Maglio and Martin together as I think Ozee is slightly more versatile than Martin. Here are my thoughts (blocker listed first):
| Choice #1 | Choice #2 | Choice #3 | Choice #4 | Flight #1 | Maglio/Martin | Maglio/Ozee | Maglio/Martin | Maglio/Ozee | Flight #2 | Scoles/Ozee | Martin/Napolean | Loker/Ozee | Loker/Martin | Flight #3 | Loker/Homayun | Scoles/Homayun | Scoles/Homayun | Scoles/Napolean | Flight #4 | Russo/Napolean | Loker/Huddleston | Russo/Napolean | Russo/Homayun | Flight # 5 | Huddleston/Dreeuws | Russo/Banz | Huddleston/Dreeuws | Huddleston/Banz |
Thoughts? I personally don't see Homayun at the #1 flight. She is very good but I think her height limits her somewhat and it is getting harder to compete at the top flights with a shorter defender. IMO. Honestly, I think I would prefer Maglio/Martin over Maglio/Ozee. I do think a Maglio/Ozee pair could be really good, but I feel that a Maglio/Martin pairing could have a little more balance, and with Martin working her way from injury, I feel that it is better to pair her with Maglio. I do think Ozee should be a part of the 2nd flight, but I am not sure who her partner would be. The Scoles/Ozee pairing seems interesting, but I don't think I would put Scoles in the 2nd flight just yet. Personally, I have no idea which line-up would be the best. Julia is up there, partly because the freshmen are not at the level that Monkhouse was at last year. She'd be good with either Martin because of her beach IQ or Ozee because Ozee can defend Julia could concentrate on hitting and blocking (and not worrying about defending etc.). A Scoles/Homayun pair could be really good too particularly at the #3 spot. It seems Maglio, Ozee, and Martin are the top 3 followed by Julia, then Loker, and Russo. Losing Monkhouse really hurt the team (as someone on here already mentioned). The team seems to be one impact player being shy of being really good. I think Maglio and Monkhouse had wanted to play together. This team would be good! 1. Maglio /Ozee 2. Martin/Monkhouse 3. Scoles/Homayun 4. Loker/Huddleston 5. Russo/Napolean Yeah, I know....ancient history! At least some of the other players (like Banz) have a chance to step up their game if they want to break into the lineup.
|
|
|
Post by newbeach on Jan 25, 2019 10:42:53 GMT -5
If Martin isn't full strength, does she belong at either Flight 1 or 2 at season start? Maybe easing her in at Flight #3 is the answer. I think you start by picking the top flight then working down. If Maglio is a clear Flight #1, and Martin isn't yet, that opens it up for Ozee to pair with Mags. Easing in Martin at Flight #3, make that a pair that can move up as Martin gets to full strength. So, might look like this at season start: Flight #1: Maglio/Ozee Flight #2: Scoles/Napolean, or Scoles/Homayun, or Loker/Homayun, or Loker/Napolean Flight #3: Martin/Homayun, or Martin/Napolean, or Martin/Loker, or Martin/Scoles Flights #4 and #5: a pick'em after establishing Flights #1 through #3. Yeah, really good points. The hope is for Martin's shoulder to improve, but it could limit her if it doesn't improve or if it starts to hamper her instead. Then you would have to work in a new #1 pair. Why waste time not getting that #1 pair playing against the best competition early so that they too can continue to improve together by May. If Martin and her partner improve, then move them up. I almost think Martin might have been better her Freshman year as she was hampered by her shoulder last season and hasn't quite returned to form. Martin and Napolean have looked good together. A player like Napolean with a powerful swing can make up for Martin's lack of a big hit. I like picking #4 and #5 after the top flights have been established.
|
|
|
Post by noblesol on Jan 25, 2019 11:53:50 GMT -5
If Martin isn't full strength, does she belong at either Flight 1 or 2 at season start? Maybe easing her in at Flight #3 is the answer. I think you start by picking the top flight then working down. If Maglio is a clear Flight #1, and Martin isn't yet, that opens it up for Ozee to pair with Mags. Easing in Martin at Flight #3, make that a pair that can move up as Martin gets to full strength. So, might look like this at season start: Flight #1: Maglio/Ozee Flight #2: Scoles/Napolean, or Scoles/Homayun, or Loker/Homayun, or Loker/Napolean Flight #3: Martin/Homayun, or Martin/Napolean, or Martin/Loker, or Martin/Scoles Flights #4 and #5: a pick'em after establishing Flights #1 through #3. Yeah, really good points. The hope is for Martin's shoulder to improve, but it could limit her if it doesn't improve or if it starts to hamper her instead. Then you would have to work in a new #1 pair. Why waste time not getting that #1 pair playing against the best competition early so that they too can continue to improve together by May. If Martin and her partner improve, then move them up. I almost think Martin might have been better her Freshman year as she was hampered by her shoulder last season and hasn't quite returned to form. Martin and Napolean have looked good together. A player like Napolean with a powerful swing can make up for Martin's lack of a big hit. I like picking #4 and #5 after the top flights have been established. If I recall correctly, Martin and Monkhouse had a rough NCAA tournament last year. Monkhouse wasn't 100%, but it was Martin making way too many uncharacteristic errors. I commented after that I thought Martin was one of the players that had a poor tournament. I was unaware of her shoulder issue. The team might have benefited during the tournament if they'd sat her a match, or maybe moved that flight down one. Although that wasn't going to happen, in hindsight it might have been the move to make.
If Martin is still working her way back to 100%, it might be wiser to see her work her way back up the lineup. Play her where she can have good success while working recovery road. Starting her at the top and hoping she'll regain strength as the season progresses seems a little undisciplined, maybe wishcasting.
|
|