|
|
Post by vollem on Jun 19, 2020 18:12:24 GMT -5
Starting line up predictions? I don't have a good guess with how many middle blockers are on the list. I can only guess Buzzerio on right and Hughes and Hanson on the outside Orr, who I'd like to have a fine senior send off should the season proceed as expected. Love her game. Too bad she and M. Buzz were out of commission for majority of last season. Having Orr back will solidify the setting position. Her absence last season showed how thin Iowa was at setter. Ortega is a great add in that regard. Honestly not enough games are available for free viewing on Youtube, so I can't tell where players left off. Since Boyer made a CNT roster, what does that mean for the battle at the libero position? |
|
|
|
Post by hawkfan on Jun 20, 2020 10:13:11 GMT -5
Starting line up predictions? I don't have a good guess with how many middle blockers are on the list. I can only guess Buzzerio on right and Hughes and Hanson on the outside Orr, who I'd like to have a fine senior send off should the season proceed as expected. Love her game. Too bad she and M. Buzz were out of commission for majority of last season. Having Orr back will solidify the setting position. Her absence last season showed how thin Iowa was at setter. Ortega is a great add in that regard. Honestly not enough games are available for free viewing on Youtube, so I can't tell where players left off. Since Boyer made a CNT roster, what does that mean for the battle at the libero position? Looks like the roster has been updated to reflect classes for the upcoming season and all three Frosh have been added. I agree that a healthy Orr is an absolute lock at setter. Had to be excruciating for her to have to sit out so much of last season...it sure was excruciating for us to not see her out there. I am sure all of us would love nothing more than for Brie to have a well-deserved stellar senior season. Her leadership and athleticism are difference-makers and could help make this a special season. And yes, Ortega was an important add for depth at setter. Special shout out deserved here for Lowes. She impressed the heck out of me with the moxie she displayed when asked to set when the team needed that last season. Also agree that C. Buzzerio is a lock on the right. She had a great year. Had to shift her focus from just solely RS to help the team by setting some when Orr was out of commission. If she has a full year to just keep getting better on the right pin, she should absolutely have a breakout year and become an even bigger go-to force for us...I'm talking could be one of top RS's in B1G. As for the left, think you are spot on with Hughes and Hansen being top two for the starting roles. My armchair coach thoughts on each of them is hope those two can learn from each other a little: Hughes has hops and can SWIIIIING...but doesn't mix it up much with touch shots and tips so teams seem to start to read her quickly, resulting in her getting blocked a lot. Feel exactly the opposite about Hansen: some tentative tips and rolls at times when would have loved to have seen her confidently pound the ball because she can! Worth noting that Hansen is a very solid blocker, too. I will say I am very intrigued by incoming Frosh Audrey Black: Senior Ace, 6' 3" and athletic. Good one to keep our eyes on. And Schmidt sure proved to be an option when needed during the year, too. Middles will be interesting. I would have to say juniors Jones and Clayton to start. I see them both moving into a different realm of confidence this year after two years of basically baptism by fire in the B1G. Love both of their demeanors on court. Jones can be a game-changer. Would love to see her go into the old Janota "beast mode" more frequently!  Clayton is so athletic and very solid blocker...really quick. Seeing her become more of an offensive force would be awesome. Definitely have to mention Rients in this mix, too. She got some significant court time towards the end of the season. Had 11 blocks against Indiana! Again, great on court attitude. Very versatile (saw some time on the pins when 6-2 was being run), too. Tubbs saw some limited action and Grunkemeyer didn't see the court at all last year, I don't think, so not much info on her. Maybe injury-related? Not sure. As for libero/DS, also interesting. Could see libero being a real battle between Johnston and Boyer. As for DS time, Slagle is consistent and brings experience. Plus she can hit, too!! Think Frosh Lowry could be our libero of the future so sure would imagine her seeing the court. All-time Colorado high-school dig leader...wow! And Lowes sure an option, too. Those are my thoughts. Love to hear from others. I sure hope this season happens. The talent and potential of this team is exciting. Really like Coach Brown and cannot wait to see them in their new beautiful venue. GO HAWKS! |
|
|
|
Post by Hawk Attack on Jun 20, 2020 14:51:46 GMT -5
One of the biggest things I find kind of astounding is that we still have 5 MB's within the sophomore/junior classes. That amount of condensed depth is usually pretty rare for a P5 program to retain throughout their careers. I suppose it probably helps that Coach Brown has clearly taken a special interest in the position and has worked to develop our middle blockers. I definitely agree Clayton/Jones are the front-runners for those spots, but I was surprised at how often other MB's got opportunities last season.
C. Buzz on the opposite has to be a complete lock. As does Orr at setter if all is well. Those two are the standout performers of this team and I'd love to see a year of them in perfect sync.
The trio of Hughes/Hansen/Schmidt gaining another competitor in Black is fun. I expect to see quite a bit of all four, if I had to guess who garners the most consistency in the lineup I'd bet on Hughes at OH1 with a revolving door at OH2 until someone locks it down into early B1G play.
This is Johnston's senior season and second year behind the wheel and I'm looking for continued development there. We've got quite a few young athletic DS's who I can see are hungry to make an impact. Passing was definitely a struggle last season and I do miss the defensive prowess of Kelly/Olsen. We need some stronger back-court rangers this season.
|
|
|
|
Post by drimple on Jun 22, 2020 9:03:07 GMT -5
Yes, Grunkemeyer was injured for pretty much the entire season. When she was healthy at the start of the year she was taking reps at RS in the pre-game warmups. So perhaps that will be the case again this year and she will be the back-up RS instead of MB. With regards to MB, Jones should have one of the spots locked down. Rients and Clayton pretty much split time for a lot of 2019. Clayton is inconsistent in that there are times she is lethal terminating in the middle and times where she disappears on the court. Rients is much more consistent, but doesn't have quite the kill ability that Clayton has on the quick sets. Will be interesting to see how it shakes out this fall. |
|
|
|
Post by hawkfan on Jun 22, 2020 19:30:24 GMT -5
Yes, Grunkemeyer was injured for pretty much the entire season. When she was healthy at the start of the year she was taking reps at RS in the pre-game warmups. So perhaps that will be the case again this year and she will be the back-up RS instead of MB. With regards to MB, Jones should have one of the spots locked down. Rients and Clayton pretty much split time for a lot of 2019. Clayton is inconsistent in that there are times she is lethal terminating in the middle and times where she disappears on the court. Rients is much more consistent, but doesn't have quite the kill ability that Clayton has on the quick sets. Will be interesting to see how it shakes out this fall. Thanks, drimple! Knew Grunkemeyer played lot of RS in high school and club so not surprised by this. Hope she is healthier. Agree with your MB assessment...spot on. I will say that I was surprised by Jones' absence for several matches towards the end of the season, though, when she appeared to be healthy. Maybe Coach was just wanting to explore options and give chance to see what others could do. Would love to see Amiya have a fantastic year. |
|
|
|
Post by WahineFan44 on Jun 22, 2020 19:39:00 GMT -5
What happened to that transfer that was supposed to come in. I can’t remember her name or school, but I know she was their go to player.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kingsley on Jun 22, 2020 19:49:05 GMT -5
What happened to that transfer that was supposed to come in. I can’t remember her name or school, but I know she was their go to player. Are you thinking of Aisha Skinner from Hofstra? |
|
|
|
Post by WahineFan44 on Jun 22, 2020 20:01:32 GMT -5
What happened to that transfer that was supposed to come in. I can’t remember her name or school, but I know she was their go to player. Are you thinking of Aisha Skinner from Hofstra? Yes! That was her! I know she was 2019 but she never made it on the roster correct? |
|
|
|
Post by Kingsley on Jun 22, 2020 20:07:53 GMT -5
Are you thinking of Aisha Skinner from Hofstra? Yes! That was her! I know she was 2019 but she never made it on the roster correct? Right. She was supposed to transfer in before 2019, but it never panned out. She went back home to Germany. |
|
|
|
Post by linuspf on Jun 23, 2020 18:04:12 GMT -5
Maybe already mentioned, but looks like opening weekend is in South Carolina - hawkeyesports.com/sports/wvball/schedule/season/2020-21/Whoop - Looks like the info's been taken down. What was posted: Week 1 - three matches at Coastal Carolina. C. Carolina the only opponent listed for now. Week 2 in Boulder -- Friday vs UW & Sat at Colorado. |
|
|
|
Post by vollem on Jul 1, 2020 21:09:41 GMT -5
Congrats, Emily!
Also, Iowa Volleyball is now on TikTok
|
|
|
|
Post by vollem on Jul 1, 2020 22:31:41 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Hawk Attack on Jul 1, 2020 23:04:35 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by drimple on Jul 2, 2020 8:20:53 GMT -5
That's not the way to get ahead in life! |
|
|
|
Post by hawkfan on Jul 9, 2020 5:44:20 GMT -5
Great interview with Brie Orr! Touches on so many topics, including her involvement related to social justice, her concussion last year, playing for Coach Brown, the new arena, etc. I so respect her leadership on and off the court. Hope she has the chance to have a stellar senior season. volleyballmag.com/brie-orr-iowa-070720/ |
|
Clayton is so athletic and very solid blocker...really quick. Seeing her become more of an offensive force would be awesome. Definitely have to mention Rients in this mix, too. She got some significant court time towards the end of the season. Had 11 blocks against Indiana! Again, great on court attitude. Very versatile (saw some time on the pins when 6-2 was being run), too. Tubbs saw some limited action and Grunkemeyer didn't see the court at all last year, I don't think, so not much info on her. Maybe injury-related? Not sure.
