Post by redcard on Jul 4, 2020 10:18:44 GMT -5
I wanted to get a formal thread started for the Big12. Better late than never. Kudo's to those who do this every season - it's a ton of work and time! I think this took me a good week to get going as a 'part-time' hobby. Be kind....but have at it.
Baylor
Last Match: National Semi-Finals loss to Wisconsin 1-3
Losses: Tara Wulf, Shelly Stafford, Hannah Fluegel, Nicole Thomas, Braya Hunt, Gia Milana
Baylor is coming off a historic run. A national #1 seed, a trip to the Final Four, a Big 12 Championship, and National Coach and Player of the Year awards. They lose some key players but have another solid group returning including 2019 National POY, Yossiana Pressley. 2020 All-Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year Pressley won’t be alone as Baylor also has fellow All-Big 12 Preseason players Hannah (Lockin) Sedwick and Marieke van der Mark. Look for MB Kara McGhee to also make a huge impact at the net as the returning block leader for the team. Who will replace Milana on the OH? Look for UNC transfer Lauren Harrison to have the edge. Passing is going to be key to this year’s team. Wolfe and Hunt are both gone and it would seem Bramschreiber is ready to take over. Transfers Laché Harper (UCF) and Andressa Parise (St. Petersburg JC) will compete for the other MB position. Parise may be the better player here but it will be a fun battle to watch.
Potential Lineup:
OH: PressleyOH: Harrison
MB: McGhee
MB: Harper/Parise
RS: van der Mark
S: Sedwick
L: Bramschreiber
Iowa State
Last Match: 1st Round NCAA loss to Creighton 0-3
Losses: Josie Herbst OH.
Iowa State wrapped up 2019 with its 13th trip to the NCAA’s in the past 14 seasons. They lose just one senior, OH Josie Herbst and are projected to finish 3rd in the Big 12 for 2020. This team will have plenty of firepower with the return of 2020 All-Big 12 Preseason honorees Candelaria Herrera MB and Eleanor Holthaus RS. The return of Avery Rhodes MB and Annie Hatch OH will give Iowa State the experience it needs to challenge Texas and Baylor. Anchoring this team is Setter Piper Mauck. Passing should be an asset for Iowa State with the Libero spot most likely with Izzy Enna. The only real question mark is who wins the other outside hitter spot. Michal Schular could be best bet with her ability to excel as a 6 rotation player. This should be a fun team to watch this year.
Potential Lineup:
OH: HatchOH: Schular
MB: Herrera
MB: Rhodes
RS: Holthaus
S: Mauck
L: Enna
Kansas
Last Match: Loss to West Virginia 2-3
Newcomers: Caroline Crawford MB, Elise McGhie S, Kaiti Parks MB, Karli Schmidt OH, Molly Schultz DS, Kim Whetstone MB, Ayah Elnady OH and Incoming Transfers: Anezka Szabo RS/OH (Nebraska), Paige Shaw OH (Miss. State) and Jenny Mosser OH (UCLA).
Kansas finished 6th in the Big12 last year. They lose 8 players this season (4-graduation and 4 Transfers) including their top three kill leaders. However, Kansas has reloaded with quality incoming transfers Anezka Szabo RS/OH (Nebraska), Paige Shaw OH (Miss. State) and Jenny Mosser OH (UCLA). These additions along with returners Rachel Langs MB and assist leader Sara Neilsen will immediately provide leadership to help guide one of Kansas’ most talented incoming classes. It’s highlighted by MB Caroline Crawford who was named the 2020 Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year who will make an immediate impact at the net. Looking to win the Libero jersey is newcomer Molly Schultz. Ayah Elnady, late signee from Egypt, could also see time on the outside. Coach Bechard has his work cut out for him with ten new team members to assemble into a cohesive team that certainly has the ability to make some waves.
Potential Lineup:
OH: Mosser
OH: Shaw
MB: Langs
MB: Crawford
RS: Szabo
S: Nielsen
L: Schultz
Kansas State
2019 Record: 9-19 (4-12)
Last Match: Win over Texas Tech 3-0
Losses: Sarah Dixon S, Mckenzi Weber DS, Peyton Williams MB and Transfer losses Gloria Mutiri RS, Anna Dixon OH, Kenzie Smith L.
Newcomers: Aliyah Carter OH, Kadye Fernholz MB, Mackenzie Morris DS/L, Jayden Nembhard OH, Tessa Mati OH/RS, and Incoming transfer Shelby Martin S (East Carolina)
Kansas State finished 9th last season and is expected to finish the same in 2020. They look to start turning the program around this season with a top 25 recruiting class. Losing assist leader Sarah Dixon is tough but Martin is poised to take over. Its possible coach Fritz will continue with a 6-2 utilizing Teana Adams-Kaonohi as she did the last half of the 2019 season. Also gone are transfers Anna Dixon and Mutiri who were the 2nd and 3rd kill leaders respectively. Some big holes to fill but Fritz returns kill leader Byrnn Carlson OH and Blocking leader Megan Vernon in the middle. Passing should be solid with returnees Dru Kuck and Loren Hinkle who both shared Libero duties in last season. Look for returner Holly Bonde, Carter and Nembhard to compete for the other Outside position. Fernholz will look to break in as the second Middle. Mati may surprise everyone and dominate the Out Side or Right Side position. Fun times ahead for Fritz and team.
Potential Lineup:
OH: Carlson
OH: Bonde/Nembhard/Carter
MB: Vernon
MB: Fernholz
RS: Mati/Bonde
S: Martin
L: Hinkle
OH: Carlson
OH: Bonde/Nembhard/Carter
MB: Vernon
MB: Fernholz
RS: Mati/Bonde
S: Martin
L: Hinkle
Oklahoma
2019 Record: 19-9 (11-5)
Last Match: NCAA 1st Round to Rice 0-3
Losses: Ashlynn Dunbar OH, Brianna Kadiku MB, Haley Sanchez DS and Transfer loss Hali'a Hogan OH,
Newcomers: Guewe Diouf OH, Tyler Alcorn MB, Samantha Anthony DS and Kelsey Carrington MB and Incoming transfer Grace Talpash S, (San Francisco)
Oklahoma finished the 2019 season with a third place finish in the Big 12 and a trip to the NCAA tourney. They are slated to finish fourth this season and they have a few holes to fill. They lose kill leader Dunbar and block leader Kadiku but return a wonderful nucleus with 2019 Big 12 Libero of the Year Keyton Kinley, Kylee McLaughlin S and Sarah Sanders OH. Kinley and Sanders were named to the 2020 All-Big 12 Volleyball Preseason Team. Oklahoma also returns Paige Anderson MB and Paige Johnson DS. Look for Sarah Maras at either OH or RS. Backrow will be solid again this season with Johnson and Kinley doing the passing. McLaughlin is also a great defensive setter. The newcomers have a shot at seeing significant playing time. Stay tuned as this team develops over the season.
Potential Lineup:
OH: Sanders
OH: Guewe/Maras
MB: Anderson
MB: Carrington
RS: Alcorn
S: McLaughlin
L: Kinley
OH: Sanders
OH: Guewe/Maras
MB: Anderson
MB: Carrington
RS: Alcorn
S: McLaughlin
L: Kinley
TCU
2019 Record: 12-18 (4-12)
Last Match: NIVC Semi-Finals loss to Georgia Tech 1-3
Losses: Sarah Langs MB, Ina Ignacio DS, and Transfer losses Ashley Waggle OH, eLan McCall OH.
Newcomers: Alyssa Heist S, Kate Georgiades DS/L, Grayson Schirpik OH, Taylor Raiola OH and Incoming transfer Mckayla Myers MB (Washington State)
TCU finished the 2019 season a disappointing seventh place but did well in the NIVC postseason which bodes well for a stronger start in 2020. They are projected to finish in a 5th place tie with Kansas for 2020. Losing a healthy McCall is a big loss but she was plagued with injuries most of last year so the team had to adjust. They have room for optimism in 2020 with the return of 2020 All-Big 12 Preseason middle blocker Katie Clark who led the team in both kills and blocks along with Julia Adams OH and Audrey Nalls OH/RS. Defensively TCU returns Berklie Baker and Dani Dennison who both took turns at the Libero spot last year with Dennison leading the team in digs. Setter McKenzie Nichols looks to keep that role. Look for Sarah Swanson, Myers and Afedo Manyang to battle it out for the second middle position and/or possibly a RS slot.
Potential Lineup:
OH: Nalls
OH: Adams
MB: Clark
MB: Swanson
RS: Manyang
S: Nichols
L: Dennison
OH: Nalls
OH: Adams
MB: Clark
MB: Swanson
RS: Manyang
S: Nichols
L: Dennison
Texas
2019 Record: 23-4 (15-1) Co-Big 12 Champions
Last Match: NCAA Regionals loss to Louisville 2-3
Losses: Micaya White OH, Orie Agbaji MB, Claire Hahn, Autmn Rounsaville and Transfer losses Riley Fishbeck S.
Newcomers: Naomi Cabello S, Reilly Heinrich DS, Nalani Iosia DS, Madison Williams OH, Capris Davis (Neb. Transfer – Jr.) OH, Morgan O’Brien (GT Illinois) L.
Texas is once again loaded with talent. Led by 2020 All-Big 12 Preseason players Brionne Butler, Logan Eggleston and Skylar Fields, Texas looks to stay on top of the Big 12 once again and has a legitimate chance to make the Final 4, and after the shocking 2019 loss to Louisville will be highly motivated to do so. As always, passing is going to be key for Texas and there seems to be improvement. Petersen will likely start season as Libero but will be chased by freshman Nalani Iosia. The passing puzzle is still a piece short but there is time and (rumors) to fill that void. EDIT: Puzzle complete with latecomer O’Brien signed. Gabriel will certainly start the year quarterbacking this team with Cabello providing the challenge or does Elliot play with a 6-2? The signing of Nebraska transfer Capri Davis helps provide both depth and competition for the outside hitter. Look for Baylor to be Texas’ only threat to win the conference.
Potential Lineup:
OH: Eggleston
OH: Fields
MB: Butler
MB: O’Neal
RS: Phillips
S: Gabriel
L: Petersen
Texas Tech
OH: Eggleston
OH: Fields
MB: Butler
MB: O’Neal
RS: Phillips
S: Gabriel
L: Petersen
Texas Tech
2019 Record: 17-13 (7-9)
Last Match: Loss to Kansas State 0-3
Losses: Emily Hill OH, Chandler Atwood OH/RS, Maggie Sagers DS, Kylie Rittimann and Transfer loss Kylie Trefflich OH and 2019 Redshirt Jessica Langridge MB.
Newcomers: Mackenzie Morgan OH, Reese Rhodes S, and Maddie O'Brien MB/RS and Incoming transfers Regan Cooper OH (Washington State)
Texas Tech finished fifth in the Big 12 last season and is projected to finish 7th in 2020. They lose kill leader Emily Hill which will be a large void to fill. They return a strong core group and leading the way will be 2020 All-Big 12 Preseason team member Brooke Kanas RS/OH. Also returning is Caitlin Dugan RS/OH, and middle blockers Karrington Jones and Allison (White) Bloss. Libero Emerson Solano returns along with court leader Alex Kirby who led the team in assists. A pin spot is still up for grabs but will it be on the left or right? Look for newcomer O’Brien to be the leading candidate to grab it!
Potential Lineup:
OH: Kanas
OH: O’Brien
MB: Jones
MB: Bloss
RS: Dugan
S: Kirby
L: Solano
West Virginia
OH: Kanas
OH: O’Brien
MB: Jones
MB: Bloss
RS: Dugan
S: Kirby
L: Solano
West Virginia
2019 Record: 12-17 (3-13)
Last Match: Win over Kansas 3-2
Losses: Katelyn Evans OH, Erin Slinde RS, Gabrielle Cuckovich DS, Katie Demeo MB/RS (Medical) Ava Richards (Retire) Abby Gibbons DS (Retire) and Transfer losses Kristina Jordan OH, Macy McElhaney MB/RS, and Keatan Broughton DS.
Newcomers: Meghan Dombrowski MB, Skye Stokes OH, Sydney Giamalis DS/L, Grace Slader S and Incoming transfers Emmy Ogogor, MB/RS (Illinois State) and Alison Thomas DS (Cleveland State).
West Virginia finished at the bottom of the Big 12 and are expected to again this season. Coach Sunahara has lost his top two kill leaders in Evans and Jordan along with Slinde on the right. Both Jordan and Demeo brought needed size to the net which will be missed. Not all is lost for West Virginia and they still have a good group to build upon. Returning is 2020 All-Big 12 Preseason Team middle blocker Brianna Lynch who was third on the team in kills and second in blocks. Joining Lynch in the middle is Audrey Adams who transferred to WVU last season and led the team in blocks and was fourth in kills. Running the offense again this year is setter Lacey Zerwas. Libero Alexa Hasting returns to run the backrow. Ogogor looks poised to play on the right side. The left side is really the question mark at this time. Kristin Lux is the best option at the moment as a quality 6 rotation player. Skye Stokes should also compete. Sunahara’s current roster looks a bit thin at the moment so it’s looking like more to come.
Potential Lineup:
OH: Lux
OH: Stokes
MB: Lynch
MB: Adams
RS: Ogogor
S: Zerwas
L: Hasting
OH: Lux
OH: Stokes
MB: Lynch
MB: Adams
RS: Ogogor
S: Zerwas
L: Hasting