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Post by bucky415 on Nov 20, 2021 1:54:43 GMT -5
I am hoping Wisconsin can win the last 3 somehow to get the 4 seed. If they don't, I hope the committee discards the busted RPI to make BYU number 4. If UW and BYU win out, I would not complain if the Badgers get sent to Provo.
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Post by Brutus Buckeye on Nov 20, 2021 19:00:04 GMT -5
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Post by bbg95 on Nov 20, 2021 22:01:23 GMT -5
Part 3 in writing about the BYU signees for volleyball, this time on Eden Bower. I won't write as much as I think she is better known by most here. I REALLY like her game. She has great size and frame, hits a very heavy ball, jumps very well, and well, is a Bower. So intense, a great athlete, is well trained, and is going to be great. I personally believe she is underappreciated by Prepvolleyball at 54. Remember that she lost a year due to recovery from surgery, and so her great last year wasn't preceded by as much development time as it should have been. Some on here have criticized her back row game, and I find this misguided because of this missed year. I think she is making up for missed time and will be a starting OH at BYU sooner rather that later and will be awfully good. My opinion, based on my belief that Eden is going to be really good, is that Heather bringing on Nataly too speaks highly of Nataly and her abilities, because I think it would have been easy to say that we already had our OH for this year. It is also part of the reason why I think Billeter ends up as a primarily back row player. Some Youtube highlights of Eden: I don't know that she is good enough yet to take court time next year. Livingston I think is a starter barring injury. I then think its a 4 person race to see who gets the swings at the other OH position between Stowell, Callahan, Bower and Moravec. Those are 4 awfully good outsides and will be creating a pretty competitive environment in practice. Its not improbable that at least one of those who get left behind then enter the transfer portal, because possibly the best of our young outsides comes in the following year. First world problem for BYU. I'd like to echo Zazu's sentiments about how nice it is that you're writing these breakdowns. I look forward to the next one on Kate Prior. Out of curiosity, are you planning to write about Claire Little, Silina Dimuni and Mia Lee now as well, or will you wait until they are officially signed next year? |
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Post by wcdiggs on Nov 20, 2021 22:23:00 GMT -5
Part 3 in writing about the BYU signees for volleyball, this time on Eden Bower. I won't write as much as I think she is better known by most here. I REALLY like her game. She has great size and frame, hits a very heavy ball, jumps very well, and well, is a Bower. So intense, a great athlete, is well trained, and is going to be great. I personally believe she is underappreciated by Prepvolleyball at 54. Remember that she lost a year due to recovery from surgery, and so her great last year wasn't preceded by as much development time as it should have been. Some on here have criticized her back row game, and I find this misguided because of this missed year. I think she is making up for missed time and will be a starting OH at BYU sooner rather that later and will be awfully good. My opinion, based on my belief that Eden is going to be really good, is that Heather bringing on Nataly too speaks highly of Nataly and her abilities, because I think it would have been easy to say that we already had our OH for this year. It is also part of the reason why I think Billeter ends up as a primarily back row player. Some Youtube highlights of Eden: I don't know that she is good enough yet to take court time next year. Livingston I think is a starter barring injury. I then think its a 4 person race to see who gets the swings at the other OH position between Stowell, Callahan, Bower and Moravec. Those are 4 awfully good outsides and will be creating a pretty competitive environment in practice. Its not improbable that at least one of those who get left behind then enter the transfer portal, because possibly the best of our young outsides comes in the following year. First world problem for BYU. This is the first film I’ve seen of Eden. Her front row play reminds me a bit of Kayla Lund from Pitt- an absolute hammer and smart with some good angles but not much of a jumper by the looks of it |
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Post by kk1971 on Nov 22, 2021 10:38:29 GMT -5
Part 3 in writing about the BYU signees for volleyball, this time on Eden Bower. I won't write as much as I think she is better known by most here. I REALLY like her game. She has great size and frame, hits a very heavy ball, jumps very well, and well, is a Bower. So intense, a great athlete, is well trained, and is going to be great. I personally believe she is underappreciated by Prepvolleyball at 54. Remember that she lost a year due to recovery from surgery, and so her great last year wasn't preceded by as much development time as it should have been. Some on here have criticized her back row game, and I find this misguided because of this missed year. I think she is making up for missed time and will be a starting OH at BYU sooner rather that later and will be awfully good. My opinion, based on my belief that Eden is going to be really good, is that Heather bringing on Nataly too speaks highly of Nataly and her abilities, because I think it would have been easy to say that we already had our OH for this year. It is also part of the reason why I think Billeter ends up as a primarily back row player. Some Youtube highlights of Eden: I don't know that she is good enough yet to take court time next year. Livingston I think is a starter barring injury. I then think its a 4 person race to see who gets the swings at the other OH position between Stowell, Callahan, Bower and Moravec. Those are 4 awfully good outsides and will be creating a pretty competitive environment in practice. Its not improbable that at least one of those who get left behind then enter the transfer portal, because possibly the best of our young outsides comes in the following year. First world problem for BYU. I'd like to echo Zazu's sentiments about how nice it is that you're writing these breakdowns. I look forward to the next one on Kate Prior. Out of curiosity, are you planning to write about Claire Little, Silina Dimuni and Mia Lee now as well, or will you wait until they are officially signed next year? Thanks for the tutorial on how to quote someone!! I will post my Kate Prior post shortly--been a crazy weekend! |
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Post by kk1971 on Nov 22, 2021 11:32:34 GMT -5
This is my summary of impressions on the last of BYU's signees in this class, Kate Prior. From a Prepvolleyball ranking perspective, I have saved the best for last. My belief is that while she may or may not be the best player for BYU from this class, she is every bit deserving of her high ranking at PVB, where she is the 8th ranked MB in the class. I know that some here will argue the merits of these ranks, and I am not sure I can disagree in general. But I do think Kate is long, quick, and very much cut in the mold of the MB that BYU traditionally has: athletic, high IQ "space fillers" able to terminate the ball at a high level consistently, making them the focal point of many/most good passes offensively.
She was heavily recruited, plays on a very successful club team where she anchors their front line, and I believe is going to be very good.
Her HUDL highlights are mostly older. If you are willing to do a little scouting yourself, you can see her in action here against some good club competition more recently (thanks to someone from the same opposing club who is willing to take film and upload). Note that she is number 15:
Kate is enrolling early, so she will have some time in the Spring to acclimate to Heather's practices and culture. Because I also really like Bri Albright as a MB, I think we are in really good hands in spite of Eschenberg's departure. Gneiting and whomever ends up earning the starting nod between Albright/Prior is going to be a step down from what we are used to getting from Kennedy, but not as big of one as it could be. And I think in the future those two will be excellent in the middle for us.
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Post by kk1971 on Nov 22, 2021 12:18:51 GMT -5
A few final thoughts on this recruiting class to wrap up.
1. I think this recruiting class will prove to deserving of better than a #15 ranking of best 2022 recruiting classes. Eden Bower and Kate Prior are 2 players that most top programs would love to have on their roster--not saying they would start everywhere, since there are a number of really good players. But objectively speaking, they are very good recruits at positions where we need to consistently be bringing in great talent.
2. My own opinion of Prepvolleyball rankings, which is worth what you paid for it, is that they are (1) guilty of putting too much weight on talent comparatively at ages 14-16, when the ranking order really gets first put in place, and it adjusts much less so for what happens the last year to year and a half prior to college for those late blooming physically or refining skill later, and (2) and especially in a COVID world (this is not entirely their fault) other than observations from the top teams at the top tournaments, having ranking that were based more on guesswork than on true evaluation and pounding the pavement. And so to use BYU recent recruit rankings as an example, I think Elyse Stowell was ranked as highly as she was because she was a starter and star on the best club team in the country up through U16s, but then some might be disappointed when she doesn't come in and immediately start, the way that another top 10 recruit Heather Gneiting did. Don't get me wrong: I am a BIG Elyse Stowell fan--I think she has the potential to be really great for us for all 6 rotations. But I don't believe she was the 9th best recruit in the country. (Go prove me wrong, Elyse.) On the other hand, Eden Bower missed, I believe. her entire Sophomore year, followed by the weird COVID Junior year, and is, in my opinion ranked too low based on what she showed this past year. Time will tell if I am right.
And not ranking a Nataly Moravec on the top 150 at all, then deleting her from one signing list, to then add back in Claire Little's name instead of hers to this years class, well, that just proves my 2nd point above about how much these rankings are sometimes worth. And for those who might wonder what I am talking about, Prepvolleyball releases now every month their ranking of the recruiting class. The September list for 2022 signing classes had all of the proper signees and names for BYU. The October list dropped Nataly's name completely, and then someone probably realizing their error added a name back in to the November list that was just released, but instead of putting Nataly's name back where it belongs, they put our star from the 2023 class in instead!!! And of course BYU's ranking of #15 stayed the same throughout.
3. This goes without saying, but all of my impressions and analysis is nothing more than guesswork based on a limited set of data. On some I will likely be right. On others, I will be wrong. As of today, I don't know where I am right and where I am wrong, although looking back years from now it will be so obvious with hindsight, just like with the drafts. But from where I sit right now, I really like this recruiting class a lot and think Heather hit a home run with a person who I believe will help us on the back row, brought in a top OH and a top MB, and brought in an intriguing talent who could prove to be the best of the bunch. Or not. Time will tell but for now, good job Heather!
4. P.S. I was really hoping BYU would get Maggie Mendelson next year. Looks like she just signed with Nebraska. Oh well. I wish her the best wherever she ends up, and believe BYU will be just fine without her, but not gonna lie, am a bit sad about this.
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Post by bbg95 on Nov 22, 2021 13:45:13 GMT -5
4. P.S. I was really hoping BYU would get Maggie Mendelson next year. Looks like she just signed with Nebraska. Oh well. I wish her the best wherever she ends up, and believe BYU will be just fine without her, but not gonna lie, am a bit sad about this. I think BYU will be fine. Given that Mendelson's finalists were Nebraska, Texas, Minnesota and Washington, it seems like she was interested in leaving the state and wasn't seriously considering the in-state options (BYU and Utah). That happens sometimes. Now, personally, having spent five years in Nebraska when I was a kid, Lincoln is about the last place I would want to go to college (it was by far my least favorite place that I've lived), but to each their own. |
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Post by smartcookie on Nov 24, 2021 1:31:54 GMT -5
I wonder about what BYU next year will look like. Koerber will leave a massive hole in this BYU team...so will Eschenberg, Reinert and Ballard-Nixon. Someone's gotta step up and fill their shoes...I expect Grimmer and Callahan to get the opportunity to hit next year (alongside current starters Livingston, Gneiting, Bower, Allen & McComber), but not sure who will step in at the 2nd MB or DS spot. I don't think any freshmen got significant play time this year...not even Callahan, due to the super seniors rightfully hogging the play time lol. Next year will be more of a rebuilding year with a younger team (good news is that this is the case for every other team who took advantage of their super seniors)...I'm just curious about who's going to end up in what spot on this team with more holes being left than usual.
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Post by bbg95 on Nov 24, 2021 1:36:45 GMT -5
I wonder about what BYU next year will look like. Koerber will leave a massive hole in this BYU team...so will Eschenberg, Reinert and Ballard-Nixon. Someone's gotta step up and fill their shoes...I expect Grimmer and Callahan to get the opportunity to hit next year (alongside current starters Livingston, Gneiting, Bower, Allen & McComber), but not sure who will step in at the 2nd MB or DS spot. I don't think any freshmen got significant play time this year...not even Callahan, due to the super seniors rightfully hogging the play time lol. Next year will be more of a rebuilding year with a younger team (good news is that this is the case for every other team who took advantage of their super seniors)...I'm just curious about who's going to end up in what spot on this team with more holes being left than usual. Next year, Kate Grimmer should be back at opposite. She was first-team all-WCC in the spring. Callahan, Stowell and possibly Eden Bower should compete for the other outside hitter spot, with Livingston likely still being a starter. Either Brianne Albright or Kate Prior should replace Eschenberg. At DS, I'm not sure who will replace Reinert. Could be incoming freshman Hannah Billeter. Also, BYU may add some transfers. Koerber, Reinert and McComber are all transfers. |
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Post by bbg95 on Nov 24, 2021 2:09:59 GMT -5
Not sure if the person running the team's social media realizes that BYU wasn't in the WCC in 1993. They went undefeated in the WAC that year.
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Post by kk1971 on Nov 24, 2021 18:30:03 GMT -5
I wonder about what BYU next year will look like. Koerber will leave a massive hole in this BYU team...so will Eschenberg, Reinert and Ballard-Nixon. Someone's gotta step up and fill their shoes...I expect Grimmer and Callahan to get the opportunity to hit next year (alongside current starters Livingston, Gneiting, Bower, Allen & McComber), but not sure who will step in at the 2nd MB or DS spot. I don't think any freshmen got significant play time this year...not even Callahan, due to the super seniors rightfully hogging the play time lol. Next year will be more of a rebuilding year with a younger team (good news is that this is the case for every other team who took advantage of their super seniors)...I'm just curious about who's going to end up in what spot on this team with more holes being left than usual. Next year, Kate Grimmer should be back at opposite. She was first-team all-WCC in the spring. Callahan, Stowell and possibly Eden Bower should compete for the other outside hitter spot, with Livingston likely still being a starter. Either Brianne Albright or Kate Prior should replace Eschenberg. At DS, I'm not sure who will replace Reinert. Could be incoming freshman Hannah Billeter. Also, BYU may add some transfers. Koerber, Reinert and McComber are all transfers. This is the answer. And if we get no transfers at all, this is still a really good team. Maybe not Elite Eight or Final Four, but don't sleep on next year's cougs. I believe they will be fully capable of keeping the sweet 16 run going. And if we add a good transfer or two, we will be really good. Heather is building something here... |
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BYU 2022
Nov 24, 2021 21:39:56 GMT -5
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Post by azvb on Nov 24, 2021 21:39:56 GMT -5
Next year, Kate Grimmer should be back at opposite. She was first-team all-WCC in the spring. Callahan, Stowell and possibly Eden Bower should compete for the other outside hitter spot, with Livingston likely still being a starter. Either Brianne Albright or Kate Prior should replace Eschenberg. At DS, I'm not sure who will replace Reinert. Could be incoming freshman Hannah Billeter. Also, BYU may add some transfers. Koerber, Reinert and McComber are all transfers. This is the answer. And if we get no transfers at all, this is still a really good team. Maybe not Elite Eight or Final Four, but don't sleep on next year's cougs. I believe they will be fully capable of keeping the sweet 16 run going. And if we add a good transfer or two, we will be really good. Heather is building something here... Morgan Bower has been a disappointment-or was she really good in HS? I was not familiar with her before she arrived. |
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Post by kk1971 on Nov 25, 2021 10:15:23 GMT -5
This is the answer. And if we get no transfers at all, this is still a really good team. Maybe not Elite Eight or Final Four, but don't sleep on next year's cougs. I believe they will be fully capable of keeping the sweet 16 run going. And if we add a good transfer or two, we will be really good. Heather is building something here... Morgan Bower has been a disappointment-or was she really good in HS? I was not familiar with her before she arrived. Its always hard to say why some players pan out more than others. So many intangibles. In Morgan's case, she was the least heralded and likely least talented of the 3 oldest Bower sisters. I have seen with my own kids how the oldest sometimes blaze a trail that the younger ones have the advantage of following. Would Whitney be as good as she was if she was the oldest sister and didn't have an older sibling to learn from? Perhaps that plays a role here. That said, Morgan is likely to play a bigger role next year for BYU, but I would guess not too big. I don't see her starting anytime in her career. |
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Post by bbg95 on Nov 25, 2021 11:10:37 GMT -5
Morgan Bower has been a disappointment-or was she really good in HS? I was not familiar with her before she arrived. Its always hard to say why some players pan out more than others. So many intangibles. In Morgan's case, she was the least heralded and likely least talented of the 3 oldest Bower sisters. I have seen with my own kids how the oldest sometimes blaze a trail that the younger ones have the advantage of following. Would Whitney be as good as she was if she was the oldest sister and didn't have an older sibling to learn from? Perhaps that plays a role here. That said, Morgan is likely to play a bigger role next year for BYU, but I would guess not too big. I don't see her starting anytime in her career. To be fair to Morgan, she also had a significant condition with her knee that forced her to change positions from setter to libero. |
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