BYU 2022

[mintonetteman]

Nope. I see it the same. Wasn't Llarenas starting during the whole make Dodson an OH thing? I would not count her out and would actually consider her the leading candidate to start the season--that being said, I think it will be an absolute dogfight. BYU is going to be very good at middle in my opinion. Geniting with a full year back from her mission is going to be even better IMO. Don't forget the middle coming next year--Kemavor. That was a good get.

I didn't watch as closely this year and (other than the freshman OHs) didn't follow the progress of the other freshman as closely. I heard good things about Albright in club and watched her some and am a fan. I am also a little biased because of her club team (one of my all time favorite teams to watch when she played club ball). She is very physical. She could easily be the starter day one with a year in the system.

Prior has unreal potential and upside. She is the the protypical BYU middle--reminds me of a cross between Amy Steele Gant (athleticism) and Amy Boswell (length and arm). There may be too much athleticism and length there to keep her off the court. Palegius or someone with inside info--any word on what Prior touches? Wondering if she doesn't have the highest approach touch on the team.

I also think competition for all the pin spots will be intense. Nothing could make me happier--okay, maybe the same thing for the backrow spots. I have no doubt BYU will be good at middle and at the pins over the next little while. Concerns--back row, back row, back row (really hoping one of these pins turns out to be a six rotation player) and developing a setter to replace Whitney Bower. I really thought that would be Meyer. Ironically, her brother Zeo, on the BYU men's team didn't play or start at setter as many expected against PSU. Just hoping we get a player in that is willing to learn the system and then play. This is NOT a knock on Whitney Bower, but I think she would have been even better her first year if she had a year behind LHE. Just sayin' not a fan of playing a freshman setter.

[kk1971]

Jan 12, 2022 15:20:19 GMT -5 mintonetteman said:

Nope. I see it the same. Wasn't Llarenas starting during the whole make Dodson an OH thing? I would not count her out and would actually consider her the leading candidate to start the season--that being said, I think it will be an absolute dogfight. BYU is going to be very good at middle in my opinion. Geniting with a full year back from her mission is going to be even better IMO. Don't forget the middle coming next year--Kemavor. That was a good get.

I didn't watch as closely this year and (other than the freshman OHs) didn't follow the progress of the other freshman as closely. I heard good things about Albright in club and watched her some and am a fan. I am also a little biased because of her club team (one of my all time favorite teams to watch when she played club ball). She is very physical. She could easily be the starter day one with a year in the system.

Prior has unreal potential and upside. She is the the protypical BYU middle--reminds me of a cross between Amy Steele Gant (athleticism) and Amy Boswell (length and arm). There may be too much athleticism and length there to keep her off the court. Palegius or someone with inside info--any word on what Prior touches? Wondering if she doesn't have the highest approach touch on the team.

I also think competition for all the pin spots will be intense. Nothing could make me happier--okay, maybe the same thing for the backrow spots. I have no doubt BYU will be good at middle and at the pins over the next little while. Concerns--back row, back row, back row (really hoping one of these pins turns out to be a six rotation player) and developing a setter to replace Whitney Bower. I really thought that would be Meyer. Ironically, her brother Zeo, on the BYU men's team didn't play or start at setter as many expected against PSU. Just hoping we get a player in that is willing to learn the system and then play. This is NOT a knock on Whitney Bower, but I think she would have been even better her first year if she had a year behind LHE. Just sayin' not a fan of playing a freshman setter.

I agree with all of this.  I do think Prior taking over is a matter of if, not when as MB 2, and that she becomes first option after Gneiting's graduation.  And 100% (1000%?) share your concern about the back row and developing a setter to replace Bower and not relying on a Freshman when the time comes.   No coincidence that the last time BYU started a Freshman at setter was the last time they lost to Utah, didn't make the Sweet 16, lost the WCC to San Diego, etc.  

I had a thought the other day though, probably a bad one.  If Stowell doesn't outright win a spot at OH (which I think is very possible), would Olmstead potentially use her on the back row along with Billeter, Knudsen, McComber, etc.   My impression of her is that she would be the best back row player of our possible 6 rotation pin hitters, even if she didn't win the starting spot over the others as an outside.   so, maybe Olmstead uses her as an Abbey Dayton type?   And I do think she can effectively hit out of the back row better than most of the other options, as well as liking her defensively.  Anyway, just a thought.   

[bbg95]

Jan 12, 2022 15:20:19 GMT -5 mintonetteman said:

Nope. I see it the same. Wasn't Llarenas starting during the whole make Dodson an OH thing? I would not count her out and would actually consider her the leading candidate to start the season--that being said, I think it will be an absolute dogfight. BYU is going to be very good at middle in my opinion. Geniting with a full year back from her mission is going to be even better IMO. Don't forget the middle coming next year--Kemavor. That was a good get.

I didn't watch as closely this year and (other than the freshman OHs) didn't follow the progress of the other freshman as closely. I heard good things about Albright in club and watched her some and am a fan. I am also a little biased because of her club team (one of my all time favorite teams to watch when she played club ball). She is very physical. She could easily be the starter day one with a year in the system.

Prior has unreal potential and upside. She is the the protypical BYU middle--reminds me of a cross between Amy Steele Gant (athleticism) and Amy Boswell (length and arm). There may be too much athleticism and length there to keep her off the court. Palegius or someone with inside info--any word on what Prior touches? Wondering if she doesn't have the highest approach touch on the team.

I also think competition for all the pin spots will be intense. Nothing could make me happier--okay, maybe the same thing for the backrow spots. I have no doubt BYU will be good at middle and at the pins over the next little while. Concerns--back row, back row, back row (really hoping one of these pins turns out to be a six rotation player) and developing a setter to replace Whitney Bower. I really thought that would be Meyer. Ironically, her brother Zeo, on the BYU men's team didn't play or start at setter as many expected against PSU. Just hoping we get a player in that is willing to learn the system and then play. This is NOT a knock on Whitney Bower, but I think she would have been even better her first year if she had a year behind LHE. Just sayin' not a fan of playing a freshman setter.

According to Prior's recruiting bio, her approach is 10'1". I doubt that's the highest on the current roster (for comparison, Mia Lee has touched 10'7", and Brielle Kemavor is listed as having an approach of 10'8", the same as RJP's best college mark), though I'm not sure if that number is up-to-date.

[bbg95]

Jan 12, 2022 18:03:53 GMT -5 kk1971 said:

Jan 12, 2022 15:20:19 GMT -5 mintonetteman said:

Nope. I see it the same. Wasn't Llarenas starting during the whole make Dodson an OH thing? I would not count her out and would actually consider her the leading candidate to start the season--that being said, I think it will be an absolute dogfight. BYU is going to be very good at middle in my opinion. Geniting with a full year back from her mission is going to be even better IMO. Don't forget the middle coming next year--Kemavor. That was a good get.

I didn't watch as closely this year and (other than the freshman OHs) didn't follow the progress of the other freshman as closely. I heard good things about Albright in club and watched her some and am a fan. I am also a little biased because of her club team (one of my all time favorite teams to watch when she played club ball). She is very physical. She could easily be the starter day one with a year in the system.

Prior has unreal potential and upside. She is the the protypical BYU middle--reminds me of a cross between Amy Steele Gant (athleticism) and Amy Boswell (length and arm). There may be too much athleticism and length there to keep her off the court. Palegius or someone with inside info--any word on what Prior touches? Wondering if she doesn't have the highest approach touch on the team.

I also think competition for all the pin spots will be intense. Nothing could make me happier--okay, maybe the same thing for the backrow spots. I have no doubt BYU will be good at middle and at the pins over the next little while. Concerns--back row, back row, back row (really hoping one of these pins turns out to be a six rotation player) and developing a setter to replace Whitney Bower. I really thought that would be Meyer. Ironically, her brother Zeo, on the BYU men's team didn't play or start at setter as many expected against PSU. Just hoping we get a player in that is willing to learn the system and then play. This is NOT a knock on Whitney Bower, but I think she would have been even better her first year if she had a year behind LHE. Just sayin' not a fan of playing a freshman setter.

I agree with all of this.  I do think Prior taking over is a matter of if, not when as MB 2, and that she becomes first option after Gneiting's graduation.  And 100% (1000%?) share your concern about the back row and developing a setter to replace Bower and not relying on a Freshman when the time comes.   No coincidence that the last time BYU started a Freshman at setter was the last time they lost to Utah, didn't make the Sweet 16, lost the WCC to San Diego, etc.  

I had a thought the other day though, probably a bad one.  If Stowell doesn't outright win a spot at OH (which I think is very possible), would Olmstead potentially use her on the back row along with Billeter, Knudsen, McComber, etc.   My impression of her is that she would be the best back row player of our possible 6 rotation pin hitters, even if she didn't win the starting spot over the others as an outside.   so, maybe Olmstead uses her as an Abbey Dayton type?   And I do think she can effectively hit out of the back row better than most of the other options, as well as liking her defensively.  Anyway, just a thought.   

I think it's a little unfair to pin the 2019 decline solely on Bower. Yes, she wasn't as good as a 17-year-old who graduated a year early as LHE was as a senior (First-Team All-American). But I think the losses of RJP (the second-best hitter in the country behind only Jordan Thompson in my view--the drop-off between her and Robinson was enormous) and the combination of Stetler and Martindale (leaving Lake as the only good passer) were more impactful. Generally, I agree with the idea of not starting a freshman setter if it can be avoided. But in that particular situation, I do think Bower was the best available option. And while there were some growing pains (particularly with setting Gneiting in the middle), I think that year paid dividends, as she was great in 2021.

[pelagius]

To add to the MB stuff a little. No inside info at all, but I don't think it's impossible BYU gets Rachel Jepsen (Olympus High School and member of the church) given her decommitment from Notre Dame. Not saying it's high probability. Probably more likely she recommits to ND given the coaching hire there.

[bbg95]

Jan 12, 2022 19:54:56 GMT -5 pelagius said:

To add to the MB stuff a little. No inside info at all, but I don't think it's impossible BYU gets Rachel Jepsen (Olympus High School and member of the church) given her decommitment from Notre Dame. Not saying it's high probability. Probably more likely she recommits to ND given the coaching hire there.

Yeah, that makes sense. Also, Allie Hakes will be getting off her mission to Spain in time for the 2023 season. It looks like she started in August.

[bbg95]

This isn't solely about the women's volleyball team, but BYU athletics had an excellent fall season, finishing first in the Director's Cup for the first time ever:

Here are the points scored for each team on campus in the fall (a national title is worth 100 points, a runner-up finish is worth 90, and on down the line):

Women's cross country: 90
Women's soccer: 90
Men's cross country: 72
Women's volleyball: 64
Football: 52
Total: 368

BYU was powered by a pair of national runner-up finishes in women's cross country and women's soccer, but all the teams did well.

[Deleted]

Erin Livingston is going to be a start next year. I watched her practice yesterday and WOW! Let’s just say she knows understands that she will be the go-to and she is putting in the work. I’m also really excited to see Grimmer back in action. I think her game has improved a lot as well, even just seeing her warm up at matches this season.

[volleyl0ver]

Jan 13, 2022 13:56:13 GMT -5 @hunterjake said:

Erin Livingston is going to be a start next year. I watched her practice yesterday and WOW! Let’s just say she knows understands that she will be the go-to and she is putting in the work. I’m also really excited to see Grimmer back in action. I think her game has improved a lot as well, even just seeing her warm up at matches this season.

Is Livingston passing?? Would be great to see her as a back row threat as well

[Deleted]

Jan 13, 2022 14:17:41 GMT -5 volleyl0ver said:

Jan 13, 2022 13:56:13 GMT -5 @hunterjake said:

Erin Livingston is going to be a start next year. I watched her practice yesterday and WOW! Let’s just say she knows understands that she will be the go-to and she is putting in the work. I’m also really excited to see Grimmer back in action. I think her game has improved a lot as well, even just seeing her warm up at matches this season.

Is Livingston passing?? Would be great to see her as a back row threat as well

I would also love to see her play all around. It wasn’t a full on practice so she was only hitting. It was actually tryouts for the male practice squad - they are looking for a setter. 😅

[Zazu]

Not about next year's team, but I did not see this coming. Kennedy Eschenberg will play pro ball in Germany. Is Zach going to put off dental school or do it in Germany? Love that she is doing this.

[pelagius]

Good for her; that's great.

[mintonetteman]

That's funny...but probably true. Our success next year could be dependent on our ability to recruit a good male practice squad setter for the 2nd team!!! BTW, my prediction for pins is Livingston, Callahan and Grimmer. My for sure is Livingston. But, heck, if Hunterjake is going to practices he likely knows more than anyone. And, I would love to pick up the Jepsen girl. I wonder if she is questioning her decomitment in light of the ND hire!

[Deleted]

Jan 13, 2022 19:35:58 GMT -5 mintonetteman said:

That's funny...but probably true. Our success next year could be dependent on our ability to recruit a good male practice squad setter for the 2nd team!!! BTW, my prediction for pins is Livingston, Callahan and Grimmer. My for sure is Livingston. But, heck, if Hunterjake is going to practices he likely knows more than anyone. And, I would love to pick up the Jepsen girl. I wonder if she is questioning her decomitment in light of the ND hire!

I believe they will start official practices in February. Right now it’s been super unofficial so it’s hard to tell. I would agree that the pins right now would probably be Livingston, Grimmer, and Callahan. I think this year could look more like what Purdue did with their second outside hitter this past season. They switched frequently depending on the matchup and who was playing well. I don’t think two outsides will have the position completely “locked” for a while into the season.

[bbg95]

Jan 13, 2022 13:56:13 GMT -5 @hunterjake said:

Erin Livingston is going to be a start next year. I watched her practice yesterday and WOW! Let’s just say she knows understands that she will be the go-to and she is putting in the work. I’m also really excited to see Grimmer back in action. I think her game has improved a lot as well, even just seeing her warm up at matches this season.

Yeah, I expect big things from Livingston. And she still has three more years of eligibility left.