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Post by pittsburgh7717 on Sept 6, 2021 8:34:24 GMT -5
1.) Is Nalani really better than Peterson? Have watched a few matches but I thought Peterson was a lot more comfortable and stable in that role. Idk 2.) Is Parra happy in her new role? I have to admit, I am eating crow rn because I swore we would never see a lineup that didn't have her hitting front row. At least this opportunity will allow her to get better training through the backrow, which can't hurt her international prospects. 3.) Texas still hasn't brought in a better setter than Jenna Gabriel?☹️ Granted, she's much improved, just not someone I'd expect to be a 3 year starter for a storied program like Texas...
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Post by blackiechan1999 on Sept 6, 2021 8:52:57 GMT -5
After 3 games: Glad Jerritt scheduled games against 3 ranked teams. However now...unsure how highly ranked MN will be after their latest loss In past years, it seemed that Texas would lose focus in the 3rd set. This year, they sleepwalk through half the first set and then claw their way back. Frustrating, but learning to fight back and not just throw in the towel and wait for the second set is impressive We should just abandon our self-named nickname of MBU and call ourselves OOS-U. Yikes Jhenna is playing at 2019 levels "Dear Ms. O'Brien. If we could set you up with a sweetheart NIL deal, would you consider playing DS for a yet-to-be-named volleyball team for home games, only? This is just an initial inquiry into your availability." I was thinking in the first set that Jerritt might be swapping libero jerseys with Sydney But yeah, At passing
I wouldn’t say we suck. Passing has been starting slow at the beginning of every match. It got better as the match went on.
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Texas 2021
Sept 6, 2021 10:24:38 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by utexrulz23 on Sept 6, 2021 10:24:38 GMT -5
All six primary servers are in the top 10. am I blind lol I just checked and Asjia isn't in there Can’t figure out how to put a pic in but Asjia is tied with Parra.
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Post by slxpress on Sept 6, 2021 11:11:28 GMT -5
None of the opponents are top 10 caliber teams. San Diego, Minnesota, and Stanford are all outstanding programs, but these aren't their best teams. I'm hoping San Diego can beat UCLA on Thursday. A win against Utah just wasn't in the cards. Minnesota looks like they're missing some pieces to me. I love their coach, and the nice thing about playing in the Big 10 is there are a huge amount of opportunities for big wins. They have a long ways to go to make noise in the conference race, though. Stanford to me is the one team that could become elite by the end of the year. Their freshman setter is all that and a bag of doughnuts. They have two injured players who could make a huge difference with a return to the court. They have a demonstrated outstanding coaching staff. But that isn't who Texas went up against on Sunday.
There's so much pressure on the OOC slate because of the lack of high tier opponents in the Big 12. KU did a decent enough job for a couple of years, and Baylor is trying to fill that niche now. Kansas State might have a good team, and Iowa State is consistently solid. But I'm really looking forward to the SEC, which while not at the level of the other elite volleyball conferences in the country, is at least at a slightly higher level of competition than the Big 12.
The team doesn't look even close to playing at the level they were at the end of the spring. Which is fine. It means there's plenty of room for improvement. The story of the season so far is how dominant the serving has looked. I don't see how anyone making a comment on the first four games doesn't mention it. Texas was a tough serving team last year, but they look like they're at a different level this year. And there's no break in the rotation. The athleticism and physicality of the roster is apparent, like it always is. I just don't want to take it for granted. Texas has an embarrassment of riches in terms of scoring options. They haven't even come close to getting Butler untracked, and yet they've gone 12-1 in sets so far. They have the most intimidating frontline in the country...again. Someday that's not going to be the case, so I want to appreciate it as much as possible, even if it's true year after year.
I don't fully understand what Elliot's theories are on the setter and libero positions. Ashley Shook's 2017 debut was a long time ago, and yet this year is the first year I've seen him try to recruit an elite setter. Megan O'Brien literally just fell into the program's lap. Why? Why can't they go out and recruit an elite level libero? I'm not saying there's no excuse. I'm saying I don't understand the rationale behind the roster makeup sometimes, and I wish I did. Between high school and the ability to transfer without sitting out, surely there's someone top tier Texas could have brought in? Serve receive and passing are literally the only real weaknesses of this program. Maybe there's some kind of exclusivity dynamic going on that I just don't get.
Still, 13 of the last 16 years Texas has made it to the Final Four. It reminds me of the Bobby Bowden Florida State teams when they went on their 14 year run of finishing in the top 5. Bowden faced a lot of the same kinds of criticisms. Recruiter can't coach. Can't bring in a clutch kicker. Can't win the big game. I don't think the criticism was fully justified with Bowden, and I don't think it's justified with Elliot. He doesn't get enough credit for all the things he does well in running a program. Still, this season is going to be a disappointment if it doesn't end in a national championship. That's just the way it is.
I haven't seen another team look the way Texas or Kentucky did in that national championship match, so everyone is going through their growing pains. I mean, December is still a long ways away. And the nice thing about having Eggleston, Fields, Phillips, O'Neal, and Butler is that there's some wiggle room in other areas to still trot out an elite squad. I'd like to see more blocking. Not that it's absent, but I'm used to seeing the squad in late season form where they're just roofing shot after shot. I find the experiment of switching O'Neal and Gabriel's placement in the frontline an interesting twist. That doesn't seem like a solution to me, but at least it will direct kill shots towards the middle of the floor where there's more help rather than down the line. That's the most obvious adjustment from the national championship match.
I'm determined to enjoy the journey. We have a four game snap shot. You know there's going to be some point in the season where the team looks like it's going backwards a bit. It happens to pretty much everyone every year. But Elliot is as good as anyone in the country at tournament preparation. His track record speaks for itself. So we'll just have to see it all play out.
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Post by horns1 on Sept 6, 2021 12:33:45 GMT -5
None of the opponents are top 10 caliber teams. San Diego, Minnesota, and Stanford are all outstanding programs, but these aren't their best teams. I'm hoping San Diego can beat UCLA on Thursday. A win against Utah just wasn't in the cards. Minnesota looks like they're missing some pieces to me. I love their coach, and the nice thing about playing in the Big 10 is there are a huge amount of opportunities for big wins. They have a long ways to go to make noise in the conference race, though. Stanford to me is the one team that could become elite by the end of the year. Their freshman setter is all that and a bag of doughnuts. They have two injured players who could make a huge difference with a return to the court. They have a demonstrated outstanding coaching staff. But that isn't who Texas went up against on Sunday. On this message board, no teams seem worthy of being ranked in the Top 10.
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Post by dl3ww on Sept 6, 2021 12:34:47 GMT -5
I don’t know how many elite libero’s you think are running around the ncaa but there’s not many (elite is Hentz, White, Lake, Fleck, etc..) but if you meant a very good libero then Iosia is just that… Her passing is shaky, but she manages to pull through the longer the game…. And her defense is most definitely good! Did y’all want her coming in passing as well/better than O’Brien who had 3 seasons under her belt? The passing isn’t as good as last years, but that’s not the problem, the setting is clearly the problem..
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Post by slxpress on Sept 6, 2021 12:56:30 GMT -5
I don't like to complain about either Iosia or Gabriel. But it's tough to fathom a better roster along all three front line positions, or with Eggleston as a 6 rotation player. It's not that hard to imagine a better setter or even a better libero. There are other factors involved. Gabriel didn't just win the spot because of her setting. She also won it because of her leadership qualities, her fiery personality, and the chemistry factor.
Those are the things Elliot has insight into and is very good at navigating that I'm never going to have access to. And frankly, it's none of my business. But I can't help but be curious about it.
The fact is the team just lost a national championship because the opponent had an amazing setter and libero, and was overall the best passing team in the country. That's not a one time thing. It's a consistent theme. On the other hand, Texas went through a gauntlet of teams with outstanding coaches and very good rosters - including elite level setters and liberos - to get there. It is what it is.
I will say they've looked improved in serve receive since Morrison came on staff. I can't believe we've kept him for another year.
If it seems like I'm complaining, I apologize for that. I'm more than satisfied with the volleyball program as a whole, and think it's obvious this team can accomplish special things. They are a prohibitive favorite to finish the season as the national champion, and rightfully so. Having said that, it's an extremely difficult task to accomplish, and shouldn't be taken for granted at all. I'd still love to one day see a setter at Texas who is on the same level at her position that Eggleston is at her's. This year isn't going to be that year.
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Post by texastothehouse15 on Sept 6, 2021 12:59:02 GMT -5
Anyone have an update on SKT? Do yall think she will redshirt this season?
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Post by hornshouse23 on Sept 6, 2021 13:04:52 GMT -5
I don’t know how many elite libero’s you think are running around the ncaa but there’s not many (elite is Hentz, White, Lake, Fleck, etc..) but if you meant a very good libero then Iosia is just that… Her passing is shaky, but she manages to pull through the longer the game…. And her defense is most definitely good! Did y’all want her coming in passing as well/better than O’Brien who had 3 seasons under her belt? The passing isn’t as good as last years, but that’s not the problem, the setting is clearly the problem.. it’s also a lot different passing left back than right back. I think she’ll settle into the role just fine, and just needs time to get used to the new position. Like you said, she does better as matches go on. Plus we’re still in coach Elliott’s let them figure it out stage. If she truly struggles against an opponent, Peterson could always step in. I’m curious what Parra’s passing numbers look like. Where does she fall between Logan and Nalani?
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Post by davebrake38 on Sept 6, 2021 15:10:33 GMT -5
At the last point Texas I asked about SKT and the coach said I had been spending too much time on Volleytalk. Smile
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Post by eyeroll2021 on Sept 6, 2021 15:22:37 GMT -5
I don't fully understand what Elliot's theories are on the setter and libero positions. Ashley Shook's 2017 debut was a long time ago, and yet this year is the first year I've seen him try to recruit an elite setter. Megan O'Brien literally just fell into the program's lap. Why? Why can't they go out and recruit an elite level libero? I'm not saying there's no excuse. I'm saying I don't understand the rationale behind the roster makeup sometimes, and I wish I did. Between high school and the ability to transfer without sitting out, surely there's someone top tier Texas could have brought in? Serve receive and passing are literally the only real weaknesses of this program. Maybe there's some kind of exclusivity dynamic going on that I just don't get. Whabbout Naomi Cabello and Emma Halter?
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Post by hornshouse23 on Sept 6, 2021 15:59:51 GMT -5
None of the opponents are top 10 caliber teams. San Diego, Minnesota, and Stanford are all outstanding programs, but these aren't their best teams. I'm hoping San Diego can beat UCLA on Thursday. A win against Utah just wasn't in the cards. Minnesota looks like they're missing some pieces to me. I love their coach, and the nice thing about playing in the Big 10 is there are a huge amount of opportunities for big wins. They have a long ways to go to make noise in the conference race, though. Stanford to me is the one team that could become elite by the end of the year. Their freshman setter is all that and a bag of doughnuts. They have two injured players who could make a huge difference with a return to the court. They have a demonstrated outstanding coaching staff. But that isn't who Texas went up against on Sunday. On this message board, no teams seem worthy of being ranked in the Top 10. That’s what I keep reading as well. I think some posters forget that rankings are relative to how everyone else is performing as well.
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Post by ngc9494 on Sept 6, 2021 16:02:14 GMT -5
At the last point Texas I asked about SKT and the coach said I had been spending too much time on Volleytalk. Smile Bahahaha but where’s the lie??
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Texas 2021
Sept 6, 2021 17:24:13 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by texastothehouse15 on Sept 6, 2021 17:24:13 GMT -5
At the last point Texas I asked about SKT and the coach said I had been spending too much time on Volleytalk. Smile so ig we're over exaggerating the situation then🤣🤣
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Post by hornfanaustin on Sept 6, 2021 18:19:09 GMT -5
1.) Is Nalani really better than Peterson? Have watched a few matches but I thought Peterson was a lot more comfortable and stable in that role. Idk 2.) Is Parra happy in her new role? I have to admit, I am eating crow rn because I swore we would never see a lineup that didn't have her hitting front row. At least this opportunity will allow her to get better training through the backrow, which can't hurt her international prospects. 3.) Texas still hasn't brought in a better setter than Jenna Gabriel?☹️ Granted, she's much improved, just not someone I'd expect to be a 3 year starter for a storied program like Texas... 1) Iosia is better at setting than Peterson. Sometimes Peterson would be called for a double while trying to set since Jhenna dug the first ball. And overall, Iosia is a slightly better defender than Sydney. Peterson had the job for 2 full years, starting as a freshman. So it's obvious Iosia was considered an upgrade, which I agree with
2. Well, I have to think she has to see the "arms" in front of her and admit she's not at their level yet
3. Jerritt used to have a 2-year cycle between setters. Jhenna was brought in as a DS first, a possible setter second. And then he had Cabello signed and so in theory everything is set. But it's obvious that it's not if he's taking transfer of the (invisible) SKT.
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