Post by bprtbone on Apr 25, 2021 12:19:12 GMT -5
2021 Michigan Wolverines
Seniors
Kayla Bair (MB)
Paige Jones (OH)
Abbey Malinowski (OH)
Grace Persson (OH)
Lizzie Sadilek (OPP)
Juniors
Amber Beals (DS/L)
Madison Dowd (S)
Jenni Liu (S)
May Pertofsky (MB/OH)
Jessica Robinson (MB/OH)
Sophomores
Hannah Grant (Redshirt) (DS/L)
Brooke Humphrey (SS/L)
Scottee Johnson (S)
Jess Mruzik (OH)
Kendall Murray (MB/OH)
Incoming Grad Transfer
Haley Hallgren 6'1" (UT) USC Beach
Incoming Freshmen 2021
Jacque Boney 6'4" (MB) Brookhaven, GA Marist HS; A5 VBC
Mira Chopra 6'3" (MB/OH) Champaign, IL Champaign Central HS; Illini Elite VBC
Maddi Cuchran 5'5" (DS/L) Downers Grove, IL Downers Grove North HS; 1st Alliance VBC
Projected Starters: Johnson; Jones/Mruzik; Bair/Robinson/Boney(?); Pertofsky; Grant
Preview:
The program was hit hard by the COVID pandemic and it is difficult to evaluate the team we saw in the spring. When they did play it never seemed as if they were 100% healthy. Mark Rosen seemed to settle on a more consistent lineup in the last few weeks with Johnson running a 5-1; but Maddie Dowd also impressed with the opportunities she was given. Look for the Jones/Mruzik combo at OH to continue to provide the bulk of the scoring; more consistency from Pertofsky and a big addition at MB in Jacque Boney. The passing, floor defense and blocking must make significant improvements in order for this team to compete.
Questions:
- Whither Paige Jones? After a stellar sophomore season, her stats fell significantly in the spring 2021 campaign. She had one incredible match against Indiana where she shattered the team 's single match kill record, but otherwise struggled for much of the season. Most concerning was her passing from the back row. She was routinely and successfully targeted by opponents from the service line all spring. It was an area that she has been working very hard on but the team needs her to get better quick in order to have any success.
- Has Johnson really won the setter spot? This was another position that was tough to evaluate as both setters were chasing down bad passes all season long. I think there is real competition here; the team needs someone who can better the ball more consistently.
- Can anyone on this team block? Michigan was dead last in the B1G in blocks, and it wasn't even close. Opponents were firing away freely at the Michigan defense and there is only so much Hannah Grant can do to keep the team in rallies. No defense, no peace.
- Any transfers in the mix? The team has multiple needs and with the extra year of eligibility in play this is the season that some critical, talented pieces could be added. UPDATE: Welcome Haley Hallgren!
Michigan Futures:
2022
Serena Nyambio 6'2" (MB) Troy, MI Detroit Country Day HS; Legacy VBC
Molly Simmons 5'11" (OH) Coraopolis, PA Moon Area HS; Pittsburgh Elite VBC
2023
Morgan Burke 6'0" (S) Omaha, NE Skutt Catholic HS; Nebraska Elite VBC
Ceci Gooch 6'3" (MB/OPP) Dallas, TX Highland Park HS; Drive Nation VBC
Go Blue!
Seniors
Kayla Bair (MB)
Paige Jones (OH)
Abbey Malinowski (OH)
Grace Persson (OH)
Lizzie Sadilek (OPP)
Juniors
Amber Beals (DS/L)
Madison Dowd (S)
Jenni Liu (S)
May Pertofsky (MB/OH)
Jessica Robinson (MB/OH)
Sophomores
Hannah Grant (Redshirt) (DS/L)
Brooke Humphrey (SS/L)
Scottee Johnson (S)
Jess Mruzik (OH)
Kendall Murray (MB/OH)
Incoming Grad Transfer
Haley Hallgren 6'1" (UT) USC Beach
Incoming Freshmen 2021
Jacque Boney 6'4" (MB) Brookhaven, GA Marist HS; A5 VBC
Mira Chopra 6'3" (MB/OH) Champaign, IL Champaign Central HS; Illini Elite VBC
Maddi Cuchran 5'5" (DS/L) Downers Grove, IL Downers Grove North HS; 1st Alliance VBC
Projected Starters: Johnson; Jones/Mruzik; Bair/Robinson/Boney(?); Pertofsky; Grant
Preview:
The program was hit hard by the COVID pandemic and it is difficult to evaluate the team we saw in the spring. When they did play it never seemed as if they were 100% healthy. Mark Rosen seemed to settle on a more consistent lineup in the last few weeks with Johnson running a 5-1; but Maddie Dowd also impressed with the opportunities she was given. Look for the Jones/Mruzik combo at OH to continue to provide the bulk of the scoring; more consistency from Pertofsky and a big addition at MB in Jacque Boney. The passing, floor defense and blocking must make significant improvements in order for this team to compete.
Questions:
- Whither Paige Jones? After a stellar sophomore season, her stats fell significantly in the spring 2021 campaign. She had one incredible match against Indiana where she shattered the team 's single match kill record, but otherwise struggled for much of the season. Most concerning was her passing from the back row. She was routinely and successfully targeted by opponents from the service line all spring. It was an area that she has been working very hard on but the team needs her to get better quick in order to have any success.
- Has Johnson really won the setter spot? This was another position that was tough to evaluate as both setters were chasing down bad passes all season long. I think there is real competition here; the team needs someone who can better the ball more consistently.
- Can anyone on this team block? Michigan was dead last in the B1G in blocks, and it wasn't even close. Opponents were firing away freely at the Michigan defense and there is only so much Hannah Grant can do to keep the team in rallies. No defense, no peace.
- Any transfers in the mix? The team has multiple needs and with the extra year of eligibility in play this is the season that some critical, talented pieces could be added. UPDATE: Welcome Haley Hallgren!
Michigan Futures:
2022
Serena Nyambio 6'2" (MB) Troy, MI Detroit Country Day HS; Legacy VBC
Molly Simmons 5'11" (OH) Coraopolis, PA Moon Area HS; Pittsburgh Elite VBC
2023
Morgan Burke 6'0" (S) Omaha, NE Skutt Catholic HS; Nebraska Elite VBC
Ceci Gooch 6'3" (MB/OPP) Dallas, TX Highland Park HS; Drive Nation VBC
Go Blue!
