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Post by ironman88 on Dec 21, 2021 16:13:35 GMT -5
I try to not make promises I am likely to break. As I ponder the future of Illinois volleyball, I'm reminded of a story I've read several times over at the Nebraska site. Reportedly, Coach Cook welcomes his team on the first day of practice and tells his players that they're going to begin this season practicing the most important skill in our sport: PASSING. The entire first day of practice is passing, passing, passing. The lesson: If we can't pass well, we won't serve well; and if we don't serve well, we won't hit well. My primary hope for the coming season is that our back row passing will take a giant step forward next year. Unless that happens I think we will continue to struggle to stay out of the bottom half of our conference. So, congratulations to our coaching staff and team members on finishing strong this season. And congratulations to our team for your many academic accomplishments this past year; I don't know how you do it! |
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Post by oldmanvb on Dec 22, 2021 18:11:00 GMT -5
Lots of rumors on the transfer thread, none involving Illinois.
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Post by ilalum92 on Dec 22, 2021 18:13:33 GMT -5
I think Julia Wohlert (sp) from WISC might be in the portal. A 6'7" OPP would be nice. Plus, her major is sort sort of disability rehab and U of I leads the nation in resources/campus for the disabled.
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Post by exit237a on Dec 22, 2021 18:14:51 GMT -5
Lots of rumors on the transfer thread, none involving Illinois. Glad that we haven't heard any rumored transfer departures! Keep waiting on word from Kuper- really hope she can come back. |
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Post by badgerbill on Dec 22, 2021 18:15:32 GMT -5
I'd love to see Wohlertplay for the Illini. She appeared to be an incredible teammate and was always cheering from the sideline. Glad she was a part of our championship team
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Post by Wiswell on Dec 22, 2021 20:18:19 GMT -5
I think Julia Wohlert (sp) from WISC might be in the portal. A 6'7" OPP would be nice. Plus, her major is sort sort of disability rehab and U of I leads the nation in resources/campus for the disabled. Daniel Romanchuk and Tatyana McFadden!! |
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Post by exit237a on Dec 22, 2021 22:10:29 GMT -5
This was pretty cool to see this summer
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Post by ilalum92 on Dec 23, 2021 2:09:51 GMT -5
Lots of BIG names in the portal. Hoping our Sweet 16 run with an entire cast returning makes us attractive to a big time transfer. The only ILLINI I could possibly see transferring in Hinton as she is 4th on the depth chart for middles. But she is a senior and local so why leave?
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Dec 23, 2021 8:07:16 GMT -5
Since Illini fans and many other fans are propagating wild portal thoughts, how about my wild thought that Carly Cramer might be considered for the Illinois' open asst. coaching position. Departing Coach Reed's specialty was training Illinois' middle blockers. I would assume Carly Cramer's forte is passing, defensive specialist coach since she was a great one at Purdue. Eli Sharping currently spends a lot of time with the passers at Illinois, but has had a lot of coaching experience in all areas of volleyball. Jen Tamas I would assume has spent a lot of her volunteer coaching time with middle blockers since she was a great one at Pacific and with the U.S. Olympic team. Passing and defense have seemed to be an off and on weakness for the Illini. Maybe Cramer could shore that up, and be a positive influence on the recruiting trail. When I was at the sub-regional in Lexington, Illinois and Kentucky's coaches seemed to be awfully chummy with one another. I know part of that is because former Illini student assistant Ryan Anton is a volunteer assistant coach with Kentucky. Is it more likely that Coach Tamas is looking for another former middle blocker to take over Coach Reed's former responsibilities? So much intrigue with a new assistant coach to be hired, and perhaps a portal transfer or two!
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Post by oldmanvb on Dec 24, 2021 0:39:26 GMT -5
Given Diana Brown’s stellar academic record, can she return next year in a graduate program on full academic scholarship and not count towards the 12 athletic scholarship limit imposed on D1 volleyball programs?
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Post by oldmanvb on Dec 25, 2021 9:17:36 GMT -5
Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays everyone!!
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Post by vbkahuna on Dec 25, 2021 10:37:03 GMT -5
Merry ChrisTamas to all the Illini...🏐🏐🏐
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Post by Friday on Dec 26, 2021 18:20:47 GMT -5
Looks like Tamas got someone - will it be a transfer, a coach or a recruit? I'm guessing an AC!
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Dec 27, 2021 12:43:52 GMT -5
Looks like Tamas got someone - will it be a transfer, a coach or a recruit? I'm guessing an AC! Isn't Illinois required to post a coaching opening for a certain amount of time due to affirmative action requirements? Or have things changed? |
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Post by jma22 on Dec 28, 2021 21:39:24 GMT -5
I’ll be curious to see if Ellie or Bruna can provide meaningful contributions next year. If so, watch out. I soooo want to see Ellie come back and have an amazing season. She looked great last time she played but not easy to come back after being out for so long. As for Bruna, do we even know what the deal with her was this past season? Really thought she’d return at some point but there was never any news. Also, how many years of eligibility does she have left? Could she become one of the oldest players in college sports? She’s gotta be like 24 now right?
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