Hoping those were just first game jitters and all newbies were trying to find common ground on the court, but the 6-2 felt very uncomfortable and crowded. No flow -- removing the attack behind the setter (in a 5-1) limits this team IMHO. You have a 6-10 middle that can hit in front or back of the setter and she is poised to settle for a slow right side ball that must be perfect to be attacked correctly (unfortunately Anna does not have the foot speed to adjust to offsets) -- please make it make sense. How do you not consider the dynamic athleticism of Robinson and Demps in this suffocating 6-2 system?
I like Ashburn as a service specialist/amazing DS and backup setter, period!
Keep training and working with MJ on her middle location and running a faster offense.
Franklin hitting in one on one situations is money in the bank - open that by making opponents commit to behind-the-setter quicks.
Run a three-middle offense with Crawford, Smrek, and Hart - Keep Robinson on RS, and let her regain her All America status at that position. Her blocking is key.
The best OH is Wrobel, she's just chomping at the bit to get her chance. Franklin and Orzol I know you feel those footsteps.... and you should!
As I mentioned before, which I was attacked for last year, Orzol may be the best Libero we have on the floor. Once she can understand she's not needed for her swings but more for the role of her presence and court awareness, Wisconsin becomes that much more dangerous. Would she accept the role? Poland seems to think so, and will eventually use her as a Libero for their national team. Think former Texas A/M legend, Stacy Sykora.... I see Orzol as her carbon copy.
Demps -- Will she be the NCAA's "best back row specialist" once again? Perhaps that's her glory, and that's where she is needed for her career... after watching some cringy front row from her last night, I'm not sure she's sure she likes it up in front??
This team is talented -- we'll go as far as the setting takes us, end-of-story.
NCAA Observations from matches I watched yesterday:
Wisky - Lots of room to improve -- we were spoiled the last decade by two amazing setters - can the 6-2 really be it this year? I say hell no! MJ better catch that learning curve QUICK.
The Texas NCAA all-stars are good! They should be! Can they jell together and win the best-players-money-can-bring-in championship?? Likely -- X factor is their HC Elliot - who is still a douchebag resting bitch face limited knowledge of volleyball coach of the century, so yes, once again, hell be the equalizer in winning or losing that purchased championship. Wow.... Caffey is now part of the TX All Stars?? WTF? How many years is she going to compete and play for? Is this the 4th school she's playing for?
Ohio State is the real deal -- Watch out B1G -- they could win the conference this season. If the pieces line up, they'll be playing in Omaha.
Is Penn State awful? I know it's early -- but damn...
Nebraska is good -- Hord brings that extra dynamic Kayla couldn't -- maybe it's her size. Rodriguez is a stud. The setting is key -- its so obvious the team still wants Hames to be the setter and leader -- the youngin Orr is being catered to by Cook -- he sure doesn't want to lose her to the portal. She is ok -- I still think the team goes further with Hames setting. Hames will tell you that -- and you can see it all over her face.
Excited to watch the UW/Baylor match today... Oh wait, it won't be on tv, online -- they had to make room for the Midwest School of the Blind vs- Nowheresville College match instead.
I know I was missed -- welcome back #$$^es!
xoxoxoo,
Diva