University of San Diego 2023

[Gladys Kravitz]

Apr 12, 2023 23:22:30 GMT -5 sarre84 said:

I have seen more action from cold molasses rolling uphill than from this thread. Seems my only option is to generate a dialogue from me to myself.

I post here quite a bit once the season rolls. I love this program

[sarre84]

Not trying to be controversial, but I would love to see steadier posting. Some of the blue bloods are into the hundreds or thousands of posts with heavy traffic even in the off-season.
I think that our enthusiasm is noted by the coaching staff and athletics administrators.
If they are paying attention, I would love to see some Brazilian girls join our program through Carlos Moreno's contacts in Brazil.
Whether they are internationals or domestics I want some talls with exceptional elevation and with 155 howitzers attached to their shoulders.

[usdfan]

Is anyone at the spring matches today?

[sarre84]

Sorry for the late report, I thought maybe someone else was there.
USD won the two LBSU sets by scores of 25 - 23 and 25 - 21; split with SDSU 20 - 25 and 25 - 23 and won the UCSD sets 25 - 23 and 25 - 20.
I was told that SDSU and LBSU split their sets and I don't how UCSD fared against those two.
USD used their whole bench and it seemed that when they fell behind tried to sub in some of the veteran players to catch up. That worked except for the first set against SDSU. The Aztecs came out swinging like in last year's first set in the non - conference game.
It seemed that Alex Hoglund got the lions share of the setting. Isa Tercariol also set, but maybe one-third of the plays. They both did well.
The one player that stood out to me was Leyla Blackwell. She had a dig off a power swing that she passed back to the net and she was able to demonstrate her power serve several times.
Today she had the opportunity to uncork her best Breanna imitation. She must have worked hard with the weights this off-season because she seems to have have added some HE charges into her swings.
As far as blocking, she is after all, Leyla "Blockwell".
She is also the team captain to this point.
Next most impressive may have been Haylee Stoner with some blocking and impressive swings.
Madi Allen was back in the saddle and had a good showing.
Ultimately, what do the coaches think?

[usdfan]

I’ve spoken to a couple that was there. I was told overall they looked sloppy. Setting is a struggle and the pin hitters need to show more effort. Yes the middles are the strength especially Blackwell. Allen did okay. Let’s hope she can stay out of trouble. Her digs were pretty good but SR was mediocre. Bennet also played a few sets as bro and held her own with good passing and energy. The other 2 DS had a poor showing today. It’s early and the team will grow but it’s good they are trying to get everyone reps. Excited to see their progression.

[underdog28]

Apr 15, 2023 23:07:31 GMT -5 usdfan said:

I’ve spoken to a couple that was there. I was told overall they looked sloppy. Setting is a struggle and the pin hitters need to show more effort. Yes the middles are the strength especially Blackwell. Allen did okay. Let’s hope she can stay out of trouble. Her digs were pretty good but SR was mediocre. Bennet also played a few sets as bro and held her own with good passing and energy. The other 2 DS had a poor showing today. It’s early and the team will grow but it’s good they are trying to get everyone reps. Excited to see their progression.

Petrie is not scared to start a freshman libero if she can outperform an older player! Who knows I don’t think Allen has that spot nailed down

[usdfan2.0]

Who’s at oppo? Could it be Hester?
I predict one of the incoming freshman OHs will break into the starting line-up.
To really take full advantage of the MB attack, the passing has to be there, right? The knock on Allen has always been great defense, so-so passing. That tells me Bennet is very much an option at libero, though I wasn’t really seeing it from her on SR last year either.
USD benefited from Blossom arriving in the Spring last year.
Sounds like a 6-2 is a good possibility.
It’s going to be interesting to see how USD plays the rpi game this year, especially without BYU in the conference.

[sarre84]

Not sure how the coaches see it, but Bennett is the long term solution. The sooner she gets started, the better she will be. I am sure Coach Petrie knows who has been working the hardest.

As far the outside hitting, agreed, we need some talent at least equal to the middles. The thought about starting a freshman makes me think of Noemi Beach. Looking at her videos, I was reminded of Claire Chausee of Louisville...6 ft tall, elevation, energy and a power swing.

I thought of Gabby Durham too; she looks like she could be a mix of Lukes and Frohling coming in at 6' 3" with a power swing. Maybe both will contribute as freshmen.

[sarre84]

Tomorrow I will be in a golf tournament during the scrimmages. I hope one or more of you can be there to let us know how things go. This to me is the most important of the four spring scrimmages.

Arizona and SDSU both split with USD and I think there will be a tourney feel to those matches.

Brent Hilliard is hell bent on beating USD because he is a fierce competitor.
I remember when he was conducting dig drills prior to games when he was assistant coach at USD. He slammed the ball like he was still playing for Long Beach State.

The USD ladies better be ready for two set wars tomorrow.

[Hookup]

I like all the sentiments expressed the past couple days here on the USD page. I hope for all those hopes and wishes to come true.  Most of all consistency at setter. I think the rest will fall into place as new players arrive and the team takes shape for the fall. 
USD will be a competitive team next season and will have a good shot at competing with Pepperdine for WCC title.  I think they will hover around 15-18 in the rankings.  They could reach higher but that will depend on the unknowns and staying healthy.   
We should all take a breath about the spring scrimmages. USD has more than held their own against the other teams. They all seem to be in the same boat together.

[chatchu-off moksri]

Amber Stivrins is transferring to San Diego! Toreros have a lot of options on the pins. I'm very curious to see who takes the starting spots on the pins, especially the OPP because it doesn't really look like there is an heir apparent. I think Pries will take an OH spot. She was a pretty good 6-rotation OH in the 2021 season. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CsU_gPNrbu1

[usdfan2.0]

Sighhhh…SDSU schedule is out. Not USD. Just unacceptable. From other schedules that have come out, I’m seeing non-cons with Hawaii, Northwestern, and U Oregon. I like that scheduling so far.

[thevolleybaker]

May 17, 2023 21:32:36 GMT -5 usdfan2.0 said:

Sighhhh…SDSU schedule is out. Not USD. Just unacceptable. From other schedules that have come out, I’m seeing non-cons with Hawaii, Northwestern, and U Oregon. I like that scheduling so far.

USD is notoriously bad about getting their schedule out. Annoys me every year

[slxpress]

May 17, 2023 21:32:36 GMT -5 usdfan2.0 said:

Sighhhh…SDSU schedule is out. Not USD. Just unacceptable. From other schedules that have come out, I’m seeing non-cons with Hawaii, Northwestern, and U Oregon. I like that scheduling so far.

Hints about BYU on the BYU thread. People are just guessing, but their coach talked about an exciting non con opponent for the season opener, and USD was the first guess. 

[oldnewbie]

May 18, 2023 7:33:04 GMT -5 slxpress said:

May 17, 2023 21:32:36 GMT -5 usdfan2.0 said:

Sighhhh…SDSU schedule is out. Not USD. Just unacceptable. From other schedules that have come out, I’m seeing non-cons with Hawaii, Northwestern, and U Oregon. I like that scheduling so far.

Hints about BYU on the BYU thread. People are just guessing, but their coach talked about an exciting non con opponent for the season opener, and USD was the first guess. 

South Dakota?

Certainly they are not adding San Diego, who they play twice every year in con?