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Post by robtearle on May 13, 2022 11:49:16 GMT -5
Am I the only one that's thinking Nebraska is getting an awful lot of love considering they're (presumably) starting a new setter this year? IMO, that's the most important position on the floor, and wasn't Hames still setting in their last spring match? the way things have been going it seems pretty unlikely hames will not be the starting setter But that means Akana transferring leaves a big hole in the back row. Hames can't be both the setter and the replacement for Akana. |
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Post by vollectator on May 13, 2022 12:18:55 GMT -5
OSU's pretty much a known product with all major pieces back from a team that was ranked in the top 10 nationally, whereas NE, MN and WI all face uncertainties with new pieces at key positions. ranking OSU high is not that outrageous, IMHO; neither is predicting Podraza the SOY. I was just thinking that. Nebraska, Wisconsin, and MN have some question marks. Not that potential isn't there, but it's fewer known quantities. OSU just has a couple more known quantities, including bailout hitters. Rader (led B1G in H%), Podraza (2nd in B1G in A/set), Londot (8th in B1G in KPS) and Gonzalez (10th in B1G in KPS) and Murr (6th in B1G in DPS) are a huge returning core. Wisconsin: tournament MOP was a middle/opp whose production was passing/setting dependent. Unproven setters. Unsure of who the starting pins will be. New libero. One does not simply replace Dana Rettke. Nebraska: really high ceiling, if not inconsistent, pins from last year. Caffey??? New setter who should be really good, but still unproven. One does not simply replace Lauren Stivrins. Minnesota: Wenaas an excellent six-rotation OH, but not necessarily top-level attacker. Landfair coming back from injury. Continuing questions on Shaffmaster connecting with middles. Reports out of spring matches are really good, but show me when the lights are on. One does not simply replace Stephanie Samedy. I think all three of these teams have higher ceilings than OSU, but I'm not going to be shocked if OSU causes some good trouble. Exactly! |
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Post by vollectator on May 13, 2022 12:42:24 GMT -5
OSU's pretty much a known product with all major pieces back from a team that was ranked in the top 10 nationally, Well, except MB Arica Davis who played in every set and was their leading blocker. She transferred to Minnesota. True, but the core of the team is back. Compare that to WI's loss of 5 super seniors, including the NPOY, MN's loss of Samedy (has its middle attack improved?), NE's loss of Stivrins and Akana (the offense hasn't improved and the incredible defense just lost one-third of its force). Arica's a very good player for OSU for sure, but she's a 6-foot middle and hardly a Samedy or a Rettke. I agree that these 3 teams have higher ceilings with the talent on their teams, but OSU's not that far behind (i thought they had a very good 6-3 middle coming in, or is it Purdue). I maintain that ranking OSU @ #2 at this point is totally justifiable, and I'm not even a Buckeye fan. |
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Post by photos1 on May 13, 2022 13:40:43 GMT -5
Well, except MB Arica Davis who played in every set and was their leading blocker. She transferred to Minnesota. True, but the core of the team is back. Compare that to WI's loss of 5 super seniors, including the NPOY, MN's loss of Samedy (has its middle attack improved?), NE's loss of Stivrins and Akana (the offense hasn't improved and the incredible defense just lost one-third of its force). Arica's a very good player for OSU for sure, but she's a 6-foot middle and hardly a Samedy or a Rettke. I agree that these 3 teams have higher ceilings with the talent on their teams, but OSU's not that far behind (i thought they had a very good 6-3 middle coming in, or is it Purdue). I maintain that ranking OSU @ #2 at this point is totally justifiable, and I'm not even a Buckeye fan. Anything can happen, but to say that Nebraska is losing Stivrins and Akana without mentioning that four time AA Kaitlin Hord is replacing her and that a the best defensive setter in the country will most likely take Akana’s playing time is weak. The best part of Akana’s game is her serve. She is a good backrow player, but she was the player who was always targeted by good serving teams-ask Texas. Changing setters may be more of a question as Orr’s surgically repaired knee seems to be lingering on. But, if Orr is healthy, she is the player who set the U18 USA team to their first world championship. If her knee fails to cooperate, they still have Hames who has set this team into two championship matches. No matter how it shakes out Nebraska will be improved. I do find it a bit farcical that the B1G network expert believes Penn St is the fifth best team on paper in the B1G. I look at that roster and there is no way they are as good as they were a year ago, a team that was sixth in the conference, and a second round out in the tournament. And lastly, I really doubt Akana will end up in Austin-she wants to be a starting Libero-not something she was going to be in Lincoln and not something she will be in Austin-unless you think she is better than Fleck. We’ll see how it goes… 🏐 |
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Post by bbg95 on May 13, 2022 14:03:05 GMT -5
Well, except MB Arica Davis who played in every set and was their leading blocker. She transferred to Minnesota. True, but the core of the team is back. Compare that to WI's loss of 5 super seniors, including the NPOY, MN's loss of Samedy (has its middle attack improved?), NE's loss of Stivrins and Akana (the offense hasn't improved and the incredible defense just lost one-third of its force). Arica's a very good player for OSU for sure, but she's a 6-foot middle and hardly a Samedy or a Rettke. I agree that these 3 teams have higher ceilings with the talent on their teams, but OSU's not that far behind (i thought they had a very good 6-3 middle coming in, or is it Purdue). I maintain that ranking OSU @ #2 at this point is totally justifiable, and I'm not even a Buckeye fan. Well, we'll have a pretty good idea about how good Ohio State is after they finish that brutal non-conference schedule that they signed up for. https://www.instagram.com/p/CdYiognrcrS |
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Post by jwvolley on May 13, 2022 14:07:46 GMT -5
Well, except MB Arica Davis who played in every set and was their leading blocker. She transferred to Minnesota. True, but the core of the team is back. Compare that to WI's loss of 5 super seniors, including the NPOY, MN's loss of Samedy (has its middle attack improved?), NE's loss of Stivrins and Akana (the offense hasn't improved and the incredible defense just lost one-third of its force). Arica's a very good player for OSU for sure, but she's a 6-foot middle and hardly a Samedy or a Rettke. I agree that these 3 teams have higher ceilings with the talent on their teams, but OSU's not that far behind (i thought they had a very good 6-3 middle coming in, or is it Purdue). I maintain that ranking OSU @ #2 at this point is totally justifiable, and I'm not even a Buckeye fan. Hord will be a considerable offensive improvement over a rehabbing Stivrins. She will draw a lot of attention which helps everyone else. You don’t know that their offense isn’t improved, I would assume you’re not making that claim based on a spring match (which Kubik hit very well in if you are). Mendelson is still coming in, the freshmen pins have summer training and time to improve as they become sophomores and Whitney has a ton of potential to be a terminal opposite. Caffey and Hord will be the best middle attack in the country. Krause will likely be on the left, which is more natural to her than RS and Cook said she’s been killing it there in practice despite not having a great showing in in 2 sets in April five months before the season begins. In summary, I find it very premature to say their offense won’t be improved |
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Post by slxpress on May 13, 2022 14:09:50 GMT -5
I don’t know, man. The stars are in some serious alignment regarding Akana to Texas. I do think there are better places for her to go to start as libero immediately. But it’s different when you get passed up by someone a class behind you a la Lexi Rodriguez, versus being at a place where the starter is on their last year of eligibility. It’s tough to leave a program like Nebraska where everything is first class, but Texas is one of the few places in the country that has that same level of resource investment. Maybe that ended up being more important to her. Also, Nebraska and Texas are allegedly #1 and #2 respectively in terms of NIL money available for volleyball players. That might have an impact as well. |
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Post by bbg95 on May 13, 2022 14:12:49 GMT -5
True, but the core of the team is back. Compare that to WI's loss of 5 super seniors, including the NPOY, MN's loss of Samedy (has its middle attack improved?), NE's loss of Stivrins and Akana (the offense hasn't improved and the incredible defense just lost one-third of its force). Arica's a very good player for OSU for sure, but she's a 6-foot middle and hardly a Samedy or a Rettke. I agree that these 3 teams have higher ceilings with the talent on their teams, but OSU's not that far behind (i thought they had a very good 6-3 middle coming in, or is it Purdue). I maintain that ranking OSU @ #2 at this point is totally justifiable, and I'm not even a Buckeye fan. Hord will be a considerable offensive improvement over a rehabbing Stivrins. She will draw a lot of attention which helps everyone else. You don’t know that their offense isn’t improved, I would assume you’re not making that claim based on a spring match (which Kubik hit very well in if you are). Mendelson is still coming in, the freshmen pins have summer training and time to improve as they become sophomores and Whitney has a ton of potential to be a terminal opposite. Caffey and Hord will be the best middle attack in the country. Krause will likely be on the left, which is more natural to her than RS and Cook said she’s been killing it there in practice despite not having a great showing in in 2 sets in April five months before the season begins. In summary, I find it very premature to say their offense won’t be improved Considering that Nebraska's .222 hitting percentage was their lowest in at least 39 years, it's nearly impossible for them not to improve offensively. |
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Post by slxpress on May 13, 2022 14:13:56 GMT -5
Wow. That’s impressive. All three ACC powers, two of the best non power conference programs in BYU and USD, plus two matches versus Texas to start the season. |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2022 14:24:23 GMT -5
Hord will be a considerable offensive improvement over a rehabbing Stivrins. She will draw a lot of attention which helps everyone else. You don’t know that their offense isn’t improved, I would assume you’re not making that claim based on a spring match (which Kubik hit very well in if you are). Mendelson is still coming in, the freshmen pins have summer training and time to improve as they become sophomores and Whitney has a ton of potential to be a terminal opposite. Caffey and Hord will be the best middle attack in the country. Krause will likely be on the left, which is more natural to her than RS and Cook said she’s been killing it there in practice despite not having a great showing in in 2 sets in April five months before the season begins. In summary, I find it very premature to say their offense won’t be improved Considering that Nebraska's .222 hitting percentage was their lowest in at least 39 years, it's nearly impossible for them not to improve offensively. this was funny |
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Post by bbg95 on May 13, 2022 14:27:26 GMT -5
Wow. That’s impressive. All three ACC powers, two of the best non power conference programs in BYU and USD, plus two matches versus Texas to start the season. Yeah, Tennessee is no slouch either. |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2022 14:31:17 GMT -5
True, but the core of the team is back. Compare that to WI's loss of 5 super seniors, including the NPOY, MN's loss of Samedy (has its middle attack improved?), NE's loss of Stivrins and Akana (the offense hasn't improved and the incredible defense just lost one-third of its force). Arica's a very good player for OSU for sure, but she's a 6-foot middle and hardly a Samedy or a Rettke. I agree that these 3 teams have higher ceilings with the talent on their teams, but OSU's not that far behind (i thought they had a very good 6-3 middle coming in, or is it Purdue). I maintain that ranking OSU @ #2 at this point is totally justifiable, and I'm not even a Buckeye fan. Hord will be a considerable offensive improvement over a rehabbing Stivrins. She will draw a lot of attention which helps everyone else. You don’t know that their offense isn’t improved, I would assume you’re not making that claim based on a spring match (which Kubik hit very well in if you are). Mendelson is still coming in, the freshmen pins have summer training and time to improve as they become sophomores and Whitney has a ton of potential to be a terminal opposite. Caffey and Hord will be the best middle attack in the country. Krause will likely be on the left, which is more natural to her than RS and Cook said she’s been killing it there in practice despite not having a great showing in in 2 sets in April five months before the season begins. In summary, I find it very premature to say their offense won’t be improved improve by how much? Their offense was pretty abysmal last year so even with slight improvement that isn’t great. I’m sure I’m gonna get hit with the (their offense got them to a NC match last year blah blah blah though id argue their offense is the reason they DIDNT win that match I mean how many blocks did Wisconsin have? 900?) They were carried in the post season by their serving, passing, and defending. (Which is good. More power to them but they are losing a key cog in this strategy) Without Akana the offense will have to step it up even more because I’m confident they won’t replace that position with a better server/defender because I think the safe assumption is that Hames will be setting. This means less chances in transition for Nebraskas attackers and less extended rallies for opponents to make errors which is what Nebraska did a great job of doing last season. They are also losing an important part of their coaching staff. Basically my point is it’s okay to be skeptical of Nebraska especially considering the post you quoted didn’t even single out Nebraska at all. |
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Post by bbg95 on May 13, 2022 14:39:44 GMT -5
Hord will be a considerable offensive improvement over a rehabbing Stivrins. She will draw a lot of attention which helps everyone else. You don’t know that their offense isn’t improved, I would assume you’re not making that claim based on a spring match (which Kubik hit very well in if you are). Mendelson is still coming in, the freshmen pins have summer training and time to improve as they become sophomores and Whitney has a ton of potential to be a terminal opposite. Caffey and Hord will be the best middle attack in the country. Krause will likely be on the left, which is more natural to her than RS and Cook said she’s been killing it there in practice despite not having a great showing in in 2 sets in April five months before the season begins. In summary, I find it very premature to say their offense won’t be improved improve by how much? Their offense was pretty abysmal last year so even with slight improvement that isn’t great. I’m sure I’m gonna get hit with the (their offense got them to a NC match last year blah blah blah though id argue their offense is the reason they DIDNT win that match I mean how many blocks did Wisconsin have? 900?) They were carried in the post season by their serving, passing, and defending. (Which is good. More power to them but they are losing a key cog in this strategy) Without Akana the offense will have to step it up even more because I’m confident they won’t replace that position with a better server/defender because I think the safe assumption is that Hames will be setting. This means less chances in transition for Nebraskas attackers and less extended rallies for opponents to make errors which is what Nebraska did a great job of doing last season. They are also losing an important part of their coaching staff. Basically my point is it’s okay to be skeptical of Nebraska especially considering the post you quoted didn’t even single out Nebraska at all. I looked up the box score out of curiosity, and Wisconsin had 24 (!) blocks in the match. |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2022 14:42:26 GMT -5
improve by how much? Their offense was pretty abysmal last year so even with slight improvement that isn’t great. I’m sure I’m gonna get hit with the (their offense got them to a NC match last year blah blah blah though id argue their offense is the reason they DIDNT win that match I mean how many blocks did Wisconsin have? 900?) They were carried in the post season by their serving, passing, and defending. (Which is good. More power to them but they are losing a key cog in this strategy) Without Akana the offense will have to step it up even more because I’m confident they won’t replace that position with a better server/defender because I think the safe assumption is that Hames will be setting. This means less chances in transition for Nebraskas attackers and less extended rallies for opponents to make errors which is what Nebraska did a great job of doing last season. They are also losing an important part of their coaching staff. Basically my point is it’s okay to be skeptical of Nebraska especially considering the post you quoted didn’t even single out Nebraska at all. I looked up the box score out of curiosity, and Wisconsin had 24 (!) blocks in the match. I was pretty close. Also Roddy and co were unreal covering that match too. Wisconsin easily could have had over 30 kill blocks if Nebraskas defense wasn’t so good. There were so many balls watching the replay that went straight back down but were somehow covered so weren’t on the box score |
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Post by vollectator on May 13, 2022 14:45:18 GMT -5
True, but the core of the team is back. Compare that to WI's loss of 5 super seniors, including the NPOY, MN's loss of Samedy (has its middle attack improved?), NE's loss of Stivrins and Akana (the offense hasn't improved and the incredible defense just lost one-third of its force). Arica's a very good player for OSU for sure, but she's a 6-foot middle and hardly a Samedy or a Rettke. I agree that these 3 teams have higher ceilings with the talent on their teams, but OSU's not that far behind (i thought they had a very good 6-3 middle coming in, or is it Purdue). I maintain that ranking OSU @ #2 at this point is totally justifiable, and I'm not even a Buckeye fan. Hord will be a considerable offensive improvement over a rehabbing Stivrins. She will draw a lot of attention which helps everyone else. You don’t know that their offense isn’t improved, I would assume you’re not making that claim based on a spring match (which Kubik hit very well in if you are). Mendelson is still coming in, the freshmen pins have summer training and time to improve as they become sophomores and Whitney has a ton of potential to be a terminal opposite. Caffey and Hord will be the best middle attack in the country. Krause will likely be on the left, which is more natural to her than RS and Cook said she’s been killing it there in practice despite not having a great showing in in 2 sets in April five months before the season begins. In summary, I find it very premature to say their offense won’t be improved I didn't say NE's offense won't be improved. my contention was that it hadn't, and I did go on the Kansas game to make that assessment in the absence of anything else that's tangible. My saying the Huskers have a higher ceiling than OSU entailed all your assumptions. if I remember correctly, they were "killing it" in practice last season too. didn't stop them from hitting in the low 200s for the season in games. don't get me wrong, i'm a huge Husker fan. all i was saying was that Nebraska was facing uncertainties at key positions (so were MN and WI) such that ranking OSU at #2 preseason was not a stretch. that 6-3 middle i referred to was Eloise Brandewie BTW. |
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