Kansas 2022

[slxpress]

Sept 7, 2022 23:43:31 GMT -5 buttery said:

Sept 7, 2022 21:12:39 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Thank goodness for Langs and her slide. It was huge in the 2nd set (and really for the entire match).

Great to see from Langs. Going into this season I wondered if she could make the jump to a HM All-American/All-Big 12 middle. Looks like she had 4 solo blocks and 5 block assists - would be great if she could have routinely strong performances like that going forward.

I'm so happy you're posting here, buttery, and that you're passionate and knowledgeable. bluepenguin is a rock star on this site as far as I'm concerned, for as long as I've been here, but it's tough to have KU conversations with yourself. I've learned so much about the KU team each season from bluepenguin - as well as the Big 12 in general - but it's a lot easier to have someone with whom you can have a conversation.

Now if something similar would happen to houstonbear15

[bluepenquin]

Sept 4, 2022 10:56:46 GMT -5 buttery said:

Sept 3, 2022 11:10:30 GMT -5 buttery said:

Thanks for this - good observation. Do you think KU wants her to receive that many serves? Probably maximizes their chances of being in system.

It’s hard not to compare every KU team to the 2015/2016/2017 teams. I forgot how much of a luxury it was to have two players (Rigdon and Payne) who can be so so terminal OOS. Bien’s doing so much right now, taking the majority of receptions, taking almost all of OOS swings when she is on the front-row (because while Szabo appears to have gotten better in system, she’s pretty much ineffective OOS and Elnady isn’t playing back-row mostly now to be an outlet for a back-row attack as Mosser was last year), and having to take up so much court defensively. I guess it’s been good to see that they are still doing so well with her hitting pretty poorly.

61% lol. I’m wondering what is going through team’s minds as they come up with that strategy? I’ll be in town for the Wichita State game, will be a nice to get a look at them in a competitive game.

Also, I’m wondering if Van Driel is redshirting? It haven’t seen a brace or anything. That would mean she would have 2 more years of eligibility after this season and would solve some of the MB depth issues KU might have in the future (though there’s the transfer portal).

Bien with 14.5% receives last night.  Farris led the team with 35.5%

Elnady has played 6 positions the last two matches - she doesn't receive serve all the time (I believe she is out on 2 or 3 of the rotations).  She received 24.2% (no errors) - but that % was much higher among serves she was actually among the 3 receiving.  This was the target for Kansas City last night - and I thought she did okay.  This one makes a lot of sense to me.  They are also using Elnady to hit from the backrow - she had no kills on 3 attempts, but looked good and I think this will be effective going forward.

Interesting question concerning Van Driel (and also Whetstone).  I am not sure she is taking (or being offered) her Covid year?  Van Driel and Kennedy Farris were both in the 2019 class - yet the roster lists Farris as a Junior and Van Driel as a Senior.  This makes me think Farris is coming back for her 5th year and maybe not for Van Driel.  If she medically redshirts this year - Van Driel would have 2 years of eligibility, but I don't know if she will be with Kansas.  Seems to me that they Need her for at least next year.  And with KU bringing in a late 2023 MB commitment two weeks ago - makes me think they are losing more than just Langs and Dooley at MB for next year.  Although a transfer in would seemed to be the most logical choice.

Whetstone is in a similar boat (1 year behind).  Whetstone, Karli Schmidt, Ayah Elnady, Molly Schultz, and Kaiti Parks were all in the 2020 class.  Whetstone is the only player on this list that is listed as a Junior - which makes me think there is a good chance she isn't returning for a 5th year.  Schmidt and Schultz are listed as Sophomore's - so looks like they will be back for 2 more years after this.  Elnady is a Redshirt Freshman and looks like she will have 3 more years with KU after this season.

By my math - Bien, Turner, Davis, Schmidt and Schultz will be gone after 2024.  Their 2024 class looks very strong - but I am thinking that at least a couple aren't getting scholarships that first year?  I think the hope is to have those players in the system for year before they lose the core of this team.  They do need to land a setter in their 2025 class - along with future replacement for Elnady by 2026.

[buttery]

Got to see the Hawks in-person against WSU tonight.

A few observations:

- Farris’s defense has really improved compared to that Army game I watched.
- I’m all in on McGehe being full-time DS for the opposite. Kirsch is solid but McGeHe is super solid and reminds me of DS’s from the golden years of Kansas volleyball. Solid game I thought in serve receive and solid in floor defense as well. There is depth in DSs that hasn’t been there in years.
- Overall solid defensive game from KU I thought - there were quite a few rallies with scrappy floor defense and Langs continues to block at a sometimes comically good level
- If Elnady continues to be this great as a 6-rotation option (even being hidden in serve receive often) it makes this team so much more balanced - Bien’s game just isn’t to be the set every other time OH
- Feel like they should set Dooley with a little separation from Turner. It was usually a set right in front of Turner and WSU ate it up almost every time - they ran some quick 3 sets to Crawford last year and I feel like with Dooley being MB2 that would work better as there are generally 2 other options available anyway. And when Turner is front-row she might as well be an attacker because her left arm is lethal.

Hoping they get past UNLV tomorrow!

[bluepenquin]

Sept 8, 2022 23:23:06 GMT -5 buttery said:

Got to see the Hawks in-person against WSU tonight.

A few observations:

- Farris’s defense has really improved compared to that Army game I watched.
- I’m all in on McGehe being full-time DS for the opposite. Kirsch is solid but McGeHe is super solid and reminds me of DS’s from the golden years of Kansas volleyball. Solid game I thought in serve receive and solid in floor defense as well. There is depth in DSs that hasn’t been there in years.
- Overall solid defensive game from KU I thought - there were quite a few rallies with scrappy floor defense and Langs continues to block at a sometimes comically good level
- If Elnady continues to be this great as a 6-rotation option (even being hidden in serve receive often) it makes this team so much more balanced - Bien’s game just isn’t to be the set every other time OH
- Feel like they should set Dooley with a little separation from Turner. It was usually a set right in front of Turner and WSU ate it up almost every time - they ran some quick 3 sets to Crawford last year and I feel like with Dooley being MB2 that would work better as there are generally 2 other options available anyway. And when Turner is front-row she might as well be an attacker because her left arm is lethal.

Hoping they get past UNLV tomorrow!

I agree on these things.  I plan coming into town and watching in person next Friday against UCF.

Kennedy Farris - this is two outstanding matches in a row.  Serve receive has been solid and she is eating up spikes in her direction (big improvement over last weekend).  S/b considered for DPOW in the B12 this week.

Bien - This was her best match of the year for.  This is a prime example of how she can be the most valuable player on the team while not leading the team in kills or attempts.  Her serve receive was great - overall ball handling was great.  This is what they need from her going forward.

Elnady - She is a great compliment to Bien.  She is good enough to play 6 rotations which allows her for back row attacks and can terminate and score from the front row.  She is not horrible at serve receive (probably close to Jenny Moser) - which works with Bien as the other OH and not as well when it was Moser.  She also has the potential to improve her passing over the next 3 years.  

Bryn McGehe - yes, she has won the DS job for now and has been good.  Kirsch started the match against Kansas City - had 5 digs in the first set, but was pulled for McGhe since then (not sure what happened?).  Anyway, McGehe is good, there is depth at the position (Schultz looked good in her limited time against UMKC).  

Dooley - I have no idea - I trust your opinion.  I will just say that I think her offensive skills are 'limited'.  She offers great blocking and can get kills when things are setup for her.  

Szabo (or Davis) - this to me is the biggest wildcard in how good KU will be this year.  Szabo was hitting .485 for the season going into last night, but she had another subpar match again last night.  BTW, London Davis is hitting .467 for the year.  Needless to say - if KU gets .400+ hitting from their RS, they will be very good.  If they hit below .300 (or .200 like last night) - their offense becomes very limited.  

Don't mention her much - but I love Turner.  She does everything on the court.

Finally - KU had a 72% sideout % last night.  This is after just 54% against UMKC (which is unacceptable).  KU won almost the exact same % of points in the match (58%) as they did against UMKC, but looked and played much better last night.

[buttery]

It appears Langs isn’t playing against UNLV and I’m quite concerned. Anyone have any insight? Finished the game against Wichita State completely fine.

[Jayhawks18]

Apparently it’s very hard for KU’s middles to get out and block the right side/slides.😩 UNLV is killing us behind the setter.

[bluepenquin]

Sept 9, 2022 20:28:50 GMT -5 Jayhawks18 said:

Apparently it’s very hard for KU’s middles to get out and block the right side/slides.😩 UNLV is killing us behind the setter.

Gabriel is taking that peak before she decides where to deliver.  She is really good.

[bluepenquin]

Not much good from last night's game. UNLV is a good team - they were Pablo #48 going into last night, which is slightly better than Iowa State. Iowa State is certainly a type of team KU can lose to. Also, UNLV is probably better than that Pablo ranking.

However, losing that match was a missed opportunity - not a critical loss. The goal is to become a seed for this year's tournament (at least my goal for the team).

Playing w/o Langs was monumentally impactful - I am not sure they lose if she played. Having Van Driel in a boot as put this team with a serious lack of depth at MB. On the bright side - maybe this will be the growing pains needed to make Whetstone better down the road - as it is very possible they will need her.

A few observations - KU played well in the 1st 3 sets - they were awful in set 4. Serve receive had been so good this year, but it had a short term regression in set 4. I don't understand why McGehe was benched in the 4th set - this seemed like an unusual (and I believe potentially costly) move. And as much as like Schmidt attacking and adding instant offense when the team needs it - she can absolutely be exposed at serve receive.

This now makes winning all 3 next weekend more important. UCF and Omaha should be challenging matches.

[slxpress]

Sept 10, 2022 7:37:30 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Not much good from last night's game. UNLV is a good team - they were Pablo #48 going into last night, which is slightly better than Iowa State. Iowa State is certainly a type of team KU can lose to. Also, UNLV is probably better than that Pablo ranking.

However, losing that match was a missed opportunity - not a critical loss. The goal is to become a seed for this year's tournament (at least my goal for the team).

Playing w/o Langs was monumentally impactful - I am not sure they lose if she played. Having Van Driel in a boot as put this team with a serious lack of depth at MB. On the bright side - maybe this will be the growing pains needed to make Whetstone better down the road - as it is very possible they will need her.

A few observations - KU played well in the 1st 3 sets - they were awful in set 4. Serve receive had been so good this year, but it had a short term regression in set 4. I don't understand why McGehe was benched in the 4th set - this seemed like an unusual (and I believe potentially costly) move. And as much as like Schmidt attacking and adding instant offense when the team needs it - she can absolutely be exposed at serve receive.

This now makes winning all 3 next weekend more important. UCF and Omaha should be challenging matches.

When you say a seed team, I have to assume you’re talking about hosting the first two rounds. As opposed to talking about finishing in the top 32 and being seeded.

[bluepenquin]

Sept 10, 2022 8:10:31 GMT -5 slxpress said:

Sept 10, 2022 7:37:30 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Not much good from last night's game. UNLV is a good team - they were Pablo #48 going into last night, which is slightly better than Iowa State. Iowa State is certainly a type of team KU can lose to. Also, UNLV is probably better than that Pablo ranking.

However, losing that match was a missed opportunity - not a critical loss. The goal is to become a seed for this year's tournament (at least my goal for the team).

Playing w/o Langs was monumentally impactful - I am not sure they lose if she played. Having Van Driel in a boot as put this team with a serious lack of depth at MB. On the bright side - maybe this will be the growing pains needed to make Whetstone better down the road - as it is very possible they will need her.

A few observations - KU played well in the 1st 3 sets - they were awful in set 4. Serve receive had been so good this year, but it had a short term regression in set 4. I don't understand why McGehe was benched in the 4th set - this seemed like an unusual (and I believe potentially costly) move. And as much as like Schmidt attacking and adding instant offense when the team needs it - she can absolutely be exposed at serve receive.

This now makes winning all 3 next weekend more important. UCF and Omaha should be challenging matches.

When you say a seed team, I have to assume you’re talking about hosting the first two rounds. As opposed to talking about finishing in the top 32 and being seeded.

Correct.  Are they officially seeding 17-32 for this year?  

[slxpress]

Sept 10, 2022 9:35:34 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Sept 10, 2022 8:10:31 GMT -5 slxpress said:

When you say a seed team, I have to assume you’re talking about hosting the first two rounds. As opposed to talking about finishing in the top 32 and being seeded.

Correct.  Are they officially seeding 17-32 for this year?  

Yes. I’ll look for a link.

[bluepenquin]

Okay Kansas fans - or anyone that has watched Kansas this year. Interested in your opinion as to whether Kansas should mostly play a 6-2 or 5-1 for the remainder of the season. And if a 5-1 - which RS should be the primary starter?

Kansas has mostly run a 5-1 this season with Szabo as the RS. They switched to London Davis as the RS last Saturday against Omaha - and they ran a 6-2 for much of the first 3 sets against Texas on Wednesday. Then ended the match back with a 5-1.

6-2 Plus: Allows both Szabo and Davis to play RS - which greatly improves the blocking for 3 of the 6 rotations (and the extra blocking was successful against Texas). Also allows 3 hitters on the front row at all times. The blocking may become more important given that both OH's are relatively short along with the main setter Turner. It 'forces' more continuity in serve receive with the same 3 working together on each serve.

5-1 Plus: Allows more consistency in the setting, as Tuner appears to be farther along than Dalton right now. Allows more slide sets to Langs - which has been a big strength and where Langs excels as a hitter. Allows Turner to hit on 2, where her left handed spike has been very effective. Allows more substitutions in case they want to bring in a DS for Elnady.

What would you do?

[Deleted]

Sept 23, 2022 10:41:18 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Okay Kansas fans - or anyone that has watched Kansas this year. Interested in your opinion as to whether Kansas should mostly play a 6-2 or 5-1 for the remainder of the season. And if a 5-1 - which RS should be the primary starter?

Kansas has mostly run a 5-1 this season with Szabo as the RS. They switched to London Davis as the RS last Saturday against Omaha - and they ran a 6-2 for much of the first 3 sets against Texas on Wednesday. Then ended the match back with a 5-1.

6-2 Plus: Allows both Szabo and Davis to play RS - which greatly improves the blocking for 3 of the 6 rotations (and the extra blocking was successful against Texas). Also allows 3 hitters on the front row at all times. The blocking may become more important given that both OH's are relatively short along with the main setter Turner. It 'forces' more continuity in serve receive with the same 3 working together on each serve.

5-1 Plus: Allows more consistency in the setting, as Tuner appears to be farther along than Dalton right now. Allows more slide sets to Langs - which has been a big strength and where Langs excels as a hitter. Allows Turner to hit on 2, where her left handed spike has been very effective. Allows more substitutions in case they want to bring in a DS for Elnady.

What would you do?

I like a 5-1 with Turner and Davis but if they are getting wrecked blocking wise do a double sub. Rather than just default use a 6-2

[nevball17]

Sept 23, 2022 10:45:04 GMT -5 @madden55 said:

Sept 23, 2022 10:41:18 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Okay Kansas fans - or anyone that has watched Kansas this year. Interested in your opinion as to whether Kansas should mostly play a 6-2 or 5-1 for the remainder of the season. And if a 5-1 - which RS should be the primary starter?

Kansas has mostly run a 5-1 this season with Szabo as the RS. They switched to London Davis as the RS last Saturday against Omaha - and they ran a 6-2 for much of the first 3 sets against Texas on Wednesday. Then ended the match back with a 5-1.

6-2 Plus: Allows both Szabo and Davis to play RS - which greatly improves the blocking for 3 of the 6 rotations (and the extra blocking was successful against Texas). Also allows 3 hitters on the front row at all times. The blocking may become more important given that both OH's are relatively short along with the main setter Turner. It 'forces' more continuity in serve receive with the same 3 working together on each serve.

5-1 Plus: Allows more consistency in the setting, as Tuner appears to be farther along than Dalton right now. Allows more slide sets to Langs - which has been a big strength and where Langs excels as a hitter. Allows Turner to hit on 2, where her left handed spike has been very effective. Allows more substitutions in case they want to bring in a DS for Elnady.

What would you do?

I like a 5-1 with Turner and Davis but if they are getting wrecked blocking wise do a double sub. Rather than just default use a 6-2

I would agree. I think Davis is the more dynamic hitter of the opposites. And Turner sets a much faster offense and is way more consistent than Dalton. I thought Dalton's sets were way too high and noticed the outsides often adjusting mid-approach to account for it. Most of the kills Szabo got were off balanced, out of system type attacks. Another benefit of the 5-1 is that Langs has been great on the slide. I would stick with the 5-1 and only switch it if they need the blocking. The one consideration for Bechard is subs. Switching into a 6-2 mid game may throw of the subbing situation and they could find themselves not being able to use a serving sub for a middle or a DS for the right side.

[eyeroll2021]

Sept 23, 2022 10:41:18 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Okay Kansas fans - or anyone that has watched Kansas this year. Interested in your opinion as to whether Kansas should mostly play a 6-2 or 5-1 for the remainder of the season. And if a 5-1 - which RS should be the primary starter?

Kansas has mostly run a 5-1 this season with Szabo as the RS. They switched to London Davis as the RS last Saturday against Omaha - and they ran a 6-2 for much of the first 3 sets against Texas on Wednesday. Then ended the match back with a 5-1.

6-2 Plus: Allows both Szabo and Davis to play RS - which greatly improves the blocking for 3 of the 6 rotations (and the extra blocking was successful against Texas). Also allows 3 hitters on the front row at all times. The blocking may become more important given that both OH's are relatively short along with the main setter Turner. It 'forces' more continuity in serve receive with the same 3 working together on each serve.

5-1 Plus: Allows more consistency in the setting, as Tuner appears to be farther along than Dalton right now. Allows more slide sets to Langs - which has been a big strength and where Langs excels as a hitter. Allows Turner to hit on 2, where her left handed spike has been very effective. Allows more substitutions in case they want to bring in a DS for Elnady.

What would you do?

I vote 5-1 with Davis.  If she struggles hitting or has problems blocking, then sub Szabo in.  Not double-sub.  Turner should set the 5-1 always, Rachel Langs on the slide is too good to forgo with a 6-2.  The other setter was ok but Turner is clearly better - I can't remember any specific plays from the Texas game for S2 (or her name, sorry) so she definitely did not impress me as much.