Kansas 2022

[bluepenquin]

As we wait until the big match against Baylor on Saturday morning - Kansas lands another recruit to their 2024 class. 6-3 MB Zoey Burgess out of Utah (Club V). She looks like a good one and adds to what looks like a very strong class.

6-1 OH Grace Nelson (Illinois) - younger sister of Allie who was KU's starting Libero for 3 years.
6-3 OH Kenzie Dean (Iowa)
6-3 MB Reese Ptacek (Minnesota)
6-3 MB Zoey Burgess (Utah)
5-4 DS/L Heidi Devers (Kansas)

Kansas seems to be broadening their net with more players outside of the Kansas City area. 2019 to 2021 classes were heavily from the Kansas City area.

Look forward to seeing all of these players that show up in KC for the Triple Crown Tournament in 2023.

[slxpress]

Sept 29, 2022 11:03:07 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

As we wait until the big match against Baylor on Saturday morning - Kansas lands another recruit to their 2024 class. 6-3 MB Zoey Burgess out of Utah (Club V). She looks like a good one and adds to what looks like a very strong class.

6-1 OH Grace Nelson (Illinois) - younger sister of Allie who was KU's starting Libero for 3 years.
6-3 OH Kenzie Dean (Iowa)
6-3 MB Reese Ptacek (Minnesota)
6-3 MB Zoey Burgess (Utah)
5-4 DS/L Heidi Devers (Kansas)

Kansas seems to be broadening their net with more players outside of the Kansas City area. 2019 to 2021 classes were heavily from the Kansas City area.

Look forward to seeing all of these players that show up in KC for the Triple Crown Tournament in 2023.

That’s a tall class.

I’d also point out there’s going to be new opportunities in the conference with the 800lb gorilla leaving for the SEC and very competitive programs like BYU, UCF, and Houston coming in.

[bluepenquin]

Sept 29, 2022 11:05:25 GMT -5 slxpress said:

Sept 29, 2022 11:03:07 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

As we wait until the big match against Baylor on Saturday morning - Kansas lands another recruit to their 2024 class. 6-3 MB Zoey Burgess out of Utah (Club V). She looks like a good one and adds to what looks like a very strong class.

6-1 OH Grace Nelson (Illinois) - younger sister of Allie who was KU's starting Libero for 3 years.
6-3 OH Kenzie Dean (Iowa)
6-3 MB Reese Ptacek (Minnesota)
6-3 MB Zoey Burgess (Utah)
5-4 DS/L Heidi Devers (Kansas)

Kansas seems to be broadening their net with more players outside of the Kansas City area. 2019 to 2021 classes were heavily from the Kansas City area.

Look forward to seeing all of these players that show up in KC for the Triple Crown Tournament in 2023.

That’s a tall class.

They also add 6-3 MB Aisha Aiono and 6-5 MB Ellie Schneider next year.  They certainly want to be big in the middle going forward.  Still - a major concern on who is going to be playing MB next year with Langs and Dooley gone.

[bluepenquin]

New KU commit Zoey Burgess's dad (Chris Burgess) is an assistant coach for the Utah's men's basketball team. He was a McDonald's AA recruit to Duke back in the last 90's. He then transferred to Utah and graduated there. Zoey's mom was also an athlete and graduate at Utah and older sister KJ is a Freshman MB this year for Utah that has played in all but one match so far this season.

Anyway - nice to see Zoey join the KU family!

[bluepenquin]

I missed the two recent Kansas losses - Baylor game wasn't on TV and I was out of town for the Iowa State match. Those two losses put a damper on their season.

I did get to watch them last night. The big change for Kansas - Freshman Brynn Kirsch was the libero. I had been meaning to say this since the start of the season - it was/is my opinion that Kirsch will be the next libero for Kansas. Her potential far exceeds anyone else - she could be very special. I didn't think it would happen this year because; 1) Kennedy Farris had been playing well (not having seen the last two matches), 2) Kirsch is a Freshman and not even Cassie Wait was the KU Libero her Freshman year, 3) I didn't think Kirsch looked all that consistent in her play thus far as a DS.

I thought Kirsch looked great last night - I would love to know her serve receive score (I had it a 2.5 in the 1st set). In large part to her - and Elnady being acceptable at serve receive - Kansas was in system all night which caused Dooley and Langs to 'go off'. Especially Dooley - as those perfect passes right at the net just made Dooley a great attacker (she was 6-7 in the 1st set and 9-14 for the match).

In the interview with Bechard after the game - it is pretty clear that KU goes into each match prepared to run a 6-2. Nalls hit negative last night - but if any opponent OH gets hot and is in a rotation on the front row with Turner - KU will quickly switch to a 6-2.  Last night - KU stayed in the 5-1 all night (but this is more lkely to be the exception going forward).

[skyspy]

What will KU's biggest positions of need be in the 2025 recruiting class?

[bluepenquin]

Oct 13, 2022 23:00:37 GMT -5 skyspy said:

What will KU's biggest positions of need be in the 2025 recruiting class?

Setter.  They will have to recruit a setter in that class.  Dalton will be a senior in 2025 and Turner will have graduated.  They currently have zero setters committed in their 2023 and 2024 class.

This is an absolute guarantee absent some transfer changes in the meantime.

Another OH may be a need (it would certainly be a want).  Elnady would still have eligibility for 2025 along with Swanson.  They add Nelson with the 24 class - I think Dean probably projects more of a RS.  They will certainly be needing OH's for 2026. 

MB/RS would not be a need for that class. 

[buttery]

Oct 13, 2022 8:16:54 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

I missed the two recent Kansas losses - Baylor game wasn't on TV and I was out of town for the Iowa State match. Those two losses put a damper on their season.

I did get to watch them last night. The big change for Kansas - Freshman Brynn Kirsch was the libero. I had been meaning to say this since the start of the season - it was/is my opinion that Kirsch will be the next libero for Kansas. Her potential far exceeds anyone else - she could be very special. I didn't think it would happen this year because; 1) Kennedy Farris had been playing well (not having seen the last two matches), 2) Kirsch is a Freshman and not even Cassie Wait was the KU Libero her Freshman year, 3) I didn't think Kirsch looked all that consistent in her play thus far as a DS.

I thought Kirsch looked great last night - I would love to know her serve receive score (I had it a 2.5 in the 1st set). In large part to her - and Elnady being acceptable at serve receive - Kansas was in system all night which caused Dooley and Langs to 'go off'. Especially Dooley - as those perfect passes right at the net just made Dooley a great attacker (she was 6-7 in the 1st set and 9-14 for the match).

In the interview with Bechard after the game - it is pretty clear that KU goes into each match prepared to run a 6-2. Nalls hit negative last night - but if any opponent OH gets hot and is in a rotation on the front row with Turner - KU will quickly switch to a 6-2.  Last night - KU stayed in the 5-1 all night (but this is more lkely to be the exception going forward).

Thanks for the analysis bluepenguin. I have also been a little behind in catching KU volleyball. Rewatched the Texas Tech game and also surprised about Kirsch, but totally agree with everything you are saying - seems she had the most upside and KU’s investing in her future development.

Still as always interested in why there is a seemingly revolving door in the DS and serving specialist positions - maybe it’s to mix up the serves? It’s nice KU has a lot of depth in that position which they haven’t had in probably the last 4-5 years.

It seems the rotation when Turner is front row with Langs and Bien is a problematic rotation - I feel like I’ve seen quite a few deuce sets where KU can’t close it out because if they are out of system (i.e. bad pass) then only option is Bien and her hitting definitely hasn’t been as great as last year (which is understandable since teams are keying in on her).

Hoping that they can win the rest of their home games with Texas and Baylor out of the way…presumably they will drop Baylor and Texas (though those are opportunities) and maybe lose at Tech?

[bluepenquin]

Oct 19, 2022 17:10:48 GMT -5 buttery said:

Oct 13, 2022 8:16:54 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

I missed the two recent Kansas losses - Baylor game wasn't on TV and I was out of town for the Iowa State match. Those two losses put a damper on their season.

I did get to watch them last night. The big change for Kansas - Freshman Brynn Kirsch was the libero. I had been meaning to say this since the start of the season - it was/is my opinion that Kirsch will be the next libero for Kansas. Her potential far exceeds anyone else - she could be very special. I didn't think it would happen this year because; 1) Kennedy Farris had been playing well (not having seen the last two matches), 2) Kirsch is a Freshman and not even Cassie Wait was the KU Libero her Freshman year, 3) I didn't think Kirsch looked all that consistent in her play thus far as a DS.

I thought Kirsch looked great last night - I would love to know her serve receive score (I had it a 2.5 in the 1st set). In large part to her - and Elnady being acceptable at serve receive - Kansas was in system all night which caused Dooley and Langs to 'go off'. Especially Dooley - as those perfect passes right at the net just made Dooley a great attacker (she was 6-7 in the 1st set and 9-14 for the match).

In the interview with Bechard after the game - it is pretty clear that KU goes into each match prepared to run a 6-2. Nalls hit negative last night - but if any opponent OH gets hot and is in a rotation on the front row with Turner - KU will quickly switch to a 6-2.  Last night - KU stayed in the 5-1 all night (but this is more lkely to be the exception going forward).

Thanks for the analysis bluepenguin. I have also been a little behind in catching KU volleyball. Rewatched the Texas Tech game and also surprised about Kirsch, but totally agree with everything you are saying - seems she had the most upside and KU’s investing in her future development.

Still as always interested in why there is a seemingly revolving door in the DS and serving specialist positions - maybe it’s to mix up the serves? It’s nice KU has a lot of depth in that position which they haven’t had in probably the last 4-5 years.

It seems the rotation when Turner is front row with Langs and Bien is a problematic rotation - I feel like I’ve seen quite a few deuce sets where KU can’t close it out because if they are out of system (i.e. bad pass) then only option is Bien and her hitting definitely hasn’t been as great as last year (which is understandable since teams are keying in on her).

Hoping that they can win the rest of their home games with Texas and Baylor out of the way…presumably they will drop Baylor and Texas (though those are opportunities) and maybe lose at Tech?

I am a Huge Kirsch fan.  Tonight against West Virginia - the serve receive was bad - it wasn't the fault of Kirsch and Bien.

There is no way I am giving Baylor a win at home against Kansas.  Pablo currently has Kansas a better team and gives them a 48% chance of winning that game.  

[buttery]

Today against West Virginia, Farris was back at libero and it looks like McCarthy got some reps at serving specialist. As mentioned before, I think Kirsch has a ton of potential, but Farris has seemed a little more solid at serve receive.

[bluepenquin]

In an age of Covid extra year and portal/transfers - it is tough to know in advance the new season roster. I have no inside knowledge - but that doesn't prevent me from doing some speculation.

Below is the roster based on years of eligibility in parenthesis.

Setter:
Turner (2)
Dalton (3)

This looks set for next season. No incoming setters for 2023 or 2024 at this time - this will become their #1 priority for the 2025 class.

OH:
Bien (2)
Elnady (3)
Swanson (3)
Schmidt (2)
Foltz (2)

Foltz graduated and is very unlikely to return. Not sure if Schmidt will want to stick around - she is definitely good enough to play somewhere (else). No FR coming in for 2023 - but have Nelson coming in with the 2024 class.

RS:
Davis (2)

This shou9ld be Davis job for the next 2 years. Kenzie Dean is in the 2024 class.

L/DS:
Farris (1)
Kirsch (3)
Schultz (2)
McGehe (2)
McCarthy (3)
Burns (4)

Farris is listed on the roster as a Junior and has 1 year of eligibility left, but it is unclear if she will be back. Kirsch should be pushing for the libero position next year. I don't know much about incoming Freshman Burns.

Middles:
Van Driel (1)
Whetstone (2)
Parks (2)
Schneider (4)
Alono (4)

Unclear if Van Driel will be using her Covid year. I would like to see her - they could use her (and need her). Whetstone looks like a player that may be entering the transfer portal? Hard to imagine Kansas wanting to rely on two Freshman starters for next year? They do add two very good Freshman in 2024 (Burgess & Ptacek) - so they would appear to be in the market for at least 1 graduate middle blocker transfer - ala Dooley - for next season. Hopefully I will get a chance to see Schneider and Alono play some in the next couple months.

[b1gnetwerth]

Burns is good. Like very good. I would expect her to at least push to play as a DS.

[buttery]

I feel like Whetstone and Schmidt may not have too much to complain about? They can play somewhere else for sure, but it’s close to home for both of them and if they aren’t on scholarship it’s some nice in-state tuition. I would’ve thought they would transfer out with McGhie and Crawford if they were going to.

I worry about Dalton because I think she could probably play a number of places. Seems her role was big towards the end of the year though so she might stay.

I’m really gonna miss Langs on that slide and her late blocking dives - seems like she’s been playing forever. Her consistency was such an asset for a team that prides itself on blocking.

[bluepenquin]

Dec 3, 2022 9:51:33 GMT -5 buttery said:

I feel like Whetstone and Schmidt may not have too much to complain about? They can play somewhere else for sure, but it’s close to home for both of them and if they aren’t on scholarship it’s some nice in-state tuition. I would’ve thought they would transfer out with McGhie and Crawford if they were going to.

I worry about Dalton because I think she could probably play a number of places. Seems her role was big towards the end of the year though so she might stay.

I’m really gonna miss Langs on that slide and her late blocking dives - seems like she’s been playing forever. Her consistency was such an asset for a team that prides itself on blocking.

I would assume both Whetstone and Schmidt are on scholarship?  This sounds bad - but Kansas will need a scholarship available for an incoming MB.

Had McGhie not left - Dalton could have redshirted this year and that would have set her and Kansas up in better shape.  However - Kansas really doesn't typically use redshirts that way.

[bluepenquin]

Dec 3, 2022 11:02:08 GMT -5 skyspy said:

Who are some of the top 2025 prospects that KU may be looking at or have a good chance of landing in the next recruiting cycle?

Reese Messer would be the dream pickup, but she is probably going to bigger waters.