|
Post by bops68 on Jan 18, 2023 17:15:37 GMT -5
The portal is the future it seems for reloading. There were so many teams in the tourney that all had key players from the portal and some completely revamped like Penn State or San Diego. Just like the Men's and Women's BB teams and Football to an extent looks like we are going to have to selectively jump on the bandwagon portal wise or we are going to be left behind. I was really hoping for a transfer DS and OH for next year. We will see.
As for high school recruiting, does anyone now anything about Rachel Ogunleye from U High in Normal. Played with Lily Barry that is enrolled now. Someone was talking about her height and athleticism. My daughters had swim with her when they were all little. Sounds like a well rounded athlete that is very good in track also and runs the 400. I was wondering if anyone has seen her in High School or at Illini Elite and what they think of her potential. Sounds like a good athlete that loves volleyball that maybe could be a diamond in the ruff with good coaching and is just down the street. Comes from a great family also.
|
|
|
Post by ilalum92 on Jan 18, 2023 21:42:45 GMT -5
I am all for a diamond in the rough but we need a few recruits who are high profile and who can come in and make a difference right away.
|
|
|
Post by b1gvballfan on Jan 18, 2023 22:37:49 GMT -5
Agreed. Need some big name recruits who can turn it on and know how to win. Have seen Rachel O play some (sectionals). Not sure it she is/will be Big 10 caliber.
|
|
|
Post by tedheise on Jan 19, 2023 12:12:54 GMT -5
sounds like a gem, indeed!
|
|
|
Post by Pasquale on Jan 19, 2023 16:32:17 GMT -5
The spring roster has been posted. Gregus is now listed as an OH/OPP. When Dean joins the team, we'll have five pin hitters and four middle hitters. With our history of injuries, I'd like to see us pick up another outside hitter for the fall season. I'm excited to see Mosher as our setter. Barring any late additions to the roster, my projected lineup for the fall season is: Mosher, S Burbage, OPP Collins, MH Bingham, MH Terry, OH Stevenson or De Boer, OH L, Barry DS, Barnes fightingillini.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster
|
|
|
Post by Friday on Jan 19, 2023 17:55:16 GMT -5
The spring roster has been posted. Gregus is now listed as an OH/OPP. When Dean joins the team, we'll have five pin hitters and four middle hitters. With our history of injuries, I'd like to see us pick up another outside hitter for the fall season. I'm excited to see Mosher as our setter. Barring any late additions to the roster, my projected lineup for the fall season is: Mosher, S Burbage, OPP Collins, MH Bingham, MH Terry, OH Stevenson or De Boer, OH L, Barry DS, Barnes fightingillini.com/sports/womens-volleyball/rosterBarnes is listed on roster as a Libero/DS. Barry only as a DS and they will probably use her to attack out of the back row.
|
|
|
Post by mosser on Jan 19, 2023 22:57:06 GMT -5
Not a chance Barry is libero over Barnes.
|
|
|
Post by Del Bocavista on Jan 20, 2023 9:36:39 GMT -5
Not a bad lineup overall, but probably a bit of a struggle in the conference. I think OOC scheduling will be important for Illinois. Need to get a lot of those expecting to be 20-40 RPI teams, and beat them to build up a tournament resume. They'll need to hit the ground running in non-conference.
|
|
|
Post by oldmanvb on Jan 20, 2023 10:56:13 GMT -5
Not a chance Barry is libero over Barnes. I would agree, particularly if they are considering using Barry for back row attacks. Tamas tried it with Kuper, without success, but if at first you don’t succeed……
|
|
|
Post by vbkahuna on Jan 20, 2023 11:23:45 GMT -5
Not a chance Barry is libero over Barnes. I would agree, particularly if they are considering using Barry for back row attacks. Tamas tried it with Kuper, without success, but if at first you don’t succeed…… And yet, I happened to take the road trip to Colorado in 2018 (the Poulter-led Final Four team) when the Illini were getting ambushed by a little-regarded Northern Colorado team and looked like they were about to lose in the 5th set when Kuper suddenly hit a thunderous back row kill and ignited the crowd and the team. They won the next 4 or 5 points and the match. It was unexpected, spectacular, and it may have set the course for that team for the rest of the season. So how do you measure the value of a particular tactic? Works every time? Effective on particular occasions and team mentality? I personally like having and occasionally using a tactic like this (under-sized, unexpected back row attack) to keep the opponents guessing and my team in an aggressive attack mentality. But for 2023, especially with Raina being the ideal 6-ro back row threat, I don't see Barry as a serious back row threat. But would I throw that in for effect on occasion? Heck yeah. Especially in the pre-conference matches.
|
|
|
Post by ilalum92 on Jan 20, 2023 22:23:42 GMT -5
I would agree, particularly if they are considering using Barry for back row attacks. Tamas tried it with Kuper, without success, but if at first you don’t succeed…… And yet, I happened to take the road trip to Colorado in 2018 (the Poulter-led Final Four team) when the Illini were getting ambushed by a little-regarded Northern Colorado team and looked like they were about to lose in the 5th set when Kuper suddenly hit a thunderous back row kill and ignited the crowd and the team. They won the next 4 or 5 points and the match. It was unexpected, spectacular, and it may have set the course for that team for the rest of the season. So how do you measure the value of a particular tactic? Works every time? Effective on particular occasions and team mentality? I personally like having and occasionally using a tactic like this (under-sized, unexpected back row attack) to keep the opponents guessing and my team in an aggressive attack mentality. But for 2023, especially with Raina being the ideal 6-ro back row threat, I don't see Barry as a serious back row threat. But would I throw that in for effect on occasion? Heck yeah. Especially in the pre-conference matches. I agree, throw it in every once and awhile to keep team on their toes. I’m excited to see Dean, DeBoer and Bingham and what they bring. Gregus won’t see time on the OH. I would love an additional OH just to add some depth. Remember Kenzie Knuckles of Nebraska eating us alive with her back row attacks? Maybe Lily Barry can do the same for us.
|
|
|
Post by oldmanvb on Jan 20, 2023 23:35:43 GMT -5
I watched Tyler Brown, a 5’8” outside hitter for Illinois Wesleyan, terrorize D3 schools from the back row for four years. Also a great passer. Three time AVCA 1st team D3 AA. I wondered how she would have fared at UIUC, if the bigger blockers and better back row defenders would have limited her effectiveness from the back row. Perhaps watching Barry hitting from the back row will answer the question to some extent. I always thought Diana Brown, for whatever reason, did not use the potential back row offense as much as she could have. My impression of Mosher is she will be more inclined to take risks and push the envelope. Here’s to hoping Barry terrorizes B1G defenses for the next four years.
|
|
|
Post by ilalum92 on Jan 23, 2023 21:16:50 GMT -5
Rich keep getting richer - PSU picks up Mruzik from MI & Podraza from OSU.
|
|
|
Post by oldmanvb on Jan 24, 2023 8:40:48 GMT -5
Could the Huff floor be rotated 90 degrees so seating could be along walls that don’t have posts? Huff was built for basketball and basketball court length is not needed. With wrestling moving there may be room for rehabbed lockers, meeting rooms, workout space and other amenities along with air-conditioning, at a much lower cost than a new arena. I’m tired af losing recruits and transfers because of our facilities.
|
|
|
Post by pointillinois on Jan 24, 2023 9:57:27 GMT -5
Could the Huff floor be rotated 90 degrees so seating could be along walls that don’t have posts? Huff was built for basketball and basketball court length is not needed. With wrestling moving there may be room for rehabbed lockers, meeting rooms, workout space and other amenities along with air-conditioning, at a much lower cost than a new arena. I’m tired af losing recruits and transfers because of our facilities. Unfortunately, I don't think any facility upgrades are going to happen unless donors step up and earmark $$ specifically for WVB. This is the only reason Wrestling is getting their upgrades. Two families are funding the bulk of it. And if you look at Softball, same thing. They have a very wealthy backer who pays for the upgrades. Currently, all the focus is on NIL for Football and Basketball. I hope I'm wrong, but cosmetic changes are probably it for the foreseeable future. I've basically accepted that Illinois now has a ceiling of 6th in the B1G.
|
|