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Post by pointillinois on Feb 3, 2023 11:59:43 GMT -5
I do think it's important to bring some perspective to our current situation. We've been a very good to average team more often than elite since 2001. Currently, Tamas isn't far off Hambly's average win and the Volleyball landscape has changed dramatically the past couple of years. I can all the years if from 2001 to 2022 if you want. There are quite a few clunkers in there. For reference, my ceiling expectation is generally the Sweet 16. Seasons |
| OW |
| OL |
| CW |
| CL |
| Coach |
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08 |
| 22.3 |
| 10.8 |
| 12.8 |
| 07.3 |
| Hambly | 06 |
| 21.6 |
| 11.2 |
| 11.5 |
| 08.2 |
| Tamas | 08 |
| 19.0 |
| 11.9 |
| 10.3 |
| 09.8 |
| Hardin
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Post by ilalum92 on Feb 3, 2023 13:50:27 GMT -5
I know we were handicapped when Hambly left and Tamas came in as recruiting for the few years after was already locked up & Tamas had to pick from whats left. Thats caused a chain reaction for a few years to come. Abbreviated tourney Covid year, then Sweet 16 year after. This year was a disappointment as we were points away from winning several matches against the Top teams. I didnt like Hambly as a coach but he could recruit. Also, injuries last year killed us. Having Bruna, Ellie & Maddie would definitely have made a difference. We seem to have a higher instance of injuries. Also signing HS athletes who come in with injuries doesnt help.
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Post by oldmanvb on Feb 3, 2023 14:00:12 GMT -5
Our passing has been terrible ever since Alfee left. If I was a top (recruited by Neb, Wis, Minn, tOSU) pin hitter deciding where to go to school I would take a look at the team's passing. It doesn't take much to look at video of UI vs any of the volleyball "elites" to realize I would be hitting a lot of out of system balls compared to the others, and that it wasn't simply a last year's problem. Hate to say it, but until I became confident I would be part of an actual offense I would be reluctant to attend UI. Recruits look at a lot of factors, not simply the selling job done by the head coach. In the current climate I see an awful lot of hurdles to anyone recruiting for UI.
And I agree getting a transfer is not over. We have yet to get a transfer during the winter transfer season. All have come at the end of the school year or the summer.
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Post by exit237a on Feb 3, 2023 15:36:51 GMT -5
Random thought that just dawned on me about potential of us running a 6-2 next season. I've been looking forward to seeing Brooke attack on two as our setter (she takes legit left-handed swings) but she wouldn't be able to do that setting backrow in a 6-2. With our current roster, I have to imagine Brooke would stay on the court as opposite in the front row in a 6-2, so at least she'd get to take some rips as a hitter.
I hope Tamas tries out a few different offenses this spring. At the very least, we gotta see a Mosher 5-1 and the Mosher/May 6-2. Interested to see who we'll play and a little bummed that Purdue isn't among our spring opponents (they just posted their schedule).
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Post by pointillinois on Feb 3, 2023 15:50:51 GMT -5
I'm just hoping for spring matches this year!
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Post by exit237a on Feb 3, 2023 15:55:15 GMT -5
I'm just hoping for spring matches this year! Totally! They better not go canceling 75% of the schedule again as they did last spring.
Especially looking forward to seeing our freshmen and redshirt freshmen get some game reps.
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Post by pointillinois on Feb 3, 2023 15:57:52 GMT -5
I'm just hoping for spring matches this year! Totally! They better not go canceling 75% of the schedule again as they did last spring.
Especially looking forward to seeing our freshmen and redshirt freshmen get some game reps.
I just want at least one match at Huff. The rest can be on the road. C'mon Tamas! Make it happen!
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Post by exit237a on Feb 3, 2023 16:54:37 GMT -5
So TTA picks Wisconsin. They have a logjam at OH. Franklin, Orzol, TTA & Wrobel. Didn’t Tamas offer Wrobel? Maybe she gets cold feet and hits the portal. Come to IL! This was just posted on the Wisconsin thread about Wrobel's prep recruitment (sounds like Tamas did recruit her originally): Anyone know what other programs Wrobel visited during her recruiting process ? Illinois, Nebraska, Florida, Penn State, Northwestern
She should come back to her home state and get some playing time!
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Post by pointillinois on Feb 3, 2023 17:11:14 GMT -5
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Post by oldmanvb on Feb 3, 2023 17:21:27 GMT -5
Illinois has been blessed to have Kennedy a part of its volleyball program, and particularly blessed to have her stay for her covid year. Hopefully the injuries she worked through last year are in the past and she will be able to enjoy her last year of collegiate volleyball.
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Post by badgerguru on Feb 3, 2023 18:01:24 GMT -5
What is Illinois starting line up looking like next year? Any incoming freshman for starting positions?
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Post by exit237a on Feb 3, 2023 18:19:09 GMT -5
What is Illinois starting line up looking like next year? Any incoming freshman for starting positions?
One of our insider fans recently suggested that a 6-2 might be possible this season. Regardless of a 6-2 or 5-1, R-Sophomore Brooke Mosher will be setting. In a 6-2 she's also probably hitting as OPP in the front row.
We're REALLY thin on pins right now! Raina Terry will be playing six rotations again this year and unless Tamas gets another DS/L from the portal, we'll need one of our remaining pins to also play six rotations. That means that one of Kayla Burbage, Sophie Stephenson, or Taylor de Boer would play all the way around. Taylor is a true freshman and Sophie is a redshirt freshman- this spring will shed light on the competition for that second OH spot. Burbage played OPP this past season.
Freshman Lily Barry is expected to start at DS this season.
The two remaining incoming freshmen are MB Gabby Dean and setter Maya Imoto-Eakin. Both will have the opportunity to compete for starting spots. Only one MB slot is locked down and that's Kennedy Collins's, so Gabby will be vying with Sarah Bingham and R-Freshman Cari Bohm for the second slot. If the Illini run a 6-2, Maya will be competing with R-Freshman Bianca May for the second setter role.
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Post by Friday on Feb 3, 2023 18:47:35 GMT -5
Random thought that just dawned on me about potential of us running a 6-2 next season. I've been looking forward to seeing Brooke attack on two as our setter (she takes legit left-handed swings) but she wouldn't be able to do that setting backrow in a 6-2. With our current roster, I have to imagine Brooke would stay on the court as opposite in the front row in a 6-2, so at least she'd get to take some rips as a hitter.
I hope Tamas tries out a few different offenses this spring. At the very least, we gotta see a Mosher 5-1 and the Mosher/May 6-2. Interested to see who we'll play and a little bummed that Purdue isn't among our spring opponents (they just posted their schedule).
May is not a Big10 setter. Barring injury or transfer Mosher will be running a 5-1.
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Post by exit237a on Feb 3, 2023 18:54:03 GMT -5
Random thought that just dawned on me about potential of us running a 6-2 next season. I've been looking forward to seeing Brooke attack on two as our setter (she takes legit left-handed swings) but she wouldn't be able to do that setting backrow in a 6-2. With our current roster, I have to imagine Brooke would stay on the court as opposite in the front row in a 6-2, so at least she'd get to take some rips as a hitter.
I hope Tamas tries out a few different offenses this spring. At the very least, we gotta see a Mosher 5-1 and the Mosher/May 6-2. Interested to see who we'll play and a little bummed that Purdue isn't among our spring opponents (they just posted their schedule).
May is not a Big10 setter. Barring injury or transfer Mosher will be running a 5-1.
I'm definitely partial to the 5-1. I'd also think it would be nice as a setter to just focus on setting in the practice gym, instead of splitting time setting and hitting.
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Post by combes on Feb 4, 2023 0:43:25 GMT -5
It’s looking like a 5-1. The transfer setter they hoped to get has not materialized.
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