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Post by oldmanvb on Jul 27, 2023 16:01:43 GMT -5
Taking into account the fact I felt last year’s team underperformed, I think the roster contains enough talent to win all of the first 8 matches. The toughest match will be Wichita State, with a solid core of returning players. I don’t know much about their transfers, but experience never hurts. Oklahoma is somewhat of a mystery with their terrific freshman class and a new coach, but early in the season they will still be learning about each other. Notre Dame is way down and shows no sign of moving back to respectability. The remainder.consists of programs who in their best years should not be able to compete with us at any time.
I was encouraged by the one exhibition I saw in the spring. If Mosher can improve her placement, her inclination to run a faster offense with more variety in the middle will work to our advantage — I’m a big believer in running a fast offense. The years of Hambly’s moon ball offense were not my favorite.
Hopefully Collins will return to her junior year play before her injury, and that her injury has healed. I think we make the tournament last year if Collins was healthy.
I’m counting on Terry being able to take advantage of blockers being forced to focus on other hitters, a function of a faster offense, a healthy Collins, and better passing. A faster and more diverse offense will also help Burbage. I was encouraged by DeBoer.
Finally, and most important, there is no way our passing is not significantly improved versus last season.
You tell me. Am I viewing all of this too optimistically as an Illinois fan or is there a basis for my optimism?
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Post by pointillinois on Jul 27, 2023 16:12:25 GMT -5
There is no such thing as too much optimism in the preseason!
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Post by exit237a on Jul 27, 2023 16:26:23 GMT -5
Taking into account the fact I felt last year’s team underperformed, I think the roster contains enough talent to win all of the first 8 matches. The toughest match will be Wichita State, with a solid core of returning players. I don’t know much about their transfers, but experience never hurts. Oklahoma is somewhat of a mystery with their terrific freshman class and a new coach, but early in the season they will still be learning about each other. Notre Dame is way down and shows no sign of moving back to respectability. The remainder.consists of programs who in their best years should not be able to compete with us at any time. I was encouraged by the one exhibition I saw in the spring. If Mosher can improve her placement, her inclination to run a faster offense with more variety in the middle will work to our advantage — I’m a big believer in running a fast offense. The years of Hambly’s moon ball offense were not my favorite. Hopefully Collins will return to her junior year play before her injury, and that her injury has healed. I think we make the tournament last year if Collins was healthy. I’m counting on Terry being able to take advantage of blockers being forced to focus on other hitters, a function of a faster offense, a healthy Collins, and better passing. A faster and more diverse offense will also help Burbage. I was encouraged by DeBoer. Finally, and most important, there is no way our passing is not significantly improved versus last season. You tell me. Am I viewing all of this too optimistically as an Illinois fan or is there a basis for my optimism? All sounds pretty well-reasoned to me. Thanks for the thoughtful response! I think your experience as a player and long-tenured fan of the game means you're better positioned than I am to assess performance and potential in new players. I played for fun in middle school and volleyball was not one of my main sports- my serious volleyball fandom is in its infancy. I'm reluctant to make any predictions about this team and their upcoming season, with two key positions (setter and OH) being filled by new players. I was impressed by them this spring in the couple matches I got to attend but I just don't have the same volleyball background to forecast how things are going to come together. For one, I don't know enough about mechanics or offensive schemes to know how to compare setters in any meaningful way. With no real expectations for this team, I'm just looking forward to watching their growth as a unit and as individuals as the season progresses. If that growth translates to more wins than losses then that's icing on the cake.
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Post by pointillinois on Jul 28, 2023 14:00:03 GMT -5
Way to go Raina! CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois senior outside hitter Raina Terry received Big Ten Preseason Honors, the league announced on Friday. Terry is one of 15 conference student-athletes to earn the accolade. Terry receives the recognition for the second time in her career. The outside hitter was a unanimous Big Ten first-team selection following her junior season. The Marengo, Ohio, native joined an elite group of 32 Illini players who have earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Northeast All-Region honors. Last season, Terry led the Orange and Blue with 444 kills and 4.07 kills per set. The outside hitter paced the Big Ten with 363 points during conference play, averaging 3.04 points per set. During her junior campaign, Terry recorded over 20 kills on three separate occasions, all during Big Ten play. She tallied a season-high 24 kills against both Purdue (Sept. 30) and Penn State (Oct. 26). Her first effort came against Maryland on Sept. 23, when she logged 20 kills in a four-set battle on the road. Entering her senior season, Terry sits 22nd all-time in the Illini record books with 1,095 kills. She also ranks ninth in service aces, amassing 128, so far, at Illinois. Source: fightingillini.com/news/2023/7/28/volleyball-terry-earns-preseason-big-ten-honors.aspx
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Post by exit237a on Jul 28, 2023 14:32:48 GMT -5
Way to go Raina! CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois senior outside hitter Raina Terry received Big Ten Preseason Honors, the league announced on Friday. Terry is one of 15 conference student-athletes to earn the accolade. Terry receives the recognition for the second time in her career. The outside hitter was a unanimous Big Ten first-team selection following her junior season. The Marengo, Ohio, native joined an elite group of 32 Illini players who have earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Northeast All-Region honors. Last season, Terry led the Orange and Blue with 444 kills and 4.07 kills per set. The outside hitter paced the Big Ten with 363 points during conference play, averaging 3.04 points per set. During her junior campaign, Terry recorded over 20 kills on three separate occasions, all during Big Ten play. She tallied a season-high 24 kills against both Purdue (Sept. 30) and Penn State (Oct. 26). Her first effort came against Maryland on Sept. 23, when she logged 20 kills in a four-set battle on the road. Entering her senior season, Terry sits 22nd all-time in the Illini record books with 1,095 kills. She also ranks ninth in service aces, amassing 128, so far, at Illinois. Source: fightingillini.com/news/2023/7/28/volleyball-terry-earns-preseason-big-ten-honors.aspxCongrats, Raina! Also the photo and graphic they used in their tweet is rad v v v
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Post by ilalum92 on Jul 28, 2023 16:32:44 GMT -5
Way to go Raina! CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois senior outside hitter Raina Terry received Big Ten Preseason Honors, the league announced on Friday. Terry is one of 15 conference student-athletes to earn the accolade. Terry receives the recognition for the second time in her career. The outside hitter was a unanimous Big Ten first-team selection following her junior season. The Marengo, Ohio, native joined an elite group of 32 Illini players who have earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Northeast All-Region honors. Last season, Terry led the Orange and Blue with 444 kills and 4.07 kills per set. The outside hitter paced the Big Ten with 363 points during conference play, averaging 3.04 points per set. During her junior campaign, Terry recorded over 20 kills on three separate occasions, all during Big Ten play. She tallied a season-high 24 kills against both Purdue (Sept. 30) and Penn State (Oct. 26). Her first effort came against Maryland on Sept. 23, when she logged 20 kills in a four-set battle on the road. Entering her senior season, Terry sits 22nd all-time in the Illini record books with 1,095 kills. She also ranks ninth in service aces, amassing 128, so far, at Illinois. Source: fightingillini.com/news/2023/7/28/volleyball-terry-earns-preseason-big-ten-honors.aspxCongrats, Raina! Also the photo and graphic they used in their tweet is rad v v v [img alt="" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2JKS4dWsAcEfO3? format=jpg&name=large" style="max-width:100%;"] She was robbed of AA Honors last year. I hope she goes on a revenge tour this season.
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Post by exit237a on Jul 28, 2023 16:34:08 GMT -5
Congrats, Raina! Also the photo and graphic they used in their tweet is rad v v v [img alt="" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2JKS4dWsAcEfO3? format=jpg&name=large" style="max-width:100%;"] She was robbed of AA Honors last year. I hope she goes on a revenge tour this season. You and me both, alum! Can't wait to see them play. T-minus four weeks...
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Post by volleyaudience on Jul 28, 2023 16:34:55 GMT -5
Revenge Tour 23. Love it.
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Post by Pasquale on Jul 28, 2023 16:44:27 GMT -5
I’d like to see Terry and others recognized at the end of the season, including Mosher, Collins and DeBoer. I think they are all capable of being very good and it would mean we’ve had a successful season. Go Illini!
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Post by ilalum92 on Jul 28, 2023 17:43:38 GMT -5
I think this season we are going to surprise a lot of teams!
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Post by illini88 on Jul 28, 2023 17:54:29 GMT -5
I’m on board!
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Post by oldmanvb on Jul 28, 2023 22:49:50 GMT -5
And to think she can play for another two years!!
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Post by liberovb10 on Jul 28, 2023 23:13:51 GMT -5
I kind of want to go see the USC game in West Lafayette….would be fun to see a future B1G matchup this year.
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Post by exit237a on Jul 29, 2023 15:33:46 GMT -5
Here's the remaining three intro videos for our new 2023 Illini- welcome to C-U, all!
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Post by exit237a on Jul 29, 2023 15:40:12 GMT -5
And to think she can play for another two years!! You mean one more year after 2023, right?
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