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Post by clob on Nov 28, 2023 19:08:12 GMT -5
It's rather clear that this staff will look to the portal to augment the team including departing Libero and MB, while at the same time allowing existing players to step up and take over starting roles (Zeynep and Minatee). With only 2 MBs and 2 DSs (and Elise as back up DS), it's clear they need depth at those 2 positions, unless they pull an Anna Dixon and try to move Sydney to a MB who at 6'4 would certainly be an interesting option. What is unclear to me is Zeynep ready to take on such a massive role as libero on this squad. That is a really big responsibility, and it feels as if she's just now getting comfortable being a 2.5 rotation defender. If a legit graduate option--like Simkens of Western Michigan or Morris of Kansas State--was available that would be interesting. I don't have any stats for top passers/defenders but those 2 stood out as top liberos this year. Totally agree with this. They do probably need to shop for a MB and libero while at the same time seeing who can grow into those roles. If the core group stays next year, it should be fun. It'd also give Swenson a chance to ease into the setter role. |
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Post by ugopher on Nov 28, 2023 19:29:28 GMT -5
No she didn't redshirt. From what I heard, she didn't get approved to start practice/playing until after the preseason started. It was quite the adjustment. She is playing now and is part of the reason why the past month the Gophers have been more consistent. She can be the libero next year but we only have one other DS/libero on the roster. I do think a third middle is more important than a third DS/libero. When Cook finally started using her as a DS, the team got better. Playing without a DS to help Kylie really hurt for most of the season, every great team has both. So we’re looking for a DS next year as Zeynap will be the libero, or is planned to be. I believe the biggest benefit of Zeynep playing more is that they can hide Wucherer in serve receive. Takes some pressure off Wucherer. I feel that some of her offensive struggles were due to her struggles in serve receive. |
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vbln
Sophomore
Posts: 128
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Post by vbln on Nov 28, 2023 19:30:11 GMT -5
No she didn't redshirt. From what I heard, she didn't get approved to start practice/playing until after the preseason started. It was quite the adjustment. She is playing now and is part of the reason why the past month the Gophers have been more consistent. She can be the libero next year but we only have one other DS/libero on the roster. I do think a third middle is more important than a third DS/libero. I kind of disagree, I think this season has proven we need 2 solid DS/liberos to stabilize the backrow. For some reason Gray is not considered for this position so we'll need another one from the portal. This is just as important as another solid middle. the "some reason" is pretty clear IMO - hugh often brought MN kids onto the team who were expected to be role players at most and as a OH in high school I think it was always clear that she wasn't a B1G libero |
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Post by zero-rotation outside hitter on Nov 28, 2023 20:11:03 GMT -5
Get a big middle who can terminate a slide (or one who can terminate anywhere), get a great senior libero transfer (I think Zeynep might do best as a DS another year). Have Zeynep DS for Wucherer (unless McKenna actually starts hitting out of the back row), Stella sets, Mel can DS for Lydia which gives a second pair of hands to run anything if Stella ever takes first ball in front row (sort of like Katie Schau used to do, just with slightly worse hands than Mel). I kind of thought Elise might be able to do that this year but turns out she's abysmal at defense and ball control. She and Skylar transfer.
Voila. Top-team again.
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Post by curiouskg on Nov 28, 2023 20:35:32 GMT -5
I kind of thought Elise might be able to do that this year but turns out she's abysmal at defense and ball control. She and Skylar transfer. Voila. Top-team again. If Elise was going to transfer, she would've been honored at Senior Night, no? |
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Post by Fight On! on Nov 28, 2023 20:37:39 GMT -5
I don't think so. Our biggest concern should be replacing Awoleye and Murr. We are losing a middle and a libero and our incoming class is a setter and an outside. The miss match is due to Covid. I don't know if KCook has two schollarships to work with. I hope so. I don’t know if we can afford Elise as just a one rotation server, or Skylar for that matter. It would be harsh but scholarships could be freed up. I doubt either are on scholarship |
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Post by forvolley on Nov 28, 2023 20:42:48 GMT -5
I don’t know if we can afford Elise as just a one rotation server, or Skylar for that matter. It would be harsh but scholarships could be freed up. I doubt either are on scholarship Then who do you think is? |
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Post by zero-rotation outside hitter on Nov 28, 2023 20:49:30 GMT -5
I kind of thought Elise might be able to do that this year but turns out she's abysmal at defense and ball control. She and Skylar transfer. Voila. Top-team again. If Elise was going to transfer, she would've been honored at Senior Night, no? If she or anyone else planned to transfer, do you think they'd already be making that known before the season was over? |
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Post by curiouskg on Nov 28, 2023 21:32:15 GMT -5
If Elise was going to transfer, she would've been honored at Senior Night, no? If she or anyone else planned to transfer, do you think they'd already be making that known before the season was over? For grad transfers, yes. |
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Post by maigrey on Nov 28, 2023 21:56:06 GMT -5
No she didn't redshirt. From what I heard, she didn't get approved to start practice/playing until after the preseason started. It was quite the adjustment. She is playing now and is part of the reason why the past month the Gophers have been more consistent. She can be the libero next year but we only have one other DS/libero on the roster. I do think a third middle is more important than a third DS/libero. I kind of disagree, I think this season has proven we need 2 solid DS/liberos to stabilize the backrow. For some reason Gray is not considered for this position so we'll need another one from the portal. This is just as important as another solid middle. Sydney Reed from WI is now in the portal! She's great, but I don't think she got enough playing time for us. I'd love to see her go elsewhere and be able to play full time. |
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Post by GoGophs on Nov 29, 2023 8:17:21 GMT -5
I kind of disagree, I think this season has proven we need 2 solid DS/liberos to stabilize the backrow. For some reason Gray is not considered for this position so we'll need another one from the portal. This is just as important as another solid middle. Sydney Reed from WI is now in the portal! She's great, but I don't think she got enough playing time for us. I'd love to see her go elsewhere and be able to play full time. Difficult to know what her ability is since she hasn't really played at Wisco, but you know she's getting plenty of high level reps with that team. I think she'd make for some good DS competition with Zeynep and Gray. Plus, it's only fair that MN gets at least one transfer from WI after all the awesome transfers we've given you guys right? 😅 |
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Post by GoGophs on Nov 29, 2023 8:19:43 GMT -5
I doubt either are on scholarship Then who do you think is? Back up setters and DS's usually don't get scholarships. My guess is Mghie, Gray and Ng are not on scholarship. |
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Post by GoGophs on Nov 29, 2023 8:23:09 GMT -5
Really hoping we can perfect that slide in the off season 🤞 Calissa is such a dynamic athlete. I expect her to continue to ascend. Gobs of upside. Her athleticism is insane. She said she chose MN because of TayMo and if she could get her confidence up to that level she'd be an outstanding player. I was impressed with her playing at the PanAms with USA during the summer too. She had a wicked serve that I hope we start to see more of. |
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Post by GoGophs on Nov 29, 2023 8:59:56 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't think Wurcherer is going anywhere, she just posted she's now a part of Dinkytown Athletes. Add Shaff, Hanson, Crowl and Landfair to that list! All posted something similar yesterday And Mghie, Schnichles and Minatee |
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Post by mplssetter on Nov 29, 2023 9:21:13 GMT -5
Plus, it's only fair that MN gets at least one transfer from WI after all the awesome transfers we've given you guys right? 😅 Let's hold out for one of their starters, not a bench player. Fair is fair. |
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