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Post by robtearle on Dec 18, 2022 22:21:37 GMT -5
Orzol could pull a reverse Nunneviller if there are stress fractures again. But I think her problem was more about setting, and being OOS a lot against a set block a lot of the year. Franklin has the advantage of being 6'4 in those situations. I also don't think she is quite as quick as GG in defense, and she is really smart are taking shots that get the other team out of system. But throwing Orzol in at libero in a 6-2 won't help anything if the two remaining passers can't pass better. That has to be the big emphasis this spring and summer - get more dependable passing from Franklin and GG, so that servers can't just ignore the best passer. I'd like teams to be forced to go to Orzol in an attempt to wear her down. The team has to be in system more. Also, the sets have to be better when the badgers are in system. The setters improved a lot over the year. They need to keep that progress up. Very much this. We can have all the offensive weapons in the world but it doesn’t work if we can’t get them the ball. Speaking of, watching Akana last night reminded me of how much I liked her game when she was at Nebraska and a kind of player I wish we can bring in and or recruit defensively. Great server, good in serve receive and will just fly all over the court not letting the ball drop. "...but it doesn’t work..." I guess I have to keep reminding you guys... They won the B1G championship, and were two points from making the Final Four. Most people would think what they did "worked" pretty well. |
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Post by badgerbreath on Dec 18, 2022 22:23:38 GMT -5
Orzol hit for a slightly better percentage this year than last, had slightly more blocks and a better blocks per set than last year, a slightly better digs per set than last year, and a better ace/error serve ratio. And exactly the same "serve reception percent". So... I agree she played better this year, even without Hilley setting her. I do worry about stress fractures. They often recur. She dropped off as the season went on. I think the more general concern is that we're not getting enough production on the LS in absolute terms to make the next step even with those improvements. To my mind, Demps in the portal means we are definitely going to a 6-2 again. The question is how can the badgers improve in the 6-2 so they can get back to the final 4. It's clear that they need to pass and set better. The question is how they get there. IMO, Orzol going to libero only makes sense if the next OH in line can pass better than GG. I'd have to be convinced. I think GG can get better, just like Barnes and Clark did. She's only a freshman. Others are more doubtful. |
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Post by robtearle on Dec 18, 2022 22:41:33 GMT -5
Orzol hit for a slightly better percentage this year than last, had slightly more blocks and a better blocks per set than last year, a slightly better digs per set than last year, and a better ace/error serve ratio. And exactly the same "serve reception percent". So... She dropped off as the season went on. Because there were four NCAA matches, I did the hitting numbers for five groups of four B1G matches and then the NCAA matches. Her hitting percentages for those were .200, .205, .134, .216, .215, .102 For the NCAAs, she had average-good matches against TCU and Pitt (.214 and .206) and not good matches against Quinnipiac and Penn State (.000 and -.032) If you want to make a generalization that only holds up so-so, she had fewer swings as the season went on. That might actually a good sign overall; that could be because the setters got more comfortable and so threw fewer high balls to the left while scrambling. But the idea that she "dropped off as the season went on" just is not supported by the numbers. |
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Post by SportyBucky on Dec 18, 2022 23:22:01 GMT -5
Very much this. We can have all the offensive weapons in the world but it doesn’t work if we can’t get them the ball. Speaking of, watching Akana last night reminded me of how much I liked her game when she was at Nebraska and a kind of player I wish we can bring in and or recruit defensively. Great server, good in serve receive and will just fly all over the court not letting the ball drop. "...but it doesn’t work..." I guess I have to keep reminding you guys... They won the B1G championship, and were two points from making the Final Four. Most people would think what they did "worked" pretty well. You have to do no such thing. People are hungry to win and with teams like Texas raising the bar with both recruiting and transfers, we're discussing ways to improve. You're welcome to point out whatever you want but it's clear we could use better passing. We could use better setting. We could use a more terminal OH. We could use an outside hitter who is consistently good in more than one phase of the game. There is a distinct difference between the outsides at Texas, Stanford and Louisville and us. Their liberos were heads and shoulders above ours and GG won't ever be that good. To not acknowledge weaknesses because we were two points away from a final four is 🙄 |
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Post by robtearle on Dec 18, 2022 23:30:40 GMT -5
"...but it doesn’t work..." I guess I have to keep reminding you guys... They won the B1G championship, and were two points from making the Final Four. Most people would think what they did "worked" pretty well. You have to do no such thing. People are hungry to win and with teams like Texas raising the bar with both recruiting and transfers, we're discussing ways to improve. You're welcome to point out whatever you want but it's clear we could use better passing. We could use better setting. We could use a more terminal OH. We could use an outside hitter who is consistently good in more than one phase of the game. There is a distinct difference between the outsides at Texas, Stanford and Louisville and us. Their liberos were heads and shoulders above ours and GG won't ever be that good. To not acknowledge weaknesses because we were two points away from a final four is 🙄 Looking for ways to improve is fine. What I am objecting to - and will continue to do object to - is stuff like "it doesn't work" and that we need "game-changers" and someone to "come to the rescue", etc. Because "it did work" and we don't need anyone to "rescue" anything. |
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Post by Badger Alum on Dec 19, 2022 0:24:36 GMT -5
Looking forward to 2023, I think our biggest areas that need to be upgraded are:
1. Serve receive
2. Setting
Our serve receive almost cost us the match vs Penn State but our block was phenomenal. It covered up our passing. The Pitt match was soooooo frustrating to watch. We'd get momentum and then shank a pass badly. We need to get significantly better there. I don't know if that means a different L or not. But we need better passing from whomever is our L and our OH have to pass better too. Or they need to be subbed out for a DS. That has to be priority #1.
Our setting was below average for the year (for Big 10 standards). This was especially true early in the year. It improved as the year moved on, but it still was not a positive. I would love a 4 year setter in the portal that was available for 1 year to serve as a bridge to Charlie Fuerbringer. Seems like Podraza would be a perfect match for 1 year. I love Izzy but she's not an elite Big 10 setter. MJ is well below average.
If we improve our passing and get a more athletic setter, I really, really like our team construction for next year.
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Post by rainbowbadger on Dec 19, 2022 6:00:57 GMT -5
Is there a setter in the portal you think we have a shot at getting? Better question: is there a setter in the portal who’d be an upgrade? Just to be clear: I don’t see Sheff going after a setter in the portal unless it’s someone who’s content to be a backup. Unless a stud comes along who’s good enough to displace Izzy and MJ, I think that we keep on keeping on with the 6-2. We don’t have real true need for a backup until 2025. |
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Post by volleyball90 on Dec 19, 2022 9:04:46 GMT -5
"...but it doesn’t work..." I guess I have to keep reminding you guys... They won the B1G championship, and were two points from making the Final Four. Most people would think what they did "worked" pretty well. You have to do no such thing. People are hungry to win and with teams like Texas raising the bar with both recruiting and transfers, we're discussing ways to improve. You're welcome to point out whatever you want but it's clear we could use better passing. We could use better setting. We could use a more terminal OH. We could use an outside hitter who is consistently good in more than one phase of the game. There is a distinct difference between the outsides at Texas, Stanford and Louisville and us. Their liberos were heads and shoulders above ours and GG won't ever be that good. To not acknowledge weaknesses because we were two points away from a final four is 🙄 I don't know if its fair to say GG will never be that good. Give the true freshmen a break. I've been quite critical of GG all year, but its clear she has talent and potential. I remember Clarke looking quite so-so her first year at Wisconsin before improving greatly after that. GG is not only a true frosh but she arrived to Wisconsin just before the season began. I do have faith that she has the most upside of any player at Wisconsin. Now hoping for improvement with Izzy or MJ, ehhh that is wishful thinking. I guess they could get better chemistry with their hitters with another off season. |
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Post by Wiswell on Dec 19, 2022 9:48:31 GMT -5
I'm not suggesting we lower our standards, but the total point difference against Pitt was just two points.
It's hard to win a championship. Even harder to do it back to back.
PSU made it look easy, but they had talent like no other.
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Post by vbdiva2 on Dec 19, 2022 9:52:42 GMT -5
Better question: is there a setter in the portal who’d be an upgrade? Just to be clear: I don’t see Sheff going after a setter in the portal unless it’s someone who’s content to be a backup. Unless a stud comes along who’s good enough to displace Izzy and MJ, I think that we keep on keeping on with the 6-2. We don’t have real true need for a backup until 2025. and he’s that stubborn that he won’t take anyone, trust me, he’s turned some some very interested setters and they were ghosted via email |
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Post by SportyBucky on Dec 19, 2022 9:58:20 GMT -5
You have to do no such thing. People are hungry to win and with teams like Texas raising the bar with both recruiting and transfers, we're discussing ways to improve. You're welcome to point out whatever you want but it's clear we could use better passing. We could use better setting. We could use a more terminal OH. We could use an outside hitter who is consistently good in more than one phase of the game. There is a distinct difference between the outsides at Texas, Stanford and Louisville and us. Their liberos were heads and shoulders above ours and GG won't ever be that good. To not acknowledge weaknesses because we were two points away from a final four is 🙄 I don't know if its fair to say GG will never be that good. Give the true freshmen a break. I've been quite critical of GG all year, but its clear she has talent and potential. I remember Clarke looking quite so-so her first year at Wisconsin before improving greatly after that. GG is not only a true frosh but she arrived to Wisconsin just before the season began. I do have faith that she has the most upside of any player at Wisconsin. Now hoping for improvement with Izzy or MJ, ehhh that is wishful thinking. I guess they could get better chemistry with their hitters with another off season. I have confidence saying she will never be Zoe Fleck or Scott. Sorry. I believe passing is not a skill easily learned. If it was, you'd see a lot more 6 rotation outsides. Passing is likely the hardest skill to master and requires so much hand-eye I just don't see it happening. Long line of players who have tried...and failed in mastering passing. Hope she proves me wrong. |
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Post by skinny on Dec 19, 2022 10:03:49 GMT -5
Badgers had me freaked out last night. A few players started adding a MB from North Dakota State to their Instagrams. Think the player is just a friend though. I think. You never know. Sheff would be the guy that when everybody else is bringing in big names hes looking for good teammates, hard workers, glue girl type players from smaller universities to add to the team.
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Post by robtearle on Dec 19, 2022 10:06:49 GMT -5
Badgers had me freaked out last night. A few players started adding a MB from North Dakota State to their Instagrams. Think the player is just a friend though. I think. You never know. Sheff would be the guy that when everybody else is bringing in big names hes looking for good teammates, hard workers, glue girl type players from smaller universities to add to the team. Yeah, I saw your post before you took it down, so I looked around a bit. She's from Verona, her brother is on the rowing team at UW, he played VB in high school. He could be a practice player for the VB team, or somebody's boyfriend, etc, etc. |
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Post by badgersinsix on Dec 19, 2022 10:17:23 GMT -5
Badgers had me freaked out last night. A few players started adding a MB from North Dakota State to their Instagrams. Think the player is just a friend though. I think. You never know. Sheff would be the guy that when everybody else is bringing in big names hes looking for good teammates, hard workers, glue girl type players from smaller universities to add to the team. Really? Like Sarah Franklin? CC? Lauren Barnes? |
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Post by badgersinsix on Dec 19, 2022 10:19:25 GMT -5
I don't know if its fair to say GG will never be that good. Give the true freshmen a break. I've been quite critical of GG all year, but its clear she has talent and potential. I remember Clarke looking quite so-so her first year at Wisconsin before improving greatly after that. GG is not only a true frosh but she arrived to Wisconsin just before the season began. I do have faith that she has the most upside of any player at Wisconsin. Now hoping for improvement with Izzy or MJ, ehhh that is wishful thinking. I guess they could get better chemistry with their hitters with another off season. I have confidence saying she will never be Zoe Fleck or Scott. Sorry. I believe passing is not a skill easily learned. If it was, you'd see a lot more 6 rotation outsides. Passing is likely the hardest skill to master and requires so much hand-eye I just don't see it happening. Long line of players who have tried...and failed in mastering passing. Hope she proves me wrong. Didn’t Tiffany Clark and Lauren Barnes improve their passing season over season with the Badgers? |
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