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Post by trainermch on Sept 27, 2023 14:11:54 GMT -5
Florida and A&M moved to ESPN!!! As noted already in my amazing match thread... |
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Post by vbshrink on Sept 28, 2023 13:18:30 GMT -5
So, everyone on here (and especially frequenters of SEC threads) knows that I'm an Arkansas fan, so there's some obvious bias in this post.
But I just want to point out that the Hogs' success this year is really quite a testament to Jason and his staff (Megan Wargo-Kearney and Macey Donathan, in particular, but that's not intended to shade the current or other past assistants) who assembled the key parts of this roster, and they did so with mostly un- or lightly-heralded kids that other top programs didn't really want.
Jill-Gill - was not ranked in the PV Senior Aces, but was listed among "The 150" outside the top 100 - she's not the only All-American among that 2019 "150" group, either. Those schools that wanted her saw her as a DS/L.
Maggie Cartwright - also not a Senior Ace but listed among "The 150" for 2019; did have some offers to walk-on at B1G programs, I believe. (Ironically, the highest rated recruit of the Hogs' 2019 class was Natalie Perdue, who is now a starter for SMU - go, Nat!!)
Taylor Head - was ranked #85 on the PV Senior Ace list for 2020, and that is the highest-ranked Arkansas recruit of the Watson era until this year (S Logan Jones was #76)
Hannah Hogue - almost nobody knew who she was, some short kid who played for a small club in Ft Smith, Arkansas.
Courtney Jackson - mentioned here and there, but not considered to be among the best DS's of her 2021 recruiting class.
Zoi Evans - pretty sure they first saw Zoi at an uncommitted players showcase tournament.
They do have Sania Petties, who transferred in from MS State, and I confess I don't know too much about her reputation/ranking as a recruit, though I know she played for HJV, which is a very solid program.
Are there any other top 20 programs with zero recruits who were ranked in the top 70 of their class (and no, I'm not trying to say that rankings are good predictors)?
Kudos to Coach Watson and his staff for their collective eye for talent, and their ability to develop players to higher levels. And kudos to the Arkansas administration for not giving up on this staff when they were 5-13 in the SEC in years 3 and 4 of Jason's tenure, and in the next two years when they got edged out of the NCAA tournament. Low drama, slow, steady progression upwards.
I think it's pretty likely that Arkansas will take a step back next year when Gillen and Cartwright (and probably Head?) are all gone, but I like the young talent Arkansas has on the roster right now (but is behind the seniors/super-seniors) and that will be joining the program in the next couple years.
Just a homer Hog appreciation post.
Carry on.
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Post by bustominkus on Sept 28, 2023 14:42:46 GMT -5
You have to hand it to Watson for the work he's done with Gillen, Head and co. They are my favorite team to watch this year. I just hope it doesn't take another 6+ years for Watson to get back to the tournament. I wonder how much of their success is due to the impact of Gillen and the fire she undoubtedly brings onto that team.
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Post by mma40027002 on Sept 28, 2023 15:23:01 GMT -5
You have to hand it to Watson for the work he's done with Gillen, Head and co. They are my favorite team to watch this year. I just hope it doesn't take another 6+ years for Watson to get back to the tournament. I wonder how much of their success is due to the impact of Gillen and the fire she undoubtedly brings onto that team. Jill has always been fierce and strong but definitely had consistency challenges her first few years. She has come so far and has this team right where they need to be. Kudos to her for growing so much and working so hard and hats off to the staff for giving her and this group of veteran players so many opportunities. From good to great to outstanding! Hopefully, they can do the same with the younger players. There’s some talent there but I’m afraid without experience, next year will be a big time rebuilding year. |
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Post by mma40027002 on Sept 28, 2023 15:25:50 GMT -5
The Tennessee team is pretty awesome, too.
I love how it’s looking like the reigns could be passed from Kentucky and Florida to teams like Tennessee and Arkansas!
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Post by vbshrink on Sept 28, 2023 15:27:35 GMT -5
You have to hand it to Watson for the work he's done with Gillen, Head and co. They are my favorite team to watch this year. I just hope it doesn't take another 6+ years for Watson to get back to the tournament. I wonder how much of their success is due to the impact of Gillen and the fire she undoubtedly brings onto that team. Jill has always been fierce and strong but definitely had consistency challenges her first few years. She has come so far and has this team right where they need to be. Kudos to her for growing so much and working so hard and hats off to the staff for giving her and this group of veteran players so many opportunities. From good to great to outstanding! Hopefully, they can do the same with the younger players. There’s some talent there but I’m afraid without experience, next year will be a big time rebuilding year. Agree with you - if Head doesn't take her COVID year, I wonder if they'll try to bring in an experienced pin. Otherwise it's going to be 1st and 2nd year players at all the pin spots. But I hope there's a lot more of this year to enjoy first. |
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Post by vbshrink on Sept 28, 2023 15:28:25 GMT -5
And yes, Tennessee is a great team to watch. Dynamic!!
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trojansc
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Post by trojansc on Sept 28, 2023 15:29:10 GMT -5
Taylor Head has been so good she's been taking out perennial contenders for the Fantasy League title.
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Post by txvb on Sept 28, 2023 16:38:47 GMT -5
They do have Sania Petties, who transferred in from MS State, and I confess I don't know too much about her reputation/ranking as a recruit, though I know she played for HJV, which is a very solid program. Just a homer Hog appreciation post. Carry on. Sania played for Houston Skyline and is a great kid! It’s my opinion that she was a bit underrated coming out of club/HS. She is such a smart player and versatile as well. I always thought she could make a pretty good RS. She has pretty good ball control as well. Anyway, happy to see her doing well for the hogs! |
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Post by bustominkus on Sept 29, 2023 9:28:07 GMT -5
The Tennessee team is pretty awesome, too. I love how it’s looking like the reigns could be passed from Kentucky and Florida to teams like Tennessee and Arkansas! Easy there, no one said Kentucky was going anywhere ; ), still lot's of season(s) to play |
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Post by mma40027002 on Sept 29, 2023 9:37:11 GMT -5
The Tennessee team is pretty awesome, too. I love how it’s looking like the reigns could be passed from Kentucky and Florida to teams like Tennessee and Arkansas! Easy there, no one said Kentucky was going anywhere ; ), still lot's of season(s) to play Not writing Kentucky off or Florida either. They are two great programs who consistently lead the SEC. I just like that there are a few more teams battling to be up there. Kentucky's pre-conference schedule was very tough, but they have already lost to Tennesee once. I know they will continue to grind to try to get back to the top but right now, Tennessee and Arkansas are both playing really well. Makes it a lot more fun to watch when it seems there will be a true battle to the top of the conference this season. Lots of volleyball to play still... |
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Post by jjweb on Sept 29, 2023 11:14:43 GMT -5
Easy there, no one said Kentucky was going anywhere ; ), still lot's of season(s) to play Not writing Kentucky off or Florida either. They are two great programs who consistently lead the SEC. I just like that there are a few more teams battling to be up there. Kentucky's pre-conference schedule was very tough, but they have already lost to Tennesee once. I know they will continue to grind to try to get back to the top but right now, Tennessee and Arkansas are both playing really well. Makes it a lot more fun to watch when it seems there will be a true battle to the top of the conference this season. Lots of volleyball to play still... Any update on Rutherford's injury? |
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Post by mma40027002 on Sept 29, 2023 11:50:10 GMT -5
Not writing Kentucky off or Florida either. They are two great programs who consistently lead the SEC. I just like that there are a few more teams battling to be up there. Kentucky's pre-conference schedule was very tough, but they have already lost to Tennesee once. I know they will continue to grind to try to get back to the top but right now, Tennessee and Arkansas are both playing really well. Makes it a lot more fun to watch when it seems there will be a true battle to the top of the conference this season. Lots of volleyball to play still... Any update on Rutherford's injury? I haven't heard a thing. I hate when players get hurt so I hope it's nothing serious. |
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Post by offthetoprope on Sept 29, 2023 20:45:18 GMT -5
What has happened to the fighting mendoza’s!? That program has just fallen off the map.
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Post by deepsouthfan on Sept 29, 2023 21:44:06 GMT -5
What has happened to the fighting mendoza’s!? That program has just fallen off the map. It’s called recruiting |
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