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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2023 23:09:54 GMT -5
Props to Shane Davis + staff for getting some very solid transfer additions. Excited to watch this team in the fall!
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Post by ballvolley on Mar 20, 2023 23:25:01 GMT -5
Props to Shane Davis + staff for getting some very solid transfer additions. Excited to watch this team in the fall! Agreed. The cupboard was looking a bit bare for a minute, but now he has really good depth at every position. Temi is a rare talent and her skills will be missed and unmatched, but I think the 2023 squad – barring any injuries – could be really fun to watch. Size (Sangiocomo, China, Huseman) where they needed it coupled with a really athletic rising sophomore class and Rousseau as a 4-year starting senior. |
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Post by jackson5vb on Mar 21, 2023 10:53:14 GMT -5
I'm not sure that the incoming is better then the outgoing. TTA is very hard to replace. But Davis is really making an effort!! He should be commended. At least there will be some depth at multiple positions this year.
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Post by InfoBot on Mar 21, 2023 11:13:39 GMT -5
I'm not sure that the incoming is better then the outgoing. TTA is very hard to replace. But Davis is really making an effort!! He should be commended. At least there will be some depth at multiple positions this year. Hopefully for the 'cat's sake, Dodson and Rousseau take their Covid years. Otherwise they'll be down to one MB and one Setter on the roster (and only 9 student-athletes in total) for 2024 without more tranfers or additional 2024 commits. It's also a ways off and the recruiting window hasn't opened for 2025s but there won't be Covid 5th years at that point, so with only 7 currently slated on the roster, let's hope the 2025 (and continued 2024) recruiting campaign is a fruitful one for Davis and Co. As for this fall, if nothing else, by the sounds of it, there will at least be competition for all the starting spots that should help the gym: -DS/L: Stinson (2 year starting DS) v Navarrete (VolleyMag All American) -MB: Husemann & Dodson plus Hill started some matches in nonconference last year -Pins: Chinn/Sangiacomo/Randorf/Hernandez (I believe all can play OH and RS) -Setter: Rosseau v Noordermeer (this one is the most interesting to me) |
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Post by ballvolley on Mar 21, 2023 16:11:49 GMT -5
I'm not sure that the incoming is better then the outgoing. TTA is very hard to replace. But Davis is really making an effort!! He should be commended. At least there will be some depth at multiple positions this year. Hopefully for the 'cat's sake, Dodson and Rousseau take their Covid years. Otherwise they'll be down to one MB and one Setter on the roster (and only 9 student-athletes in total) for 2024 without more tranfers or additional 2024 commits. It's also a ways off and the recruiting window hasn't opened for 2025s but there won't be Covid 5th years at that point, so with only 7 currently slated on the roster, let's hope the 2025 (and continued 2024) recruiting campaign is a fruitful one for Davis and Co. As for this fall, if nothing else, by the sounds of it, there will at least be competition for all the starting spots that should help the gym: -DS/L: Stinson (2 year starting DS) v Navarrete (VolleyMag All American) -MB: Husemann & Dodson plus Hill started some matches in nonconference last year -Pins: Chinn/Sangiacomo/Randorf/Hernandez (I believe all can play OH and RS) -Setter: Rosseau v Noordermeer (this one is the most interesting to me) I wouldn’t count on COVID years for those 2. It’s a big help if they stay but assume they will move on. So with that, 2024 is a big concern. They have 1 commitment (an OH) and unless they have a bunch of talented, uncommitted juniors who needed more time to get through pre-admissions, Davis will need at least 6 transfers and a huge 2025 class. It’s pretty lopsided, which is a big concern. 2023 should be a fun one, but the future =  ? On predictons: Navarrete wins L jersey, Stinson is a starting DS Dodson M1, Huseman M2, Hill lots of time at both Sangiacomo OH1, Randorf OH2, Hernandez first sub Chinn Opp Rousseau S; maybe they try to redshirt Noordemeer again (was the plan last year until Rousseau was hurt) |
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Post by exit237a on Mar 21, 2023 19:04:52 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2023 23:49:35 GMT -5
Game replay of the scrimmage between Northwestern and Purdue
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2023 0:40:36 GMT -5
After watching the full game, here are my thoughts and takeaways:
Big-picture - Purdue wins this 4-0, with 3 sets being 25-16 or worse. Definitely not a great performance by the Cats. That being said, Purdue looks absolutely lethal with Chicoine and Hudson on the outside, and with an improving Colvin, Schmmerhorn and others, was incredibly impressive throughout. On the contrary, Northwestern only has 9 players on its roster right now, so there were definitely holes due to our lack of depth.
Overall team performance - Didn't expect too much, but still thought our performance was underwhelming - outside of a late stretch in the 4th set, Purdue was soundly the better team. After the departure of TTA, Miller, Becker, and more, the squad understandably is still trying to replace plenty of its lost parts. A particular area of concern is our serve-receive and passing. Here, our OHs/setters were pretty poor, and I have to apologize to Lesiak for all my criticism of her, as I now understand why Shane Davis played her 6R.
Now, would like to dive into some individual performances, based roughly in order of how much I want to talk about them.
Kennedy Hill (MB) - To me, not only the player that impressed me the most, but also Northwestern's best player of the match. After playing only 4 sets all of last season, Hill was energetic, sparky, and hit with venom and velocity. When she received strong sets, she made the most of her opportunity, and had numerous impressive kills. With such little gametime, Hill wasn't consistently defensively sound; that shouldn't take away from a superb outing.
Alexa Rousseau (S) - Unfortunately, can't say the same about Rousseau. To put it bluntly... Rousseau wasn't great. Imprecise sets all match, slow movements and timid defense, along with an astounding inability to block given her height. Had very little control of the offense. I've been on record saying that Rousseau was a top 3 setter in the Big Ten and that she was clear of Noordermeer; she was nowhere near that quality this match. I'd love to write this game off as a one-off, but playing like this puts her starting position in serious jeopardy.
Kathryn Randorf (OH/OPP) - Took over the TTA role and was the focal point of Northwestern's attack all afternoon. She's developing a fierce power serve, though that is very much in the works. Randorf's power seems to have increased from last year and was trying all sorts of new shots, but struggled to deal with the Purdue block as they fixated on her. This season will be a season of growth, as Randorf progresses to be an all-conference player.
Ellee Stinson (DS/L) - With Miller departing, Stinson was the only player who was solid in the back-row. She performed exactly as expected - an underrated DS who's sure to receive more playing time next year. However, with a very strong libero recruit in Gigi Navarrette joining in the summer, I don't think she's solidified the starting libero job. If I were a betting man, I'd say Navarrette takes control of the position by mid-season.
Sienna Nordeermeer (S) - Was the better setter today. Sets were mostly of pinpoint accuracy in the limited game time she had. Did struggle a bit in serve-receive. Would love to see her challenge Rousseau to become Northwestern's starting setter.
Averie Hernandez (OH) - As a huge Hernandez fan who thought she was underutilized, this match showed that she perhaps wasn't ready for the spotlight last year. Hernandez had a number of beautiful roll shots, and a couple of mighty power swings, but never posed any massive threat. Similar to Noordermeer, appeared to struggle in defensive duties. Hope she makes a jump in her 2nd year.
Leilani Dodson (MB) - Highly recruited out of HS and within the transfer portal, Dodson hasn't been the game changer Northwestern wanted her to me. This game more or less proves the same. Dodson has an established slide game; unfortunately, it's rather predictable. Her play simply hasn't evolved or advanced much since arriving on campus, and from the eye test, Hill is a better option right now. I expect the MB competition to be fierce this year between Dodson, Hill, and transfer Ellie Husemann; personally, I'd prefer the latter 2.
Ariel Amaya and Natalie Chizzo (OHs) - Both walk-ons who played sparringly; of the two, Amaya was more impressive.
Recap - Young team with lots of room to grow. More work is needed than I originally anticipated.
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Post by provolley365 on Apr 3, 2023 1:17:10 GMT -5
I was hoping things were going to be better for the cats but I am keeping the faith. Thanks for the takeaways.
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Post by ballvolley on Apr 4, 2023 0:28:22 GMT -5
I was hoping things were going to be better for the cats but I am keeping the faith. Thanks for the takeaways. Folks… it’s spring. They have three significant transfers coming in, and played a match with people playing new positions (Randorf, Stinson), starting for the first (Hernandez, Kennedy), and a walk-on playing a not typical position (Amaya). All will be well. I do agree that, despite years of experience, Dodson is pretty flat. My hope would be Kennedy for offense and spark and Husemann for defense. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2023 0:47:01 GMT -5
I was hoping things were going to be better for the cats but I am keeping the faith. Thanks for the takeaways. Folks… it’s spring. They have three significant transfers coming in, and played a match with people playing new positions (Randorf, Stinson), starting for the first (Hernandez, Kennedy), and a walk-on playing a not typical position (Amaya). All will be well. I do agree that, despite years of experience, Dodson is pretty flat. My hope would be Kennedy for offense and spark and Husemann for defense. Absolutely - lot's of time for Shane Davis and staff to fine tune things and bring the team up to speed for the new season. Many of the weaknesses I mentioned are patched by incoming players: Sangiacomo and Chinn at OH/OPP, Husemann at MB, and Navarrette at L/DS. |
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Post by practicesafesets on Apr 4, 2023 20:28:07 GMT -5
Northwestern vs Purdue
Hernandez was a mess, Chinn might beat her out
Hill was surprisingly good, Dodson was soso
Nordermeer was quick with good hands
Randorf looks promising
Also Chloe Chicoine is so fun to watch
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2023 22:07:57 GMT -5
Northwestern vs PurdueHernandez was a mess, Chinn might beat her out Hill was surprisingly good, Dodson was soso Nordermeer was quick with good hands Randorf looks promising Also Chloe Chicoine is so fun to watch Hernandez was atrocious in the earlier sets, but solid in 3-4 imo. She should be behind both Sangiacomo and Chinn in the depth chart. Chicoine is insane. Never seen a 5'10 OH play like someone who's 6'4 |
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Post by ballvolley on Apr 14, 2023 20:17:24 GMT -5
Northwestern vs PurdueHernandez was a mess, Chinn might beat her out Hill was surprisingly good, Dodson was soso Nordermeer was quick with good hands Randorf looks promising Also Chloe Chicoine is so fun to watch Hernandez was atrocious in the earlier sets, but solid in 3-4 imo. She should be behind both Sangiacomo and Chinn in the depth chart. Chicoine is insane. Never seen a 5'10 OH play like someone who's 6'4 Agree re; Chicoine, but 5’10 is generous! |
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Post by ballvolley on May 12, 2023 23:21:23 GMT -5
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