Kansas 2023

[buttery]

Sept 14, 2023 13:26:20 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Sept 13, 2023 10:00:40 GMT -5 buttery said:

Very easy win for Kansas over Oral Roberts last night. Oral Roberts really tried to push the issue on the service line in a high-risk high-reward strategy…unfortunately for them they had 3 aces to 13 service errors (!).

Pretty much everyone got involved after set 1 for the Jayhawks. Schneider is being used as the second RS - definitely a big blocking presence and I kind of expected her in the middle so it was nice to see some offense out of her too. I think it’s interesting though that they are investing in her at RS because KU will again need a middle with Onabanjo next year.

Speaking of, Onabanjo is so impressive - so much energy and athleticism. Really big transfer for the Jayhawks that is a big presence both offensively and defensively.

On the other hand, I would say Myers is a step below Langs/Dooley last year. She can’t really run the slide and the connection between her and Turner isn’t great right now. Defensively, not really a huge blocking force either (though she does get positive touches at the net). For now they mostly just need a solid second MB, but may be concerning against top conference teams like Texas and BYU.

Can’t say it enough so I’ll say it again, but Burns is so so good. I think about half the teams in the Top 25 would take her as their libero and it’s crazy to think she’s probably going to get better since she’s only a freshman. So many digs that keep Kansas in-system in transition (kudos to Bien too) and with Turner setting it’s a magical combo.

Hopefully nothing happens, but Swanson could probably replace Cooper if needed - she’s probably more athletic and reminds me a little bit of Jada Burse just hitting over blocks. Of course, this is a player that had 14 kills hitting .286 vs Nebraska. Makes sense that they go to Cooper given experience, but the 4 OHs for Kansas are a big luxury that we’ve never had before.

Finally, I was wrong on Farris - they played her the last two points of the match as a SS for Burns. She’s clearly just on the team for leadership and to share her veteran experience, which makes sense because it feels like she’s been there for 10 years at this point. McCarthy was the only ones who didn’t see the floor (and sets 2 and 3 really weren’t close…set 3 was closer because KU essentially played their second string the whole set), so I imagine she’s redshirting.

Sure looks like Schneider is being groomed to be a RS.  I was thinking a different direction for this year - but long term, RS is a huge need for this program.  

Reese Ptacek and Zoey Burgess will be on the team next year - and there is no doubt in my mind that at least one of them will be good enough to start for KU.  What is unclear when looking at the pipeline - who is going to be the RS once Davis leaves after next year?  Not to mention - who is the primary backup or make shift 6-2 option this year and next?  It now looks like Schnieder is the 1st option as of now.

The 2024 KU roster is going to be stacked - but here is what the 2025 roster looks like as of now assuming no transfers and based on eligibility:

Setter:  Dalton (SR), Cook (FR)

OH: Elnady (SR+), Swanson (SR), Nelson (SO), Dean (SO)

MB: Ptacek (SO), Burgess (SO), Aiono (JR)

RS: Schnieder (JR)

L/DS: Burns (JR), Kirsch (SR), Devers (SO), McCarthy (?)

There is no certainty that Elnady sticks around for a 6th year.  I will be shocked if Nelson isn't starting by at least her Sophomore year.  Dean is a potential RS.

They will be losing after the 2024 season: Turner, Bien, Davis, Onabanjo - there is room needed on this roster from the 2025 class.

Hope Nelson’s passing is good because that’s my only concern when I look at those OHs. Won’t McGehe be a RS
-SR this year too since she redshirted freshman year?

[buttery]

KU rounded out their non-conference with a handful of RPI killer snoozers against Bellarmine (D2 to D1 school), UNH, and Texas State. Bellarmine and UNH were great to see the depth from this team and getting other players on the court - only the Texas State game looked like we had to play our starters most of the game.

Never in a million years did it look like KU would drop a set - just too in system and sided-out above 64% in all but 1 set (57% against UNH with subs in). Even despite essentially playing our bench, the team hit over .300 in each match and held teams to below .160.

I’ll have to look at the Purdue game again, but if this team wins the serve and pass game (and it looks like they usually will), then it can compete with anyone. Not only is the serve receive great, but the serving puts a lot of stress on teams.

If only we had better blocking - last year we averaged 2.60 blocks per set, and this includes conference and post-season play with better opponents. Right now we’re only averaging 2.1 and we can expect this to go down quite a bit over conference. Against Texas State specifically, I really was left wanting more from Myers specifically - lots of balls got through the block. If teams do pass in-system and run a fast tempo offense it’s going to be problematic.

Last observation - Dalton looks very solid in serve receive so I think we’ll see her regularly at the RS DS. Not that we have a fantastic second RS option (though they had Swanson there against Texas State for a stint), but we essentially stay in-system if Turner takes the first contact when she’s front-row. With her being quite good, I don’t know who opponents target because Elnady, Bien, and Burns have looked very good overall.

[bluepenquin]

Sept 17, 2023 10:24:22 GMT -5 buttery said:

KU rounded out their non-conference with a handful of RPI killer snoozers against Bellarmine (D2 to D1 school), UNH, and Texas State. Bellarmine and UNH were great to see the depth from this team and getting other players on the court - only the Texas State game looked like we had to play our starters most of the game.

Never in a million years did it look like KU would drop a set - just too in system and sided-out above 64% in all but 1 set (57% against UNH with subs in). Even despite essentially playing our bench, the team hit over .300 in each match and held teams to below .160.

I’ll have to look at the Purdue game again, but if this team wins the serve and pass game (and it looks like they usually will), then it can compete with anyone. Not only is the serve receive great, but the serving puts a lot of stress on teams.

If only we had better blocking - last year we averaged 2.60 blocks per set, and this includes conference and post-season play with better opponents. Right now we’re only averaging 2.1 and we can expect this to go down quite a bit over conference. Against Texas State specifically, I really was left wanting more from Myers specifically - lots of balls got through the block. If teams do pass in-system and run a fast tempo offense it’s going to be problematic.

Last observation - Dalton looks very solid in serve receive so I think we’ll see her regularly at the RS DS. Not that we have a fantastic second RS option (though they had Swanson there against Texas State for a stint), but we essentially stay in-system if Turner takes the first contact when she’s front-row. With her being quite good, I don’t know who opponents target because Elnady, Bien, and Burns have looked very good overall.

Bellarmine and Oral Roberts are RPI killers for sure.  Texas State may get KU the scheduling bonus and are good for the RPI along with New Hampshire.

The connection between Myers and Turner isn't good - and this needs to get fixed.  I don't think this is all on Myers.  Myers has been a very good P5 MB for many years now - I expect her contributions to increase going forward - it would make a difference.

I am not has concerned about the block - I knew it was likely to be like this.  I very much like the tradeoff for better floor defense (would love to have both).  And the serve receive is just outstanding in every game that has been on TV.  That is huge towards their potential the rest of the season.

If London Davis and Onabanjo are able to add tipping to their game - that could be impactful.  Davis was just great this weekend.

I am still concerned about Cooper in serve receive - I would rather see a 2 person receive when Cooper and Davis are on the front row.

I am not fully convinced on Dalton's passing - although I am intrigued.  All things being equal - she is a sizeable upgrade because of the setting capabilities.  Anyway - I am not big on her platform on serve receive (she is looks very stiff and upright) - but the results seem to be good enough.  Her court coverage seems like a mixed bag - she doesn't look to be as quick (like Turner, Burns, Bien), but her height actually helps and she does have good hands.  Like I said - I am intrigued.  BTW, Elnady's serve receive really looks good.  I don't think she has a lot of range on the baseline on defense (if I was going to nitpick).  

KU was in system all weekend - Turner was making some real good decisions (which is obviously easier when in system) getting a lot of one of one situation.  But then - I have to consider the lack of competition.  Color me very encouraged by this weekend.

[buttery]

KU posted a “Boom x 2” on their Twitter. Any guesses?

[bluepenquin]

Ellie Moore - 5-9 setter out of Connecticut as part of the 2024 class. Looks pretty decent as a setter - but I doubt they could use her in a 5-1 very easily. Probably needed some S depth for 2024 and especially 2025 given what happened to start this season.

Kate Hayhurst - 6-2 or 6-3 RS out of Idaho. Hayhurst is left-handed - has some decent ball skills. I haven' heard her name pop up as a top recruit (but that doesn't mean all that much).

[bluepenquin]

Hayhurst is 2025 - and certainly fills a need with the departure of Davis after next season. Maybe she competes with Schnieder for RS in 2025 or could be in position to take over her Junior season. Minimum gives them size with a need for a 2nd RS.

[skyspy]

Sept 19, 2023 13:27:22 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Hayhurst is 2025 - and certainly fills a need with the departure of Davis after next season. Maybe she competes with Schnieder for RS in 2025 or could be in position to take over her Junior season. Minimum gives them size with a need for a 2nd RS.

Interesting commit and not a name that comes up in the top of the 2025 class.  Played on a decent club team though.

[buttery]

Definitely not sure why we don’t just put Bien in for the serve receive part of rotation 1 permanently. We just have TTU momentum after being up 12-7 and it’s neck and neck 15-14 now because they went on a 6 point scoring run serving Cooper.

[bluepenquin]

Sept 22, 2023 18:25:03 GMT -5 buttery said:

Definitely not sure why we don’t just put Bien in for the serve receive part of rotation 1 permanently. We just have TTU momentum after being up 12-7 and it’s neck and neck 15-14 now because they went on a 6 point scoring run serving Cooper.

Yep - Bechard made the switch after that 4-0 run, then just inserted Bien the next time they came to rotation 1.  And he does start with Bien on the front row in rotation 1.

If they aren't good enough to receive with just 2 (Burns and Elnady) in that one rotation - then they need to have Bien in.

I would love to know the sideout percentage by rotation - #1 has to less than half of any of the other 5 for the season.

[buttery]

A nice little serve receive implosion here in set 3 against Tech (albeit serving very aggressively).

[bluepenquin]

Welp - tough to dig out of a 16-3 hole.

Crazy - but they still had their chances in that set.

[buttery]

This would be a very discouraging Big 12 opener.

[veritas]

Kansas....was just robbed.

[buttery]

Well that’s a disastrous way to start the conference season. Serve receive fell apart in the last 3 sets.

Also, first time this has really been a big issue but obviously we have no depth at RS. It was a decent problem to have last year with Szabo/Davis and if one struggled you could put the other in, but the thing keeping us from a 6-2 at times has more to do with the second RS imo rather than our setters.

Hopefully they can rebound tomorrow to salvage this road trip and then on to Houston, but if you’re hoping to get a top 4 seed we can’t be dropping games to the bottom feeders of the conference (*knock on wood, it might be us if we play like we did the last 3 sets).

[bluepenquin]

Kirsch played well last night in limited time. Hopefully she may be getting her confidence back. That was probably the only bright spot from that match.