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Post by dbro1970 on Jul 22, 2023 19:28:38 GMT -5
Well, in my mind as well. Not sure if it was when Fleck transferred in, but certainly by the time they added Caffey right before practices started. I was shocked Nebraska was the preseason #1, actually. I guess there was a decent chance all the pieces wouldn't work well together, but obviously that's not what happened. Nebraska was also the #1 team in the country in late October. Then they weren’t. Another loss here, an injury there, an unforeseen circumstance, ahhh……what could have been? Yes, they were No 1. Right before they played Wisconsin in the field house.... |
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Post by bbg95 on Jul 22, 2023 19:37:27 GMT -5
So, back to the Top 25 opinionated rankings discussion. Speaking of Stanford, I think they have the best returning setter and opposite of those teams most are predicting will be battling for a Top 4 national seed. But, I wouldn't rank their OH or MB duos as highly. Those 4 front-row hitters don't terminate like Kipp who will probably lead the team in kills most matches; how the other 4 hitters produce offensively will be crucial. New freshmen backup options at OH add depth; but, no new MB depth (that I recall). Obviously, it's how the players on the court fit together as a unit and complement each other each point; but, seems like the last few national champions have had elite OH duos to turn to when out of system. Stanford's offense was plenty good last season. It's their defense that was a little sus. An opponent hitting percentage above .200 isn't good enough. |
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Post by horns1 on Jul 22, 2023 20:25:13 GMT -5
seems like the last few national champions have had elite OH duos to turn to when out of system. we're calling loberg and orzol elite now ? lol They got it done. EDIT: But, yes, I guess they weren't as elite as Texas, Kentucky, Stanford, and Nebraska from recent championship squads. But, Wisconsin had a middle attack that this Stanford's squad doesn't have. |
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Post by horns1 on Jul 22, 2023 20:26:06 GMT -5
we're calling loberg and orzol elite now ? lol lol I immediately was like umm I mean, compared to the OH's on the other side of net that night in Columbus . . .  |
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Post by jwvolley on Jul 22, 2023 20:45:08 GMT -5
lol I immediately was like umm I mean, compared to the OH's on the other side of net that night in Columbus . . . That's not the gotcha you think it is lol. Orzol hit negative, Loberg passed terribly and they combined for 15 kills and hit .064 while Nebraska's OHs combined for 30 and hit .112 As bad as Nebraska's leftside offense was that night, Wisconsin's was worse. That championship team did not have an elite pair of OHs. They did enough to win in conjunction with the Rettke/Robinson/Smrek/Demps/Barnes performances. |
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Post by pcll0718 on Jul 22, 2023 21:14:26 GMT -5
I mean, compared to the OH's on the other side of net that night in Columbus . . . That's not the gotcha you think it is lol. Orzol hit negative, Loberg passed terribly and they combined for 15 kills and hit .064 while Nebraska's OHs combined for 30 and hit .112 As bad as Nebraska's leftside offense was that night, Wisconsin's was worse. That championship team did not have an elite pair of OHs. They did enough to win in conjunction with the Rettke/Robinson/Smrek/Demps/Barnes performances. . Orzol hitting negative (-.021%)in her 5 career matches vs Nebraska. Still got the win every time. Very good player, not a great hitter. |
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Post by stanfordvb on Jul 22, 2023 21:15:21 GMT -5
we're calling loberg and orzol elite now ? lol But, Wisconsin had a middle attack that this Stanford's squad doesn't have. and Stanford has a right side attack that no one has had in maybe the last 10 years... every team is different and there's no 'one' thing a team team needs to win it all... every team that has won has been very good in their own way and I expect this year to be the same not to mention Wisconsins middle attack was shut down in the semis and they only made the final because a freshman put up a stat-line that she'll never put up again |
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Post by bbg95 on Jul 22, 2023 21:53:50 GMT -5
But, Wisconsin had a middle attack that this Stanford's squad doesn't have. and Stanford has a right side attack that no one has had in maybe the last 10 years... every team is different and there's no 'one' thing a team team needs to win it all... every team that has won has been very good in their own way and I expect this year to be the same not to mention Wisconsins middle attack was shut down in the semis and they only made the final because a freshman put up a stat-line that she'll never put up again Shut down? Smrek had 20 kills, and Rettke had 14 (granted, on .200 hitting), lol. Plus, they were playing against an undefeated team. |
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Post by tablealgebra on Jul 22, 2023 22:19:57 GMT -5
seems like the last few national champions have had elite OH duos to turn to when out of system. we're calling loberg and orzol elite now ? lol Clearly this post was referencing Demps. |
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Post by ay2013 on Jul 22, 2023 22:24:42 GMT -5
I think Roddy is better now, especially if say, we were choosing for a U23 team or something like that, but sure, I think Scott has more potential, since she’s much newer to the position and already arguably the same level. I’ll be elated if she somehow took another step up this upcoming season. I don’t think Oglivie is quite rivaling those two, but she’s INSANELY good and made the biggest jump to me over the past two seasons. two years ago, I thought she was just okay. last year?? she was ELITE. if she improves even half as much as she did last year, she’d be in the conversation right next to Scott and Roddy. call me crazy if you want! mmmm I'd put Oglivie in the same conversation now. She had a VERY good year last year, playing a tougher schedule and shouldering a bigger passer burden passing next to Baird and a freshman. |
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Post by ay2013 on Jul 22, 2023 22:30:49 GMT -5
Stanford looks without a doubt #1 to me. I mean they aren’t losing anybody and return arguably the best player in the country along with a top 5 recruiting class. Wisconsin has a very good chance of going undefeated in the non-conference this year....maybe go undefeated all year since they don't have to play in the Pav this year. IMO, Wisconsin doesn't play a legit top 10 opponent until late October. Wisconsin would need to look like 08 Penn State (where getting to 20 points against them was an accomplishment) or Stanford would have to look bad against their onslaught schedule for Wisconsin to get to #1 on my ballot. |
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Post by houstonbear15 on Jul 22, 2023 23:16:56 GMT -5
I appreciate these guys bringing moneyball stats to Volleyball, but the omission of Briseno (and having Fleck rated under Knuckles) has me sussing that they haven't worked the kinks out yet Briseños numbers are much better than some of the faves on here. She’s a significantly better passer than Scott, and it’s not even close. Scott may touch more balls defensively, but Briseños digs are generally better. She’s also a much better server than Rodriguez. I just don’t get how she’s constantly left out of top libero conversations. Serve and pass is one of the most one of the most important factors of volleyball and no one is touching her passing. |
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Post by GatorsChomp on Jul 23, 2023 7:14:58 GMT -5
Stanford/Wisco/Texas/Nebraska probably going to be pre-season Top 4...
I wouldn't be shocked if Kentucky gets a nod at 5-7 because they return most of their team from the last year which = experience
I would probably expect Louisville, Pitt, Minnesota, Oregon next in no particular order
then probably Penn State/Florida to round up the top 10 (Penn State/Florida are interchangeable between 10/11)
This is not what *I THINK*, this is what I assume the coaches poll would look like
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Post by anOPINionATEDbeACH(hookemboo) on Jul 23, 2023 11:48:37 GMT -5
I think it very close with Roddy, who is also an A+ in all of those aspects... Lexi is probably a bit better I serve receive, but I give Scott the edge in the other categories. they're the clear top 2 in the NCAA imo. oglivie and briseno are right there too Briseno doesn't get enough flowers This is so true, she wasn’t even listed on the All big 12 preseason team, like what ? |
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Post by anOPINionATEDbeACH(hookemboo) on Jul 23, 2023 11:52:31 GMT -5
Stanford looks without a doubt #1 to me. I mean they aren’t losing anybody and return arguably the best player in the country along with a top 5 recruiting class. Wisconsin has a very good chance of going undefeated in the non-conference this year....maybe go undefeated all year since they don't have to play in the Pav this year. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isnt Franklin out for the season ? That’s the only reason I’m having doubts about Wisconsin. |
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