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Post by slxpress on Aug 27, 2024 11:05:43 GMT -5
That’s what matters most to you. What matters most to me is my entertainment level. I acknowledge how little value I actually give to this team and this program, whereas you seem to see value in being some kind of watchdog and arbiter for what it means to be a true fan. I’m grateful for your presence and activity on here, but it’s often clear you and I do not share the same mindset. This is one of them. Then you shouldn't have replied with "I mean, it's not like we needed Lauenstein" as you by yourself don't represent "we" one bit whether it be the fan base, the coaching staff, or the program. I mean, you don’t either. In my strongest opinion we do not need Lauenstein to be an extremely competitive - even national championship contending - team and program. There’s not some huge talent gap at the pin position she suddenly filled. At the same time her presence makes the program stronger and more resilient. If she starts, it means she was better than the player she replaced, and so the team is at least iteratively better than it would be without her, even if the improvement is not light years. What is impossible to measure is how much she contributes to group chemistry. Her sacrifice of being a former starter - and even star - to being fulfilled being a part of the puzzle rather than a main star is huge in terms of setting a tone…IF she doesn’t end up being a starter. She’s one of the best servers on the team, regardless if she’s one of the 6 players serving. Just like Parra when she was a sub, there’s a tremendous value in having her in the practice gym so that the starters can become better prepared for what they’ll face in match situations simply by facing her serve on a regular basis. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say Lauenstein at the top of her game has one of the top 20 hardest serves to cleanly handle in all of college volleyball. Beyond that, what she’s experienced from high school, to going to her dream school, to getting pregnant, getting injured, feeling disillusioned, and then finding what seems to be a safe space to figure out what the rest of her life’s journey should be about is extremely valuable in offering a perspective that would be impossible for the rest of her teammates to understand on even the smallest level without having her as a constant presence and reminder of what that level of resilience, sacrifice, and perseverance looks like on a daily basis. Does this team need any of that? I don’t think so. A roster without Lauenstein would still be ranked #1 preseason, would still be the favorite to win the SEC in their inaugural campaign, would still be one of the favorites to be a regional host, and subsequently participate in the Final Four and compete for a national championship. Is the team better for her presence? There can’t be any question. And I’m grateful she’s in Austin. Again, you and I have a different definition of need. Your need for everyone else to view everything through the same personal prism you do is a need. But it’s not my need. You keep doing you, though. |
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Post by katn on Aug 27, 2024 11:05:58 GMT -5
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Post by eyeroll2021 on Aug 27, 2024 12:06:35 GMT -5
A quick cut/paste from the "predict your team's regular season" thread: Texas hopefuldawg Texas 21-3 hookem24 Texas 22-2 dl3ww Texas 21-3 eyeroll2021 Texas 21-3 Hornshouse23 Texas 23-1 avb Texas 20-4 katn Texas 22-2 dragon2owl Texas 21-3 uofaGRAD Texas 23-1 harryspotter Texas 22-2 eotexas5 Texas 22-2 Nakakagigs Texas: 22-2 maigrey Texas 20-4 allballs Texas 23-1 madithekuntress Texas 23-1 Slxpress Texas 24-0 slxpress with the 24-0 regular season prediction! Love the confidence No predictions from mln59 nellynel diatx austinhorn21 anastasia1 widdledumpling, I am disappointed |
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Post by slxpress on Aug 27, 2024 12:20:35 GMT -5
A quick cut/paste from the "predict your team's regular season" thread: Texas hopefuldawg Texas 21-3 hookem24 Texas 22-2 dl3ww Texas 21-3 eyeroll2021 Texas 21-3 Hornshouse23 Texas 23-1 avb Texas 20-4 katn Texas 22-2 dragon2owl Texas 21-3 uofaGRAD Texas 23-1 harryspotter Texas 22-2 eotexas5 Texas 22-2 Nakakagigs Texas: 22-2 maigrey Texas 20-4 allballs Texas 23-1 madithekuntress Texas 23-1 Slxpress Texas 24-0 slxpress with the 24-0 regular season prediction! Love the confidence No predictions from mln59 nellynel diatx austinhorn21 anastasia1 widdledumpling, I am disappointed I don’t really like participating in those, although I like seeing others do so. I put in my prediction less from a feeling of conviction and more from a feeling of amusement. |
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Post by anastasia1 on Aug 27, 2024 12:49:02 GMT -5
A quick cut/paste from the "predict your team's regular season" thread: Texas hopefuldawg Texas 21-3 hookem24 Texas 22-2 dl3ww Texas 21-3 eyeroll2021 Texas 21-3 Hornshouse23 Texas 23-1 avb Texas 20-4 katn Texas 22-2 dragon2owl Texas 21-3 uofaGRAD Texas 23-1 harryspotter Texas 22-2 eotexas5 Texas 22-2 Nakakagigs Texas: 22-2 maigrey Texas 20-4 allballs Texas 23-1 madithekuntress Texas 23-1 Slxpress Texas 24-0 slxpress with the 24-0 regular season prediction! Love the confidence No predictions from mln59 nellynel diatx austinhorn21 anastasia1 widdledumpling, I am disappointed not you just called me out 😭😭 |
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Post by nakakagigs on Aug 27, 2024 12:52:53 GMT -5
A quick cut/paste from the "predict your team's regular season" thread: Texas hopefuldawg Texas 21-3 hookem24 Texas 22-2 dl3ww Texas 21-3 eyeroll2021 Texas 21-3 Hornshouse23 Texas 23-1 avb Texas 20-4 katn Texas 22-2 dragon2owl Texas 21-3 uofaGRAD Texas 23-1 harryspotter Texas 22-2 eotexas5 Texas 22-2 Nakakagigs Texas: 22-2 maigrey Texas 20-4 allballs Texas 23-1 madithekuntress Texas 23-1 Slxpress Texas 24-0 slxpress with the 24-0 regular season prediction! Love the confidence No predictions from mln59 nellynel diatx austinhorn21 anastasia1 widdledumpling, I am disappointed Happy I made the cut! I love this thread 🤘we start in less than a week yalllllllllll |
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Post by blackiechan1999 on Aug 27, 2024 13:15:19 GMT -5
A quick cut/paste from the "predict your team's regular season" thread: Texas hopefuldawg Texas 21-3 hookem24 Texas 22-2 dl3ww Texas 21-3 eyeroll2021 Texas 21-3 Hornshouse23 Texas 23-1 avb Texas 20-4 katn Texas 22-2 dragon2owl Texas 21-3 uofaGRAD Texas 23-1 harryspotter Texas 22-2 eotexas5 Texas 22-2 Nakakagigs Texas: 22-2 maigrey Texas 20-4 allballs Texas 23-1 madithekuntress Texas 23-1 Slxpress Texas 24-0 slxpress with the 24-0 regular season prediction! Love the confidence No predictions from mln59 nellynel diatx austinhorn21 anastasia1 widdledumpling, I am disappointed not you just called me out 😭😭 And I wasn't even called out....FOMO |
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Post by horns1 on Aug 27, 2024 13:55:14 GMT -5
My overall impressions of the scrimmage: - glad the 2023 class is healthy; while I don't believe Byrd, Bunton, or Helmers will make sizeable contributions this season, they need to get their reps in practice and compete against our veteran starters if they have any hopes of being starters in 2025; Swindle being healthy allows her to play her game without limitations - so glad we picked up the transfers we did; starters need to be pushed in order to improve and stay hungry; Rutherford (if healthy) is the likeliest transfer starter on Sunday and we need her offense as she'll be playing alongside 2 inexperienced middle blockers
- lot of players had some really good moments; I think consistency was lacking by so many players, but the lineup changes every set certainly had an impact on that - our middle blockers were not as offensive-minded as during the Spring match against Texas State; will have to go back and re-watch that match, but I think I was more impressed by the offense as a whole that match than I was yesterday - happy we have so many good to great serving options; the last 2 or 3 years our serving has just gotten tougher; glad our coaching staff has been placing an emphasis on that - my biggest surprise was that Sydney Helmers seemed to show such good ball control skills in the back row; she just seemed so calm in the back row So happy our coaching staff knows how to fill any possible gaps on our roster. Super glad WE have a healthy Whitney Lauenstein for this season and hopefully next season, as well. WE really NEEDED someone with her experience, skill set, and athleticism to bridge the gap between our 5th year senior starting pin hitters and the inexperienced younger pin hitters. |
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Post by hornfanaustin on Aug 27, 2024 13:56:37 GMT -5
What? NOW?!?
School started Monday, did someone say, "I'm outta here. Sorry!"
I'd do it if it weren't the fact that: I'm not a student.
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Post by mln59 on Aug 27, 2024 14:02:45 GMT -5
A quick cut/paste from the "predict your team's regular season" thread: Texas hopefuldawg Texas 21-3 hookem24 Texas 22-2 dl3ww Texas 21-3 eyeroll2021 Texas 21-3 Hornshouse23 Texas 23-1 avb Texas 20-4 katn Texas 22-2 dragon2owl Texas 21-3 uofaGRAD Texas 23-1 harryspotter Texas 22-2 eotexas5 Texas 22-2 Nakakagigs Texas: 22-2 maigrey Texas 20-4 allballs Texas 23-1 madithekuntress Texas 23-1 Slxpress Texas 24-0 slxpress with the 24-0 regular season prediction! Love the confidence No predictions from mln59 nellynel diatx austinhorn21 anastasia1 widdledumpling , I am disappointed i can't do it. the universe can hear us and it is unwise to tempt fate |
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Post by slxpress on Aug 27, 2024 14:18:55 GMT -5
What? NOW?!?
School started Monday, did someone say, "I'm outta here. Sorry!"
I'd do it if it weren't the fact that: I'm not a student.
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Post by slxpress on Aug 27, 2024 14:20:02 GMT -5
My overall impressions of the scrimmage: - glad the 2023 class is healthy; while I don't believe Byrd, Bunton, or Helmers will make sizeable contributions this season, they need to get their reps in practice and compete against our veteran starters if they have any hopes of being starters in 2025; Swindle being healthy allows her to play her game without limitations - so glad we picked up the transfers we did; starters need to be pushed in order to improve and stay hungry; Rutherford (if healthy) is the likeliest transfer starter on Sunday and we need her offense as she'll be playing alongside 2 inexperienced middle blockers
- lot of players had some really good moments; I think consistency was lacking by so many players, but the lineup changes every set certainly had an impact on that - our middle blockers were not as offensive-minded as during the Spring match against Texas State; will have to go back and re-watch that match, but I think I was more impressed by the offense as a whole that match than I was yesterday - happy we have so many good to great serving options; the last 2 or 3 years our serving has just gotten tougher; glad our coaching staff has been placing an emphasis on that - my biggest surprise was that Sydney Helmers seemed to show such good ball control skills in the back row; she just seemed so calm in the back row So happy our coaching staff knows how to fill any possible gaps on our roster. Super glad WE have a healthy Whitney Lauenstein for this season and hopefully next season, as well. WE really NEEDED someone with her experience, skill set, and athleticism to bridge the gap between our 5th year senior starting pin hitters and the inexperienced younger pin hitters. Like I said, you define need differently than I do. |
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Post by mln59 on Aug 27, 2024 14:33:35 GMT -5
What? NOW?!?
School started Monday, did someone say, "I'm outta here. Sorry!"
I'd do it if it weren't the fact that: I'm not a student.
it took me quite a long time to catch that his shirt says "music band". that's a great touch |
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Post by slxpress on Aug 27, 2024 14:45:17 GMT -5
it took me quite a long time to catch that his shirt says "music band". that's a great touch I have never noticed that. Awesome! |
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Post by diatx on Aug 27, 2024 14:54:55 GMT -5
A quick cut/paste from the "predict your team's regular season" thread: Texas hopefuldawg Texas 21-3 hookem24 Texas 22-2 dl3ww Texas 21-3 eyeroll2021 Texas 21-3 Hornshouse23 Texas 23-1 avb Texas 20-4 katn Texas 22-2 dragon2owl Texas 21-3 uofaGRAD Texas 23-1 harryspotter Texas 22-2 eotexas5 Texas 22-2 Nakakagigs Texas: 22-2 maigrey Texas 20-4 allballs Texas 23-1 madithekuntress Texas 23-1 Slxpress Texas 24-0 slxpress with the 24-0 regular season prediction! Love the confidence No predictions from mln59 nellynel diatx austinhorn21 anastasia1 widdledumpling , I am disappointed i can't do it. the universe can hear us and it is unwise to tempt fate Hard same! I come from a family of jinx-ers. I keep my mouth shut! |
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