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Post by katn on Jul 3, 2024 0:11:08 GMT -5
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Post by BOBšković on Jul 3, 2024 2:34:37 GMT -5
i believe she's still coaching club volleyball in austin why did she leave??
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Post by slxpress on Jul 3, 2024 8:33:52 GMT -5
i believe she's still coaching club volleyball in austin why did she leave?? You would need to ask her, and even then you probably wouldn’t get the whole truth unless she knew you real well and knew it wouldn’t go anywhere else. Outside of that, she’ll be missed by me. On the public facing side of things she seemed ideal. I will say she has a pattern of not staying anywhere too long. She has a small child, and a successful pro athlete husband. There’s no telling what kinds of pressures and motivations she experiences. I just know I wish her well. The third coaching position at Texas has been something of a whirlwind recently. From Jamie Morrison to Jordan Larson for a few months to Jessica Brannan to Cursty Le Roux and now Reily Buechele Canter for a second stint. I expected the volunteer position to be a revolving door, but neither Larson nor Brannan lasted a full year, and then once it became a full time paid position Le Roux only lasted a season. In the meantime Sullivan has been here forever it seems. Hunt is on his third year. Rockwell lasted a few years, and Tonya Johnson was here for a long time through two separate stints.
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Post by hornfanaustin on Jul 3, 2024 9:15:38 GMT -5
The third coaching position at Texas has been something of a whirlwind recently. From Jamie Morrison to Jordan Larson for a few months to Jessica Brannan to Cursty Le Roux and now Reily Buechele Canter for a second stint. I expected the volunteer position to be a revolving door, but neither Larson nor Brannan lasted a full year, and then once it became a full time paid position Le Roux only lasted a season. In the meantime Sullivan has been here forever it seems. Hunt is on his third year. Rockwell lasted a few years, and Tonya Johnson was here for a long time through two separate stints. So essentially that position is the Spinal Tap Drummer of volleyball?
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Post by slxpress on Jul 3, 2024 13:22:36 GMT -5
If you're looking for a fresh way to thoroughly enjoy the national championship match against Nebraska, I recommend listening to this podcast episode from Volleyball State. It's a podcast dedicated to state of Nebraska volleyball, with a heavy emphasis on University of Nebraska. It features Jeff Sheldon and Lincoln Arneal two people who have covered the Nebraska program extensively. This episode was recorded shortly after the press conferences were over, so it's extremely fresh. They take what I consider a very objective view of the one sided affair, breaking it down in some detail. I enjoyed listening to it, in any case. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-20-broom-service-texas-sweeps-nebraska-for-the/id1706873419?i=1000638935564
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Post by katn on Jul 3, 2024 14:10:47 GMT -5
i love spinal tap, s**t sandwich
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Post by widdledumpling on Jul 3, 2024 14:44:29 GMT -5
If you're looking for a fresh way to thoroughly enjoy the national championship match against Nebraska, I recommend listening to this podcast episode from Volleyball State. It's a podcast dedicated to state of Nebraska volleyball, with a heavy emphasis on University of Nebraska. It features Jeff Sheldon and Lincoln Arneal two people who have covered the Nebraska program extensively. This episode was recorded shortly after the press conferences were over, so it's extremely fresh. They take what I consider a very objective view of the one sided affair, breaking it down in some detail. I enjoyed listening to it, in any case. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-20-broom-service-texas-sweeps-nebraska-for-the/id1706873419?i=1000638935564Great recommendation, really enjoying this perspective
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Post by slxpress on Jul 3, 2024 15:15:14 GMT -5
I want to lift up Kaylei Akana's performance a bit in that championship series in a general but also a specific way.
First, let's set the stage a bit. This is going to be a lot of retreading for all the folks who know the whole story, but just so we're all on the same page.
Akana is a player from Hawaii who was a preferred walk on for the Nebraska volleyball team. Along with Lexi Rodriguez and Kenzie Knuckles, she helped form one of the best backrow subbing combinations in all of volleyball her freshman season. While I think it's fair to say she was the third most important of the three, with Rodriquez establishing herself as one of the best liberos in the country as a freshman, and Knuckles being one of the rare DS's who was not only terrific in passing and defense, but could also attack out of the back row, nonetheless Akana was a substantial contributor on a team that ended up JUST falling short against Wisconsin in arguably the most exciting championship match ever played. In particular, she was arguably the best server on the team, including 7 service aces in the match in Gregory against our beloved Longhorns.
After the season she made some kind of inquiry regarding earning a scholarship for the next season. It ended up being given to another player, and so she entered the portal. John Cook put it out there that she left because she wanted to be the starting libero, and with Rodriguez ensconced in the position, she sought a destination where that could happen. This was not true. She left because she wanted to be on scholarship, but was fine with not being the starting libero.
In any event, she landed at Texas where she helped provide a similar stability in the back row that she did at Nebraska, with Fleck as the libero, and Halter as the third DS. We all remember the iconic moment when she aced Louisville for the national championship.
Fast forward to the championship match against Nebraska at the end of the 2023 season. This is the first time she's faced her former teammates and coaching staff. Nebraska nation dominates Amalie Arena with at least 70% of those in attendance. In the first set, Akana comes to the service line with Texas holding an early 5-2 lead, and proceeds to serve the ball a good two feet long for a service error. After a series of point exchanges, she comes to the service line for a second time with Texas holding a 14-13 lead in a tight contest.
Second service error, this time just barely over the line.
Texas takes a late lead at 20-16, seemingly in very good shape for the final stanza. At 20-17 both teams have a tremendous rally that at first appeared to go UT's way, but ended up creating an into the net call. What wasn't apparent at the time, but later came out, Texas was arguing Nebraska should have been called for improper rotation. This is something they alerted the officials to prior to the match, with an emphasis they wanted clear communication if/when it happened during the match. However, the head official determined the Texas bench was arguing a little vociferously, and so Texas was awarded a yellow card. During the post match press conference, Elliott reveals he wasn't aware the initial yellow card was issued.
The teams exchange points with Texas winning a joust and a block to make it 22-19. Nebraska looks in trouble in a very tight first set.
Nebraska wins the next point on a nice stuff of O'Neal by Allick on a quick attack that didn't look like it had much of a chance.
Afterwards Elliott again complains about Nebraska's rotation, and the official issues a red card this time. Point Nebraska to make it 22-21.
Harper Murray aces Halter to tie the score at 22-22. It feels like the wheels are coming off. Texas calls their second timeout of the set, where Elliott again pleads his case regarding Nebraska's players being out of rotation. To me it felt like he risked getting kicked out of the match at any moment. It felt like the team can't help but be distracted by all the conversations and stoppages of play, not to mention having lost all the momentum from holding the 20-16 and 22-19 lead.
Out of the timeout there's a nice rally, but O'Neal roofs Batenhorst to make the score 23-22.
When who comes to the service line, but our very own Kalei Akana, at a hugely pivotal moment in the set.
The serve gives Nebraska all kinds of trouble, but Batenhorst ends up getting a decent out of system shot across the net, which Halter has to stretch out behind her to save. Akana gives a pretty two handed set to Skinner who goes right over the Nebraska triple block in one of her patented "what do you do about that?" moves to make it 24-23.
Then Akana goes right at Batenhorst who can't handle the serve for the set win on a service ace at 25-23.
I just feel like Akana deserves some special props for having ice in her veins in a personally challenging situation. First time facing her old team. Two service errors in her two initial trips to the line. Texas looks like they're unraveling, with extensive conversations between the head coach and the officials, eventually resulting in a red card. She serves two outstanding serves that Batenhorst has a tough time handling, and also sets Skinner for her iconic moment of going into full cheat mode with a brilliant attack right over the Nebraska triple block.
I don't know that the outcome would have been different if Nebraska had managed to pull a win in that first set, but I do know it would have lifted their spirits in a way that wasn't possible in the third set the way it played out.
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Post by eyeroll2021 on Jul 3, 2024 15:57:30 GMT -5
I want to lift up Kaylei Akana's performance a bit in that championship series in a general but also a specific way. First, let's set the stage a bit. This is going to be a lot of retreading for all the folks who know the whole story, but just so we're all on the same page. Akana is a player from Hawaii who was a preferred walk on for the Nebraska volleyball team. Along with Lexi Rodriguez and Kenzie Knuckles, she helped form one of the best backrow subbing combinations in all of volleyball her freshman season. While I think it's fair to say she was the third most important of the three, with Rodriquez establishing herself as one of the best liberos in the country as a freshman, and Knuckles being one of the rare DS's who was not only terrific in passing and defense, but could also attack out of the back row, nonetheless Akana was a substantial contributor on a team that ended up JUST falling short against Wisconsin in arguably the most exciting championship match ever played. In particular, she was arguably the best server on the team, including 7 service aces in the match in Gregory against our beloved Longhorns. After the season she made some kind of inquiry regarding earning a scholarship for the next season. It ended up being given to another player, and so she entered the portal. John Cook put it out there that she left because she wanted to be the starting libero, and with Rodriguez ensconced in the position, she sought a destination where that could happen. This was not true. She left because she wanted to be on scholarship, but was fine with not being the starting libero. In any event, she landed at Texas where she helped provide a similar stability in the back row that she did at Nebraska, with Fleck as the libero, and Halter as the third DS. We all remember the iconic moment when she aced Louisville for the national championship. Fast forward to the championship match against Nebraska at the end of the 2023 season. This is the first time she's faced her former teammates and coaching staff. Nebraska nation dominates Amalie Arena with at least 70% of those in attendance. In the first set, Akana comes to the service line with Texas holding an early 5-2 lead, and proceeds to serve the ball a good two feet long for a service error. After a series of point exchanges, she comes to the service line for a second time with Texas holding a 14-13 lead in a tight contest. Second service error, this time just barely over the line. Texas takes a late lead at 20-16, seemingly in very good shape for the final stanza. At 20-17 both teams have a tremendous rally that at first appeared to go UT's way, but ended up creating an into the net call. What wasn't apparent at the time, but later came out, Texas was arguing Nebraska should have been called for improper rotation. This is something they alerted the officials to prior to the match, with an emphasis they wanted clear communication if/when it happened during the match. However, the head official determined the Texas bench was arguing a little vociferously, and so Texas was awarded a yellow card. During the post match press conference, Elliott reveals he wasn't aware the initial yellow card was issued. The teams exchange points with Texas winning a joust and a block to make it 22-19. Nebraska looks in trouble in a very tight first set. Nebraska wins the next point on a nice stuff of O'Neal by Allick on a quick attack that didn't look like it had much of a chance. Afterwards Elliott again complains about Nebraska's rotation, and the official issues a red card this time. Point Nebraska to make it 22-21. Harper Murray aces Halter to tie the score at 22-22. It feels like the wheels are coming off. Texas calls their second timeout of the set, where Elliott again pleads his case regarding Nebraska's players being out of rotation. To me it felt like he risked getting kicked out of the match at any moment. It felt like the team can't help but be distracted by all the conversations and stoppages of play, not to mention having lost all the momentum from holding the 20-16 and 22-19 lead. Out of the timeout there's a nice rally, but O'Neal roofs Batenhorst to make the score 23-22. When who comes to the service line, but our very own Kalei Akana, at a hugely pivotal moment in the set. The serve gives Nebraska all kinds of trouble, but Batenhorst ends up getting a decent out of system shot across the net, which Halter has to stretch out behind her to save. Akana gives a pretty two handed set to Skinner who goes right over the Nebraska triple block in one of her patented "what do you do about that?" moves to make it 24-23. Then Akana goes right at Batenhorst who can't handle the serve for the set win on a service ace at 25-23. I just feel like Akana deserves some special props for having ice in her veins in a personally challenging situation. First time facing her old team. Two service errors in her two initial trips to the line. Texas looks like they're unraveling, with extensive conversations between the head coach and the officials, eventually resulting in a red card. She serves two outstanding serves that Batenhorst has a tough time handling, and also sets Skinner for her iconic moment of going into full cheat mode with a brilliant attack right over the Nebraska triple block. I don't know that the outcome would have been different if Nebraska had managed to pull a win in that first set, but I do know it would have lifted their spirits in a way that wasn't possible in the third set the way it played out. The victory over Nebraska was sweet in so many ways, karmic retribution being not the least of them.
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Post by eyeroll2021 on Jul 3, 2024 16:26:10 GMT -5
If you're looking for a fresh way to thoroughly enjoy the national championship match against Nebraska, I recommend listening to this podcast episode from Volleyball State. It's a podcast dedicated to state of Nebraska volleyball, with a heavy emphasis on University of Nebraska. It features Jeff Sheldon and Lincoln Arneal two people who have covered the Nebraska program extensively. This episode was recorded shortly after the press conferences were over, so it's extremely fresh. They take what I consider a very objective view of the one sided affair, breaking it down in some detail. I enjoyed listening to it, in any case. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-20-broom-service-texas-sweeps-nebraska-for-the/id1706873419?i=1000638935564Great recommendation, really enjoying this perspective Hooray for Jeff Shelton knowing the term "Forty Acres"
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Post by Volleyhorns on Jul 3, 2024 23:07:56 GMT -5
I want to lift up Kaylei Akana's performance a bit in that championship series in a general but also a specific way. First, let's set the stage a bit. This is going to be a lot of retreading for all the folks who know the whole story, but just so we're all on the same page. Akana is a player from Hawaii who was a preferred walk on for the Nebraska volleyball team. Along with Lexi Rodriguez and Kenzie Knuckles, she helped form one of the best backrow subbing combinations in all of volleyball her freshman season. While I think it's fair to say she was the third most important of the three, with Rodriquez establishing herself as one of the best liberos in the country as a freshman, and Knuckles being one of the rare DS's who was not only terrific in passing and defense, but could also attack out of the back row, nonetheless Akana was a substantial contributor on a team that ended up JUST falling short against Wisconsin in arguably the most exciting championship match ever played. In particular, she was arguably the best server on the team, including 7 service aces in the match in Gregory against our beloved Longhorns. After the season she made some kind of inquiry regarding earning a scholarship for the next season. It ended up being given to another player, and so she entered the portal. John Cook put it out there that she left because she wanted to be the starting libero, and with Rodriguez ensconced in the position, she sought a destination where that could happen. This was not true. She left because she wanted to be on scholarship, but was fine with not being the starting libero. In any event, she landed at Texas where she helped provide a similar stability in the back row that she did at Nebraska, with Fleck as the libero, and Halter as the third DS. We all remember the iconic moment when she aced Louisville for the national championship. Fast forward to the championship match against Nebraska at the end of the 2023 season. This is the first time she's faced her former teammates and coaching staff. Nebraska nation dominates Amalie Arena with at least 70% of those in attendance. In the first set, Akana comes to the service line with Texas holding an early 5-2 lead, and proceeds to serve the ball a good two feet long for a service error. After a series of point exchanges, she comes to the service line for a second time with Texas holding a 14-13 lead in a tight contest. Second service error, this time just barely over the line. Texas takes a late lead at 20-16, seemingly in very good shape for the final stanza. At 20-17 both teams have a tremendous rally that at first appeared to go UT's way, but ended up creating an into the net call. What wasn't apparent at the time, but later came out, Texas was arguing Nebraska should have been called for improper rotation. This is something they alerted the officials to prior to the match, with an emphasis they wanted clear communication if/when it happened during the match. However, the head official determined the Texas bench was arguing a little vociferously, and so Texas was awarded a yellow card. During the post match press conference, Elliott reveals he wasn't aware the initial yellow card was issued. The teams exchange points with Texas winning a joust and a block to make it 22-19. Nebraska looks in trouble in a very tight first set. Nebraska wins the next point on a nice stuff of O'Neal by Allick on a quick attack that didn't look like it had much of a chance. Afterwards Elliott again complains about Nebraska's rotation, and the official issues a red card this time. Point Nebraska to make it 22-21. Harper Murray aces Halter to tie the score at 22-22. It feels like the wheels are coming off. Texas calls their second timeout of the set, where Elliott again pleads his case regarding Nebraska's players being out of rotation. To me it felt like he risked getting kicked out of the match at any moment. It felt like the team can't help but be distracted by all the conversations and stoppages of play, not to mention having lost all the momentum from holding the 20-16 and 22-19 lead. Out of the timeout there's a nice rally, but O'Neal roofs Batenhorst to make the score 23-22. When who comes to the service line, but our very own Kalei Akana, at a hugely pivotal moment in the set. The serve gives Nebraska all kinds of trouble, but Batenhorst ends up getting a decent out of system shot across the net, which Halter has to stretch out behind her to save. Akana gives a pretty two handed set to Skinner who goes right over the Nebraska triple block in one of her patented "what do you do about that?" moves to make it 24-23. Then Akana goes right at Batenhorst who can't handle the serve for the set win on a service ace at 25-23. I just feel like Akana deserves some special props for having ice in her veins in a personally challenging situation. First time facing her old team. Two service errors in her two initial trips to the line. Texas looks like they're unraveling, with extensive conversations between the head coach and the officials, eventually resulting in a red card. She serves two outstanding serves that Batenhorst has a tough time handling, and also sets Skinner for her iconic moment of going into full cheat mode with a brilliant attack right over the Nebraska triple block. I don't know that the outcome would have been different if Nebraska had managed to pull a win in that first set, but I do know it would have lifted their spirits in a way that wasn't possible in the third set the way it played out. I think about her specifically on these teams a lot, she has just brought a great part of the culture, her back row play is truly something special I’m so glad she chose us and has embraced us like a family!
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Post by mrworm on Jul 4, 2024 10:07:36 GMT -5
I want to lift up Kaylei Akana's performance a bit in that championship series in a general but also a specific way. ... Excellent writeup!! I know much of the national media focused on Asjia's heart surgeries last season, but Kaylei had health battles as well. She went through two brain tumor surgeries and treatment in high school and very easily could have been unable to play volleyball anymore. I'm glad that she made it through that and was still able to play and even more happy she's found a home at Texas. huskers.com/news/2020/12/15/bigger-than-volleyball
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Post by utexrulz23 on Jul 4, 2024 13:48:51 GMT -5
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Post by eyeroll2021 on Jul 4, 2024 15:42:39 GMT -5
It's funny because it's true
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Post by katn on Jul 5, 2024 9:31:48 GMT -5
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