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Post by alwayslearning on Nov 11, 2024 20:17:03 GMT -5
As you say, you don't want to DS for Barton. And in the usual 6-2, the setters would come in when the OPP rotates to the back row. So assuming everyone is healthy and available, it would probably make sense to go with a single DS for Bush when she rotates to the back row. That DS should be Wilmes. If in danger of running out of subs, you leave Wilmes in. That means Bush is out and that's not ideal but Wilmes can hit on both right and left and is not a bad choice. She can also receive serve if necessary. In a 6-2, I would want to ensure that Haury is setting Hunt. In which case, you'd basically be replacing Heard with Wilmes, which likely doesn't help the passing and could hurt the digging. Wilmes could attack from the back-row, but that's not adding much. If you want to help the passing and the digging, then run a 5-1 with Wilmes DSing for Endsley or Fletcher at OPP and Heard DSing for Bush at OH. That way Wilmes can rotate to the front-row (if needed or desired) and you don't lose Bush. You lose some blocking with the setter in the front-row, but that could be compensated for with improved passing and digging. If Wilson is struggling to set Hunt, then you have to go with Haury, who is the quicker, more adventuresome, and, probably, more deceptive setter. We'll have to agree to disagree. Wilmes is not a great receiver but, IMO, Heard is worse and I believe the stats would confirm that. If you saw the stats that were published in the Minnesota game thread, Heard had the most targets and the worst receive rating (1.46, which is really bad) and a 27% good pass rating, also really bad. And Minnesota is not a great serving team. She also has not shown much improvement over the course of the season IMO. As far as backcourt defense goes, there are differences but I'd still take Wilmes. Heard is quicker but does not always anticipate very well. Heard's passing is also not especially accurate and I'd probably take Wilmes on this score. Add in the fact that Wilmes could be another weapon from the back and that she is definitely the DS you'd want in the front row if and when you run out of subs, and for me the choice is clear. I'd be willing to try Haury in a 5-1 but I really doubt Leslie is ready to make that move. |
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Post by Huskyfan on Nov 11, 2024 20:19:25 GMT -5
If you want to help the passing and the digging, then run a 5-1 with Wilmes DSing for Endsley or Fletcher at OPP and Heard DSing for Bush at OH. That way Wilmes can rotate to the front-row (if needed or desired) and you don't lose Bush. You lose some blocking with the setter in the front-row, but that could be compensated for with improved passing and digging. If Wilson is struggling to set Hunt, then you have to go with Haury, who is the quicker, more adventuresome, and, probably, more deceptive, if also somewhat more error-prone, setter. One drawback with 5-1 for Washington this season is that neither setter has a big enough blocking presence to prevent the opponent's left side hitter from having a good offensive day. |
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Post by redbeard2008 on Nov 12, 2024 13:30:29 GMT -5
One drawback with 5-1 for Washington this season is that neither setter has a big enough blocking presence to prevent the opponent's left side hitter from having a good offensive day. Which is why coaches "spin the dial", to try to get their opp on the opponent's best hitter or, conversely, their best hitter on the opponent's setter. If the other side has two great left-side hitters, you better have great digging. Whatever you gain, you'll probably lose something. A 6-2 adds hitting and blocking, but at the expense of passing, digging, and consistent setting. Without good passing, however, it can be hard to set either opp, which can make better blocking, not hitting, the primary benefit. With a 5-1, you can add to the passing and digging by playing with two DSs, but your blocking won't be as strong - you're also more likely to get stuck in a bad rotation, with your setter in the front-row and your best hitter in the back-row, although the threat of a back-row attack can help balance that out. Also, with better passing, it can be easier to set the middles, but without it, more difficult. So, ultimately, it comes down to what system best fits your personnel. I personally think, right now, that is a 5-1 with Bush and Barton at OH1 and OH2, while DSing for Bush and Endsley. That's just my opinion, of course, but it's a "witch's brew" (complicated). What holds true in one instance, may not in another. |
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Post by alwayslearning on Nov 12, 2024 15:01:21 GMT -5
One drawback with 5-1 for Washington this season is that neither setter has a big enough blocking presence to prevent the opponent's left side hitter from having a good offensive day. Which is why coaches "spin the dial", to try to get their opp on the opponent's best hitter or, conversely, their best hitter on the opponent's setter. If the other side has two great left-side hitters, you better have great digging. Whatever you gain, you'll probably lose something. A 6-2 adds hitting and blocking, but at the expense of passing, digging, and consistent setting. Without good passing, however, it can be hard to set either opp, which can make better blocking, not hitting, the primary benefit. With a 5-1, you can add to the passing and digging by playing with two DSs, but your blocking won't be as strong - you're also more likely to get stuck in a bad rotation, with your setter in the front-row and your best hitter in the back-row, although the threat of a back-row attack can help balance that out. Also, with better passing, it can be easier to set the middles, but without it, more difficult. So, ultimately, it comes down to what system best fits your personnel. I personally think, right now, that is a 5-1 with Bush and Barton at OH1 and OH2, while DSing for Bush and Endsley. That's just my opinion, of course, but it's a "witch's brew" (complicated). What holds true in one instance, may not in another. All of your points are valid and I think your conclusion that it comes down to what best fits your personnel is also spot on. We just disagree on the application of this latter point and it will be interesting to see what choices Leslie makes as the season winds down. I'm actually really happy we are in a reconstituted B1G where we get to play the likes of Penn State, Purdue, and USC in our final three regular season matches. That's excellent prep for the tournament. |
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Post by volleybob on Nov 12, 2024 15:32:41 GMT -5
Assuming we get all of our pins back
6-2 to maximize a UW block the swings matches when it's on and utilize both talented setters:
(OH1) Barton, (OH2) Endsley based on experience, grit and creativity out of system,
Endsley serves and then subs out for Heard;
(Op1) Bush (gotta stop those elite outside hitters during tournament time), (Op2) Fletcher,
Wilmes subs in for Fletcher to serve and play back row;
Wilson pairs with Wessels at MB, Haury pairs with Hunt.
This is our way forward. I will call coach Tui and let her know as soon as she sends me her phone number.
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Post by luckydawg on Nov 12, 2024 16:17:32 GMT -5
Assuming we get all of our pins back 6-2 to maximize a UW block the swings matches when it's on and utilize both talented setters: ... This is our way forward. I will call coach Tui and let her know as soon as she sends me her phone number. Don't worry, I'm sure she's intently following this thread. |
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Post by redbeard2008 on Nov 12, 2024 16:31:39 GMT -5
All of your points are valid and I think your conclusion that it comes down to what best fits your personnel is also spot on. We just disagree on the application of this latter point and it will be interesting to see what choices Leslie makes as the season winds down. I'm actually really happy we are in a reconstituted B1G where we get to play the likes of Penn State, Purdue, and USC in our final three regular season matches. That's excellent prep for the tournament. Choices (assuming that Barton returns soon): 1) A 6-2 with Bush and Barton at OH1 and OH2, Endsley/Fletcher as the OPPs, and one DS (Heard or Wilmes) subbing for Bush, and Haury setting Hunt. My concern is that poor passing will continue to undercut any gains that might otherwise be achieved. 2) A 5-1 with Bush and Barton at OH1 and OH2, Endsley or Fletcher at OPP, and one DS (Heard or Wilmes) subbing for Bush at OH or Endsley/Fletcher at OPP, with Bush or Endsley (but not Fletcher) playing six rotations. My concern here is the same as Option 1. 3) A 5-1 with Bush and Barton at OH1 and OH2, Endsley or Fletcher at OPP, and two DSs (Heard and Wilmes) subbing for Bush and Endsley/Fletcher, with only Barton playing six rotations. I think that this has the best chance of improving passing and maintaining firepower. I do think that Bush has shown herself to be MUCH more productive at OH than at OPP (the latter primarily due to our passing woes), so I didn't include using her at OPP going forward as a "choice". I believe, the more you pile on her, the heavier the load she'll carry. Any worry over her repaired shoulder should be done with. Note: I'm a big fan of Wilmes and am rooting for her. I think she's made big improvements over last season, but just isn't as terminal as Bush and Barton at OH. If Endsley and/or Fletcher stumble at OPP, or after they graduate, I can see her stepping in there (for six rotations in a 5-1). |
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Post by alwayslearning on Nov 12, 2024 17:56:38 GMT -5
I suspect we can all agree that this season, and the Huskies prospects in the postseason, would look significantly better if our serve receive was more on par with traditionally strong UW teams of the past. Specifically, if the play of Lauren Bays in the last few matches represented the floor, rather than the ceiling, of what UW is capable of on serve receive, then I'm guessing we don't lose to Michigan in Ann Arbor or UCLA at home or Oregon on the road. We might be 11-3 in conference right now and 24-3 overall, absolutely in the running to host a subregional and a favorite to make it to the Sweet Sixteen. I think that would be the case even with all the injuries to our pin hitters.
Of course Leslie and staff are aware of this. We can only hope that recruiting is poised to correct the deficiency.
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Post by ay2013 on Nov 12, 2024 23:09:23 GMT -5
I will say that I must wonder what our ceiling could be like if we started with this lineup from the beginning, and had no injuries
OH1: Barton
OH2: Endsley (DS Heard)
S: Wilson
MB: Hunt (serve)
MB: Wessels
RS - Bush (6 rotations - Wilmes in the backrow if we need passing in the match)
L: Bays
Each of these components have a relatively high ceiling when playing well, and if we had the season to make the components gel, I could have maybe seen an elite 8 appearance.
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Post by montlakemouse on Nov 13, 2024 0:52:20 GMT -5
Agreed that limitations in the passing department on this roster have most impacted the lineup choices this season. Not just passing serves, but also backcourt defense and digging to target for transition offense in general.
As much as I love the 5-1 (agree with ay on potential for higher ceiling with his line-up over the course of a year), I think if everyone is healthy at the end of the season, they return to the same 6-2 with Barton-Endsley on the left for the following reasons:
-better block up front in all rotations helps not only score points, but improves back court defense and therefore transition offense, by getting more touches on hits
-both middles appear to be less effective on the slide
-if you are going to be out of system a lot anyway, why not always have 2 pins for an outlet in all rotations
-not that Bush isn’t great on the left, but Endsley is less effective on the right
-I do think there is a quicker move to sub Wilmes in for any of the pins who are struggling or to boost the serve receive.
Ultimately, off-season work and recruiting are needed to improve the passing woes.
One other reason the 6-2 may have been the smart move with this roster would be to keep every player engaged and playing to their highest level which improves the team over the season. It also get some of the younger players court time in smaller roles to be ready to take on bigger roles in the future. In the age of NIL and transfer portals coaches probably think some of these things.
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Post by alwayslearning on Nov 13, 2024 12:17:09 GMT -5
There is only so much one can do with our current personnel and serve receive and general passing/digging woes. Absent sudden and unexpected improvement from players like Barton, Heard, Wilmes, etc., it will continue to be the Achilles heel of the team.
As an aside, I am optimistic that Barton can make strides and become a very good receiver/digger over the two plus years she has left. A comparison might be to Kara Bajema, another gifted OH who began her career as a middle (due to injuries or weakness in the middle IIRC) and eventually became an All-American who played six rotations and passed and dug very well. If Barton had not been sidelined so much this year and had gotten more reps, I am sure we'd be in better shape.
I'm not down on this team overall. There has been significant improvement over last year's team and wins over Oregon and Minnesota show the program is heading in the right direction.
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Post by volleybob on Nov 13, 2024 17:10:01 GMT -5
Maddie Endsley is our most effective server this season, according to the volleyball statistics site, evollve.net/We win the point 49% of the time when she serves. See below for the rest of the numbers: Endsley, 49% Wilson & Haury, 47.9% Barton, 45.8% Wessels, 44.7% Bays, 41.5% Bush, 40.9% Hunt, 40.7% Heard, 39.7% Wilmes, 35.3% Servers go hot and cold so it will be interesting to see how these numbers change over the rest of the season. |
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Post by luckydawg on Nov 17, 2024 15:21:24 GMT -5
Good news:Kierstyn is out of her boot. The bad news: Katy is in one.
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