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Post by DaDawgFather on Jan 1, 2024 2:16:44 GMT -5
I think to be competitive in 2024, Washington needs an experienced DS/L or 6 rotation OH that can pass. In addition, an experienced middle blocker will be really helpful. Not surprisingly we had the lowest offensive output since 2008 ( if you only look at 25 point rally games ) and lowest hitting efficiency since 2001. To get back to 13.5+ K/S and 27.5+% is going to take a lot of work. I think we at least need all 3 of what you mention and maybe more. We need 1) an OH that can pass/hit and dig heat. 2) A libero that can pass and dig with some range. 3) A middle that can time and hit at least one quick set consistently. Then the extension of that would be #4) A setter with significantly better location and tempo. The game has sped up a lot in recent years. It's a double whammy. No fast offense means you don't defend against it on a daily basis. Then against a team that does see it on a daily basis, you become slightly easier to defend. An extra dig or block per game and you've lost 22-25 or 21-25. Right now I don't think we're functionally fast because 1) too many timing problems with the hitters and 2) limited range and visibility by our hitters. I'd be curious to see 2 things. 1) if the philosophy will be to tap the portal significantly or develop the program over a few years with incoming freshmen. 2) what the coaches think are the top 1 or 2 priorities for each athlete that's returning. Am I right thinking we have 4 OHs, 2 MBs, 2 Libs and a setter returning? |
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Post by fromonhigh on Jan 1, 2024 3:06:34 GMT -5
Unless Huard has improved significantly since her club years UW is in big trouble if they are counting on her as an impact hitter in the B1G. She might be able to contribute as a DS but what does it say about the Husky program if either of these options a necessity rather than an option?
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Post by luckydawg on Jan 1, 2024 9:33:22 GMT -5
Unless Huard has improved significantly since her club years UW is in big trouble if they are counting on her as an impact hitter in the B1G. She might be able to contribute as a DS but what does it say about the Husky program if either of these options a necessity rather than an option? Pretty sure that Huard is viewed as a DS. She did some practicing as an OH, but only for emergencies. |
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Post by Huskyfan on Jan 1, 2024 11:34:54 GMT -5
I think to be competitive in 2024, Washington needs an experienced DS/L or 6 rotation OH that can pass. In addition, an experienced middle blocker will be really helpful. Not surprisingly we had the lowest offensive output since 2008 ( if you only look at 25 point rally games ) and lowest hitting efficiency since 2001. To get back to 13.5+ K/S and 27.5+% is going to take a lot of work. I think we at least need all 3 of what you mention and maybe more. We need 1) an OH that can pass/hit and dig heat. 2) A libero that can pass and dig with some range. 3) A middle that can time and hit at least one quick set consistently. Then the extension of that would be #4) A setter with significantly better location and tempo. The game has sped up a lot in recent years. It's a double whammy. No fast offense means you don't defend against it on a daily basis. Then against a team that does see it on a daily basis, you become slightly easier to defend. An extra dig or block per game and you've lost 22-25 or 21-25. Right now I don't think we're functionally fast because 1) too many timing problems with the hitters and 2) limited range and visibility by our hitters. I'd be curious to see 2 things. 1) if the philosophy will be to tap the portal significantly or develop the program over a few years with incoming freshmen. 2) what the coaches think are the top 1 or 2 priorities for each athlete that's returning. Am I right thinking we have 4 OHs, 2 MBs, 2 Libs and a setter returning? Returning from 2023, we have 4 OHs (Bush, Wilmes, Endsley and Barton), 2 MBs (Wessels and Hani), 2 L/DS (Bays, Huard) and one setter (Wilson). We also have 2 recruits: Alexis Haury (Setter) and Julia Hunt (MB), both will challenge for playing time, IMO. The "needs" and "wants" I mentioned in an earlier were additional players from the transfer portal. There are still a few players in the portal that could fill UW's needs. However, I have not seen any "evidence" of interest from UW coaches or these athletes. |
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Post by montlakemouse on Jan 1, 2024 12:07:46 GMT -5
I think to be competitive in 2024, Washington needs an experienced DS/L or 6 rotation OH that can pass. In addition, an experienced middle blocker will be really helpful. Not surprisingly we had the lowest offensive output since 2008 ( if you only look at 25 point rally games ) and lowest hitting efficiency since 2001. To get back to 13.5+ K/S and 27.5+% is going to take a lot of work. I think we at least need all 3 of what you mention and maybe more. We need 1) an OH that can pass/hit and dig heat. 2) A libero that can pass and dig with some range. 3) A middle that can time and hit at least one quick set consistently. Then the extension of that would be #4) A setter with significantly better location and tempo. The game has sped up a lot in recent years. It's a double whammy. No fast offense means you don't defend against it on a daily basis. Then against a team that does see it on a daily basis, you become slightly easier to defend. An extra dig or block per game and you've lost 22-25 or 21-25. Right now I don't think we're functionally fast because 1) too many timing problems with the hitters and 2) limited range and visibility by our hitters. I'd be curious to see 2 things. 1) if the philosophy will be to tap the portal significantly or develop the program over a few years with incoming freshmen. 2) what the coaches think are the top 1 or 2 priorities for each athlete that's returning. Am I right thinking we have 4 OHs, 2 MBs, 2 Libs and a setter returning? Agreed. Good analysis. I'm adding poor passing/digging for transition offense as a reason the team isn't functionally fast due to being out of system more often than not. (Doesn't help the setter location or hitter timing problems either). On the plus side I think Wessels/Hunt have the ability to develop into a good middle tandem. What is worrisome is that the coaching staff seems to be doing NEITHER tapping the portal nor recruiting future incoming freshman to build the program. |
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Post by alwayslearning on Jan 1, 2024 12:20:16 GMT -5
I have a few questions/comments for you all:
1) I agree with redbeard that, of all our returning pin hitters, Wilmes is the best passer -- I don't see Endsley in this role at all and Barton would need dramatic improvement. But are we ruling out Bush as a passing candidate? I remember when most of us thought that Drechsel was a poor candidate for passer and she was actually pretty darn good by her senior year. Bush would almost certainly add more offensive punch as a back row hitter. I'd be surprised if Tui isn't at least thinking about this.
2) Most of the discussion focuses on the role of the players who we assume are returning. One or two excellent transfers/grad students could change everything and that's why I reiterate that Tui MUST focus on this. My wish list in order of priority: a) a 6ro pin hitter; b) a proven middle; c) another setter; and d) more libero/DS players. It's possible we could get non-scholie players for the latter two categories. I assume Bays will still be our primary libero but we need as much depth and competition as we can get at DS -- I would like to see a roster of 16-17 players. Without significant help from the portal or grad students, both the quality and depth will be problematic in the new conference.
3) I would love to see Brooke Huard emerge as a solid passer and back row defender. But Tui can't afford to put all her eggs in the Bays/Huard basket. Please, recruit more DS/liberos.
4) 6-2 or no 6-2? It all depends on personnel and it's just too early to say. My guess is that Tui will experiment during non-conference play. I just hope the experimentation doesn't continue until late in the season. If Tui really does want to explore the 6-2, it makes sense to recruit another setter (portal/grad).
5) Fast offense? If you have the athletes to pull it off, yes. UW did occasionally run a fast set to the outside with Endsley or Barton but it was the exception, not the rule. You generally need high level passing to pull it off. It also helps to have a viable middle attack, which was MIA last year. I would say a fast offense is more a wish for the future direction of the team than a realistic 2024 possibility.
6) Do we need another middle? I say yes even if Hunt turns out to be everything we hope for. I have the same doubts about Hani as the rest of you. But I also have doubts about Wessels. It would be great if she could turn into an Avie Niece type of player. She would need considerable improvement, however, as I'm pretty sure Niece was a more accomplished blocker and hitter as a freshman. If we could find someone in the portal who has the offensive skill of a Marin Grote or the defensive skill of a Lauren Sanders, I would snatch them up in a heartbeat.
7) Should the philosophy going forward be to tap the portal significantly (e.g., Wisconsin) or develop the program with incoming freshmen (Stanford, Nebraska)? Obviously, either can be viable and the best teams do both. My guess is that, temperamentally, Tui would prefer to recruit younger players and develop them over time. Right now, however, we have pressing needs that can only addressed by recruiting players who have played elsewhere. 2024 will tell us something about UW's ability to do this.
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Post by montlakemouse on Jan 1, 2024 13:50:25 GMT -5
1) Bush was training as a passer according to the preseason write up for the 2023 season. I'm sure Tui is pushing for all the hitters to improve passing. (Agreed that Endsley will likely not be a primary passer). Coming off a shoulder surgery they will probably work Bush in more slowly maybe starting the year as a 3ro player and working to add backrow attack and 6ro as the year goes on depending on how the shoulder holds up.
2) Definitely need more players. I'd prioritize rockstar DS/L >>6ro pin>>experienced MB>>setter
3) Yep.
4) Agreed.
5) Passing, passing, passing... (Edit: also, setting ... does Haury have the ability to be an upgrade over Wilson?)
6) Grad transfer would be nice here. Ideally we would have red-shirted Wessels last year since she is pretty raw, but that wasn't an option. She did seem to improve throughout the year and at least her offensive numbers weren't too far off Neice's freshman year. Blocking needs to improve.
Wessels 2023: 0.77 K/s; .242 Ht%; .415 K%; .74 B/s; 1.19 Pts/s
Neice 2016: 0.99 K/s; .252 Ht%; .403 K%; 1.13 B/s; 1.58 Pts/s (Passing trio: McPherson, Schwan, Scambray; setter: Tanner)
7) Agreed that Tui will probably want to develop younger players over the long term, but getting solid help in for next year (or the right player with several years left) will go a long way. Trying to make it through the season with the 11 players currently on the roster will not go well in the B1G. Where is the recruiting???
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Post by redbeard2008 on Jan 1, 2024 14:55:35 GMT -5
Unless Huard has improved significantly since her club years UW is in big trouble if they are counting on her as an impact hitter in the B1G. She might be able to contribute as a DS but what does it say about the Husky program if either of these options a necessity rather than an option? Pretty sure that Huard is viewed as a DS. She did some practicing as an OH, but only for emergencies. She was in the hitting line during warmups. She was one injury from playing. If running a 6-2, one of the issues when using a DS is that you can run out of subs. Huard could rotate to the front row and hit in that situation. |
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Post by tomclen on Jan 1, 2024 15:08:05 GMT -5
As someone who was all for eliminating some of the oppressive rules that prevented or greatly limited transfers for student-athletes, I'm also concerned about the current wild west nature of university hopping.
I'm not versed enough to come up with a solution that solves the problem so that student-athletes have protections, but teams can almost have some roster stability. Otherwise, I think we're looking at several years where the top teams are not going to change much, other than possibly get even more "top."
UW has always had this VB reputation of almost no one transferring out and very few transferring in. It's admirable, but I don't think it's really workable anymore.
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Post by redbeard2008 on Jan 1, 2024 15:47:27 GMT -5
From the PNW v-ball desert thread... I thought earlier in last season that Wilmes, with Bush out, was the key. That turned out to be correct, as I think will be the case this upcoming season. While Wilmes struggled offensively, she did show some flashes. UW's primary problem is that they have not replaced Hoffman, who was their Swiss Army knife at L2. With Bush, Endsley, and Barton carrying the offensive load, Wilmes just needs to improve her offensive efficiency. More importantly, UW NEEDS to have Wilmes in SR for six rotations. If they can pass, they can distribute the ball to the outsides and set the middles. If they can't, they CAN'T. This is what I think they need to do: r OH1: Endsley -> DS: Huard OH2: Wilmes (6ro) MB1: Wessels -> MB2: Hunt (Sub: Hani) OPP1: Bush -> S2: Wilson S1: Haury -> OPP2: Barton L: Bays SR: Bay & Wilmes, + Huard (3ro) I'm hoping that Bush can pick up where she left off pre-injury; Endsley can at least play on a par with the end of last season; Wilmes, Barton, and Wessels can all step up their games; and Hunt can upgrade the middle play. Huard, who warmed up in the hitters line last season, could potentially rotate to the front row to further buttress the passing. So, if this all works out, they just need to bring in an extra OH/OPP and DS, and a third Setter. The goal should be to finish in the top half of the Big Ten and make it back into the Tourney, then use that to leverage future recruiting. Agreed that UW is better if Wilmes can improve her ability to do ALL her skills at a higher level over longer periods of time. I'm hopeful she makes a jump in the off season. Last year really was the first time she was expected to play all 6 rotations. Why the 6-2? Wilmes is the best passer among our outside hitters, but the weakest hitter/blocker (off last season's results). She did show some offensive "flashes" (24 kills/.404 vs Utah, for instance). Starting her in the front row in a 5-1 means sitting a stronger hitter/blocker (Barton?). Haury is talented, but "undersized" (listed at 5'10", but 5'9" with shoes off?). Wilson (listed at 5'11") in the team pic was clearly shorter than Litzau (listed at 5'10"). Left-side hitters feasted on Wilson and Wilmes on the right-side. Playing Bush and Barton as OPPs in a 6-2 solves that, and allows playing Wilmes at her natural position (L2). |
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Post by c4ndlelight on Jan 1, 2024 16:13:01 GMT -5
OH: Barton/Wilmes
MB: Wessels/Hunt
S: Wilson
OPP: Bush
L: Bays
Probably need to pick up another DS in the portal to make it work.
Wilmes isn't a great passer but she's the best option of the bunch. Barton and Bush will likely end up the best hitters against Big Ten competition, but I'd DS Barton. Haury's style probably isn't a match for the hitters UW has.
Gonna rely on Bush OOS a lot. I think they need to play her 6 rotations. She's a better blocker than anyone UW put on court last year too.
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Post by montlakemouse on Jan 1, 2024 16:15:57 GMT -5
Anyone have access to the passing grades for the UW passers from last season?
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Post by redbeard2008 on Jan 1, 2024 16:45:37 GMT -5
UW has always had this VB reputation of almost no one transferring out and very few transferring in. It's admirable, but I don't think it's really workable anymore. In which case, Tui needs to be "stingy" with the scholies: Giving them to sure-fire starters or "prospects" with high top-ends, but not to "roster-fillers" who may never pan out. Save the latter to bring in proven players from the Portal. The questions are: Where are we in the "pecking order" for Portal transfers? How much NIL "slush money" (let's call it for what it is) do we have to throw around? How much has the "Tate" situation hurt UW's recruiting/transfer prospects? |
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Post by redbeard2008 on Jan 1, 2024 16:49:02 GMT -5
OH: Barton/Wilmes MB: Wessels/Hunt S: Wilson OPP: Bush L: Bays Probably need to pick up another DS in the portal to make it work. Wilmes isn't a great passer but she's the best option of the bunch. Barton and Bush will likely end up the best hitters against Big Ten competition, but I'd DS Barton. Haury's style probably isn't a match for the hitters UW has. Gonna rely on Bush OOS a lot. I think they need to play her 6 rotations. She's a better blocker than anyone UW put on court last year too. So, sit Endsley? She was UW's best hitter last season. |
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Post by c4ndlelight on Jan 1, 2024 16:56:31 GMT -5
OH: Barton/Wilmes MB: Wessels/Hunt S: Wilson OPP: Bush L: Bays Probably need to pick up another DS in the portal to make it work. Wilmes isn't a great passer but she's the best option of the bunch. Barton and Bush will likely end up the best hitters against Big Ten competition, but I'd DS Barton. Haury's style probably isn't a match for the hitters UW has. Gonna rely on Bush OOS a lot. I think they need to play her 6 rotations. She's a better blocker than anyone UW put on court last year too. So, sit Endsley? She was UW's best hitter last season. Bush is better and will take her place as most frequent option and as the pin who gets pulled out of passing. L1 on a team with weak middles led to her getting a lot of the best looks that won't be there next time. I also expect Barton to be better by next season hitting and she is less of a blocking liability. Maybe they go with Endsley + DS (who though?) instead of Wilmes, but I doubt that would be better for the team overall just because of ball control issues. |
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