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Post by ilalum92 on May 17, 2024 13:18:23 GMT -5
Now that the roster is coming together, any thoughts on possible starting lineups? Will Burbage shift back to a MH position? Who starts at the OH with Terry? Will any freshmen crack the starting lineup? Tamas will finally have options at each position - looking forward to the new season. Here's my early prediction (barring injuries): OH: Terry, Hernandez MH: Bohm, Burbage OPP: DeBoer S: Mosher L: Barnes DS: Martinez Mundo, Barry OH: Terry , Hernandez MH: Bohm, Philipot (Philipot gets the nod as she has really good slide) Opp: Burbage/TdB - toss up S: Mosher L: Barnes DS: Martinez Mundo, Barry |
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Post by ilalum92 on May 17, 2024 13:20:24 GMT -5
Welcome Averie! Great addition to the team. Can't wait to see you in the Blue & Orange. Os-Kee-Wow-Wow ILLINOIS |
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Post by exit237a on May 17, 2024 14:18:04 GMT -5
Now that the roster is coming together, any thoughts on possible starting lineups? Will Burbage shift back to a MH position? Who starts at the OH with Terry? Will any freshmen crack the starting lineup? Tamas will finally have options at each position - looking forward to the new season. Here's my early prediction (barring injuries): OH: Terry, Hernandez MH: Bohm, Burbage OPP: DeBoer S: Mosher L: Barnes DS: Martinez Mundo, Barry I largely agree with your first stab at a lineup. Averie and Raina are both capable back row attackers. I could see both of them playing six rotations, leading to only one DS starting. And Taylor showed herself comfortable playing on the right side last summer at NORCECA, notching I think a record 35 points in a match playing opposite. I could be misremembering it but that’s my recollection. Exciting times! Suddenly we’ve got a lot of options. |
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Post by oldmanvb on May 17, 2024 15:05:50 GMT -5
I think Barnes and Martinez Mundo are a tossup at L, whoever doesn’t start at L will play backrow for the opposite. I think Tamas will at least experiment at the beginning of the season with Hernandez playing 6 rotations and if so Barry may be limited to spot play. If Reilly is used as a setter opposite Mosher we may be down to our L being our only backrow sub. I doubt we will run a 6-2 all of the time, but situationally it could be a big part of our play, particularly for the rotation when Mosher is left front on serve receive. I don’t recall enough and don’t know enough about our newcomer’s serves to predict who may become a serving sub. I think Philpot starts in the middle because of her slides and the other middle will be between Burbage and Bohm. I’m optimistic TdB’s health will enable her to play full time at opposite, but if not Smith is more than competent on the right side. I have enough concern about Burbage’s shoulder to wonder how it may impact the lineup. Playing middle is much easier on her shoulder, which may be the reason for her shift to middle. Tamas coaching options have increased exponentially, far different from all the matches in which he didn’t have any lineup alternative whatsoever.
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Post by inpaign on May 17, 2024 17:15:04 GMT -5
Now that the roster is coming together, any thoughts on possible starting lineups? Will Burbage shift back to a MH position? Who starts at the OH with Terry? Will any freshmen crack the starting lineup? Tamas will finally have options at each position - looking forward to the new season. Here's my early prediction (barring injuries): OH: Terry, Hernandez MH: Bohm, Burbage OPP: DeBoer S: Mosher L: Barnes DS: Martinez Mundo, Barry Great to see the Hernandez news (finally) come through. A HUGE pickup for Illini volleyball - one of the best pin portal additions we could've gotten this time around. Quite a few very talented programs interested in her so it was nice to see her commit to us, even with homecourt advantage  . Watched a couple of her matches from last year these past few days and she is a very talented player, has a real ability to put the ball down and hits line extremely well. Love Jess Nunge and appreciate all she's done for Illinois, but it feels as though this is quite the upgrade at OH. Suddenly I'm more excited about this Illini team than I have been in awhile. Experience, freshmen, talent, DEPTH (at every position!). Tamas has a lot to work with this year and can change things up as the season progresses. This starting lineup is my prediction as of now, with the exception of Martinez Mundo in at lib with Barnes as the DS. I've heard it will truly be up for grabs and determined solely based on performance in practice so that will be fun to watch. LOVE DeBoer at opposite. Both Smith and Philpot have the ability to compete for and win over a starting spot. We've got a very, very solid team here that is more than capable of staying competitive in the Big Ten. Will be fun to watch! |
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Post by ilalum92 on May 18, 2024 23:35:23 GMT -5
Ok, now that we got transfers of DS/L, Setter and OH can we move on tothe speculation about 2026 recruits?
What do we need? How many scholies available? Do we know who we are targeting?
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Post by vbkahuna on May 19, 2024 6:32:04 GMT -5
2024 Illinois Roster (by position, in order of class)
Setters
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| Raegen Reilly
| 5'10"
| Grad Student
| Brooke Mosher
| 6'0"
| R-Junior
| Vivian Campbell
| 5'10"
| Sophomore
| Bianca May
| 5'8"
| R-Sophomore
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Defensive Specialists/
Liberos
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| Christina Martinez Mundo
| 5'6"
| 5th Year
| Caroline Barnes
| 5'11"
| Senior
| Maddie Llewellyn
| 5'7"
| Junior
| Lily Barry
| 5'6"
| Sophomore
| Christine Pullen
| 5'7"
| Freshman
| Kenzie Cogan
| 5'6"
| Freshman
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Pin Hitters
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| Raina Terry
| 6'3"
| 5th Year
| Kayla Burbage
| 6'4"
| Senior
| Averie Hernandez
| 6'2"
| Junior
| Taylor de Boer
| 6'4"
| R-Freshman
| Laynie Smith
| 6'4"
| Freshman
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Middle Blockers
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| Sarah Bingham
| 6'3"
| R-Junior
| Cari Bohm
| 6'4"
| R-Sophomore
| Gabby Dean
| 6'4"
| R-Freshman
| Ashlyn Philpot
| 6'4"
| Freshman
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Wow! This is like waking up on Christmas morning...in May. (And realizing Mom and Dad worked all night long (years ackshully) to finally put together that high-flying swing set (pins), badass dirt bike (MBs), Young Scientist Microscope Set (setters), and 500-piece IKEA DS and Libero Kit.) Merry ChrisTamas&Jen&Krista&Eli, Illini. Enjoy responsibly. |
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Post by oldmanvb on May 19, 2024 6:53:04 GMT -5
I’m not sure we have ever had a roster of 19 players. Do we have enough lockers?
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Post by kevinmalone on May 19, 2024 8:48:17 GMT -5
2024 Illinois Roster (by position, in order of class)
Setters
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| Raegen Reilly
| 5'10"
| Grad Student
| Brooke Mosher
| 6'0"
| R-Junior
| Vivian Campbell
| 5'10"
| Sophomore
| Bianca May
| 5'8"
| R-Sophomore
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Defensive Specialists/
Liberos
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| Christina Martinez Mundo
| 5'6"
| 5th Year
| Caroline Barnes
| 5'11"
| Senior
| Maddie Llewellyn
| 5'7"
| Junior
| Lily Barry
| 5'6"
| Sophomore
| Christine Pullen
| 5'7"
| Freshman
| Kenzie Cogan
| 5'6"
| Freshman
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Pin Hitters
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| Raina Terry
| 6'3"
| 5th Year
| Kayla Burbage
| 6'4"
| Senior
| Averie Hernandez
| 6'2"
| Junior
| Taylor de Boer
| 6'4"
| R-Freshman
| Laynie Smith
| 6'4"
| Freshman
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Middle Blockers
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| Sarah Bingham
| 6'3"
| R-Junior
| Cari Bohm
| 6'4"
| R-Sophomore
| Gabby Dean
| 6'4"
| R-Freshman
| Ashlyn Philpot
| 6'4"
| Freshman
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Wow! This is like waking up on Christmas morning...in May. (And realizing Mom and Dad worked all night long (years ackshully) to finally put together that high-flying swing set (pins), badass dirt bike (MBs), Young Scientist Microscope Set (setters), and 500-piece IKEA DS and Libero Kit.) Merry ChrisTamas&Jen&Krista&Eli, Illini. Enjoy responsibly. You are talking about a player that hit .180 in the same conference |
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Post by icemole11 on May 19, 2024 11:53:09 GMT -5
Averie didnt get much front row time at NU, but stepped up solidly last year. I have watched her ply in hs, club and college and I'm pretty sure you will enjoy watching her. Give her some time, after all Raina hit .160 her second season and I think that has worked out quite nicely!
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Post by oldmanvb on May 19, 2024 13:02:23 GMT -5
Averie’s hitting percentage is in large part a function of the team’s passing, how often she has to hit out of system balls, and how effective our middle attack it. Bad passing and no effective middle translates into a low hitting percentage for pin hitters regardless of how good they may be. We know she is capable, lets see how the team does with her on the court.
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Post by oldmanvb on May 22, 2024 21:40:14 GMT -5
When do players start showing up on campus and when can practice start? While Illini baseball and golf provide some level of entertainment, waiting until August to see if the volleyball team plays to our expectations is going to be difficult without at least a little gossip or speculation. As of now we can’t even complain about the coaching staff not working the transfer portal. We’ve gone through the transfer portal complaints, opined on next year’s starters, and this is one thread in which anonymous internet venom is virtually (and thankfully) non-existent. The coaches have responded to our messaging by bringing in DS/passing help, setting depth and a good pin hitter. Is there something more this board can contribute to the 2024 season beyond what we’ve already accomplished, other than telling each other what a good job we’ve done?
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Post by vball778 on May 23, 2024 11:26:13 GMT -5
Haven't been this excited about an Illini season in awhile. Thrilled that we now have options and that Raina's shoulder can rest a bit before she goes pro.
Calling for the following lineup:
OH1 : Terry
OH 2: Hernandez
OPP: de Boer
MB 1: Philpot
MB 2: Burbage/Bohm
S: Mosher
L: Martinez Mundo
DS for Opp: Barnes
DS for OH 2: Barry
I'm encouraged somewhat by this season due in part to a few of our hitters being somewhat unstudied at the college level. Philpot and de Boer could be really difficult to scout by opponents and if they build some confidence early, we could be in really good shape by end of season.
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Post by ilalum92 on May 23, 2024 13:12:09 GMT -5
Very excited about the upcoming season! A great blend of experience, transfers & talented incoming freshman. We are going to surprise a lot of teams this year.
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vballfreak808
Hawaiian Ohana 
2020 All-VolleyTalk 1st Team, All-VolleyTalk 2nd Team (2023, 2022, 2017, 2016), All-VolleyTalk HM (2021, 2019, 2018), 2017 Fantasy League 1st Runner-up, 2016 Fantasy League Champion
#GoBows
Posts: 13,435
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Post by vballfreak808 on May 23, 2024 21:15:07 GMT -5
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. Watched a couple of her matches from last year these past few days and she is a very talented player, has a real ability to put the ball down and hits line extremely well. Love Jess Nunge and appreciate all she's done for Illinois, but it feels as though this is quite the upgrade at OH. 
