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Post by skolgophers on Jun 24, 2024 8:23:23 GMT -5
That’s a bummer then, because I don’t see why this team will do any better than last year? Maybe we should be happy to just make the top 26, at a regional final hosted elsewhere. But I feel like that’s beneath the expectations that Hugh had built up to and not where I want to settle for. A. I’m not an expert, but that’s what I think we will see this year. I wouldn’t look too much into my opinions lol. B. There is a new head coach with lots of movement. It’s typically expected to see a transition period until he can get HIS players on the court. C. Hugh missed a tournament too. How do you know what his expectations of the program were?? Also, this is the team you choose to cheer for - if they aren’t meeting your standards, you can choose another team to follow. Just saying.
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Post by gophergirl on Jun 24, 2024 8:44:37 GMT -5
That’s a bummer then, because I don’t see why this team will do any better than last year? Maybe we should be happy to just make the top 26, at a regional final hosted elsewhere. But I feel like that’s beneath the expectations that Hugh had built up to and not where I want to settle for. A. I’m not an expert, but that’s what I think we will see this year. I wouldn’t look too much into my opinions lol. B. There is a new head coach with lots of movement. It’s typically expected to see a transition period until he can get HIS players on the court. C. Hugh missed a tournament too. How do you know what his expectations of the program were?? Also, this is the team you choose to cheer for - if they aren’t meeting your standards, you can choose another team to follow. Just saying. I think they will be better than last year. I think the team chemistry is much better and we won't drop the easy ones like we did last year, cough cough Rutgers, Maryland, cough cough. Are we up there with Texas, Nebraska, Louisville, Wisco? Maybe not yet, but I think we'll be much more competitive and we won't see as many poor stretches during games. We are on the right path, just need to keep chugging.
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Post by skolgophers on Jun 24, 2024 8:51:45 GMT -5
A. I’m not an expert, but that’s what I think we will see this year. I wouldn’t look too much into my opinions lol. B. There is a new head coach with lots of movement. It’s typically expected to see a transition period until he can get HIS players on the court. C. Hugh missed a tournament too. How do you know what his expectations of the program were?? Also, this is the team you choose to cheer for - if they aren’t meeting your standards, you can choose another team to follow. Just saying. I think they will be better than last year. I think the team chemistry is much better and we won't drop the easy ones like we did last year, cough cough Rutgers, Maryland, cough cough. Are we up there with Texas, Nebraska, Louisville, Wisco? Maybe not yet, but I think we'll be much more competitive and we won't see as many poor stretches during games. We are on the right path, just need to keep chugging. I don’t disagree at all. Last year was very hard to watch simply for the fact that there was an incredible amount of talent. Watching such a talented team go through the struggles they did was rough. They have had a year to come together, and with the additions of Acevedo and Thibault, Cook is giving this team their best chances to improve. ETA: I think it’s unfair to blame Shaffmaster for the team’s problems last year. Was she injured? Yep. But as far as I know, she has never been in a serve receive pattern, so….
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Post by jeepers on Jun 24, 2024 9:42:40 GMT -5
It would be very unusual to bench a 5-year, healthy perennial all-conference setter for a true freshman.
Shaffmaster will need to get the middle involved this year if this team is going to have any success. We've seen more slides in the spring/Euro trip than the last 2 years combined, so that's a good sign. Theoretically, getting an effective middle attack going should alleviate any defensive cheating on the pins.
Rather than worry about the starting setting position, I'm going to marvel at a line up where all of the players give 100% on defense. That hasn't been the case in quite some time.
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Post by mplsgopher on Jun 24, 2024 10:00:30 GMT -5
Theoretically, getting an effective middle attack going should alleviate any defensive cheating on the pins. Agreed. The key to that is to have a setter who can set the middle.
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Post by holms on Jun 24, 2024 10:09:14 GMT -5
I agree with what has been said so far that Mel will be our setter this year based on what I've seen so far in the off season. I think she's as good or even better than she's ever been too. Such a solid all around player, tons of experience, happy to have her honestly. If you're going to be putting your very best players on the court at the beginning of the year we will obviously be going with her.
That being said, I wish the reigns would be given to Stella honestly. We got 4 years from Mel, and I've loved to watch her play. But assuming Stella doesn't red shirt, Mel being our starting for a 5th season is short changing Stella of 4 seasons as our starting setter. Plus I think we can agree that this year we probably aren't going to see this team in the championship match. So I personally want to get her as much experience as possible.
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Post by BigDigEnergy on Jun 24, 2024 10:25:44 GMT -5
Theoretically, getting an effective middle attack going should alleviate any defensive cheating on the pins. Agreed. The key to that is to have a setter who can set the middle. And you don't think the key to the setter being able to set the middle is also the PASSING? I am not saying that Mel has been so great at it but you have just pointed your fingers at her ALONE for all of this.
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Post by ndodge on Jun 24, 2024 10:27:30 GMT -5
It would be very unusual to bench a 5-year, healthy perennial all-conference setter for a true freshman. Shaffmaster will need to get the middle involved this year if this team is going to have any success. We've seen more slides in the spring/Euro trip than the last 2 years combined, so that's a good sign. Theoretically, getting an effective middle attack going should alleviate any defensive cheating on the pins. Rather than worry about the starting setting position, I'm going to marvel at a line up where all of the players give 100% on defense. That hasn't been the case in quite some time. I think the thoughts in your last couple sentences are going to have a huge impact for this coming season. I'm really looking forward to it.
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Post by douglass9 on Jun 24, 2024 10:58:06 GMT -5
Our coach is not new. Our spring was around a dozen games. All but one player played. His system is now in place. So no excuses about needing more time or players not being used to his system. Hockey has a plus minus stat. I would love to see that stat on frontline players from last year. I have been looking at some of the stats from last year. In football defense has clear playing times. (usually) In volleyball you can go offence to defense in a split second. We had a terrible defense last year. I watched point after point drop last year next to players that didn't hardly move. I've noticed every team we play is full of 6ft players. A big factor is how well they play defense. Want a better year play better defense.
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Post by gopherhim on Jun 25, 2024 4:47:52 GMT -5
New work schedule has my sleep schedule all wacky, so I looked at some volleyball schedules to see who might join us at the Pav September 12-14 for the Diet Coke Classic. Yeah maybe we'll find out soon and this is a waste of time, but I'm bored, so here you go. Speculate or manifest if it pleases you. Number before conference is 2023 conference RPI rank (out of 32 conferences), and final RPIs for teams are included too. Pour one out for the Pac-12 who had the #1 RPI in their final season. 2. SEC: Tennessee (10) -- but they wouldn't be able to play Auburn. Invite a third team that we don't play but TN and Auburn play? 3. Big 12: Kansas (15), UCF (71) 5. ACC: Florida State (28) 6. Big East: Providence (272) 7. MW: New Mexico (124), Nevada (250) 8. AAC: East Carolina (115), Florida Atlantic (138), Charlotte (223) 10. CUSA: Louisiana Tech (264) 11. WCC: Washington State (11) 17. Big West: UC Davis (198), UC San Diego (196), Cal State Northridge (311) Source: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gmvHBzlZvSncikzwH10xHTUP9vQjpEqwuWvgH0snJ8I/edit?gid=946094645#gid=946094645That google doc is only a compilation of non-con schedules for the nine conferences above (+ B1G) out of the 31 conferences competing in 2024. Below are some teams that haven't released their non-con schedules yet and had RPI in the top half-ish of 2023 DI teams. A lot of the best teams from these conferences are all booked. I didn't double check any of the following teams to see if they've shown up on any released schedules, so bear with me if any of them aren't actually available. Western Michigan, e.g., seems too good to be true as a possibility, but they've only released their conference schedule. 9. Sun Belt: South Alabama (41), Coastal Carolina (47) 12. Patriot: Bucknell (126), American (145) 13. A10: VCU (133), Fordham (163) 14. ASUN: FGCU (54), Lipscomb (76), Eastern Kentucky (106), Kennesaw State (112) 15. MVC: Drake (52), UIC (81), Southern Illinois has 12 days off including that weekend (131), Valparaiso (168) 16. WAC: SFA (39), Grand Canyon (78), UTRGV (113), UT Arlington (132), Utah Valley (167) 18. SoCon: Wofford (103) 19. MAC: Western Michigan (32) 22. CAA: Delaware (62) 24. Horizon: Wright State (79) 26. OVC: Eastern Illinois (69) 27. Big South: High Point (59) 28. Southland: Southeastern Louisiana (82), A&M-Corpus Christi (157) 29. MEAC: Coppin State (129) Conference/Final RPI source: stats.ncaa.org/selection_rankings/nitty_gritties/34729Made it this far? A sidenote: technically the 2023 conference RPIs were ranked 1-33 even though there were only 32 conferences. As the only team not affiliated with a conference, Chicago State's "conference" RPI was 12. I took that figure out and adjusted the rankings to be 1-32.
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Post by mplsgopher on Jun 25, 2024 7:57:42 GMT -5
New work schedule has my sleep schedule all wacky, so I looked at some volleyball schedules to see who might join us at the Pav September 12-14 for the Diet Coke Classic. Yeah maybe we'll find out soon and this is a waste of time, but I'm bored, so here you go. Speculate or manifest if it pleases you. Number before conference is 2023 conference RPI rank (out of 32 conferences), and final RPIs for teams are included too. Pour one out for the Pac-12 who had the #1 RPI in their final season. 2. SEC: Tennessee (10) -- but they wouldn't be able to play Auburn. Invite a third team that we don't play but TN and Auburn play? 3. Big 12: Kansas (15), UCF (71) 5. ACC: Florida State (28) 6. Big East: Providence (272) 7. MW: New Mexico (124), Nevada (250) 8. AAC: East Carolina (115), Florida Atlantic (138), Charlotte (223) 10. CUSA: Louisiana Tech (264) 11. WCC: Washington State (11) 17. Big West: UC Davis (198), UC San Diego (196), Cal State Northridge (311) Source: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gmvHBzlZvSncikzwH10xHTUP9vQjpEqwuWvgH0snJ8I/edit?gid=946094645#gid=946094645That google doc is only a compilation of non-con schedules for the nine conferences above (+ B1G) out of the 31 conferences competing in 2024. Below are some teams that haven't released their non-con schedules yet and had RPI in the top half-ish of 2023 DI teams. A lot of the best teams from these conferences are all booked. I didn't double check any of the following teams to see if they've shown up on any released schedules, so bear with me if any of them aren't actually available. Western Michigan, e.g., seems too good to be true as a possibility, but they've only released their conference schedule. 9. Sun Belt: South Alabama (41), Coastal Carolina (47) 12. Patriot: Bucknell (126), American (145) 13. A10: VCU (133), Fordham (163) 14. ASUN: FGCU (54), Lipscomb (76), Eastern Kentucky (106), Kennesaw State (112) 15. MVC: Drake (52), UIC (81), Southern Illinois has 12 days off including that weekend (131), Valparaiso (168) 16. WAC: SFA (39), Grand Canyon (78), UTRGV (113), UT Arlington (132), Utah Valley (167) 18. SoCon: Wofford (103) 19. MAC: Western Michigan (32) 22. CAA: Delaware (62) 24. Horizon: Wright State (79) 26. OVC: Eastern Illinois (69) 27. Big South: High Point (59) 28. Southland: Southeastern Louisiana (82), A&M-Corpus Christi (157) 29. MEAC: Coppin State (129) Conference/Final RPI source: stats.ncaa.org/selection_rankings/nitty_gritties/34729Made it this far? A sidenote: technically the 2023 conference RPIs were ranked 1-33 even though there were only 32 conferences. As the only team not affiliated with a conference, Chicago State's "conference" RPI was 12. I took that figure out and adjusted the rankings to be 1-32. I would think Kansas would be ideal? Solid program, and actually drivable distance for their fans up here. Some alumni already live here.
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Post by mplsgopher on Jun 25, 2024 8:03:34 GMT -5
Agreed. The key to that is to have a setter who can set the middle. And you don't think the key to the setter being able to set the middle is also the PASSING? I am not saying that Mel has been so great at it but you have just pointed your fingers at her ALONE for all of this. We’ve had two head coaches now along with their varied staffs over the past four seasons. And you think all of these volleyball experts have come here and decided “we’re going to play a brand new kind of volleyball here at Minnesota, a revelation: don’t set the middle!!” You think that’s the truth of it? I think something else. I think they get to see what goes on at practice every day. And they made tough decisions.
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Post by skolgophers on Jun 25, 2024 8:12:44 GMT -5
And you don't think the key to the setter being able to set the middle is also the PASSING? I am not saying that Mel has been so great at it but you have just pointed your fingers at her ALONE for all of this. We’ve had two head coaches now along with their varied staffs over the past four seasons. And you think all of these volleyball experts have come here and decided “we’re going to play a brand new kind of volleyball here at Minnesota, a revelation: don’t set the middle!!” You think that’s the truth of it? I think something else. I think they get to see what goes on at practice every day. And they made tough decisions. I think you just proved a point though. It’s not Shaffmaster or the staff’s game plan to not set the middle. She literally can’t when the passes are 15 feet off the net. I’m not sure what you’re trying to get at. Also, if the staff have been so unimpressed with Shaff, they had opportunities in the portal the last 4 years.
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Post by BigDigEnergy on Jun 25, 2024 8:33:18 GMT -5
And you don't think the key to the setter being able to set the middle is also the PASSING? I am not saying that Mel has been so great at it but you have just pointed your fingers at her ALONE for all of this. We’ve had two head coaches now along with their varied staffs over the past four seasons. And you think all of these volleyball experts have come here and decided “we’re going to play a brand new kind of volleyball here at Minnesota, a revelation: don’t set the middle!!” You think that’s the truth of it? I think something else. I think they get to see what goes on at practice every day. And they made tough decisions. I am sorry but what is your point here? I am confused with your response. You are kinda going on a circle here lol. It is true that the coaches get to see what happens at practice every day and therefore we should trust them with their decision of whichever setter they think should start. So your point earlier about Shaff not setting middle is mute. It doesn't matter who starts between her and Stella, the coaches will make that decision.
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Post by sptimes2 on Jun 25, 2024 12:08:21 GMT -5
I am choosing to believe the way they set the middle this spring is a sign of what they would like to do/see this fall.
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