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Post by zero-rotation outside hitter on Aug 20, 2024 7:00:00 GMT -5
An example:
Mel Shaffmaster as a fifth-year senior is an excellent server, defender and blocker as far as setters go. Compare just those skills to Samantha-Seliger Swenson as a freshman. SSS was nowhere near Mel in that area.
Now compare Mel's setting capabilities as a fifth-year senior with SSS's as a freshman.
I strongly believe that SSS would get the start as a freshman over Mel as a fifth-year senior based solely on the way the offense is run.
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Post by B1Gminnesotafan on Aug 20, 2024 8:06:59 GMT -5
I just want to say that Mel is a very good setter. Yes, its her all-around play that will get her the start but she is also a GOOD setter. Making comparisons IMO, doesn't work unless they have the same quality of passing and same pin hitters.
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Post by douglass9 on Aug 20, 2024 8:35:54 GMT -5
Last year I saw Grote do smash after smash with her sets. I saw Landfair with over a thousand sets dink and dink when she should have been smashing, especially with her height. I think part of the problem in setting last year falls on some of the pins. When timing is off you can't blame it on the setter. I have always liked Mel and so do the people who picked her as a first team all big10 for 2024. That's right first team.
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Post by BigDigEnergy on Aug 20, 2024 9:32:20 GMT -5
I so look forward to this Saturday's exhibition match! Hopefully that will give us some clarity on the roles of the players and more to talk about. I cannot wait to see them on the court again!!!
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Post by douglass9 on Aug 20, 2024 15:05:04 GMT -5
Just looked at the team photo. 17 players and 10 coaches/staff. I would complain but counted almost 50 a few years ago on the football page. One of the smallest parts of the athletic budget are scholarships.
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Post by craftylefty on Aug 20, 2024 17:26:50 GMT -5
I have been loving the Instagram reels by the team with so many of the girls getting “screen time.” Today’s question: which teammate would you pick for a partner in a fight? Fun seeing the girls’ personalities shining through with questions like this. 😁 www.instagram.com/reel/C-5rH5VOEb2/?igsh=bHozdnYwYjUycTBt |
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Post by craftylefty on Aug 20, 2024 17:31:57 GMT -5
And I agree with an earlier poster that Kate Thibault’s energy practically jumps out of the screen at you! Love it.
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Post by skolgophers on Aug 20, 2024 19:39:12 GMT -5
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Post by mplsgopher on Aug 20, 2024 19:50:07 GMT -5
real ones are #teamShaffmaster for this season Real ones support the Gophers volleyball team and support the coaching staff's decision to play the best players. Supporting a specific player, who isn't the best for the team at that position, IF that's the case (I'm not calling out anyone in particular, so far), is not real.
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Post by Big 🔴 Energy on Aug 20, 2024 20:18:50 GMT -5
My all-time favorite player for the Gophers! An incredible talent, a phenomenal person. Congrats to Tori and Minnesota! (I like how your hall of fame is called the M Club 😎 it sounds like something that requires a fancy credit card or expensive European car to access it.) |
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Post by dietcokefan on Aug 20, 2024 20:52:21 GMT -5
Did we play Iowa State during the spring?
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Post by gopherhim on Aug 20, 2024 21:18:17 GMT -5
Did we play Iowa State during the spring? Yes we won all 4 sets in Faribault, MN. |
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Post by JT on Aug 20, 2024 22:00:42 GMT -5
My all-time favorite player for the Gophers! An incredible talent, a phenomenal person. Congrats to Tori and Minnesota! (I like how your hall of fame is called the M Club 😎 it sounds like something that requires a fancy credit card or expensive European car to access it.) The M Club is for all Gopher athletes. The M Club has a hall of fame for the special/famous ones. |
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Post by jeepers on Aug 21, 2024 5:40:37 GMT -5
Last year I saw Grote do smash after smash with her sets. I saw Landfair with over a thousand sets dink and dink when she should have been smashing, especially with her height. I think part of the problem in setting last year falls on some of the pins. When timing is off you can't blame it on the setter. I have always liked Mel and so do the people who picked her as a first team all big10 for 2024. That's right first team. I hate to keep talking about TL, but the tipping, the dinking, the offspeed hits 90% of the time just don't put any real pressure on the block. It's predictable, the defense learns quickly how to cover it. She has a couple of very nice offspeed shots in her toolbox, but it just doesn't cause any chaos, it doesn't get into anyone's head. Couple that with her lack of effort on defense and it is unequivocally several lost points per match, which in a conference like the B1G is the difference between top 3 and middle of the pack. Of course she does make up several of those points with her blocking and serving prowess, but at a top program, it's not enough. I will be suprised if she doesn't get Lexi Sun'd in Lincoln this year. Even with Grote and Wucherer getting blocked more often, they are putting pressure on the opposing block to execute. Adding Hanson to the mix, who seems to be the best of them all at using the block to score points, and we just have a massively different look this year. You have to put some fear into the other team and dinking just doesn't do that. |
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Post by BigDigEnergy on Aug 21, 2024 8:55:58 GMT -5
I just saw a new video and it looks like Dixon has been in the practice gym with the players. That is pretty cool!
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