A note on the practice I went to on Tuesday. What fun. It was half way over when they let us in. The players were very enthusiastic. The big screen showed a replay after each point. Coaches would talk to a player every now and then. A lot of water breaks which I liked. Z made a great one armed diving hit back to the court. Wucherer has a strong serve it just has a hard time staying in the court. I really like Stella. I do hope she red shirts. I think we will see a lot of different players on the court and they will be quality minutes. Mcmike was there and pointed out things I didn't know existed in strategy, it's not a simple game. I hope he posts on the practice.
Douglass9 was kind enough to let me join him to view Tuesday's practice (my first time)
I would guess there were 30-40 attending
Keegan didn't want to use the microphone when he welcomed us and I could not hear him well enough to understand his remarks and explanations
I didn't know there was immediate tape delay replay of points until he stopped midpoint to look up at the screen and make a comment
I'm a guy. For me, a good team is like a brotherhood
Unit Cohesion:
a military termI wanted to absorb what it is about women's VB that makes it more than 'sisterhood' and this non-match observation opportunity was rewarding
Apologies for sounding too cerebral:
Adhesion leads to cohesion leads hopefully to synergy Adhesion: the action or process of adhering to a surface or object.
Cohesion: the action or fact of forming a united whole.
Synergy is an interaction or cooperation giving rise to a whole that is greater than the simple sum of its parts.
In last week's interview with Mike Grimm
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keegan-is-cooking/id1604681574?i=1000666165725Keegan noted how pleased he was that Alex Acevedo, after a whirlwind visit to many programs, chose Minnesota (her 5th of 6 visits)https://gophersports.com/news/2024/7/2/volleyball-gopher-spotlight-alex-acevedo
We talk about culture, but I think that's a code word for the internalized wisdom that a prospect feels about how they might fit into something that is greater than the sum of individual excellence.
In matches I see how a squad comes together after a point, win or lose, more joyful of course after a point is won, and sometimes ecstatic as when a tiny DS or libero jumps into the arms of a tall tree. I was surprised to see the same behavior at practice. This physical touching, akin to a wolfpack? touching base, is ADHESION.
the 2023 Gopher team lacked cohesion and never came close to synergy: Hugh's departure, Choboy, then Booth's abandonment. Wenaas' desire to be a frontline OH. Keegan's acknowledged reluctance to sub letting underperforming players try to work through dysfunction instead. Gopher fans are not used to a significantly suboptimal culture.
It has been clear to me since the scrimmage in Faribault that this is a much healthier environment, there is more positivity on the court and the fan experience, win or lose, this fall is going to be less stressful. I don't know if it is Pedro, but we ARE going to have a middle attack this year!
Specific observations in no particular order:
There were 3' and 5' lines. I asked Nao Ikeda about them: target locations for passing
I loved seeing the team work out both serving and receiving in Rotation1 with Shaff serving, then in reception with Wookie on the right, Grote near the net on the left with a MB hidden. Wookie, Z, and Hanson as primary receivers. I suspect that this may be the starting lineup this weekend. Wookie had some strong kills from 5-7' off the net. Historically, some of the most disheartening runs against MN have been the inability to side out, and, in particular, get a FBSO in ro1.
When a server missed in this repetitive drill sequence, Pedro would pop in a fast topspin.
There was a series where Stella or other setters would toss the ball to Kristen K who would bump pass back for the setter to set bics and pipes. We didn't see much of that in the ISU scrimmage, so this was good to see
I don't think Crowl was at the practice?? If she was there she did not stand out for me. When asked to make this post I thought about this in regard to how awkward it would be receiving serve in ro1 with her, a lefty on the left.
I enjoyed watching players who might not see much court time, Schnichels, Olivia. Kali E showed athleticism, but I don't know how she will find court time at MB. I'd been wishing since Faribault for a 6-2 with Stella, but Keegan, in the interview, gave a strong hint that it's not going to happen. Shaff has the height, offense, defense and strong serve if not the soft hands.
[Edit: Hugh used to talk about 'meritocracy', that no one is guaranteed a spot on the court. I don't follow the 'future Gophers' thread. Douglass9 said a 6'5" MB is coming along with other highly rated prospects and intimated that this is a transitional year pointing to a Stella-led, future packed with final 4 and/or Natty aspirations. In that regard Cook is keeping his powder dry with an anticipated red-shirting]Kate Thibault is a real ball hawk and I thought h]er passing was excellent. She's tiny so she has to be fast and smart. Z's vocal authority on bad first contacts belies her small stature too.
I saw a floor denting kill by Phoebe and thought it was Minatee!! A surprise. Yay Pedro
I love Julia Hanson's peripheral vision at the net and the impression that she is ALWAYS thinking. I suspect she is going to be in a battle with Alex for court time. Alex has 4 years of eligibility and we are so lucky she chose the U.
This could be a breakout year for Wookie if we maintain enough MB presence to hold the opponents' MBs. Her illfated jump topspin from a year ago is history, but, as mentioned ad nauseum, her serve would be more deadly if she could just get a little higher takeoff.
I am excited for this crew. They are going to be tested big time.. a lot.. and early, but I expect good things even in the face of opponents with more height and experience.
I meant we got our first match this past weekend and their match will be live, so it presents an opportunity for us/the coaches to scout them. 
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