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Post by comet on Sept 20, 2024 14:48:12 GMT -5
We have a setter who is better at defense than at least 2 of our pins, if not all three. By far Shaff is the best this Minnesota program has seen for a setter....and you can also add her to one of the best in the NCAA Div 1 volleyball program ever. How many other programs can say that about their starting setter. However, does anyone feel the strategy of better overall team blocking and D this season by KCook been designed to compensate for: 1 - The needed improvement on the all around stats from our pin(s) 2 - The questionable setter's placement of her sets with our pins 3 - The known room to grow with our starting Libero's passing Personally, what I am consistently seeing in these matches I am led to believe this is true. KCook has admitted in interview(s) he has brought players into this program this season that he feels can help in areas we need help. With a match like last night, I am still wondering if it has paid off like it should be. Defense and blocking were definitely issues last year. I think he has addressed that well. I also think he's addressed our middle attack, although that's still a work in progress. He's addressed Wurcherer's serving by subbing in Acevado to serve. I don't think he's addressed, or accounted for, Wurcherer's lack in serve receive and offense, yet. At least not on the court. We'll see what happens. |
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Post by skolgophers on Sept 20, 2024 15:04:15 GMT -5
We have a setter who is better at defense than at least 2 of our pins, if not all three. By far Shaff is the best this Minnesota program has seen for a setter....and you can also add her to one of the best in the NCAA Div 1 volleyball program ever. How many other programs can say that about their starting setter. However, does anyone feel the strategy of better overall team blocking and D this season by KCook been designed to compensate for: 1 - The needed improvement on the all around stats from our pin(s) 2 - The questionable setter's placement of her sets with our pins 3 - The known room to grow with our starting Libero's passing Personally, what I am consistently seeing in these matches I am led to believe this is true. KCook has admitted in interview(s) he has brought players into this program this season that he feels can help in areas we need help. With a match like last night, I am still wondering if it has paid off like it should be. Defense and blocking were definitely issues last year. I think he has addressed that well. I also think he's addressed our middle attack, although that's still a work in progress. He's addressed Wurcherer's serving by subbing in Acevado to serve. I don't think he's addressed, or accounted for, Wurcherer's lack in serve receive and offense, yet. At least not on the court. We'll see what happens. I think what’s hard is that I can almost guarantee she is working on those things every single day, but it’s not coming together for whatever reason. I feel for her because she has all the makings of an AA, but it’s not coming together when it matters. I remember watching her in the spring and she was doing great (yes, different competition). Maybe it really is just a case of the yips??? |
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Post by comet on Sept 20, 2024 15:14:13 GMT -5
I just know I see the pattern of starting every year off strong, then fading, and never truly recovering to her top form. It's tough because I know she can be so good.
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Post by B1Gminnesotafan on Sept 20, 2024 15:40:54 GMT -5
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Post by skolgophers on Sept 20, 2024 15:44:19 GMT -5
After you posted in the other thread, I checked out instagram. They posted it on their story that it WILL be streamed now on YouTube. Great catch. |
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Post by zero-rotation outside hitter on Sept 20, 2024 15:53:40 GMT -5
Mel had some really nice connections on quick sets to the middle last night. Best I've seen from her.
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Post by GoGophs on Sept 20, 2024 16:06:23 GMT -5
Heads up, long post: Some great points being made so far. Obviously as fans we want to see them crush the opponents they should... but it's been made pretty clear that this weekends matches are primarily to work on things before conference play starts. mcmike is spot on with what I think they're trying to do and work on, I'll add a few things I noticed - Grote: Quicker sets and a faster approach. Also that sharp cross thumb down shot, she's been pretty inconsistent so far but she keeps taking the shot even with the line open like skolgophers mentioned which makes me think she's determined to get that shot down (we love coachable players!!). They're also trying to get the D ball going off her serve, we've seen it be pretty effective so far but again, still working on some terminal shots for her Z and Thibault: following the ball and chase downs. (for reference, Choboy at NE is FANTASTIC at this) Previously there have been plays where the ball is shanked but the reaction wasn't quick enough to chase it down, it looked to me like they were actively working on following the ball better and making those plays. **highly encourage just watching Z in the backcourt on defense, she's fantastic. We were all concerned about losing Murr but Z honestly might be better than her so far!** OH Passing: different passing configurations and seeing what the OHs can do as primary passers. Usually we see T and Z take up most of the court when possible but having Grote stay 6ro and not using a DS put different passers together. GB was (smartly) serving seams and deep crosscourt where the Opp was hiding and it was working because of these changes. Passing was rough but I think he'll keep working on it this weekend (unfortunately for us lol). Ultimately it'd be nice to see a 6ro Opp in there so I say keep working on it, but I'd like to see T in for an OH then. Middles: way more balls going to the middles and even forcing some sets there which we rarely see with Shaff. This was working and definitely a highlight, very fun to see some quicks in front and behind the setter too. Slides are working but those quick sets will open things up a lot more. Serving: Some of the misses were soooo close to the line, thats a good miss. Also, serving is so much more than aces, good placement and strategy makes our block better and their offense predictable. There was some really nice serving placement happening. I think courtwatchers is pretty spot on too about making adjustments to compensate for team weaknesses. Ultimately you have to work with the players you have and I think once we see KCook's recruits come in we'll start to see more of his "vision" (so to speak) as a coach. He's already adjusted by working hard on OOS balls, if you dont have consistent passing then make sure you put OOS balls down. Does anyone have stats for how well they're scoring OOS? By the eye test, that's a strength regardless of bad passing. I think we're all rooting for Wuchs, she could be such a fantastic player but it's tough seeing her struggle. I'm in favor of keeping her on court at least in the front row because of the intangibles she brings - leadership, aggressive swings and the competitive effort. Like McMike, I hope to see Acevedo + Wuchs this next match for funsies |
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Post by BigDigEnergy on Sept 20, 2024 16:38:35 GMT -5
Looks like Wucherer is out today with likely a minor injury! She is on street cloth during warm up. Hope she is okay and ready for next week. Time for Acevedo to show us what she can do.
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Post by craftylefty on Sept 21, 2024 7:50:30 GMT -5
I really like Acevedo. That is all. 😁 She already is great, so poised and smooth, but is really going to be something special in coming years, I feel.
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Post by courtwatchers on Sept 21, 2024 8:27:26 GMT -5
I really like Acevedo. That is all. 😁 She already is great, so poised and smooth, but is really going to be something special in coming years, I feel. Totally agree....I just wonder, if she doesn't benefit more in a match by playing the entire 6r. Anyway that is my take on her game. Moving forward KCook just has to put in the players that are functioning the best to make this team whole.....Hanson and Acevedo are those two on the left. I just want to add how our two new assistant coaches have added so much to this team in both blocking and D. Huge difference so far this season with all our players and I am very glad they decided to join this staff....hopefully, for many years to come. |
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Post by BigDigEnergy on Sept 21, 2024 8:59:21 GMT -5
I really like Acevedo. That is all. 😁 She already is great, so poised and smooth, but is really going to be something special in coming years, I feel. No doubt about her potentials. She will be our go-to player by her junior year. |
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Post by JT on Sept 21, 2024 10:52:06 GMT -5
Anyone seen a video-link for the match that resolves to an upcoming Chicago-State match?
Right now, the redirect URL that I put on the first page, and the “watch” link that’s on the Gophers’ schedule, both resolve to the N.Dakota match instead of the match that’ll be played in 70 minutes.
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Post by gopherhim on Sept 21, 2024 10:54:23 GMT -5
Anyone seen a video-link for the match that resolves to an upcoming Chicago-State match? Right now, the redirect URL that I put on the first page, and the “watch” link that’s on the Gophers’ schedule, both resolve to the N.Dakota match instead of the match that’ll be played in 70 minutes. |
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Post by courtwatchers on Sept 21, 2024 12:27:31 GMT -5
Set one to the Gophers 25-17.
Z had a really nice service run.
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Post by courtwatchers on Sept 21, 2024 12:31:57 GMT -5
Set one to the Gophers 25-17 vs Chicago State.
Z had a really nice service run to close it out for the Gophers....it was tied at 16.
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