Hey Husker fam, really looking for some feedback, contributions, opinions, and expertise from everyone!
When the lineup against Kentucky was announced on Tuesday, some of us were surprised to see two defensive specialists (Laney and Liv) play, resulting in only one pin hitter getting to play all six rotations. There was even some shared shock over selecting Merritt to be the six-rotation hitter.
I wanted to take the time to talk and hear about the lineups that we might see this season with the hopes that fans, including me, will be less shocked when lineups are announced. Here are some of the considerations I came up with, and I really look forward to hearing from the best fans in college volleyball with your ideas!
The justification for two DS:
- Given how Nebraska will be playing so many back-to-back matches this season, Cook has said a few times how important it will be to keep the OHs fresh(er) for quick turnaround times. Recovery becomes easier when playing three rotations instead of six, and you have less than 24 hours before playing again.
- In theory, a stronger back row should keep Nebraska in-system more, and this will allow the middles to have a greater impact during matches. Itās clear Nebraskaās middles can take over games, so any effort to get them the ball more should be a priority this season.
- Thereās a reasonable expectation that Nebraska will see more offensive production and efficiency from the front-row attackers with another year of development and gains from the portal. As such, Nebraska may not need as many back-row attack options and attempts this season.
- Nebraska has three defensive studs that could be starting liberos at most P4 programs, so Cook and the coaches should maximize that amount of talent on the floor.
- It gets Laney and Liv more reps and better prepares them to compete for and take over at libero when Lexi graduates.
The justification for one DS:
- Another pin hitter in the back row = another attack option.
- Nebraska has three defensive studs that could be starting liberos at most P4 programs, which, as one poster pointed out to me in DM: āChoboy-Mauch for DS. Not sure how that one turns out. I thought both looked better at Libero than at DS. Reminded me of Miller, who struggled at DS here, but shined as Lib at Northwestern. Good Liberos need to take charge. I can see playing DS could be problematic.ā
- More DS subs mean a higher risk of running out of subs during longer sets.
- More DS subs mean less opportunities for Kenna and Maisie to come in to serve.
- More DS subs mean less opportunities to run a situational 6-2 when Nebraska needs a better block on serve.
The justification for Harper to play 6 rotations:
- Like
jwvolley rightfully pointed out in the KY-NE match thread, āHarper is one of the best middle back players in the country.ā Unquestionably, of all of Nebraskaās pins, sheās our best floor defender and passer.
- She is a viable offensive option out of the back row.
The justification for Harper to play 3 rotations:
- Some suggest she needs time and grace to come back from everything thatās happened, but I personally donāt think we should speculate on this. That is, if she plays three rotations, we shouldnāt think itās a result of what happened unless she publicly states this to be true. I have trust that the decisions that will be made will be in the best interests of the team, and that includes Harper.
- See the justification below for Merritt to be the six-rotation pin hitter this season if Nebraska plays with two DSs.
Harper at L1 or L2?
- L1, sheās exceptional swinging from the right in RO1
- As L1, she would be poised to get more attempts, vs L2.
The justifications for Lindsay Krauseā¦
ā¦to play 6 rotations:
- lām struggling to come up with a reason for Lindsay to play six rotations that are specific to her and her game. I look forward to others contributing here, because Iām sure there are good reasons.
ā¦to play 3 rotations:
- See above ^
L1 or L2?
- Honestly, either, since sheās played both positions with success. I am leaning toward L1, since it allows her one rotation to swing from the right, one of her specialties from playing OPP her first two seasons.
- As L1, sheāll swing against the other teamās setter, typically a weaker blocker, for 2/3 rotations (if both teams start in RO1).
The justifications for Taylor Landfair or Skyler Pierceā¦
ā¦to play 6 rotations:
- lām struggling to come up with strong reasons for Taylor or Skyler to play six rotations this preseason that are specific to them and their games, relative to other players on the team. I look forward to others contributing here.
To play 3 rotations:
- ā ā
L1 or L2?
- L2, I donāt recall ever seeing them being particularly effective from the right in RO1 SO.
- As L2, they would swing and block against the other teamās OPP, typically a stronger blocker, for 2/3 rotations (if both teams start in RO1). Taylor, in particular, is also an incredible blocker, and if there are pin hitters that can swing over the top of a block on this yearās roster, itās Taylor and Skyler.
- Someone else pointed out to me how as the L2, either Taylor or Skyler are more likely to get OOS sets from someone other than Bergen, since the setter plays 2/3 back-row rotations when the L2 is in the front row. When Bergen takes the first ball in the back row, typically Lexi steps in to set a higher ball, which suits Taylor and Skyler well right now.
The justification for Merritt Beason to be the 6-rotation pin hitter this season:
- Sheās Nebraskaās best back-row attacker.
- The back-row OPP provides a third attack option when the setter plays in the front row, ensuring there will always be three attack options for all six rotations. If the L1 is the only pin hitter that plays six rotations, there would only be two attack options on the floor in RO5. Likewise, if the L2 is the only pin hitter that plays six rotations, there is one rotation (RO4) that would only have two attackers on the court.
- Although Merritt charts as a weaker passer/floor defender compared to Harper, those skills are not primary responsibilities of a true OPP. Because the OPP plays next to the L2 in the lineup, and since Liv is an elite enough passer (the L2 is typically the better passer) to play in a two-person serve-receive with Lexi, the point kind of becomes moot that Merritt isnāt as strong at serve-receive.
- Merritt is Nebraskaās best attacker out of zone 1, and since I believe Nebraska needs to set the D ball more, Merritt is more likely to put those balls down.
Other musings:
- If Nebraska deploys a situational 6-2, it will probably occur in RO6, in which Kennedi would serve for Andi, and one of the non-starting pin hitters would sub in for Bergen in the front row.
- Assuming Nebraska starts sets in RO1, Cook will likely have the L2 play her first rotation in the back row to save a sub going into RO2.
- With so many back-to-back matches, we might see Cook randomly rotate the OHs this season just to keep them fresh and make it harder for teams to scout and focus on just two of Nebraskaās OHs.
Just some fun thoughts before tonightās match. Iām looking forward to hearing from the rest of you as to who plays which positions and how subs could be used this season that features such a deep bench!
