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Post by bvolley17 on Aug 22, 2024 17:55:00 GMT -5
I'm curious about UNC volleyball and the current state of the program. Mike seems to be getting heat, justified or not. However, Joe's last ACC championship was 2016. Mike wasn't the recruiting coordinator under Joe, at least not recently. Certainly as the head coach he has to oversee his roster and staff. Did he inherit a roster that he wanted? Was he close on bringing in their targets, missed out, but it was too late to get top level talent? How hard is it to recruit to a midlevel ACC volleyball school while trying to rebuild/strengthen weaknesses? If given the chance, how long would it take to challenge the top of the ACC? There is a ceiling for the volleyball program under the current athletic director. Top of the conference is NOT it. Just my opinion. He definitely found out the hard way he’s not in any position to be at the top of any conference with his level of support during the coaching search. But he didn’t change his approach in the middle of that process, so you’re totally right. |
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Post by bvolley17 on Aug 23, 2024 17:29:02 GMT -5
Every year I go to the scrimmage we do not do well that season. So I’m not going this year. Hopefully someone can give some updates on here.
Best thing is that we can’t lose tonight 🙌🏻
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Post by bvolley17 on Aug 24, 2024 9:15:59 GMT -5
Based on pictures it looked like Bohlinger got some time at the 'bro last night for one of the teams. Anybody have a report from the scrimmage?
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Post by tarheellife on Aug 24, 2024 14:24:08 GMT -5
The coaches ignored all the weaknesses over the spring. And yes, that’s insane. But what’s worse is that they knew about those weaknesses even before spring. They knew about them after Maddy’s freshman year, when Mike took over. But he chose not to bring anyone and allow Maddy to play unchallenged as libero for another year. Funny enough, she played for Triangle when he was there. You draw your own conclusions, but not getting anyone to help with passing is highest level incompetence or simple favoritism at the expense of the program. Not sure what’s worse. I’m gonna reserve my judgment for when the season starts but what I saw at the exhibition was awful. Passing horrendous, setting similar. I think it’s unfair to expect hitters to adapt to that. It was bad. Safi and Sadie didn’t play. What’s insane is that anyone else expected more after Bubba chose to not pay coaches much so no one with volleyball pedigree would come to coach here and then we lost 3 starters to transfer. Don’t blame Mike, he just doesn’t know what he is doing, blame Bubba for being cheap and letting him run the program. Hope that something drastic changes or it will be a super long season. What’s worse, not just one season but likely more. You ain’t fixing passing by practicing more with this group. Need someone new and solid. You lost me at "no one with volleyball pedigree would come to coach here." If there is a problem with Schall, it certainly isn't a lack of volleyball pedigree. Additionally, other coaches with strong backgrounds were willing to take the job when it opened, even at UNC volleyball salary and support levels. Depends what you consider a pedigree. Yes he was at Penn State when they were winning. But I don’t see him applying any of what he should have learned to this program for the years he has been here. What pedigree for me means is someone who has run a successful college program. Someone who can rebuild the program with experience to get support from Bubba and not someone who will just be happy to be a head coach and hire people that have no experience. It’s easy to read into that. My info is that two coaches, Tennessee and Santa Clara, didn’t even come for an interview because of the salary. If you have some other info please share. If you are right then it was a big miss by Bubba. |
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Post by volleyheels10 on Aug 26, 2024 8:15:34 GMT -5
I did go to the scrimmage. And same as a lot of years...we look good when we play each other. The team looked WAY better Friday night than they did against APP State. But there is a big difference in scrimmaging yourself vs other teams. Tonight we looked like a team that could knock on the Top 25. Last week, we looked like 25th in the ACC.
The Good:
-There is a reason that Taylor Eisert was in the top 10 for Assist/set last season. She by far has better rhythm with out hitters and knows how to better the ball.
-Pin hitters: The race on the left pin is exciting. Mabrey is a lock but Safi/Emani are battling for that second position IMO. I know Emani is a grad player, but IMO Safi is just better. And healthy now.
-Chelsea Thorpe: We have not had an opposite like her in a while. She is electric and well balanced on the offensive end and blocking side of things.
-Boehlinger: She outshone May to me as libero. She was more steady on serve recieve than May. She just seems to be more steady and less up/down.
The Bad:
-Middle: Alexis Taylor can be a star but she isnt there yet. That is ok, she is a freshie. however, Swift and Engelbrecht have to step up as upperclassmen. We are going to need more offense from them. Schutter to me looks like an improved player so there are more questions than answers there.
-Defensive core: It says something when a freshman beats out 4 year players to play as libero on the second squad. Overbeck and Meyerhoefer are just supporters at this point. I think that Mike goes with May due to her being a veteran which makes me wonder how shakey our defenisve lineup/changes may get.
-Pin defense. I do think that Mabrey, Safi, and Emani were reading better and getting to balls quicker on defense, but still not passing well enough to give the setters all options.
Other neutral tidbits:
-Erin Curtis offers some versatility. reminds me of a stronger Swain. She can hit but her defense was steady. She has played libero in club and I do wonder if she can help in that area.
-Yardimici adds some firepower but isnt as clean to me as Thorpe. I think we run a 5-1, but I can see Yardimici and Zoe coming in as a double sub late in sets or as needed.
Anything less than a 3-0 opening weeked due to the weak schedule to start will tell you all you need to know. It will provide a good ease allowing the team to gel/test some things the first week.
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Post by mickeydaspiker on Aug 26, 2024 15:34:04 GMT -5
In my view, UNC should implement a 6-2 formation. Taylor Eisert, who stands at 5'8", may not be the ideal height for a setter to block effectively in this league. A three-year ACC veteran, who is 6 feet tall, could serve as a suitable replacement. Boehlinger's playtime could be for gaining experience and allowing coaches to evaluate her performance in a match setting. Fortunately, this year we have a potential OH to replace Mabrey, who tends to force the ball through blocks instead of hitting high and flat or using the block. It's also beneficial that we have two seasoned DS to substitute for pin hitters who struggle with passing.
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Post by bvolley17 on Aug 27, 2024 12:01:25 GMT -5
I agree. A 6-2 makes the most sense. We do not have a plethora of DSs that should see substantial playing time... so you could get by with just playing your libero. Then you could DS one of your outsides if you want to/would make the passing better.
We also have much more depth on the pins this year. On the left you have Mabrey, Emani', Safi, Shea, and Curtis... on the right we have Thorpe and Yardimci, and enough left-side pins that can also spend some time on the right if necessary. Engelbrecht also played middle and RS at Iowa State, so you could see her on the right side too if Swain and Taylor were to play in the middle. There are a lot of options that we could start with.
With the schedule being pretty weak to start, I'm assuming we'll see a mix of lineups this weekend before settling on something. But, I do agree–and hope–that we'll go with the 6-2 as long as both can set sufficiently.
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Post by tarheellife on Aug 27, 2024 20:29:30 GMT -5
I disagree.
None of our DSs deserve playing time.
6-2 is a must. Neither of our setters can block. We shall see how they set in game situation and certainly how they deal with bad passing.
Weak schedule is a godsend. Let’s hope we get some confidence.
Oh, and Swain is not on the team.
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Post by volleyheels10 on Aug 28, 2024 9:34:30 GMT -5
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Post by bvolley17 on Aug 30, 2024 17:38:54 GMT -5
Happy opening day… let’s not lose to Cleveland State.
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Post by bvolley17 on Aug 30, 2024 17:43:17 GMT -5
Mabrey and Emani starting OH, Thorpe on the right, Behrendt setting, Engelbrecht in the middle, and May libero. No real surprises but I thought Safi was going to take one of those outside spots.
Jackie Taylor getting the other middle spot to start.
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Post by bvolley17 on Aug 30, 2024 17:59:58 GMT -5
6-2 with Eisert and Yardminci. Thorpe has a cannon.
Bohlinger DSing for Foster.
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Post by bvolley17 on Aug 30, 2024 18:08:58 GMT -5
Up 14-8 early. Team has a way different feel… having two legitimate RS is awesome. They are really spreading the offense even in transition so they can’t camp on Mabrey.
Jackie Taylor and Chelsea Thorpe’s athleticism, and Bohlinger’s height and steadiness are standing out.
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Post by bvolley17 on Aug 30, 2024 18:18:41 GMT -5
Take Set 1: 25-12
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Post by bvolley17 on Aug 30, 2024 18:36:25 GMT -5
Jackie Taylor nearly just killed their libero. Cannon. Wow.
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