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Post by houstonbear15 on Dec 25, 2023 22:58:21 GMT -5
2 0 2 4 B a y l o r B e a r s | Setters |
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| | Jackie Barrett | 6-2 | Gr. | Highland, CA | Brianna Denney
| 5-11 | Jr. | San Marcos, CA
| | Harley Kreck | 6-0 | R-Fr. | Emory, TX | | Emelyn Stettin | 6-0 | Fr. | Elmhurst, IL | | Outsides |
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| | Elise McGhee | 6-4 | Sr. | San Antonio, TX | | Kendal Murphy | 6-3 | So. | Scottsdale, AZ | | Kyndal Stowers | 5-11 | So. | Denton, TX | | Opposites |
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| Allie Sczech
| 6-4 | Jr. | Sugar Land, TX | | Grace Carroll | 6-5 | Fr. | San Antonio, TX | | Middle Blockers |
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| | Manuela Bibinbe | 6-3 | Sr. | Yaounde, Cameroon
| | Ava Grace Haggard | 6-1 | Sr. | Prosper, TX | | Alicia Andrew | 6-4 | R-Jr. | Ridgefield, WA | | Victoria Davis | 6-2 | So. | Santa Clarita, CA | | Libero/DS |
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| | Lauren Briseño | 5-7 | Sr. | San Antonio, TX | | Faith Lynch | 5-7 | Sr. | Magnolia, TX | | Sophia Keene | 6-1 | Jr. | The Woodlands, TX | | Tehani Ulufatu | 5-5 | So. | San Francisco, CA | | Taylor Crain | 5-5 | Fr. | Pearland, TX |
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| | Recruits |
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| | Morgan Madison (25) | 5-6 | DS/L | The Woodlands, TX | Natalie Fukumoto (25)
| 5-6 | DS/L | Honolulu, HI | Grace Fuger (25)
| 5-4 | DS/L | Idaho Falls, ID | | Lauren Wiese (25) | 6-3 | MB | Bellevue, WA |
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| | Departing |
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| | Averi Carlson | 5-11 | S | Transferred to Texas | | Alexis Dacosta | 5-10 | DS/OH | Transferred to Auburn | | Riley Simpson | 6-4 | OH | Transferred to Pepperdine | | Joya Screen | 6-3 | OH | Transferred to FIU |
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Post by houstonbear15 on Dec 25, 2023 23:02:27 GMT -5
Baylor finished the 2023 season with a 17-13 overall record and a 10-8 record in the Big 12. Their season ended in the second round of the NCAA tournament to the Kentucky Wildcats, which was the first time since 2018 that they had not reached the Sweet Sixteen. The Bears came in at #23 in the final AVCA poll.
The 2023 Baylor team was very young, with no seniors on the roster. Moving forward to 2024, there are some key departures that will shake up the lineup some, but a very good returning core with a good mix of youth and experience. Here is my predicted lineup based on current personnel:
OH: Stowers (So.)
OH: McGhee (Sr.)
MB: Bibinbe (Sr.)
MB: Davis (So.)
OPP: Sczech (Jr.)
DS: Keene (Jr.)
S: Kreck (R-Fr.)
L: Briseno (Sr.)
Losing Carlson and Dacosta obviously put up some question marks, but I am really optimistic that Harley Kreck will step in and be okay. She was one of the top setters in the class of 2023 and was consistently ranked in the top 25 nationally as a recruit. By next year, she will already have had a full year in the gym so has had the opportunity to connect with her hitters. I am hoping that she brings a physicality at the net as that wasn't a strong suit of Averi. I don't expect her to be the same pure setter that Carlson was, but would love to see her provide some blocking and offense from the setter position.
There is a definitely a lot of potential for the 2024 team. McGhee and Stowers together should be one of the top OH duos in the conference, Bibinbe will only get better, and Briseno is surely going to want to solidify her legacy in her senior season. If Baylor can get more production from Sczech (or Carroll) and the defense improves in the offseason, I would expect them to be back in contention of hosting in the tournament again.
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Post by houstonbear15 on Dec 26, 2023 0:02:48 GMT -5
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Post by houstonbear15 on Dec 26, 2023 0:03:13 GMT -5
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Post by volleycoachiq on Dec 27, 2023 10:27:27 GMT -5
Small edit on the first post - Sczech will be a junior. I’m also curious if Grace will start over her. My gut is yes. Sczech just hasn’t been as terminal as you’d hope.
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Post by houstonbear15 on Dec 27, 2023 13:18:46 GMT -5
Small edit on the first post - Sczech will be a junior. I’m also curious if Grace will start over her. My gut is yes. Sczech just hasn’t been as terminal as you’d hope. Oops, thanks for catching that! The battle at opposite will be interesting. Sczech was very up and down this past season, but had a better second half with her stats rising some in conference play. She is just so inconsistent and hasn't learned to manage her swings- she swings hard at everything. She has so much potential to be an impact player, especially with her block, she just needs to add some variety to her offense and take smarter shots. Having Carroll coming in could be good for Sczech who didn't really have anyone behind her as a backup. Now she'll have some competition in the gym with Carroll who is also a tall lefty. She is enrolling early (along with Taylor Crain), so that's good that she will be able to work on her connection with Kreck early. I could see Carroll redshirting this year, but if she comes in ready to go, I could also see her taking Sczech's spot. |
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Post by nederlander on Dec 27, 2023 13:23:57 GMT -5
Was hoping maybe there would be an influx from the Portal, but there is still time and the 2nd Portal window. Still can’t believe Carlson will be playing for Texas next year. It was fun watching/following her at Baylor.
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Post by houstonbear15 on Dec 27, 2023 13:58:26 GMT -5
Was hoping maybe there would be an influx from the Portal, but there is still time and the 2nd Portal window. Still can’t believe Carlson will be playing for Texas next year. It was fun watching/following her at Baylor. With all of the returning talent on the roster, I'm not sure Baylor was really in need of a transfer for 2024. If they did go after a transfer, I could see it being a middle, but McGuyre is much more willing to give his youth a chance. Now with the entire 2025 recruiting class being DS/liberos, I could see BU filling in some gaps wit a middle and OH transfer after next season. |
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Post by caarmadillovb on Dec 27, 2023 14:48:41 GMT -5
Any news as to where Simpson is heading? I have to believe she will have plenty of high level offers.
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Post by houstonbear15 on Dec 27, 2023 15:25:47 GMT -5
Any news as to where Simpson is heading? I have to believe she will have plenty of high level offers. She has already committed and should be making an announcement soon. My guess is either Pepperdine or LMU. |
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Post by devilhorns24 on Dec 27, 2023 15:36:18 GMT -5
Any news as to where Simpson is heading? I have to believe she will have plenty of high level offers. based off the insta story, news seems to be coming very soon. if i had to guess, looks to be pepperdine |
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Post by houstonbear15 on Jan 15, 2024 12:34:11 GMT -5
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Post by madden55 on Jan 15, 2024 12:52:11 GMT -5
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Post by hookem1 on Mar 6, 2024 19:04:31 GMT -5
Baylor added their first non DS 2025 recruit, Another Washington MB for the bears.
Lauren Wiese - Sammamish, WA - MB (Sudden Impact)
As well as a late add to the 2024 class, a fourth setter to compete with Missouri for who can have the most on their roster.
Emelyn Stettin- Elmhurst, IL - S (Sky High)
Interesting that Baylor seems to be looking more out of state recently than I’ve noticed before.
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tomjames
Sophomore
The more that you read, the less you will know.
Posts: 125
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Post by tomjames on Mar 23, 2024 0:12:28 GMT -5
Anyone attend the exhibition match versus TAMU? If so, what were some observations?
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