Post by vbshrink on Dec 28, 2023 20:43:34 GMT -5
The Way Too Early 2024 SEC Thread – Now with Flavor Crystals*
* Flavor Crystals = Texas and Oklahoma. I’m not including a Vanderbilt preview because they won’t be competing until the 2025 season.
A few notes:
In previous seasons, I’ve included Prep Volleyball ranking information about incoming freshmen, but I opted not to do that this year because it’s clearer and clearer that the PV rankings are just comically bad (and in some cases, out of date). You’re missed, Mr. Tawa.
Also, this early, there are obviously still a boatload of moving pieces vis-à-vis the portal. There are a few days left for players to enter, and many who have entered remain uncommitted. Therefore, the "Outlook for 2024" sections are very much works in progress. Major departures and arrivals will happen, and that will shift things dramatically. I’ll update as information becomes available.
Please – PLEASE – feel free to comment or DM corrections, updates, and comments. Insults, too, if that's your kink. This thread is generally a pretty friendly space, and I hope it remains that way as the composition of the conference changes.
Alabama
2023 Recap: In her second season at the helm, Coach Rashinda Reed led her Tide team to a slightly better overall record (11-18 vs 10-20), but a worse SEC record (1-17 vs 4-14) than in her rookie season, snatching the lone SEC win on the last day of the season. The Tide played some competitive sets, but could not string them together with any consistency and generally seemed to lack the overall talent level to compete in conference. Jordan Towns (OPP, rising Soph) was a bright spot. But despite having experienced MBs in Chaise Campbell and Aliyah Wells, and an experienced pin in Kendyl Reaugh, the Tide rolled over more than they rolled.
Departures: On their Senior Day, Bama recognized Grad Student Wells, Srs. Reaugh, Campbell, and Schmer, and “Jrs” Sami Jacobs and Sydney Gholson. The latter 5 all have a year of eligibility, I believe, but I’ve been informed that none is coming back to Bama (several are already in the portal). Update Gryniewicz does not appear on the 2024 roster that's been posted, and her social media does not indicate that she's at Alabama any longer. Not sure if she's transferring or retiring.
Returners: The Tide return starting OPP Towns (Soph), starting S Callie Kieffer (Soph),starter-when-she-isn’t-injured OH Micah Gryniewicz (Jr), and handful of other players who don’t have much experience. The latter group includes OH Kaleigh Palmer, OH Kyla Dunaway, and DS’s Francesca Bertucci and Allison Berent. Update: Word is that MB Chaise Campbell has reversed course and decided to remain at Bama for her COVID year of eligibility, providing some needed experience for the Tide.
Arrivals: Alabama has a large class committed for 2024 including MB Ashby Daniel, MB Addison Engel, S Hannah Parant, MB Ellery Rees, OH Leilia Toailoa, and DS/L Lindsey Brown. OH Sophie Agee from MS State has announced her commitment to the Tide; she will have two years of eligibility. In addition, S Kayla Keshock (Samford) will grad transfer to Bama for her final year.
Outlook for 2024: Youth. And height. If everyone arrives as planned (and no one else leaves), the Tide will have six players 6’3” or taller on their roster (Towns, Palmer, Dunaway, Daniel, Engel, Rees), all of whom are freshmen and sophomores. This team could really, really use some experienced ball control (well, honestly, experienced everything!), but I’m not familiar enough with the Tide’s scholarship situation to know if they have the roster space to bring any more in via the portal.If Gryniewicz can stay healthy, she can be a good producer on the pins, and Towns definitely showed flashes of potential at OPP, if she stays there (she was an MB in juniors). Agee has a good bit of SEC experience, also. Without an infusion of ball control and experience, though, we could be looking at the Tide in the front seat of the struggle bus.
Arkansas
2023 Recap: Raise your hand if at the beginning of the year you had Arkansas being the SEC team to go deepest in the 2023 tournament (and if you raised your hand, why you lyin'?). Truly a season for the record books – highest rankings/RPI in program history, most wins in decades, season sweep of Florida, career records for Gillen and Head, reaching the Elite 8, three players with All-American recognition … and the list goes on. A testament to grit and well-roundedness, coaching, and commitment to a program, as this team was made up almost entirely of under-valued players that other programs didn’t want. This team definitely had a ceiling, but it was really fun to watch them compete with and often beat teams made up of much “bigger name” players. Salute, Hogs.
Departures: On Senior Day, Arkansas recognized grad students OH Jill Gillen, MB Laura Ehieze, and OPP Maggie Cartwright, and Srs OH Taylor Head and DS Hailey Schneider. Head has a COVID year available, but she has already entered the portal with the intent of playing 2 years beach (and maybe one year of indoor) somewhere, preferably not in conference (her preference, not mine. But also mine.). Losing Gillen, Head (the only non-libero in the SEC top 10 in digs), and Cartwright in one fell swoop is going to be HUGE, obviously.
Returners: Both starting MBs (Zoi Evans and Sania Petties, both rising Srs) are slated to return, along with starting S Hannah Hogue (rising Sr) and under-rated L Courtney Jackson (rising Sr). In addition, OH Avery Calame (Jr), DS Jada Lawson (Sr), DS Kylie Weeks (Jr) are among those who’ve seen some action and are slated to return. Due to the consistency of their starting lineup, the Hogs were apparently able to red-shirt their entire 2023 Fr class, which is large and pretty talented: OHs Aniya Madkin and Olivia Ruy, S Lo Jones, OH Lily Dudley, and DS Ava Roth (who spent the year rehabbing an early season knee injury).
Arrivals: Arkansas has announced a 3-person signing class for 2024 that includes OH Lauryn “Lolo” Lambert (a prototypical-for-the-Hogs big-jumping-but-undersized OH), OH/OPP Kayla Robertson, and MB Aleki Alexander. High-flying transfer OPP Romani Thurman (UNC) has also announced her commitment to her home state Hogs; she will have 3 years of eligibility.
Outlook for 2024: Youth at the pins, experience everywhere else. Questions abound when you have to replace a couple All-American OH’s and a very steady, experienced six-rotation HM All-Region OPP. Between Calame, Thurman, Madkin, Ruy, Lambert, and Robertson, the Hogs will have some athletic options to play around with. None of the pins on the roster except for Calame, who got a bit of a run when Gillen missed a few games in 2022, and now Thurman, who played a lot at UNC, has ever played in a college match. Will they bring in another experienced pin arm? Watson prefers 6-rotation OHs, which are not easy to find. And complementing the very reliable Jackson in serve receive is going to be a big question. Time for a new era in Fayetteville.
Auburn
2023 Recap: Some ups and downs for the still very young (sophomore-heavy) Tiger squad led to an upper-half of the table finish and a second consecutive NCAA tournament berth. When they were good, these Tigers were good, but they also had a tendency to flop in some matches (See: NCAA first round). Consistent ball control is an ongoing issue that seemed to separate the Tigers from other teams they aspired to compete with. Crouch felt he had to leave one of his OHs in for 6 rotations, and the back row results were not always great.
Departures: MB Kyla Swanson is out of eligibility. There are three players with an extra COVID year available if they want to use it – S Jackie Barrett, MB Chelsey Harmon, and MB/OPP Bella Bell. However, on Senior Day, Swanson, Barrett, Harmon and juniors Jordan Sinness and Cassiday Tanton were honored. Crouch has stated that both Bell and Harmon are coming back, which suggests the others are likely done or moving on – which gibes with the size of the 2024 class that Auburn is bringing in. L Sarah Morton (Colorado) and Tanton have entered the portal.
Returners: Barring additional transfer Auburn will return everyone on the pins –Akasha Anderson (Jr), All-SEC Maddie Scheer (Jr), Bell (RS-Sr), and reserve OH Bel Zimmerman (Jr). In the middle, Kendal Kemp (Jr) is back, also. It appears that the setting reins will be handed over to transfer Peyton Dunn. Highly regarded OH Lakin Laurendine (who I consistently want to re-name Lauren Lakendine) RS’ed last year and could be ready to challenge for playing time, as well.
Arrivals: The Tigers signed five 2024s including MB Emma Moore (Crouch’s first in-state recruit), S/OPP Kalei Edson, OH Lauren Dreves, MB/OH Grace Havlicek, and DS/L Isabella Humphrey. L Alexis Dacosta (Baylor) has announced her transfer to Auburn, as well.
Outlook for 2024: There’s a lot to like looking at the returning Auburn roster. Keeping all of Bell, Anderson, and Scheer (not to slight Zimmerman, who had good moments and is a ++ server) is a plus. Though I know some people were surprised that she didn’t beat out Barrett this year, Dunn is a capable setter, and an added year working with the hitters should help. I am curious about what steps the Tigers may take to improve their ball control. Bringing in Dacosta as a replacement for Morton is probably an upgrade, but the issue with AU’s ball control wasn’t their libero. As much as they bring back, Auburn fans have justified hopes that they will take another step up the standings.
May Portal update: Both Akasha Anderson and Kendal Kemp have entered the transfer portal. If this is an alliterative thing, watch out Lakin Laurendine and Bella Bell! (This isn't an alliterative thing.)
Florida
2023 Recap: Ah, what could have been… Injuries to Stucky and Dixon (and maybe include Hutson here) were an absolute dagger to the Gators’ aspirations to elite status. Instead, they just had to settle for being very good. Despite finishing in a 4-way tie for fourth place in the SEC, having only one player – a freshman, no less -- receive post-season SEC recognition, and having 8 (EIGHT!) conference losses for the first time in what must be forever, the Gators did enough pre-injuries to convince the committee to have them host a sub-regional in the tournament. For the first time in a while, though, the Gators’s season stopped short of the Sweet 16, falling to GA Tech in a thriller at home.
Departures: MB/OPP/Everything-but-setter Anna Dixon is out of eligibility, her season and career sadly ended early with her arm injury. S Kennedy Muff is also done. Nnedi Okammor has announced her commitment to SMU for her COVID year, and Victoria has said on social media that she won’t be back.
Returners: Stucky (RS Soph) and Hutson (RS Fr) should be back from injury, though how completely they’ll be healed remains to be seen. In addition, the Gators will return OPP sensation Kennedy Martin (Soph), pin Madi Gravlee (Soph), MBs Amaya Thomas (Jr) and Gabi Essix (Sr), and DSs Emerson Hoyle (Jr), Emily Canaan (Jr), and Trinity Adams (Sr). Fitzpatrick and McKissock, who were recognized on Senior Day, have already announced that they will be returning to Gainesville for their COVID years.
Arrivals: The Gators boast what some services believe is the top signing class in the country. It features junior national team stalwart MB Jaela August, OH/MB Alec Rothe, S Taylor Parks, OH Lauren Harden (MaxPreps National HS Player of the Year), and DS/L’s Bella Lee and Ella Vogel. Auguste and Rothe, at minimum, are expected to have opportunities to contribute right away. In addition, transfer OH Isabel Martin (UNLV) has announced her commitment to the Gators with one year of eligibility remaining.
Outlook for 2024: After a devastatingly disappointing 2023, which started so brightly and then seemed to fizzle into (by UF standards) mediocrity, the 2024 squad’s prospects could hinge on Stucky’s rehab. Will she be full go by August? Can a Martin on each pin carry the Gators back to their perch atop the conference? Probably not without improved ball control. McKissock’s return provides some much needed-experience and stability at libero, but is that enough? There’s a lot to be excited about for Gator fans next year.
May Portal Update: The Gators have signed 5'9" transfer S Erin Engel from Maryland. Seems she was primarily a serving specialist at MD.
Georgia
2023 Recap: A bit of a rocky start due to illness and injury, but when the Dawgs were able to put their best lineup on the court consistently, they proved to be a solid squad. Their at-large bid never seemed in doubt after their upset of Arkansas, and Fischer and Evans both garnered post-season SEC recognition, with Fischer the surprise (to some) POY. A first round exit to a very hot Arizona State team was disappointing but not unexpected.
Departures: UGA says goodbye to OH Kacie Evans and OPP/OH Erica Staunton, who are out of eligibility. On Senior Day, the Bulldogs also honored MB Mackenzie Norris and L Mallory Dowling, so I suspect that those players are moving on, as well.
Returners: Sophie Fischer (COVID Sr) is the marquee name here, but also coming back are OPP Tori Harper (Jr), OH Estelle Haugen (Jr), S Clara Brower (Sr), DS/L Bailey Cox (Sr), DS Ana Julia Bleeker (RS Soph), OPP Krista Blakely (grad), and MB Ceci Gooch (Soph). Not much in the way of proven pin depth is returning. They also return some less experienced players in S Kaiya Tyson, DS Makena Lim, OPP Ally Cavanaugh, and MB Kaitlin Fournier.
Arrivals: UGA has signed two players from the powerhouse in-state A5 program, MB Molly Kate Patten and OH/OPP Emma Duffield. In addition, the Dawgs are poaching two OH transfers from SEC foes, with both Soph Bianna Muoneke (TAMU) and grad Erykah Lovett (Tenn) announcing their commitment to the Dawgs.
Outlook for 2024: How the program replaces long-term fixture Evans was the big question heading into the off-season, but the transfer signings of Lovett (especially) and Muoneke are a clear answer. Evans carried a heavy load, both offensively and in serve receive (she was easily their best passer), and UGA will need excellent ball control to be able to keep Fischer involved offensively. To me, that’s the biggest remaining issue for this team. Lovett is a good passer, but who else can be relied on? Smilin’ Tom Black’s Bulldogs have the arms and a capable if undersized setter, but first contact will tell the tale.
May Portal Update: The Dawgs pick up a big - double entendre intended - intra-conference transfer, landing 6'6" Kendal Kemp from Auburn. Does this raise the option of moving Fischer to OPP?
Kentucky
2023 Recap: It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. After stumbling to a 3-7 preseason against the toughest schedule in the country, the Wildcats got healthy and got their you-know-what together to run through the SEC schedule – and it was a pretty tough SEC slate, to boot – with just a single loss on their way to another conference title. They were firing on all cylinders until they hit the Sweet 16 and proved the cliché that it’s really hard to beat a good team three times in one season. ‘Cats fans were disappointed, but have to take some solace in the emergence of freshman phenom Brooklyn DeLeye at the OH spot.
Departures: Mighty Mini-MB Azhani Tealer is out of eligibility, and All-SEC OPP Reagan Rutherford has already announced her COVID year grad transfer to Texas. No word yet on whether DS Riah Walker, and MB Elise Goetzinger will stay or go. MB Jordyn Williams has also announced her transfer to Kansas State, making Goetzinger’s decision all the more important. UPDATE Goetzinger has posted a farewell message on Insta, indicating she won't be back.
Returners: Experienced players who for sure have remaining eligibility include All-American S Emma Grome (Sr), L Eleanor Beavin (Sr), OH Erin Lamb (Sr), OH Megan Wilson (Sr), DS Audrey Whitworth (Jr), DS Molly Tuozzo (Soph), and SEC FOY OH Brooklyn DeLeye (Soph). The ‘Cats also feature a loaded apparently red-shirting group of freshmen including S Ava Sarafa, pin Jordyn Dailey, and MB Brooke Bultema.
Arrivals: Kentucky has signed two incoming pins, Hannah Benjamin and Asia Thigpen. Update Kentucky has announced the signing of MB Kennedy Washington, who had previously been committed to San Diego.
Outlook for 2024: There’s so much young talent on the roster that the 2024 Wildcats project to be a force in the SEC. Just how big a force may depend on who Coach Skinner can attract via the portal. The Cats have outstanding setting (Grome), a budding star OH (DeLeye), and a consistently solid libero (Beavin). Lamb’s play at the end of the season was encouraging, but replacing Rutherford (Dailey? Wilson? Transfer?) and shoring up the MB position will be important this off-season. UPDATE Goetzinger's departure makes the need for addition(s) at MB even more critical.
May Portal Update UK announced the signing of 6' transfer MB Delaney Hogan from Xavier.
LSU
2023 Recap: The Flory era continued for a second year in a row after the former coach’s retirement. And by that I mean, the Tigers boasted a lot of talent on the roster yet extremely underwhelming performances on the court under second year HC Tonya Johnson. Just like they did under Fran. The heralded arrival of OPP Jade Demps ended up kind of a nothing-burger, as she found herself benched by the end of the season. Neither the offense nor the defense ever seemed to gel, Dotson seemed to take a step backwards, and if it weren’t for the emergence of Fr Jurnee Robinson, it would have been dark times indeed on the Bayou. A 9th-place tie with Mississippi State was not the step forward the program was anticipating.
Departures: Not surprisingly, there’s a bit of an exodus out of Baton Rouge this off-season. It started when starting libero Bri Anderson left the team in October (she’s already landed at FAU). After the season, starting S Maddie Waak (rising Jr, already an Aggie), OPP Ellie Echter, and COVID-year candidates Samarah Hill, Paige Flickinger, and Alia Williams all announced they were leaving. In addition to the 6 transfers, Sanaa Dotson, Anita Anwusi, and replacement starting L Erin Carmichael are all out of eligibility.
Returners: The aforementioned Jurnee Robinson (Soph) is probably the most notable returner. Demps (grad) is also back, along with rising sophomore MB Angie Lee, and RS Soph MB Alexis Roberson. The only returning setter is RS Fr Mika Rome, who spent last year injured. DSs Madison Martin (Sr), Ella Hemmings (Soph), and Bri Zamora (Jr) also return.
Arrivals: The Bayou Bengals boast a large signing class consisting of OH Lainee Pyles, DS/L Aly Kirkhoff, MB/RS Jessica Jones (watch out for Killgrave!), OH Brianna Watson, and DS Sophie Bonnaffee. JUCO pin Ana Tevdoradze has announced her enrollment at LSU for the coming year, as have both Iowa transfer S Bailey Ortega and DS Ansley Tullis of SE Louisiana. If you can’t beat ‘em, I guess…
Outlook for 2024: Coming off a season where nothing worked out like it was supposed to, the Tigers are faced with what looks to be a rebuild. Experienced players are leaving, forcing some untested players to step up, and the coaching staff to bring in some quality via transfer. Robinson is a stud and something to build around, but this staff has its work cut out for it. Neither of the announced transfers so far is clearly an upgrade, though they do provide capable performers and good locker room presences.
May Portal Update: MB Alexis Roberson entered the portal and landed at TCU. The Tigers were able to pick up 6'4" MB Rumur Rouille from LIU.
Mississippi State
2023 Recap: On the bright side, the Bulldogs tied with LSU in the conference standings! On the downside, it was for 9th. The Starkville squad had a few impressive wins (#14 Florida, Western Michigan, Auburn), but despite a powder-puff non-con, they couldn’t break the .500 mark for the season. They certainly weren’t helped by losing transfer MB Zoe Gonzales for much of the season, but Coach Darty-Dennis’s team never seemed to be able to put consistent performances together, finishing 6-12 in conference play despite getting two of the three teams that finished below them in the standings twice. (They were only 3-2 against those bottom 3 teams, also.) Another step backward from the heights of 2021.
Departures: Much like last year, we’re seeing an exodus – or is it an evacuation? – from Starkville after the season. The 2023 roster featured 6 pin players. Of those, four are transferring out, and none is a grad transfer: Soph OH Sophie Agee (already announced for Alabama), Jr OH Avery Fitzgerald (headed to New Mexico), Fr OH Ashley Sturzoiu (Tulane), and Soph OPP Caylee Starkey (Toledo). Both Starkey and Agee were consistent starters. DS Georgia McCarter has also announced her transfer to UNoCo. In addition to the transfers, OH-turned-L Lauren Myrick is out of eligibility, and I believe both starting setters (Oerther and Fortin-Goede) and the aforementioned MB Gonzales are out of eligibility.
Returners: The two remaining pins, Kansas transfer Karli Schmidt (grad) and Butler transfer Amina Shackleford (grad), were starters and major contributors last year, and MB Rebecca Walk appears to be using her COVID year in Starkville. It looks like the only setter on the roster is rising Soph Erin Kline, who saw action in just 22 sets last season.
Arrivals: The Bulldogs announced a 2-person signing class that includes S Cayley Hanson and RS Noella Obi. Rich Kern lists three other commits, but they have not signed yet, per the MSU website, and for at least one there is a conflicting report that she committed to Wichita State (MB Ava Anderson - update she has been announced to WSU). Update Payton Woods, OH from Sam Houston St., has committed to the Bulldogs. She'll have 3 years of eligibility. Update #2 OH Kailin Newsome from SE Louisiana has also announced her transfer to Starkville. She should have one year of eligibility for the Bulldogs. Update #3: Former Oklahoma OH/L Mele Corral-Blagojevich has announced her transfer to Mississippi State.
Outlook for 2024: There are some scholarships to play with in the portal, and Coach Darty-Dennis better have some success with them or repeat 9th place finish could be a goal for the team. Schmidt, Shackleford, and Walk are good players, but they are not enough to compete in the SEC night in and night out. The Darty(-Dennis) Party could be facing a last call in Starkville.
May Portal Update: The Bulldogs have announced two additional transfer signings including 6'1" OH/RS Arianna Beckham (FAU) and 6'2" MB Kennedy Davis (Tennessee State). Also, I missed an earlier transfer to Starkville: 5'8" S Ceci Harkness (North Texas). She was announced in late February.
Mizzou
2023 Recap: Perhaps the true surprise story of the year in the SEC. The roster was stitched together with the remnants of the Taylor era and included a seemingly random collection of parts (four setters on the roster – FOUR!), but Coach Sullivan and her staff found a way to make it work. The Tigers vaulted out of the conference basement and earned an NCAA bid even though their best non-con win was … Eastern Illinois? SEC wins over Auburn (x2), TAMU (x2) and UGA gave them enough of a boost to merit an at large birth to the NCAA Tournament, where they got a win over CAA champs Delaware before falling in the second round to homestanding Nebraska. Quite the accomplishment for Coach Sullivan, who parlayed that achievement into a 1/4th share of the SEC Coach of the Year Award.
Departures: OH Dilara Gedikoglu is out of eligibility, and DS Lauren Forbes was also recognized on Senior Night, indicating she might be finished at Mizzou, as well. MB Madilyn Sell will be heading to Indiana. RS Fr OPP Chapel Dobbs is also in the portal. As of now, I haven’t heard of any other departures from the Mizzou roster via transfer. It’s possible that there will be some attrition from the Tiger roster, though, given the size of the incoming class.
Returners: Colleen Finney appears to have a COVID year available, as does OPP Naomi Franco. The remainder of the returning roster is all clearly eligible and includes major contributors like Sr OPP Jordan Iliff, JR OH Janet deMarrais, Soph (and All Fr SEC) S Sierra Dudley, Sr MB Morgan Isenberg, and SEC Libero of the Year Maya Sands (Jr).
Arrivals: The Tigers announced a 5-person signing class in November headlined by OH Claire Morrissey, MB/RS Aspen Maxwell, and OH/RS Vivian Parker. The Tigers also announced MB Tia Phinezy and DS Grace Sweeney. (Morgan Jones had been listed as a commit, but she was not part of the signing day release. Update Morgan Jones is on the 2024 Mizzou roster - which is currently 22 players strong.) Transfer L Alayna Pearson (TAMU) has announced her commitment to Mizzou, as well. Update MB Regan Haith (Illinois State) has announced her transfer to Mizzou. She will have two years of eligibility. Update #2 Mizzou has also announced the incoming transfer of S Marina Crownover (Texas) and OH Mychael Vernon (Oregon State). Crownover should have 3 years of eligibility remaining; Vernon just one.
Outlook for 2024: The Swaggering Sullivans return enough to make things pretty interesting, and could improve on their 7th place conference finish if deMarrais and Iliff continue their progress, and the ball control and offense of Gedikoglu are effectively replaced.
May Portal Update: The Tigers announce the transfer in of UTRGV L/DS Kiaraliz Perez.
Oklahoma
2023 Recap: Welcome, Sooners! I haven’t really been a follower of Sooner volleyball in the past, so please feel free to chime in and correct/educate/provide some context about your team! The first year of the Mansfield-the-Younger era was a slight step backward, record-wise, from last year’s final team under the previous coach. The Sooners finished under .500 overall and won one less B12 game than in 2022. Highlights of the season certainly included a home win over UCLA in September and a road sweep of Iowa State in late October, but there just weren’t enough wins in the schedule. The Sooners closed out their time in the B12 with an 11th place tie with Texas Tech.
Departures: The Sooners list just two seniors on their 2023 roster, but on their Senior Night, they recognized four athletes: Sr MB Kelsey Carrington and three players listed on the roster as Jrs: DS/L Callie Kemohah, OH Daleigh Ellison, and OPP/OH Kristen Birmingham. In addition, OH Taylor Preston (Michigan State) has announced her transfer, as have Fr OH/L Mele Corral-Blagojevich and Fr S Emma Henry.
Returners: MB Lydia Burts wasn’t mentioned on Senior Day, so it’s probable that the transfer from Liberty will be back for a COVID/super-senior year. In addition, OU returns its only All B12 honoree, rising Jr OH Alexis Shelton, along with Sr setters Payton Chamberlain and Rylee Fay, OH Ireland McNees (Soph), MB Hannah Pfiffner (Soph), and DS/L Sydney Thompson.
Arrivals: OU has not published a signing class release on its website (that I could find), but its social media announced the signing of 6’1” OH Carley Butler from in-state Owasso HS. Transfer OH 6’5” Kari Geissberger (LMU) has decided to follow her former coach Jason Mansfield to Norman as a grad transfer, and the Sooners have also landed the commitment of 6’1” OH/OPP transfer (Tennessee) Kamille Gibson. Update Two additional transfers have announced for the Sooners - S Leah Wilton Loboy (Utah State), and MB KJ Burgess (Utah). Both will have two years of eligibility for OU.
Outlook for 2024: The arrival of Geissberger is a nice bit of news for the Sooners. Paired with Shelton, the Sooners will have excellent weapons on the outside. Ball control and improved play in the MB position may be critical factors for the Sooners as they join the SEC. On paper, the Sooners seem better than the lowest tier SEC teams, but I also thought they seemed better than 11th place in the B12 last year.
Ole Miss
2023 Recap: The Rebels probably won’t spend too much time reminiscing over the 2023 season. The finished tied for 11th (above only Bama) in conference and below .500 overall, and they never really seemed to establish any sense of identity. The pins finally seemed to get settled with about 2 weeks to go in the season with Dyess and Bair on the outside and Washington at OPP, but despite some more competitive showings at the end of the season, they still finished below expectations despite returning almost everyone.
Departures: OH Anna Bair has exhausted her eligibility, and DS Maggie Miller was recognized Senior Night. Starting S Aly Borellis has declared for the portal, as well (and committed to Rutgers).
Returners: Both starting middles, Payton Brgoch and Sasha Ratliff, have COVID years available, and as of now it seems that they are planning to remain in Oxford, so that is very good news. Sometime starting S Sommer Daniel is in a similar situation. OH Julia Dyess (Sr) and OPP Nia Washington (Jr) return, as does L Cammy Niesen (Jr). OH Vivian Miller (Jr), who saw considerable action when the Rebels were still trying to sort out their lineup, also returns.
Arrivals: The Rebels signed OH Melia Johnson in November. S Carson Eickenloff is also committed to the Rebels. In addition, the Rebels announced the commitment of UCLA Jr transfer libero/setter Mokihana Tufono and Pepperdine OH/OPP grad transfer Emma Ammerman. Update Ole Miss is also welcoming transfer OPP/MB Ragan Kinard from South Florida, who will have two years to play.
Outlook for 2024: It seems to me that the Rebels are going to have to be pretty active in the portal. The have addressed the need for setter depth with Tufono, but there isn’t a lot of MB or DS depth on the roster. For a team with such efficient MBs, the mediocre first contact has really been an issue in maximizing the roster’s attacking potential. There are definitely some holes to fill in Oxford before 2024, or it could be another season of looking up at most of the rest of the conference.
South Carolina
2023 Recap: “My kingdom for a consistently efficient pin!” With apologies to Willie Shakespeare, I imagine this thought was cruising through Coach Mendoza’s brain a few times this year. Kiune Fletcher had her coming out party this season, even achieving PotW status once, but the rest of the pins were frustratingly inconsistent. Defense at the net was an area of relative strength for the Fightin Mendozas, but floor defense was not. A season-ending sweep of Sweet Sixteen-bound Tennessee may be something for the team to build on in the off-season.
Departures: Kiune Fletcher has entered the transfer portal to use her COVID year. The Gamecocks recognized Fletcher, DS Caroline Crawford, OH Riley Whitesides and MB Ellie Ruprich on Senior Day, but the absence of farewell messages from the latter two on their socials makes me think they may return to Columbia.
Returners: If Whitesides and Ruprich do stick for their COVID years, that will mean that the entire starting lineup, except Fletcher, will return, includingOH Lauren McCutcheon (Sr), OH Alayna Johnson (Jr), MB Oby Anadi (Sr), S Claire Wilson (Sr), OPP Campbell Paris (Soph), and Sr Ls Morgan Carter and Hanna Bissler. OPP Tireh Smith (Rs Soph) and S Kimmie Thompson (Jr), who both saw time, will also be back. Update Promotional material from the SC program indicates that Whitesides and Ruprich are both returning - good news for the Gamecocks!
Arrivals: The Gamecocks announced a small signing class of two instate kids, OH Maggie Elliott from the Charleston area and DS Victoria Harris from greater Columbia. In addition, the Gamecocks have already garnered the commitment of transfer S Sarah Jordan (Towson).
Outlook for 2024: The Gamecocks finished about where they were predicted, near the bottom of the table. If this group can find some consistency and play as aggressively and confidently as they did against Tennessee to close the season, they could take a step forward. Mendoza’s teams always seem to win a match or two they shouldn’t. But without some roster upgrades, it’s hard to see the Gamecocks climbing too many rungs on the SEC ladder.
May portal update OH Lauren McCutcheon has entered the transfer portal. Update #2 MB Anna Wilson, formerly of High Point, announces her transfer to SC.
Tennessee
2023 Recap: Sooooo close to the Elite 8! They had a match point in the 4th against eventual champion Texas, but they just couldn’t slow down Madisen Skinner when they had to (and there’s no shame there). The LV’s played good volleyball all season (except for the pantsing the Gamecocks gave them in the regular season finale) and were the only SEC team to take down Kentucky during the regular conference season. They had great senior leadership and strong underclass contributions to support them. The rest of the conference won’t be sad to not have to try to defend against Fingall next year.
Departures: OPP Morgahn Fingall, MB Raeven Chase, OH Jenaisya Moore, and L Yelianiz Torres are all out of eligibility. In addition, 5 other players have announced their transfers; three are grad transfers (OH Jasmine Brooks, OH Erykah Lovett, and DS/S Kya Moore), and two are underclassmen: RS Fr Kamille Gibson (Oklahoma) and rising JR Kadynce Booth (UVA).
Returners: All-American S Caroline Kerr (RS Soph), MBs Kiki Granberry (Jr) and Klaudia Pawlik (RS Jr), OH Mackenzie Plante (Soph, the only pin with any experience), and DS/L Ashllyn King (Sr) all return for the Lady Vols.
Arrivals: The Lady Vols announced a 2024 signing class that includes Paityn Chapman (OH), Camdyn Stucky (S), and MB Chelsea Sutton, all of whom are at least 6'3". Update One of the bigger name, non-Texas transfers is going to Tennessee and providing some much needed pin depth - OH Hayden Kubik (Nebraska) is heading to Rocky Top. Update #2 Former Towson OH Nina Cajic has announced her grad transfer to Rocky Top.
Outlook for 2024: The LVs are heading into the off-season with a roster whose most experienced pin hitter has played in just 28 college sets in her career. They boast two very capable middles and a well-regarded setter, but for the first time in a while there are some serious questions about the Lady Vols’ roster. I’m expecting some spring portal action in Knoxville.
May Portal Update: Tennessee has announced the addition of another transfer OH, 6' Eryn Jones, who RS'ed last year at TCU. That's four new pin additions to the the LV roster (Chapman, Kubik, Cajic, and now Jones).
Texas
2003 Recap: From outhouse to penthouse – the Longhorns lost their first match of the season to non-tournament team LBSU, and ended up destroying the Cornhuskers in the National Championship game. That’s quite a pair of bookends! Congrats to the team and staff! It wasn’t always pretty in Austin, but Madisen Skinner seemed to elevate her game when it mattered most, and not even Jenna Wenaas’s beloved two-handed tips or Swindle’s leg injury, which prevented her from jump-setting, could slow their momentum down the stretch. Super impressive performance in the Final Four.
Departures: The UT faithful will say goodbye to both starting MBs (Asjia O’Neil, Bella Bergmark), starting OPP (Molly Phillips), and DS Carissa Barnes. DS Reilly Heinrich and S Maria Crownover have announced their entry into the transfer portal, as well.
Returners: NCAAT Most Outstanding Player Madisen Skinner (COVID Sr), winner of 3 NCs in four years, is the clear headliner here, but the Horns will also return starters OH Jenna Wenaas (Sr), S Ella Swindle (Soph), and L Emma Halter (Jr), and frequently used subs MB Marianna Singletary (RS Soph), DS Keonilei Akana (Sr), and OH/OPP Devin Kahahawai (Jr).
Arrivals: The Longhorns announced a four-person signing class of L/DS Reese Emerick, S Rella Binney, L/DS Brennan Ramirez, and MB Ayden Ames (a late flip from Nebraska). In addition, UT has made some amazing moves in the transfer portal, adding RS Jr transfer OPP/OH Whitney Lauenstein (Nebraska), Jr S Averi Carlson (Baylor) and grad transfer OPP Reagan Rutherford (Kentucky).
Outlook for 2024: The Longhorns have pins weapons galore, but it will be interesting to see what happens in the middle to replace O’Neal and Bergmark. Singletary appears to be more of an offensive weapon than a defensive stopper, and the other spot seems to be wide open. The addition of Lauenstein and Rutherford give Texas an even larger arsenal of pin attackers, which raises questions about possible departures from the program, and the pick-up of the highly regarded Carlson provides some insurance at the setter spot. The Horns look to enter the SEC on top - not just of the conference but probably the national polls, as well.
May Portal Update The Horns add 6'1" MB Soah Franklin from Columbia.
Texas A&M
2023 Recap: Under first-year coach Jamie Morrison, the Aggies took a step forward and qualified for their first NCAAT since they made a Sweet 16 run in 2019. There were some highlights (sweeping Pepperdine and Utah State, beating Florida) and some lowlights (season sweep by Mizzou, providing Bama their only SEC win on the regular season’s final day). Although the Ags finished below .500 in conference, they did take a set off of eventual national champ Texas in Austin in the NCAAT first round. Not a bad showing for the new staff and team.
Departures: OH Caroline Meuth is out of eligibility, and DS Lauren Hogan was honored on Senior Day, with signs indicating she will not be back in College Station next year. In addition, starting Fr OH Bianna Muoneke (already committed to UGA), S Nisa Buzlutepe, and Fr DS/L Alayna Pearson have announced their transfers out of the Aggie gym.
Returners: Back for the Aggies are All-SEC performer OPP Logan Lednicky (Jr), HM All-Region MB Ifenna Cos-Okpalla (Jr), S Margot Manning (Soph), OPP Ital Lopuyo (RS Soph), L/DS Ava Underwood (Jr), and MB Morgan Perkins (Jr). Molly Brown, who was a regular contributor in 2022, is also back in the middle for her RS-Sr campaign.
Arrivals: The Aggies announced a one-person signing class consisting of OH Amare Hernandez. They have also announced incoming transfers Jr S Maddie Waak (LSU), Jr OH Emily Hellmuth (Pepperdine), and Sr DS Ellee Stinson (Northwestern). Update Former Grand Canyon libero Tatum Thomas has also announced her transfer to College Station with two years of eligibility remaining.
Outlook for 2024: The Aggies entered the off-season needing to replace both starting OH’s and their (sometime) starting libero. They have some very good horses to ride in Lednicky and Cos-Okpalla, but complementary to the question marks at OH, ball control was also a big concern. It wasn’t great for the Ags last year. The addition of Waak and Hellmuth add to the migration of former Houston Skyline players to College Station following Coach Woods. Stinson provides a replacement/upgrade for Hogan at libero. Looking at the current roster, it’s easy to see the Aggies holding steady in the middle of the SEC pack.
May Portal Update: TAMU has received the commitment of 6'3" OH Taylor Humphrey, formerly of Rutgers. Another addition to the OH pool in College Station.
Overall Conference Outlook:
As things stand now, just after Christmas 2023, the early favorite is clearly conference newcomer Texas. Florida fans are pretty optimistic about 2024, also, though the Gators’ prospects depend in large measure on the healthy return to form of S Alexis Stucky. After that, the next cluster of teams in my mind are Kentucky, Auburn, and perhaps Mizzou, who returns a lot. I think each of those teams has questions, though. Kentucky certainly has very good pieces at setter, OH, and libero, but some questions remain at key positions (MB, OPP), and the Wildcats may be relying on youth in 2024 more than they have in quite a while. Auburn has experienced arms, but they’ll be working with a new setter, and there are not insignificant questions about the Tigers’ ball control. Mizzou has Iliff and deMarrais, but needs to replace the all-around game of Gedikoglu and develop stronger defense. Maybe UGA belongs in that group, too, considering how they’ve brought in two good pins, but I worry about their first contact. Tennessee and Arkansas form the next cluster in my brain, along with TAMU, Oklahoma, and maybe LSU: young, unproven, but with potential to make the tournament. Bringing up the rear are the Mississippi schools, SC, and Bama.
Putting it another way, with a nod to the 2023 Person of the Year:
In their…
Lover Era:
Texas
Florida
Speak Now Era:
Kentucky
Auburn
Mizzou
UGA?
Begin Again Era:
UGA?
Arkansas
Tennessee
TAMU
Oklahoma
LSU
Blank Space Era:
Mississippi State
Ole Miss
South Carolina
Alabama
Updates will be noted with either bold text or new paragraphs in team summaries.
What did I miss, and where am I going wrong?
* Flavor Crystals = Texas and Oklahoma. I’m not including a Vanderbilt preview because they won’t be competing until the 2025 season.
A few notes:
In previous seasons, I’ve included Prep Volleyball ranking information about incoming freshmen, but I opted not to do that this year because it’s clearer and clearer that the PV rankings are just comically bad (and in some cases, out of date). You’re missed, Mr. Tawa.
Also, this early, there are obviously still a boatload of moving pieces vis-à-vis the portal. There are a few days left for players to enter, and many who have entered remain uncommitted. Therefore, the "Outlook for 2024" sections are very much works in progress. Major departures and arrivals will happen, and that will shift things dramatically. I’ll update as information becomes available.
Please – PLEASE – feel free to comment or DM corrections, updates, and comments. Insults, too, if that's your kink. This thread is generally a pretty friendly space, and I hope it remains that way as the composition of the conference changes.
Alabama
2023 Recap: In her second season at the helm, Coach Rashinda Reed led her Tide team to a slightly better overall record (11-18 vs 10-20), but a worse SEC record (1-17 vs 4-14) than in her rookie season, snatching the lone SEC win on the last day of the season. The Tide played some competitive sets, but could not string them together with any consistency and generally seemed to lack the overall talent level to compete in conference. Jordan Towns (OPP, rising Soph) was a bright spot. But despite having experienced MBs in Chaise Campbell and Aliyah Wells, and an experienced pin in Kendyl Reaugh, the Tide rolled over more than they rolled.
Departures: On their Senior Day, Bama recognized Grad Student Wells, Srs. Reaugh, Campbell, and Schmer, and “Jrs” Sami Jacobs and Sydney Gholson. The latter 5 all have a year of eligibility, I believe, but I’ve been informed that none is coming back to Bama (several are already in the portal). Update Gryniewicz does not appear on the 2024 roster that's been posted, and her social media does not indicate that she's at Alabama any longer. Not sure if she's transferring or retiring.
Returners: The Tide return starting OPP Towns (Soph), starting S Callie Kieffer (Soph),
Arrivals: Alabama has a large class committed for 2024 including MB Ashby Daniel, MB Addison Engel, S Hannah Parant, MB Ellery Rees, OH Leilia Toailoa, and DS/L Lindsey Brown. OH Sophie Agee from MS State has announced her commitment to the Tide; she will have two years of eligibility. In addition, S Kayla Keshock (Samford) will grad transfer to Bama for her final year.
Outlook for 2024: Youth. And height. If everyone arrives as planned (and no one else leaves), the Tide will have six players 6’3” or taller on their roster (Towns, Palmer, Dunaway, Daniel, Engel, Rees), all of whom are freshmen and sophomores. This team could really, really use some experienced ball control (well, honestly, experienced everything!), but I’m not familiar enough with the Tide’s scholarship situation to know if they have the roster space to bring any more in via the portal.
Arkansas
2023 Recap: Raise your hand if at the beginning of the year you had Arkansas being the SEC team to go deepest in the 2023 tournament (and if you raised your hand, why you lyin'?). Truly a season for the record books – highest rankings/RPI in program history, most wins in decades, season sweep of Florida, career records for Gillen and Head, reaching the Elite 8, three players with All-American recognition … and the list goes on. A testament to grit and well-roundedness, coaching, and commitment to a program, as this team was made up almost entirely of under-valued players that other programs didn’t want. This team definitely had a ceiling, but it was really fun to watch them compete with and often beat teams made up of much “bigger name” players. Salute, Hogs.
Departures: On Senior Day, Arkansas recognized grad students OH Jill Gillen, MB Laura Ehieze, and OPP Maggie Cartwright, and Srs OH Taylor Head and DS Hailey Schneider. Head has a COVID year available, but she has already entered the portal with the intent of playing 2 years beach (and maybe one year of indoor) somewhere, preferably not in conference (her preference, not mine. But also mine.). Losing Gillen, Head (the only non-libero in the SEC top 10 in digs), and Cartwright in one fell swoop is going to be HUGE, obviously.
Returners: Both starting MBs (Zoi Evans and Sania Petties, both rising Srs) are slated to return, along with starting S Hannah Hogue (rising Sr) and under-rated L Courtney Jackson (rising Sr). In addition, OH Avery Calame (Jr), DS Jada Lawson (Sr), DS Kylie Weeks (Jr) are among those who’ve seen some action and are slated to return. Due to the consistency of their starting lineup, the Hogs were apparently able to red-shirt their entire 2023 Fr class, which is large and pretty talented: OHs Aniya Madkin and Olivia Ruy, S Lo Jones, OH Lily Dudley, and DS Ava Roth (who spent the year rehabbing an early season knee injury).
Arrivals: Arkansas has announced a 3-person signing class for 2024 that includes OH Lauryn “Lolo” Lambert (a prototypical-for-the-Hogs big-jumping-but-undersized OH), OH/OPP Kayla Robertson, and MB Aleki Alexander. High-flying transfer OPP Romani Thurman (UNC) has also announced her commitment to her home state Hogs; she will have 3 years of eligibility.
Outlook for 2024: Youth at the pins, experience everywhere else. Questions abound when you have to replace a couple All-American OH’s and a very steady, experienced six-rotation HM All-Region OPP. Between Calame, Thurman, Madkin, Ruy, Lambert, and Robertson, the Hogs will have some athletic options to play around with. None of the pins on the roster except for Calame, who got a bit of a run when Gillen missed a few games in 2022, and now Thurman, who played a lot at UNC, has ever played in a college match. Will they bring in another experienced pin arm? Watson prefers 6-rotation OHs, which are not easy to find. And complementing the very reliable Jackson in serve receive is going to be a big question. Time for a new era in Fayetteville.
Auburn
2023 Recap: Some ups and downs for the still very young (sophomore-heavy) Tiger squad led to an upper-half of the table finish and a second consecutive NCAA tournament berth. When they were good, these Tigers were good, but they also had a tendency to flop in some matches (See: NCAA first round). Consistent ball control is an ongoing issue that seemed to separate the Tigers from other teams they aspired to compete with. Crouch felt he had to leave one of his OHs in for 6 rotations, and the back row results were not always great.
Departures: MB Kyla Swanson is out of eligibility. There are three players with an extra COVID year available if they want to use it – S Jackie Barrett, MB Chelsey Harmon, and MB/OPP Bella Bell. However, on Senior Day, Swanson, Barrett, Harmon and juniors Jordan Sinness and Cassiday Tanton were honored. Crouch has stated that both Bell and Harmon are coming back, which suggests the others are likely done or moving on – which gibes with the size of the 2024 class that Auburn is bringing in. L Sarah Morton (Colorado) and Tanton have entered the portal.
Returners: Barring additional transfer Auburn will return everyone on the pins –
Arrivals: The Tigers signed five 2024s including MB Emma Moore (Crouch’s first in-state recruit), S/OPP Kalei Edson, OH Lauren Dreves, MB/OH Grace Havlicek, and DS/L Isabella Humphrey. L Alexis Dacosta (Baylor) has announced her transfer to Auburn, as well.
Outlook for 2024: There’s a lot to like looking at the returning Auburn roster. Keeping all of Bell, Anderson, and Scheer (not to slight Zimmerman, who had good moments and is a ++ server) is a plus. Though I know some people were surprised that she didn’t beat out Barrett this year, Dunn is a capable setter, and an added year working with the hitters should help. I am curious about what steps the Tigers may take to improve their ball control. Bringing in Dacosta as a replacement for Morton is probably an upgrade, but the issue with AU’s ball control wasn’t their libero. As much as they bring back, Auburn fans have justified hopes that they will take another step up the standings.
May Portal update: Both Akasha Anderson and Kendal Kemp have entered the transfer portal. If this is an alliterative thing, watch out Lakin Laurendine and Bella Bell! (This isn't an alliterative thing.)
Florida
2023 Recap: Ah, what could have been… Injuries to Stucky and Dixon (and maybe include Hutson here) were an absolute dagger to the Gators’ aspirations to elite status. Instead, they just had to settle for being very good. Despite finishing in a 4-way tie for fourth place in the SEC, having only one player – a freshman, no less -- receive post-season SEC recognition, and having 8 (EIGHT!) conference losses for the first time in what must be forever, the Gators did enough pre-injuries to convince the committee to have them host a sub-regional in the tournament. For the first time in a while, though, the Gators’s season stopped short of the Sweet 16, falling to GA Tech in a thriller at home.
Departures: MB/OPP/Everything-but-setter Anna Dixon is out of eligibility, her season and career sadly ended early with her arm injury. S Kennedy Muff is also done. Nnedi Okammor has announced her commitment to SMU for her COVID year, and Victoria has said on social media that she won’t be back.
Returners: Stucky (RS Soph) and Hutson (RS Fr) should be back from injury, though how completely they’ll be healed remains to be seen. In addition, the Gators will return OPP sensation Kennedy Martin (Soph), pin Madi Gravlee (Soph), MBs Amaya Thomas (Jr) and Gabi Essix (Sr), and DSs Emerson Hoyle (Jr), Emily Canaan (Jr), and Trinity Adams (Sr). Fitzpatrick and McKissock, who were recognized on Senior Day, have already announced that they will be returning to Gainesville for their COVID years.
Arrivals: The Gators boast what some services believe is the top signing class in the country. It features junior national team stalwart MB Jaela August, OH/MB Alec Rothe, S Taylor Parks, OH Lauren Harden (MaxPreps National HS Player of the Year), and DS/L’s Bella Lee and Ella Vogel. Auguste and Rothe, at minimum, are expected to have opportunities to contribute right away. In addition, transfer OH Isabel Martin (UNLV) has announced her commitment to the Gators with one year of eligibility remaining.
Outlook for 2024: After a devastatingly disappointing 2023, which started so brightly and then seemed to fizzle into (by UF standards) mediocrity, the 2024 squad’s prospects could hinge on Stucky’s rehab. Will she be full go by August? Can a Martin on each pin carry the Gators back to their perch atop the conference? Probably not without improved ball control. McKissock’s return provides some much needed-experience and stability at libero, but is that enough? There’s a lot to be excited about for Gator fans next year.
May Portal Update: The Gators have signed 5'9" transfer S Erin Engel from Maryland. Seems she was primarily a serving specialist at MD.
Georgia
2023 Recap: A bit of a rocky start due to illness and injury, but when the Dawgs were able to put their best lineup on the court consistently, they proved to be a solid squad. Their at-large bid never seemed in doubt after their upset of Arkansas, and Fischer and Evans both garnered post-season SEC recognition, with Fischer the surprise (to some) POY. A first round exit to a very hot Arizona State team was disappointing but not unexpected.
Departures: UGA says goodbye to OH Kacie Evans and OPP/OH Erica Staunton, who are out of eligibility. On Senior Day, the Bulldogs also honored MB Mackenzie Norris and L Mallory Dowling, so I suspect that those players are moving on, as well.
Returners: Sophie Fischer (COVID Sr) is the marquee name here, but also coming back are OPP Tori Harper (Jr), OH Estelle Haugen (Jr), S Clara Brower (Sr), DS/L Bailey Cox (Sr), DS Ana Julia Bleeker (RS Soph), OPP Krista Blakely (grad), and MB Ceci Gooch (Soph). Not much in the way of proven pin depth is returning. They also return some less experienced players in S Kaiya Tyson, DS Makena Lim, OPP Ally Cavanaugh, and MB Kaitlin Fournier.
Arrivals: UGA has signed two players from the powerhouse in-state A5 program, MB Molly Kate Patten and OH/OPP Emma Duffield. In addition, the Dawgs are poaching two OH transfers from SEC foes, with both Soph Bianna Muoneke (TAMU) and grad Erykah Lovett (Tenn) announcing their commitment to the Dawgs.
Outlook for 2024: How the program replaces long-term fixture Evans was the big question heading into the off-season, but the transfer signings of Lovett (especially) and Muoneke are a clear answer. Evans carried a heavy load, both offensively and in serve receive (she was easily their best passer), and UGA will need excellent ball control to be able to keep Fischer involved offensively. To me, that’s the biggest remaining issue for this team. Lovett is a good passer, but who else can be relied on? Smilin’ Tom Black’s Bulldogs have the arms and a capable if undersized setter, but first contact will tell the tale.
May Portal Update: The Dawgs pick up a big - double entendre intended - intra-conference transfer, landing 6'6" Kendal Kemp from Auburn. Does this raise the option of moving Fischer to OPP?
Kentucky
2023 Recap: It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. After stumbling to a 3-7 preseason against the toughest schedule in the country, the Wildcats got healthy and got their you-know-what together to run through the SEC schedule – and it was a pretty tough SEC slate, to boot – with just a single loss on their way to another conference title. They were firing on all cylinders until they hit the Sweet 16 and proved the cliché that it’s really hard to beat a good team three times in one season. ‘Cats fans were disappointed, but have to take some solace in the emergence of freshman phenom Brooklyn DeLeye at the OH spot.
Departures: Mighty Mini-MB Azhani Tealer is out of eligibility, and All-SEC OPP Reagan Rutherford has already announced her COVID year grad transfer to Texas. No word yet on whether DS Riah Walker, and MB Elise Goetzinger will stay or go. MB Jordyn Williams has also announced her transfer to Kansas State, making Goetzinger’s decision all the more important. UPDATE Goetzinger has posted a farewell message on Insta, indicating she won't be back.
Returners: Experienced players who for sure have remaining eligibility include All-American S Emma Grome (Sr), L Eleanor Beavin (Sr), OH Erin Lamb (Sr), OH Megan Wilson (Sr), DS Audrey Whitworth (Jr), DS Molly Tuozzo (Soph), and SEC FOY OH Brooklyn DeLeye (Soph). The ‘Cats also feature a loaded apparently red-shirting group of freshmen including S Ava Sarafa, pin Jordyn Dailey, and MB Brooke Bultema.
Arrivals: Kentucky has signed two incoming pins, Hannah Benjamin and Asia Thigpen. Update Kentucky has announced the signing of MB Kennedy Washington, who had previously been committed to San Diego.
Outlook for 2024: There’s so much young talent on the roster that the 2024 Wildcats project to be a force in the SEC. Just how big a force may depend on who Coach Skinner can attract via the portal. The Cats have outstanding setting (Grome), a budding star OH (DeLeye), and a consistently solid libero (Beavin). Lamb’s play at the end of the season was encouraging, but replacing Rutherford (Dailey? Wilson? Transfer?) and shoring up the MB position will be important this off-season. UPDATE Goetzinger's departure makes the need for addition(s) at MB even more critical.
May Portal Update UK announced the signing of 6' transfer MB Delaney Hogan from Xavier.
LSU
2023 Recap: The Flory era continued for a second year in a row after the former coach’s retirement. And by that I mean, the Tigers boasted a lot of talent on the roster yet extremely underwhelming performances on the court under second year HC Tonya Johnson. Just like they did under Fran. The heralded arrival of OPP Jade Demps ended up kind of a nothing-burger, as she found herself benched by the end of the season. Neither the offense nor the defense ever seemed to gel, Dotson seemed to take a step backwards, and if it weren’t for the emergence of Fr Jurnee Robinson, it would have been dark times indeed on the Bayou. A 9th-place tie with Mississippi State was not the step forward the program was anticipating.
Departures: Not surprisingly, there’s a bit of an exodus out of Baton Rouge this off-season. It started when starting libero Bri Anderson left the team in October (she’s already landed at FAU). After the season, starting S Maddie Waak (rising Jr, already an Aggie), OPP Ellie Echter, and COVID-year candidates Samarah Hill, Paige Flickinger, and Alia Williams all announced they were leaving. In addition to the 6 transfers, Sanaa Dotson, Anita Anwusi, and replacement starting L Erin Carmichael are all out of eligibility.
Returners: The aforementioned Jurnee Robinson (Soph) is probably the most notable returner. Demps (grad) is also back, along with rising sophomore MB Angie Lee, and RS Soph MB Alexis Roberson. The only returning setter is RS Fr Mika Rome, who spent last year injured. DSs Madison Martin (Sr), Ella Hemmings (Soph), and Bri Zamora (Jr) also return.
Arrivals: The Bayou Bengals boast a large signing class consisting of OH Lainee Pyles, DS/L Aly Kirkhoff, MB/RS Jessica Jones (watch out for Killgrave!), OH Brianna Watson, and DS Sophie Bonnaffee. JUCO pin Ana Tevdoradze has announced her enrollment at LSU for the coming year, as have both Iowa transfer S Bailey Ortega and DS Ansley Tullis of SE Louisiana. If you can’t beat ‘em, I guess…
Outlook for 2024: Coming off a season where nothing worked out like it was supposed to, the Tigers are faced with what looks to be a rebuild. Experienced players are leaving, forcing some untested players to step up, and the coaching staff to bring in some quality via transfer. Robinson is a stud and something to build around, but this staff has its work cut out for it. Neither of the announced transfers so far is clearly an upgrade, though they do provide capable performers and good locker room presences.
May Portal Update: MB Alexis Roberson entered the portal and landed at TCU. The Tigers were able to pick up 6'4" MB Rumur Rouille from LIU.
Mississippi State
2023 Recap: On the bright side, the Bulldogs tied with LSU in the conference standings! On the downside, it was for 9th. The Starkville squad had a few impressive wins (#14 Florida, Western Michigan, Auburn), but despite a powder-puff non-con, they couldn’t break the .500 mark for the season. They certainly weren’t helped by losing transfer MB Zoe Gonzales for much of the season, but Coach Darty-Dennis’s team never seemed to be able to put consistent performances together, finishing 6-12 in conference play despite getting two of the three teams that finished below them in the standings twice. (They were only 3-2 against those bottom 3 teams, also.) Another step backward from the heights of 2021.
Departures: Much like last year, we’re seeing an exodus – or is it an evacuation? – from Starkville after the season. The 2023 roster featured 6 pin players. Of those, four are transferring out, and none is a grad transfer: Soph OH Sophie Agee (already announced for Alabama), Jr OH Avery Fitzgerald (headed to New Mexico), Fr OH Ashley Sturzoiu (Tulane), and Soph OPP Caylee Starkey (Toledo). Both Starkey and Agee were consistent starters. DS Georgia McCarter has also announced her transfer to UNoCo. In addition to the transfers, OH-turned-L Lauren Myrick is out of eligibility, and I believe both starting setters (Oerther and Fortin-Goede) and the aforementioned MB Gonzales are out of eligibility.
Returners: The two remaining pins, Kansas transfer Karli Schmidt (grad) and Butler transfer Amina Shackleford (grad), were starters and major contributors last year, and MB Rebecca Walk appears to be using her COVID year in Starkville. It looks like the only setter on the roster is rising Soph Erin Kline, who saw action in just 22 sets last season.
Arrivals: The Bulldogs announced a 2-person signing class that includes S Cayley Hanson and RS Noella Obi. Rich Kern lists three other commits, but they have not signed yet, per the MSU website, and for at least one there is a conflicting report that she committed to Wichita State (MB Ava Anderson - update she has been announced to WSU). Update Payton Woods, OH from Sam Houston St., has committed to the Bulldogs. She'll have 3 years of eligibility. Update #2 OH Kailin Newsome from SE Louisiana has also announced her transfer to Starkville. She should have one year of eligibility for the Bulldogs. Update #3: Former Oklahoma OH/L Mele Corral-Blagojevich has announced her transfer to Mississippi State.
Outlook for 2024: There are some scholarships to play with in the portal, and Coach Darty-Dennis better have some success with them or repeat 9th place finish could be a goal for the team. Schmidt, Shackleford, and Walk are good players, but they are not enough to compete in the SEC night in and night out. The Darty(-Dennis) Party could be facing a last call in Starkville.
May Portal Update: The Bulldogs have announced two additional transfer signings including 6'1" OH/RS Arianna Beckham (FAU) and 6'2" MB Kennedy Davis (Tennessee State). Also, I missed an earlier transfer to Starkville: 5'8" S Ceci Harkness (North Texas). She was announced in late February.
Mizzou
2023 Recap: Perhaps the true surprise story of the year in the SEC. The roster was stitched together with the remnants of the Taylor era and included a seemingly random collection of parts (four setters on the roster – FOUR!), but Coach Sullivan and her staff found a way to make it work. The Tigers vaulted out of the conference basement and earned an NCAA bid even though their best non-con win was … Eastern Illinois? SEC wins over Auburn (x2), TAMU (x2) and UGA gave them enough of a boost to merit an at large birth to the NCAA Tournament, where they got a win over CAA champs Delaware before falling in the second round to homestanding Nebraska. Quite the accomplishment for Coach Sullivan, who parlayed that achievement into a 1/4th share of the SEC Coach of the Year Award.
Departures: OH Dilara Gedikoglu is out of eligibility, and DS Lauren Forbes was also recognized on Senior Night, indicating she might be finished at Mizzou, as well. MB Madilyn Sell will be heading to Indiana. RS Fr OPP Chapel Dobbs is also in the portal. As of now, I haven’t heard of any other departures from the Mizzou roster via transfer. It’s possible that there will be some attrition from the Tiger roster, though, given the size of the incoming class.
Returners: Colleen Finney appears to have a COVID year available, as does OPP Naomi Franco. The remainder of the returning roster is all clearly eligible and includes major contributors like Sr OPP Jordan Iliff, JR OH Janet deMarrais, Soph (and All Fr SEC) S Sierra Dudley, Sr MB Morgan Isenberg, and SEC Libero of the Year Maya Sands (Jr).
Arrivals: The Tigers announced a 5-person signing class in November headlined by OH Claire Morrissey, MB/RS Aspen Maxwell, and OH/RS Vivian Parker. The Tigers also announced MB Tia Phinezy and DS Grace Sweeney. (Morgan Jones had been listed as a commit, but she was not part of the signing day release. Update Morgan Jones is on the 2024 Mizzou roster - which is currently 22 players strong.) Transfer L Alayna Pearson (TAMU) has announced her commitment to Mizzou, as well. Update MB Regan Haith (Illinois State) has announced her transfer to Mizzou. She will have two years of eligibility. Update #2 Mizzou has also announced the incoming transfer of S Marina Crownover (Texas) and OH Mychael Vernon (Oregon State). Crownover should have 3 years of eligibility remaining; Vernon just one.
Outlook for 2024: The Swaggering Sullivans return enough to make things pretty interesting, and could improve on their 7th place conference finish if deMarrais and Iliff continue their progress, and the ball control and offense of Gedikoglu are effectively replaced.
May Portal Update: The Tigers announce the transfer in of UTRGV L/DS Kiaraliz Perez.
Oklahoma
2023 Recap: Welcome, Sooners! I haven’t really been a follower of Sooner volleyball in the past, so please feel free to chime in and correct/educate/provide some context about your team! The first year of the Mansfield-the-Younger era was a slight step backward, record-wise, from last year’s final team under the previous coach. The Sooners finished under .500 overall and won one less B12 game than in 2022. Highlights of the season certainly included a home win over UCLA in September and a road sweep of Iowa State in late October, but there just weren’t enough wins in the schedule. The Sooners closed out their time in the B12 with an 11th place tie with Texas Tech.
Departures: The Sooners list just two seniors on their 2023 roster, but on their Senior Night, they recognized four athletes: Sr MB Kelsey Carrington and three players listed on the roster as Jrs: DS/L Callie Kemohah, OH Daleigh Ellison, and OPP/OH Kristen Birmingham. In addition, OH Taylor Preston (Michigan State) has announced her transfer, as have Fr OH/L Mele Corral-Blagojevich and Fr S Emma Henry.
Returners: MB Lydia Burts wasn’t mentioned on Senior Day, so it’s probable that the transfer from Liberty will be back for a COVID/super-senior year. In addition, OU returns its only All B12 honoree, rising Jr OH Alexis Shelton, along with Sr setters Payton Chamberlain and Rylee Fay, OH Ireland McNees (Soph), MB Hannah Pfiffner (Soph), and DS/L Sydney Thompson.
Arrivals: OU has not published a signing class release on its website (that I could find), but its social media announced the signing of 6’1” OH Carley Butler from in-state Owasso HS. Transfer OH 6’5” Kari Geissberger (LMU) has decided to follow her former coach Jason Mansfield to Norman as a grad transfer, and the Sooners have also landed the commitment of 6’1” OH/OPP transfer (Tennessee) Kamille Gibson. Update Two additional transfers have announced for the Sooners - S Leah Wilton Loboy (Utah State), and MB KJ Burgess (Utah). Both will have two years of eligibility for OU.
Outlook for 2024: The arrival of Geissberger is a nice bit of news for the Sooners. Paired with Shelton, the Sooners will have excellent weapons on the outside. Ball control and improved play in the MB position may be critical factors for the Sooners as they join the SEC. On paper, the Sooners seem better than the lowest tier SEC teams, but I also thought they seemed better than 11th place in the B12 last year.
Ole Miss
2023 Recap: The Rebels probably won’t spend too much time reminiscing over the 2023 season. The finished tied for 11th (above only Bama) in conference and below .500 overall, and they never really seemed to establish any sense of identity. The pins finally seemed to get settled with about 2 weeks to go in the season with Dyess and Bair on the outside and Washington at OPP, but despite some more competitive showings at the end of the season, they still finished below expectations despite returning almost everyone.
Departures: OH Anna Bair has exhausted her eligibility, and DS Maggie Miller was recognized Senior Night. Starting S Aly Borellis has declared for the portal, as well (and committed to Rutgers).
Returners: Both starting middles, Payton Brgoch and Sasha Ratliff, have COVID years available, and as of now it seems that they are planning to remain in Oxford, so that is very good news. Sometime starting S Sommer Daniel is in a similar situation. OH Julia Dyess (Sr) and OPP Nia Washington (Jr) return, as does L Cammy Niesen (Jr). OH Vivian Miller (Jr), who saw considerable action when the Rebels were still trying to sort out their lineup, also returns.
Arrivals: The Rebels signed OH Melia Johnson in November. S Carson Eickenloff is also committed to the Rebels. In addition, the Rebels announced the commitment of UCLA Jr transfer libero/setter Mokihana Tufono and Pepperdine OH/OPP grad transfer Emma Ammerman. Update Ole Miss is also welcoming transfer OPP/MB Ragan Kinard from South Florida, who will have two years to play.
Outlook for 2024: It seems to me that the Rebels are going to have to be pretty active in the portal. The have addressed the need for setter depth with Tufono, but there isn’t a lot of MB or DS depth on the roster. For a team with such efficient MBs, the mediocre first contact has really been an issue in maximizing the roster’s attacking potential. There are definitely some holes to fill in Oxford before 2024, or it could be another season of looking up at most of the rest of the conference.
South Carolina
2023 Recap: “My kingdom for a consistently efficient pin!” With apologies to Willie Shakespeare, I imagine this thought was cruising through Coach Mendoza’s brain a few times this year. Kiune Fletcher had her coming out party this season, even achieving PotW status once, but the rest of the pins were frustratingly inconsistent. Defense at the net was an area of relative strength for the Fightin Mendozas, but floor defense was not. A season-ending sweep of Sweet Sixteen-bound Tennessee may be something for the team to build on in the off-season.
Departures: Kiune Fletcher has entered the transfer portal to use her COVID year. The Gamecocks recognized Fletcher, DS Caroline Crawford, OH Riley Whitesides and MB Ellie Ruprich on Senior Day, but the absence of farewell messages from the latter two on their socials makes me think they may return to Columbia.
Returners: If Whitesides and Ruprich do stick for their COVID years, that will mean that the entire starting lineup, except Fletcher, will return, including
Arrivals: The Gamecocks announced a small signing class of two instate kids, OH Maggie Elliott from the Charleston area and DS Victoria Harris from greater Columbia. In addition, the Gamecocks have already garnered the commitment of transfer S Sarah Jordan (Towson).
Outlook for 2024: The Gamecocks finished about where they were predicted, near the bottom of the table. If this group can find some consistency and play as aggressively and confidently as they did against Tennessee to close the season, they could take a step forward. Mendoza’s teams always seem to win a match or two they shouldn’t. But without some roster upgrades, it’s hard to see the Gamecocks climbing too many rungs on the SEC ladder.
May portal update OH Lauren McCutcheon has entered the transfer portal. Update #2 MB Anna Wilson, formerly of High Point, announces her transfer to SC.
Tennessee
2023 Recap: Sooooo close to the Elite 8! They had a match point in the 4th against eventual champion Texas, but they just couldn’t slow down Madisen Skinner when they had to (and there’s no shame there). The LV’s played good volleyball all season (except for the pantsing the Gamecocks gave them in the regular season finale) and were the only SEC team to take down Kentucky during the regular conference season. They had great senior leadership and strong underclass contributions to support them. The rest of the conference won’t be sad to not have to try to defend against Fingall next year.
Departures: OPP Morgahn Fingall, MB Raeven Chase, OH Jenaisya Moore, and L Yelianiz Torres are all out of eligibility. In addition, 5 other players have announced their transfers; three are grad transfers (OH Jasmine Brooks, OH Erykah Lovett, and DS/S Kya Moore), and two are underclassmen: RS Fr Kamille Gibson (Oklahoma) and rising JR Kadynce Booth (UVA).
Returners: All-American S Caroline Kerr (RS Soph), MBs Kiki Granberry (Jr) and Klaudia Pawlik (RS Jr), OH Mackenzie Plante (Soph, the only pin with any experience), and DS/L Ashllyn King (Sr) all return for the Lady Vols.
Arrivals: The Lady Vols announced a 2024 signing class that includes Paityn Chapman (OH), Camdyn Stucky (S), and MB Chelsea Sutton, all of whom are at least 6'3". Update One of the bigger name, non-Texas transfers is going to Tennessee and providing some much needed pin depth - OH Hayden Kubik (Nebraska) is heading to Rocky Top. Update #2 Former Towson OH Nina Cajic has announced her grad transfer to Rocky Top.
Outlook for 2024: The LVs are heading into the off-season with a roster whose most experienced pin hitter has played in just 28 college sets in her career. They boast two very capable middles and a well-regarded setter, but for the first time in a while there are some serious questions about the Lady Vols’ roster. I’m expecting some spring portal action in Knoxville.
May Portal Update: Tennessee has announced the addition of another transfer OH, 6' Eryn Jones, who RS'ed last year at TCU. That's four new pin additions to the the LV roster (Chapman, Kubik, Cajic, and now Jones).
Texas
2003 Recap: From outhouse to penthouse – the Longhorns lost their first match of the season to non-tournament team LBSU, and ended up destroying the Cornhuskers in the National Championship game. That’s quite a pair of bookends! Congrats to the team and staff! It wasn’t always pretty in Austin, but Madisen Skinner seemed to elevate her game when it mattered most, and not even Jenna Wenaas’s beloved two-handed tips or Swindle’s leg injury, which prevented her from jump-setting, could slow their momentum down the stretch. Super impressive performance in the Final Four.
Departures: The UT faithful will say goodbye to both starting MBs (Asjia O’Neil, Bella Bergmark), starting OPP (Molly Phillips), and DS Carissa Barnes. DS Reilly Heinrich and S Maria Crownover have announced their entry into the transfer portal, as well.
Returners: NCAAT Most Outstanding Player Madisen Skinner (COVID Sr), winner of 3 NCs in four years, is the clear headliner here, but the Horns will also return starters OH Jenna Wenaas (Sr), S Ella Swindle (Soph), and L Emma Halter (Jr), and frequently used subs MB Marianna Singletary (RS Soph), DS Keonilei Akana (Sr), and OH/OPP Devin Kahahawai (Jr).
Arrivals: The Longhorns announced a four-person signing class of L/DS Reese Emerick, S Rella Binney, L/DS Brennan Ramirez, and MB Ayden Ames (a late flip from Nebraska). In addition, UT has made some amazing moves in the transfer portal, adding RS Jr transfer OPP/OH Whitney Lauenstein (Nebraska), Jr S Averi Carlson (Baylor) and grad transfer OPP Reagan Rutherford (Kentucky).
Outlook for 2024: The Longhorns have pins weapons galore, but it will be interesting to see what happens in the middle to replace O’Neal and Bergmark. Singletary appears to be more of an offensive weapon than a defensive stopper, and the other spot seems to be wide open. The addition of Lauenstein and Rutherford give Texas an even larger arsenal of pin attackers, which raises questions about possible departures from the program, and the pick-up of the highly regarded Carlson provides some insurance at the setter spot. The Horns look to enter the SEC on top - not just of the conference but probably the national polls, as well.
May Portal Update The Horns add 6'1" MB Soah Franklin from Columbia.
Texas A&M
2023 Recap: Under first-year coach Jamie Morrison, the Aggies took a step forward and qualified for their first NCAAT since they made a Sweet 16 run in 2019. There were some highlights (sweeping Pepperdine and Utah State, beating Florida) and some lowlights (season sweep by Mizzou, providing Bama their only SEC win on the regular season’s final day). Although the Ags finished below .500 in conference, they did take a set off of eventual national champ Texas in Austin in the NCAAT first round. Not a bad showing for the new staff and team.
Departures: OH Caroline Meuth is out of eligibility, and DS Lauren Hogan was honored on Senior Day, with signs indicating she will not be back in College Station next year. In addition, starting Fr OH Bianna Muoneke (already committed to UGA), S Nisa Buzlutepe, and Fr DS/L Alayna Pearson have announced their transfers out of the Aggie gym.
Returners: Back for the Aggies are All-SEC performer OPP Logan Lednicky (Jr), HM All-Region MB Ifenna Cos-Okpalla (Jr), S Margot Manning (Soph), OPP Ital Lopuyo (RS Soph), L/DS Ava Underwood (Jr), and MB Morgan Perkins (Jr). Molly Brown, who was a regular contributor in 2022, is also back in the middle for her RS-Sr campaign.
Arrivals: The Aggies announced a one-person signing class consisting of OH Amare Hernandez. They have also announced incoming transfers Jr S Maddie Waak (LSU), Jr OH Emily Hellmuth (Pepperdine), and Sr DS Ellee Stinson (Northwestern). Update Former Grand Canyon libero Tatum Thomas has also announced her transfer to College Station with two years of eligibility remaining.
Outlook for 2024: The Aggies entered the off-season needing to replace both starting OH’s and their (sometime) starting libero. They have some very good horses to ride in Lednicky and Cos-Okpalla, but complementary to the question marks at OH, ball control was also a big concern. It wasn’t great for the Ags last year. The addition of Waak and Hellmuth add to the migration of former Houston Skyline players to College Station following Coach Woods. Stinson provides a replacement/upgrade for Hogan at libero. Looking at the current roster, it’s easy to see the Aggies holding steady in the middle of the SEC pack.
May Portal Update: TAMU has received the commitment of 6'3" OH Taylor Humphrey, formerly of Rutgers. Another addition to the OH pool in College Station.
Overall Conference Outlook:
As things stand now, just after Christmas 2023, the early favorite is clearly conference newcomer Texas. Florida fans are pretty optimistic about 2024, also, though the Gators’ prospects depend in large measure on the healthy return to form of S Alexis Stucky. After that, the next cluster of teams in my mind are Kentucky, Auburn, and perhaps Mizzou, who returns a lot. I think each of those teams has questions, though. Kentucky certainly has very good pieces at setter, OH, and libero, but some questions remain at key positions (MB, OPP), and the Wildcats may be relying on youth in 2024 more than they have in quite a while. Auburn has experienced arms, but they’ll be working with a new setter, and there are not insignificant questions about the Tigers’ ball control. Mizzou has Iliff and deMarrais, but needs to replace the all-around game of Gedikoglu and develop stronger defense. Maybe UGA belongs in that group, too, considering how they’ve brought in two good pins, but I worry about their first contact. Tennessee and Arkansas form the next cluster in my brain, along with TAMU, Oklahoma, and maybe LSU: young, unproven, but with potential to make the tournament. Bringing up the rear are the Mississippi schools, SC, and Bama.
Putting it another way, with a nod to the 2023 Person of the Year:
In their…
Lover Era:
Texas
Florida
Speak Now Era:
Kentucky
Auburn
Mizzou
UGA?
Begin Again Era:
UGA?
Arkansas
Tennessee
TAMU
Oklahoma
LSU
Blank Space Era:
Mississippi State
Ole Miss
South Carolina
Alabama
Updates will be noted with either bold text or new paragraphs in team summaries.
What did I miss, and where am I going wrong?
