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TexasDPT

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Everything posted by TexasDPT

  1. The 2023 class is adding a lot of size in the front row: 6'3 Swindle & Bunton, 6'4 Byrd & Helmers, and 6'5 Tomkinson. Byrd has a fast arm-swing and hits well at both pins but has yet to play against high-level competition at the HS or club levels. Helmers can hit a variety of shots and Tomkinson is a lefty opposite who is already a decent blocker, but both will need to focus on strength & conditioning to add some power to their shots. None of the pin hitters are coming in with strong backcourt skills unfortunately. OH/Opp depth shouldn't be a problem next year with Skinner, Parra (if she doesn't transfer), Kahahawai, Byrd, Helmers, Tomkinson, and walk-on Miller. Someone from this group needs to step-up as a consistent, out-of-system hitter though. I think Phillips needs to be moved back to MB for depth, experience, and leadership on the court. I think she will start with either Bergmark or Singletary. Bunton will probably be redshirting like most true freshman MBs at Texas. I agree that we need a seasoned transfer setter in case Swindle pulls a Shook with her setting location and consistency...and we really don't know much about this year's walk-on setter Crownover. We will still have Halter and Akana in the backcourt, but Skinner, Parra, or Kahahawai need to step up as we won't have a strong 3rd Libero/DS on the roster next year. Swindle, Byrd, and Helmers are all arriving early in the spring.
  2. You wishcasting might be working as McCuthcheon is leaving Minnesota at the end of the season.
  3. Bergmark and Caffey are putting up similar blocks/set numbers (0.80 and 0.76, respectively). However, block touches (BT) are equally as important. According to Vollymetrics, Bergmark has an 8.4% BT and Caffey is at 5.1%, and Bergmark has a slightly better good touch percentage (45.6% compared to 45%). If they are using these metrics as well as attack % (0.384 for Bella; 0.378 for Caffey), Bella is statistically performing better. I'm sure they are also using practice statistics which we aren't privy to. But it does seem like Caffey is being inserted into the line-up when Bella struggles offensively, so I'm not sure how reliable those numbers are. Personally, I would like to see Caffey in the starting line-up because her offense will be reliable regardless of the opponent. She just needs more in-game reps IMO.
  4. Kaylei Akana Apparently Nike is backed up on making the jerseys for our new players
  5. Jenna has a great all-around game, but we're bringing in a lot of pin hitters with height next year, so it'll be interesting to see who will have the most impact with the other returning pin hitters. 6'2 OH/Opp - Skinner (Jr) 5'11 OH- Parra (Jr) 6'4 OH/Opp -Kahahawai (So) 6'0 OH - Miller (So) 6'4 OH/Opp - Byrd (Fr) 6'4 OH - Helmers (Fr) 6'5 Lefty Opp - Tomkinson (Fr) I'm hoping the sand Vball season in the spring and then summer training will develop some of them into complete 6-rotation players for next year. Most likely candidates in my mind are Skinner, Parra, and Kahahawai.
  6. 👋 Yep, I've been saying this for awhile. She's played the past 2 seasons on the right, but really hasn't done much. She puts up a big block but really only hits one shot...a sharp, cross-court shot that she hits really well in-system, but other than that doesn't have the range or power to be an effective pin hitter. I'm in favor of keeping Skinner on the right, Parra on the left, and Caffey in the middle over Bergmark. We need Caffey's offense in the middle to leave the pins 1-on-1. Blocking isn't going to be a strength of this team, but as long as they can put efficient blocks up against opponents, the back-row will just have to pick up the slack...which I think they are capable of this year! Molly should move back to the middle and start training for next year. It'll be her, Bergmark, Singletary (RS-freshman), and Bunton (true freshman)...unless someone with a scholarship transfers and he pulls someone in the portal. But right now, all 12 scholarships are accounted for already for next season.
  7. SKT's sets look off right now
  8. wtf Texas
  9. C'mon Texas!
  10. Definitely think Skinner is a better option at Opposite. Her arm swing is difficult to read hitting from the right pin and she can be terminal even with out-of-system swings, something that Molly can't do. If Parra can manage her game and take smart swings, she and Logan will make a good Left-side duo. Parra's block continues to need work, but she does get height with the swing-blocking technique Texas employs. I just wonder how she will handle going up against taller opposites that can hit over her. Devin can be the back-up for Parra or Skinner if either struggle. I think they should work Molly back in the middle and see how she does. That may take away reps from Bella and Kayla, but neither have yet to consistently produce.
  11. This is the most Parra's ever smiled in a match
  12. Parra looks more comfortable in the starting line-up. Skinner has all the physical tools to be a great player but she doesn't have it mentally yet. She just makes too many silly mistakes and looks like she's overthinking things. I know she wants to be a 6-rotation player (and that may have been a deal for her transferring here), but I think that responsibility is too much for her right now. If Elliott continues to start her in the line-up, he should let her be successful as a front-row player only and just build up her confidence and success in that role in Texas' system...and then slowly start giving her more responsibilities
  13. Caffey looking good in the middle...blocking may not be as good as Bergmark's, but she adds an offensive attack that makes the team better
  14. Texas...where players come to become bad at passing...j/k
  15. I feel like this is the reason why high-level Liberos/DS's did not want to commit Texas. The staff were just bad evaluators of talent or they had the reputation of being unable to develop talent. There's only a few Liberos that I think developed well during JE's tenure: Heather Kisner, Sarah Palmer... maybe Alyson Jennings, Nicole Dalton, and Cat McCoy. But the most impactful Liberos have been transfers: Morgan O'Brien and Zoe Fleck. Emma Halter seems like a promising Libero, but so did Nalani Iosia her freshman year. I will say Emma has better ball control and hustle at this point so I am hopeful. I hope JE continues to realize the importance of these players and if he can't develop them, then get them via the transfer portal!
  16. Gotta figure out that OH1 spot. And Opp too. Madi is so inconsistent with her hitting. She has a tough time adjusting to a "not-so perfect" set on the left pin. But she puts up a big block at the net. Parra only has one shot (sharp cross-court) and she tends to hit it out when she tries to go around the block. Her blocking is her weakest skill. Molly looked liked she turned the corner with her hitting against OSU in game 1. But the past two games have shown if she isn't getting a perfect in-system set, she doesn't have the power to put the ball down. Devin can hit from both pins and puts up a big block. She just needs more playing time IMO. I feel like the best line-up would be starting Devin at OH1 and Madi at Opp.
  17. If an athlete is on an indoor scholarship, she can play beach. If the athlete is on a beach scholarship, she cannot play indoor. This is to prevent schools from adding beach solely to gain more scholarship money in indoor.
  18. Molly was in the net
  19. Yes! This is the type of backcourt Elliott should have built with all of the past teams...It would have lead to more Championships.
  20. This is when Jerritt needs to sub in a back row DS passer for Skinner in this rotation if passing breaks down.
  21. I don't understand why Phillips keeps getting penciled in as the starter at Opp when there are better options. She's only effective with a quick, in-system set. Out-of-system (high ball to the right pin) she is terrible and she isn't terminal on the left pin (typically where the Opp hits when receiving serve in rotation 1). Granted passing was a mess in the regional final match against Nebraska, but Phillips had 13 attempts and only earned 1 kill....That's not going to cut it against elite teams. And to make a deep run in the tournament, the right pin hitter has to be just as effective as the left pin hitters. I do think Molly has a quick arm swing and knows how to hit angles, that's why I think she is more suitable at the MB2 position. Devin and Madi are better options at Opp, with Madi being more terminal...but I'm pretty sure Madi is intent on being a 6-rotation left side hitter. Both can hit in- and out-of-sytem and have a wider range of shots than what Molly can produce. If Bella does end up starting at MB with Asjia, then I can see Phillips being the starter in the beginning of the season for her experience then Devin taking over as she acclimates to the speed of the college game. Backrow defense should be stout with Fleck, Akana, Halter, and even Heinrich. I hope Elliott takes a cue from Nebraska and subs the back row with the BEST defensive players on the team (sorry, but Parra is mediocre at best as a DS). The back row floor defense is what's going to keep us in games. Texas should have more than enough fire power in the front row to make up for possible back row attack options. My ideal line-up: Lib - Fleck Setter - SKT or Ewert OH1 - Logan OH2 - Madi MB1 - Asjia MB2 - Molly or Bella Opp - Devin DS for Opp - Akana DS for OH2 (if needed) - Emma
  22. I'm counting 17 players on the roster for the Fall..probably the largest roster Elliott has ever had. He can actually create 2 full teams that can challenge each other. The biggest thing this squad needs to run the table is for the "B" team to constantly challenge the "A" team every single practice, especially during conference play since the other Big 12 programs really don't prepare us for the tournament IMO. I really hope to see another top program in the preseason. It'd be nice if they would schedule a top-tier program towards the end of conference play, like they did several years ago with Florida...but I guess KU, Baylor, and @WVU will have to do...
  23. Seriously….this off-season has been crazy! This sucks to say but with all the new additions, if Texas doesn’t win the Natty, what does this say about Elliott?!?!?
  24. I'm pretty sure volunteer coaches cannot do any off-campus recruiting like at high school or club volleyball tournaments. But she will be able to meet recruits on official/unofficial on campus visits.
  25. Aren't she and her brother trying to become a NIL-packaged deal?
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