US NCAA Women's VB

    Quote from Ridehard10

    UDub (University of Washington) tomorrow. Any requests beyond the Top-3 (and the only three contenders IMO) that I previewed here? Just give me a shout!


    Utah preview ended up at the bottom of previous page, ICYMI.

    Don't have any requests for PAC12, but if it's possible I would like a preview about the following teams:

    - Texas

    IMO they have a really talented group of players. Curious if they've found a good replacement for one of their best players from last season, White?


    - Baylor

    Curious if they can repeat last year's success?


    - Kentucky

    One of my favourite teams! They have one of the best setters in Lilley and libero in Curry. Also Stumler has potential to become an all around outside hitter. Big blow they've lost multiple time All American Edmond...

    WASHINGTON HUSKIES


    This is a rather strange program with an even weirder fanbase (not much to root for or cheer about in the Seattle area these days). Of all the teams that have won an NCAA championship (once. in 2005) no other squad's fans have SUCH an inferiority complex: especially when it comes to Stanford. The current coach, Keegan Cook, seems to be an improvement from their championship one (albeit 15 years ago), Jim McLaughlin...yet nearly every UW fanatic 'pines' for the good-ol'-days of JMac and Co. Anyway, this is a program which hovers near the top of the P-12 yearly...last winning the conference title in 2016. For all of the noise that their boosters make, they have only reached the FF three other times: losing in the Semis every time. They have some HUGE holes to fill, starting with the graduation of their 2019 First-Team All American (2x total) Kara Bajema. Three other big losses, too. Let's look:



    RETURNING STARTERS


    Shannon Crenshaw, Outside Hitter/DS, Junior


    Samantha Drechsel, OH, Senior


    Marin Grote, Middle Blocker, Jr.


    Claire Hoffman, OH, Jr.


    Sianna Houghton, Libero, Sophomore


    Ella May Powell, Setter, Jr.; 2019 Third Team All-American


    Lauren Sanders, MB, Sr.



    KEY DEPARTURES


    Cailin Onosko, DS


    Avie Niece, MB


    Shayne McPherson, L


    Kara Bajema, OH: AVCA First Team AA 2019; 3rd-Team 2018



    KEY ADDITIONS


    Madi Endsley, Opposite/OH, Fr.


    Olivia Mikkelsen, S, Redshirt-Fr.


    Sophie Summers, MB, Redshirt-Fr.



    BRIEF SYNOPSIS


    This is an upperclassmen-loaded team that had A Terrible recruiting year in 2020. Fortunately, two Redshirt Freshmen will take some of the sting out of that. Coach Cook usually seems to form a squad that is greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts. Enough talent and leadership to come in second or third.













    Sure. To be perfectly honest, I know more about UT and Baylor (followed them since a year ago) than I do about UDub. I know some about Kentucky; I'll do it!


    I'll have them ready by week's end; kinda burned out right now.


    PS: forgot to mention that Madi Endsley was a top recruit nationally: who initially verbally-committed to another institution. Major reason I chose UW 2nd/3rd

    Quote from Ridehard10

    Sure. To be perfectly honest, I know more about UT and Baylor (followed them since a year ago) than I do about UDub. I know some about Kentucky; I'll do it!


    I'll have them ready by week's end; kinda burned out right now.

    Great, thank you!^^

    any news about Georg.. Tech.. ?

    Georgia Tech plays the Atlantic Coast Conference. Here we are talking about the best programs from Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences.


    Anyway, last year they were second to Pittsburgh, but didn't make it to the NCAA tournament, because their overall ranking wasn't good enough because of the RPI. The 3 third ranked teams of the conference advanced to the tournament, on the other hand.

    Ridehard10, could you explane me how does RPI work? It's the only NCAA thing I never understood in my life. :lol:


    I know the record W-L means nothing some times, because RPI counts the quality of the opponents and their opponents too, but here I get lost.

    Quote from QueenPiccininiLover

    Ridehard10, could you explane me how does RPI work? It's the only NCAA thing I never understood in my life. :lol:


    I know the record W-L means nothing some times, because RPI counts the quality of the opponents and their opponents too, but here I get lost.

    Ya! It's so easy to "get lost". Here's the best explanation I found:


    RPI is calculated via three different values, adding together: any team's winning percentage (25% RPI sum), 50% coming from the opponents' average winning percentage...also termed Strength of Schedule...and the other 25% is derived from their opponents' opponents average winning % (opponents' SOS). Whew! That confusing enough? BUT WAIT, there's more! In 2004. the NCAA changed its calculation method for scheduling, and winning, road games: road wins equaling 1.4 RPI wins, road losses = 0.6 RPI defeats; home wins becoming 0.6 RPI victories, home defeats equaling 1.4 RPI losses. Matches at neutral sites remaining at the standard 1.0. AND, to top it off, they have "secret adjustments": a system of bonuses...beating Top-50 teams, scheduling at least 1/2 of your OOC (preseason) matches versus Top 50 squads; plus penalties...losing to non-D1 teams, losing to weak teams (RPI under 150), scheduling 50%+ weak teams.


    Got All That? Gives me a migraine just typing it. All regular RPI is only calculated against D1 competition (eg: wins against D2/D3 don't score. losses do count).

    Quote from Ridehard10

    Ya! It's so easy to "get lost". Here's the best explanation I found:


    RPI is calculated via three different values, adding together: any team's winning percentage (25% RPI sum), 50% coming from the opponents' average winning percentage...also termed Strength of Schedule...and the other 25% is derived from their opponents' opponents average winning % (opponents' SOS). Whew! That confusing enough? BUT WAIT, there's more! In 2004. the NCAA changed its calculation method for scheduling, and winning, road games: road wins equaling 1.4 RPI wins, road losses = 0.6 RPI defeats; home wins becoming 0.6 RPI victories, home defeats equaling 1.4 RPI losses. Matches at neutral sites remaining at the standard 1.0. AND, to top it off, they have "secret adjustments": a system of bonuses...beating Top-50 teams, scheduling at least 1/2 of your OOC (preseason) matches versus Top 50 squads; plus penalties...losing to non-D1 teams, losing to weak teams (RPI under 150), scheduling 50%+ weak teams.


    Got All That? Gives me a migraine just typing it. All regular RPI is only calculated against D1 competition (eg: wins against D2/D3 don't score. losses do count).

    :wacko::wacko::wacko::wacko:


    There's too much math in it. I will never fully understand this stuff. :white:


    Thanks anyway. :win:

    as OH i think that Bricio was one of the best players from NCAA at the recent years IMO... but her team was not that great right?

    Quote from QueenPiccininiLover

    Georgia Tech plays the Atlantic Coast Conference. Here we are talking about the best programs from Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences.


    Anyway, last year they were second to Pittsburgh, but didn't make it to the NCAA tournament, because their overall ranking wasn't good enough because of the RPI. The 3 third ranked teams of the conference advanced to the tournament, on the other hand.

    Just crazy... :white::white:


    Thanks!

    Georgia Tech at least won the NIVC Championship which is kind of a "best of the rest" tournament for 32 of the best teams that didn't make the cut into the official NCAA Tournament field.

    Usually not all teams who are invited, choose to participate in this however. But winning it might have provided some good vibes for them heading into the upcoming season, who knows.

    BAYLOR BEARS


    This is a team that captured the imagination of those who love "underdog Cinderella"/ out-of-nowhere stories. Head Coach McGuyre has built this team and program from scratch, pretty much. Quite a bit has been lost from the 2019 squad via graduation...and yet, HUGE recruiting classes are on the way, including this incoming '20 one. Pertaining to this season, Seniors Yossiana Pressley and Hannah (Lockin) Sedwick lead a team capable of another FF run.



    RETURNING STARTERS


    Marieke van der Mark, Redshirt-Junior, OPP


    Yossiana Pressley, Senior, Outside Hitter; AVCA 1st-Team All-American, National POY


    Kara McGhee, Sophomore, Middle Blocker


    Hannah (Lockin) Sedwick, Senior, Setter; 2019 First Team AA


    Shanel Bramschreiber, Junior, Libero/Defensive Specialist



    KEY DEPARTURES (* INDICATES STARTER)


    Hannah Fluegel, S


    Braya Hunt, DS/S


    *Gia Milana, OH


    *Shelly Stafford, MB: AVCA First Team AA


    Nicole Thomas, MB


    *Tara Wulf, L



    KEY ADDITIONS


    Cassie Davis, OH, Fr.


    Lache' Harper, MB, Grad-transfer (UCF)


    Lauren Harrison, OH, Transfer from UNC


    Andressa Parise, MB, Transfer from St Petersberg College


    Giselle Vogel, OPP/S, Fr.



    BRIEF SYNOPSIS


    Well, Coach Ryan McGuyre certainly "gets out there", recruiting: quantity AND quality; Freshmen, transfers, plus graduate transfers. This squad lost a TON of talent, especially MB Stafford. Look for the newcomers Harrison & Harper to move directly into the starting lineup at OH and MB respectively. Could end up with a two-women serve receive; both Pressley (38.7%) and Harrison (38.1) are definite liabilities, there. OH Harrison is one of the most travelled players in memory: this is her 4th school, I do believe. Campbell Bowden will DS with Marieke van der Mark at RS. That leaves us with one of the most offensive-minded, tall, plus talented Setters in the NCAA: Hannah (Lockin) Sedwick. She married...and can set AND attack as well.as anyone!


    Depending on passing/serve-receive, this team could go deep!











    TEXAS LONGHORNS


    Ahh...the forever passing-poor 'horns. Probably the most enigmatic program in NCAAs...led by one of the most enigmatic coaches: Jerritt Elliott. So much so, that he is attempting to change the basic structure of the NCAA Tournament to favor his team (Again!). This is a program which, historically, has had some of the best talent in the USA, particularly at the pin positions. And Yet, they have won ONE title in 32 years (two total). Can they break this 'curse'?

    One of the biggest questions surrounding the squad is the graduation...and need for replacement...of All-American Micaya White: and her topspin serve.



    RETURNING STARTERS


    Brionne Butler, Middle Blocker, Redshirt-Junior


    **Asjia O'Neal**, MB, R-Soph: *Had open-heart surgery earlier this year; future status unknown


    Logan Eggleston, OH, Junior; 2019 AVCA 2nd Team All-American


    Skylar Fields, OPP, Soph.


    Jhenna Gabriel, Setter, Jr.


    Sydney Petersen, L, Jr.


    Molly Phillips, MB, Soph (IF O'Neal cannot recover in time)



    KEY DEPARTURES


    Micaya White, Outside Hitter: 4x AVCA AA (1st-Team 2016, 2019; Second team 2018; 3rd-team 2017)


    Claire Hahn, Libero


    Autumn Rounsaville, L


    Orie Agbaji, MB



    KEY ADDITIONS


    Capri Davis, RS/OH, Soph. (transfer from NE)


    Nalani Iosia, DS, Freshman


    Madison Williams, OH, Fr. (recovering from torn ACL)



    *Melanie Parra, OH, current acceptance-enrollment unclear*



    BRIEF SYNOPSIS


    Whither Parra, whither O'Neal, whither any competition in the B-12 besides Baylor? As is usually/always the case, TX. has crazy talent; & even crazier question marks about: eligibility; health; stabilized passing; plus, clear answers from practice gym-competition as to which combinations of personnel will optimize their chances to: 1) beat Baylor for the conference crown; 2) get back to resuming their string of Final Four appearances; and 3)...actually win the whole thing! Personally I'm not holding my breath. Why? Because: 1) Davis is a far-from-known quantity; 2) O'Neal is recovering from a major operation...one that usually requires a tremendous amount of rehabilitation and recovery; 3) Parra's situational status is murky, at best! We will see.


    Davis for sure can't take over the spot white left. I mean they already had trouble receiving with Eggleston, White and Petersen. Davis isn't a good receiver, so I don't expect the reception to be good. That's so sad considering their talent at the middle blocker position! Butler is just a beast at the net when she gets a good set and O'Neal has a great slide attack! Sorry to hear she had such a major operation, wish her all the best. Luckely Phillips is more than capable to take over the starting spot.

    Quote from Ridehard10

    bumpsetspike - didn't mean to overlook this post or not reply; just did not have any real info. Per IG, she submitted an exam & is waiting on TX Admissions.

    It's all good. Just was wondering since a lot of Texas fans were boasting about her playing for them. Some even saying that due to her height she'll only play back row, if that's true then I don't think she should be playing there. She's fully capable hitting at the NCAA level maybe even better than some currently on the team if you ask me.

    Quote from bumpsetspike

    It's all good. Just was wondering since a lot of Texas fans were boasting about her playing for them. Some even saying that due to her height she'll only play back row, if that's true then I don't think she should be playing there. She's fully capable hitting at the NCAA level maybe even better than some currently on the team if you ask me.

    From the Instagram interview, she's still at home in Mexico; having sent in an entrance exam to UT. Now, she has to pass said examination, and be admitted.

    KENTUCKY WILDCATS


    This is, and always has been, one of the most under-the-radar, near-elite teams in the NCAA: especially in recent seasons. They often seem to be on the very cusp of a breakthrough into a Final Four...and yet fall short of "the dance" every time. The current squad seems fairly formidable: BUT, they lost OH Leah Edmond...4x AVCA All-American: 2x First Team (2017, 2019); 2018 2nd-team; 3rd team 2016; + 2x SEC Player of the Year...so, how will they fare now?



    PROJECTED STARTERS


    Alli Stumler, Outside Hitter, Junior: 2019 Third-Team All American


    Madisen Skinner, OH, Freshman


    Reagan Rutherford, Right Side, Freshman - OR - Azhani Tealer, OPP, Sophomore


    Kendyl Paris, Middle Blocker, Senior


    Madison Lilley, Setter, Senior: three time AVCA Second Team AA; '17 SEC FOY


    Gabby Goddard, MB, Junior


    Gabby Curry, Libero, Senior: 2019 HM AA



    KEY DEPARTURES


    Caitlyn Cooper, OPP


    Leah Edmond, OH


    Leah Meyer, MB



    KEY ADDITIONS


    Madisen Skinner, OH, Fr.


    Reagan Rutherford, RS, Fr.


    Sophie Fischer, OH, Fr.


    Bella Bell, MB, Redshirt Fr.



    BRIEF SYNOPSIS


    Well Let's go orange , here you go! I had to dig up around 5 different sources to be able to mix-and-match the preview together. Learned quite a lot about the program...which I enjoyed...so, happy to have done so! The biggest takeaway I got is that they'll have 3 new starters; perhaps 2 being Frosh. In losing a four-time AA....Edmond...both Stumler and (maybe) M. Skinner will have huge shoes to fill! Rutherford may end up being the RS; Fischer is a potential wildcard.