Posts by Ridehard10

    Personally, I'm not sure yet...my gut-take is that some conferences will at least try to commence a start to the season. Beyond said attempt: who could know?

    oh I'm late to the ball I see haha.

    I think its interesting you think they'll finish worse than in 2019 (if there's a season). I think they're the only team to return all of their starters in the B1G.

    I think Caffey is a big addition to the team. Schwarzenbach doesn't really have an offensive presence but Caffey does. Miller's scholarship ended I believe and she really did not have a great 2019 season. Seeing the writing on the wall, it was a good decision on her part to move to a very good academic school.

    I'm a homer, but this group to me, has a ceiling as high as Wisconsin this season. Last season we saw them falter in the big moments (particularly Sun). I think a year of improvement and growth will help them (if there's a season anyways)

    See you made it, welcome (we have a small, yet growing, 'party' here...~5 regulars; 10 more part-timers...started with one (me). Most are fairly new to NCAAs).

    I did these previews as a means to foster conversation amongst the other posters; not necessarily a back-and-forth w/ moi. THEY kept it going when I was gone for roughly a few months with some health issues. They started requesting previews once I returned: hence voila'. Was pretty opinionated writing them.


    That was intentional; to spark convos/debates thereof. We'll see! P.S: thanks to Sisko for facilitating your approval after his reading my message to Janko.

    HAWAII RAINBOW (NA) WAHINE


    Now, most non-UH fans usually do not understand why Hawaiians often refer to their women's teams as "Na Wahine". In the Hawaiian language, "na" is a descriptive collective adjective referring to the group of athletes as a whole: as one single group entity (not as individuals). It's a local-native thing here.


    Okay, linguistics lesson aside...this is a program that was once one of the premiere, elite teams in the early years of NCAAs. Under their first coach, Dave Shoji, they won four National titles (3 NCAA & 1 AIWA). Theyreally have not been as relevant of a program for the past 10-15 years/ since I have been here this past decade. The Hawai'i fanbase is one of the most passionate, loyal, stuck-in-the-past ones in the US. Robyn Ah Mow took over when Shoji retired.


    What will 2020 hold as Coach RAM resuscitates this program?



    PROJECTED LINEUP (* Returning Starters)


    *Hanna Hellvig, RS, Sophomore


    Kyra Hanawahine, L, Senior


    *Amber Iglede, MB, Soph.


    Kate Lang, Setter, Freshman


    *Jolie Rasmussen, OH, R-Sr.


    *Brooke Van Sickle, OH, Sr.


    *Skyler Williams, MB, Senior



    KEY DEPARTURES


    Kirsten Sibley, OH


    *McKenna Ross, OH


    *Rika Okino, Libero


    Kamalei Krug, MB (indoor-VB retired)


    *Norene Iosia, S


    Bailey Choy, Setter



    KEY ADDITIONS


    Mylana Byrd, S, Jr. (transfer)


    Anna Kiraly, MB, Freshman


    Kate Lang, Setter, Fr.


    Sienna Springborn, MB, Fr.



    BRIEF SYNOPSIS


    NO returning Setter or Libero will be the number one question marks/ potential Achilles' Heels for this otherwise deep, talented squad. The team lost two of their major offensive pieces for much of 2019 when both Van Sickle and Rasmussen went down with lengthy injuries. They returned in time to:

    finish 26-4; win the Big West conference (14-2); and make the NCAA Tournament...losing to Nebraska 0-3 in a Regional Semi. The main strength of this group will be the pin hitters (OH and OPP), with Swede Hanna Hellvig, Jolie Rasmussen, + Brooke Van Sickle starring (if healthy). Hanawahine probably will start at Libero; Lang begins at Setter: with Byrd waiting-in-the-wings if necessary. The MBs are solid/not spectacular. Floor defense is an unknown


    Their conference was the ninth best in the NCAA in '19. Na Wahine fans live in past glories, hoping for a return. Prediction? Win BW; 2nd round NCAA.




    Here in Hawaii, we do US Independence Day a bit differently than back on the North American continent. One common, universal tradition, tho', is fireworks!:drink:

    MISSOURI TIGERS


    This is a program, much like Kentucky's, which has somewhat emerged as a near-elite team in recent years. They gave Nebraska a very good fight in the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney in 2019: losing 1-3 (25-20, 20-25, 30-32, 18-25). Quite a barnburner in Set three! They lose Kayla Caffey, Riley Sents & Sun Wenting from the '19 squad, yet they have a widely/well-spaced out roster for 2020. One top returner to watch for is Junior OH Leketor Member-Meneh.



    PROJECTED STARTERS


    Kiley Deberg, Outside Hitter, Senior; 2019 AVCA Second Team A-A


    Claudia Dillon, Middle Blocker, Soph.


    Leandra Mangual-Duran, L, Soph.


    Andrea Fuentes, Setter, R-Junior


    Dariana Hollingsworth, OPP, Sr.


    Leketor Member-Meneh, OH, Sr.


    Tyanna Omazic, MB, Sr.



    KEY DEPARTURES


    Sun Wenting, OH, Sr.


    Katie Turner, DS, Soph.


    Riley Sents, Libero, Sr.


    Brynn Paumen, MB, Junior


    Kayla Caffey, MB, R-Jr.



    KEY ADDITIONS


    Emily Brown, DS, Fr.


    Anna D'Cruz, MB, R-Jr. (UAB transfer)


    Anna Dixon, OH, Soph. (transfer from KSU)


    Erin Williamson, L/DS, R-Soph. (transfer from Arizona)



    BRIEF SYNOPSIS


    Lotta offense, not much D (worst defensive team in the SEC; lost their best blocker to a suspension/transfer; graduated the Senior L). Offensively look to Omazic, Member-Meneh, Hollingworth and Deberg for their top firepower. The Tiger program is in a coaching transition. Prediction? Middle of SEC.


    EDIT: in doing this piece I admit that I really overlooked the past accomplishments and potential of Kiley Deberg. Look for her to be a mainstay in '20.








    Looks like Melanie Parra will join Texas after all. Nice to see her in NCAA and really good replacement for White!:cheesy:


    https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=551746858827184&_rdr

    I think that one word misspelled in that post was supposed to be "speculation", not spectative. Been combing the UT info sites: no official announcement yet


    I researched online dictionaries + every Texas site: there is no such word in English. Feel they could've meant "expectation", not speculation. Nothing firm yet.

    I agree. The Southeastern Conference has Always been an enigma as far as the NCAA Tournament. Florida has made the FF eight times (two title matches + 6 Semifinals); LSU 2 semis; Tennessee one semi. No national championships in the 39-year history of the tourney. Concerning Covid & the season? Who knows?

    Also: I think, eventually, Kentucky will make it to a FF. Concurrent with that I feel that the SEC (most likely Florida and Mary Wise) will finally win a national title.

    I mean...for nearly10years..."experts" said Stanford couldn't win!

    There is always a chance for "a first time". Let's go orange :thumbup:8)

    Thank you very much!:D


    Yes it such a shame they always fail when it matters the most:( I think a big reason for that is that SEC isn't the strongest Conference. The only real rival is Florida. In this way they play against teams in the NCAA tournament who faced better teams for a whole season, so they are better prepared than Kentucky...

    I agree. The Southeastern Conference has Always Been an enigma as far as the NCAA Tournament. Florida has made the FF eight times (two title matches + 6 Semifinals); LSU 2 semis; Tennessee one semi. No national championships in the 39-year history of the tourney. Concerning Covid & the season? Who knows?

    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.




    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.

    I heard a rumor awhile back that Melanie Parra (MEX) will be playing for Texas, is it true?


    She was only 16 at the 2018 World Championship, but made a name for herself then. Definitely a rising talent to keep an eye on.

    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.

    Hmmm...maybe I will kick this off by saying that our Covid response, here in Hawaii, has been the very best in America...if not the world. In trying to reopen to tourism (our very well-known #1 economic "engine") there are A TON of unknowns awaiting us. As far as the rest of the USA is concerned? It is a clusterf*cked mess. The partisan game-playing, as cases are skyrocketing, shows the incompetence of the government "leaders" who are supposed to work for the people of the US...not for the lunatic-fringe base of our president + his cronies (Republicans). As far as the new volleyball league? It is just some pickup games, really!


    How is life/ things associated with Covid-19 reopening for y'all?

    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.


    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!











    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).