Gopher Volleyball 2023 Season

Well we have Crowl, Hanson and Schnichles all vying for the right side position. I'm not too concerned about replacing Wenaas, I think one of those will fill that spot well enough.

Middle we have Davis and Minatee, both a bit undersized but can jump. I think its harder for Shaff to set the smaller middles so that could be interesting. They'll need to bring in another middle for depth.

Backrow is our biggest hole. Worst case scenario we use Elise or Julia has a DS and hope Skylar can hang at libero. I would be shocked if we aren't able to bring in a couple of backrow players though or at least get Murr/Gomillion and fill the DS with someone from our bench. Maybe there are some uncommitted '23s still out there looking for a home.

Now that Cook has his team they should be out there hardcore looking to fill these holes.
Perhaps you aren't concerned about replacing Wenaas's front right side production, but we can't overlook her back row contributions. Those are big shoes to fill.
 

Perhaps you aren't concerned about replacing Wenaas's front right side production, but we can't overlook her back row contributions. Those are big shoes to fill.
So ... DS out whoever wins the RS frontcourt position?

Isn't that the obvious answer?


I'd DS out all three pins, quite honestly. That's how the college women's game should be played. Let them specialize. Backrow hits are overrated. Focus on doing really solid frontcourt hits, and slides.
 

Debbie Downer here, maybe, but the Gophers need to replace:

Wenaas
Booth
Choboy (or CC)
Kilkelly

Not to mention middle depth with Gros and Husemann. At this point I don't see how we can reasonably expect the 2023 team to even be as good as the 2022 team.
Depth for sure is needed.

But a likely starting lineup of:

S - Shaff
RS - Schnichles or Crowl with DS
OH - Landfair 6
OH - Wucherer with DS
M - Davis (serving?)
M - Minatee (Elise SS?)
L - Gomillion

I think has a chance to be as strong or stronger than 2022. Depending on what level of DS'ing we get.
 


NIL Fans have gotten this wrong. They keep looking for deep pockets to fund NIL. When in fact a athlete could set up a u-tube page. Post 2 to 4 times a month and make thousand's. How?
Set up a patreon page for people to sponsor. It's usually 2 ,5, or10 dollars. With a thousand subscriptions they get advertising revue. Someone like me who has no business can sponsor several player's . Do the math. Sponsor 5 player's at 2 dollars =10 dollars = 120 a year.
a player that gets 1000 patreon's at 2 a month will make 24,000 dollars a year. (minus 8% fee plus advertising) Would like to see this happen.
 



Well, unless there's an announcement today I think it's safe to say that we will not be getting any transfers for the spring semester.
Not having any spring transfers reduces the amount of time the new players have to bond and work together with the returning players. Especially important for back row players. Could be a down year for the gophers depending on the strength of the back row players.
 

I would think a transfer could still come in a week or even two late, if it gets announced in the next few days?

But agree it seems unlikely.


Only two middles on the roster. Hope those ladies are ready to work!


The far worse thing of course is only one defensive player, and is someone who likely at best will be a DS this year.

Not ideal
 





If she has one year to play and she wants to go to the best team possible and play L for them ... just look around at the top teams for who is losing their L. Those would be the obvious targets for her, and indeed we are one.
 


Sounds like Emilia Weske from USC, 6'2" opposite, grad transfer, from Germany also visited today. Not sure we necessarily need another opposite but she could be a good added piece. I don't know much about her but this is from her bio:
  • Two-time Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll selection
  • 2021 Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention
  • 2019 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team
  • Averaged 2.45 kps and hit .275 in 2022

I hope a middle visited too...
 



Sounds like Emilia Weske from USC, 6'2" opposite, grad transfer, from Germany also visited today. Not sure we necessarily need another opposite but she could be a good added piece. I don't know much about her but this is from her bio:
  • Two-time Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll selection
  • 2021 Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention
  • 2019 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team
  • Averaged 2.45 kps and hit .275 in 2022

I hope a middle visited too...
Never hurts to add depth and experience. Hopefully another L/DS will visit and a middle as well.
 

Sounds like Emilia Weske an Opp from Germany who played for USC was also visiting. After looking at some video on her and checking out her stats, I am hoping she will also sign with the Gophers for next season along with Murr. You can't beat experience and both of these players have it to bring to the Gophers. We need both of them.

If KCook and his staff can sign both, there is no doubt he is on the right track to filling all our needs for another successful volleyball season at Minnesota. I am trusting they have evaluated what we need.

Some of you will argue that we already have two Opposites. IMO Crowl has not really shown she should be the starter at Opp and Schnichels being a Freshman will develop. Who knows, maybe the latter will Redshirt, if Weske is transferred in.
 

Penn State loading up on former B1G stars.
 
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Looks like PSU is serious about regaining the top spot in the B1G. Still waiting on Gophers to make some moves. Could be a down year until the recruiting comes back. Lost a 2024 recruit to badgers, coaching change was the last deciding factor, but it sounded like Wisconsin was her favorite all along.
 

Rumor is Murr to MN. Just waiting for official announcement. Praying its true!!
 

Looks like PSU is serious about regaining the top spot in the B1G. Still waiting on Gophers to make some moves. Could be a down year until the recruiting comes back. Lost a 2024 recruit to badgers, coaching change was the last deciding factor, but it sounded like Wisconsin was her favorite all along.
It'll be interesting to see how this plays out for PSU, and comparatively for MN (being one year behind PSU in this coach change process). PSU rebounded very nicely last year and looks to be poised for even greater success this year. I know Rollins and Hord transferred out from PSU after Rose retired, but not super familiar with the rest of their roster changes.

For MN, I hope KCook uses the portal as a tool to plug holes and supplement the roster, and not as the program building block.
 


Most the current players are doing ads for Nautical bowl and other small businesses. The rates if it's through the Gopher marketplace or whatever they called are pretty minimal $20-100 per
NIL Fans have gotten this wrong. They keep looking for deep pockets to fund NIL. When in fact a athlete could set up a u-tube page. Post 2 to 4 times a month and make thousand's. How?
Set up a patreon page for people to sponsor. It's usually 2 ,5, or10 dollars. With a thousand subscriptions they get advertising revue. Someone like me who has no business can sponsor several player's . Do the math. Sponsor 5 player's at 2 dollars =10 dollars = 120 a year.
a player that gets 1000 patreon's at 2 a month will make 24,000 dollars a year. (minus 8% fee plus advertising) Would like to see this happen.
 




Reported on another site.
It’s stated in the UW thread that Sophie Summers the Sophomore MB from UW is not returning to the team this season. Unsure what the reason is or her next plan but she could be a solid option. Can KCook bring her here?
 

Reported on another site.
It’s stated in the UW thread that Sophie Summers the Sophomore MB from UW is not returning to the team this season. Unsure what the reason is or her next plan but she could be a solid option. Can KCook bring her here?
Sure, she could come to MN if she enters the transfer portal in May. No idea if that's her plan or if she's just done with volleyball. We probably won't know for a few months.
 


Reported on another site.
It’s stated in the UW thread that Sophie Summers the Sophomore MB from UW is not returning to the team this season. Unsure what the reason is or her next plan but she could be a solid option. Can KCook bring her here?
UW means Wisconsin to me and most Minnesota folks. I think we need to say UWashington or Washington
 


Who is Ronni--I don't see that name on the roster or among the coaches?
 




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