December 2024 NCAA Women's Volleyball Portal

Donate To GopherHole
Hoolio said:
Minatee or Myers in the middle, Probably not.
Click to expand...

I would say, probably yes, for one of these two. Stella Swenson will be better at getting the middle going offensively and both players have the athleticism to be great blockers. One of the two could easily put it together for an All-Conference season.

The success of the team will hinge on finding somebody to produce on the right and the passing just has to get better.
 

I hope you're right NateDawg but I'm not seeing it. I can see Minatee getting more kills next year but she was average at best as a blocker last 2 seasons. Can't blame that on the setter. As for Myers she played with a setter that managed to get the ball to Ravin Colvin enough to make her a multiple time All American. Myers only averaged about a kill per set last year. She's a little better as a blocker but I just don't see All Big Ten there unless Pedro can work some magic. Let's hope he can.
 

The issue isn't so much the Gophers as it is how good the rest of the B1G is. And with so many of the programs actively cheating? How do you expect to compete?

I'll keep saying this until I'm blue in the face: the Gophers BEST chance at competing at an elite level is if Stella is elite herself. As a matter of fact, it's hard to see any other way unless their recruits are elite. And, realistically -- objectively --, they are not.

I'm afraid this is a middle of the B1G program now. That's still pretty good, mind you, but not what we used to have.
 

I really think we missed a couple of opportunities for a Natty (2004 and 2018). In today's climate it becomes nearly impossible for anyone else to compete for that with the top 5-6 teams. It's becoming more and more like football.
 

Hoolio said:
I agree with you Walleye but who's it going to be? Wookie would be the obvious choice but her health is a question mark. I like Zeynep and Thibault and expect both to improve but the ceilings may not be that high. Tough to expect that Stella will reach that level in her first year. Minatee or Myers in the middle, Probably not. Maybe Kinney comes in and is lights out but again that's a lot to expect from a first year player. I still think with improvement from our young players and solid setting from Stella they can be better than last year but the star power to challenge for a BIG championship is not there. Somebody talk me off the ledge please.
Click to expand...
With what PSU and the huskers are bringing back and their incoming players I would be happy with a top 5 B1G finish. It’s going to be a young squad next season and needs time to develop. Hopefully this keeps you off the ledge.
 


I'm curious Ruffda, why you think the top programs are cheating? Do you know something? Using the transfer portal is not cheating. I know tampering is always a concern. Coaches aren't allowed to contact players until they officially enter the portal. Players, however, are free to talk to each other all they want. A lot of these girls know each other from club, all star teams, etc. While it feels wrong for them to be doing that it's not cheating.
 

Hoolio said:
I'm curious Ruffda, why you think the top programs are cheating? Do you know something? Using the transfer portal is not cheating. I know tampering is always a concern. Coaches aren't allowed to contact players until they officially enter the portal. Players, however, are free to talk to each other all they want. A lot of these girls know each other from club, all star teams, etc. While it feels wrong for them to be doing that it's not cheating.
Click to expand...
Because, even given my constant wailing and my soiled diaper, I wasn't born yesterday. These players are being contacted and persuaded to transfer. It's not everyone, but there are at least five programs actively recruiting from other team's rosters. No doubt it is more than that. All it ever takes is one team to do it and then others feel justified.

This is what makes the hypocrisy of certain head coaches bemoaning the state of the game so galling.

And, for the record, I believe teams who put out an "Open for Business" sign are also cheating.
 

Every team in the final four this year was littered with transfers. Is that who you're accusing? Plus Texas and Wisconsin perhaps.
 

Texas, Wisconsin, SMU, Penn State are the top offenders. Nebraska has been an unethical program forever. Kentucky probably just got tired of the pillaging and decided to join in. Pitt and Louisville? Probably.

Wisconsin is without a doubt the worst. They are even going after high school commits.

Now, every situation is undeniably unique; but you can't look away from the programs who are doing this ALL THE TIME. "Everyone is doing it" is such a disingenuous take.
 



(R)uffda! said:
Texas, Wisconsin, SMU, Penn State are the top offenders. Nebraska has been an unethical program forever. Kentucky probably just got tired of the pillaging and decided to join in. Pitt and Louisville? Probably.

Wisconsin is without a doubt the worst. They are even going after high school commits.

Now, every situation is undeniably unique; but you can't look away from the programs who are doing this ALL THE TIME. "Everyone is doing it" is such a disingenuous take.
Click to expand...
What details are known? Not doubting you, but just curious what this is based upon.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom