Gopher Volleyball 2023 Season

[4EverAGopher]

If anybody is interested, I see several matches from this past weekend are available on YouTube.... including both of the Texas matches.

 

[WayOfTheGopher]

Three losses and still inside the top ten. That's the tough non-conference schedule you want.

 

[GopherVB23]

Three losses and still inside the top ten. That's the tough non-conference schedule you want.

I don't know if I necessarily agree with that. I know some coaches like to schedule tough at the beginning of the season to see where they are, but are we really gaining that much? IMO, I think it hurts us in the long run more than helps (record-wise). Especially for the level that we're at. Yes, it can help you see your gaps and weaknesses, but to play four top 10 opponents out of your first six games is a really tough challenge for any team. There's no time to build that confidence or momentum as a team (unless you're winning most of them, then you know you're really good). There's no time to catch your breath before an already gauntlet of a season in the B1G. And it leads to more losses (at least for us right now), which can ultimately hurt us come seeding time.

I think we should have a more balanced non-conference schedule with maybe two top 10 teams and then two top 25 teams, with a few top 50 or so. I kind of like the way Nebraska has done it, with building more of a base and then playing tougher matches.

I'm just not sure it has made us better come tournament time (see last year's Sweet 16). I think end-of-season success ultimately comes down to each team's chemistry and if they have the competitive nature to keep fighting or not (and talent of course).

I don't know though, maybe I'm not seeing it the right way. Maybe it's helpful to the players and the coaches to know where they are right now in the nation compared to other teams and adjust aspirations accordingly. Does anyone else have thoughts on this?

 

[let'sbeclear]

Zeynep's picture now appears on the Gopher roster page. I like it!

 

[MplsGopher]

But who is there to DS out …?