St. Thomas Match Recap

[Hoolio]

This one was kind of boring. St. Thomas is not very good. By far the weakest team the Gophers have faced this spring. Its tough to draw too many conclusions from this one but I won't let that stop me from trying.

Stella was good again today. Moved the ball around well and her defense was really solid. As long as she stays healthy the setter position is in good hands. Zeynep had her strongest match of the spring. She was digging everything and her serving was strong. The middles were strong again as well.

Julia Hanson played today and was very good. In a Captain Obvious statement I'll say again that this is a much better team when she plays.

The biggest question mark remains who are hitter #2 and #3. Crowl, Gilk and Acevedo all have their strengths but there's not a complete player among them. Kinney will also be in the mix come fall. No idea what Wucherer's injury status will be. Somewhere in that group we need to come up with 2 solid players. Gilk has the most upside of the 3 that played today but she's young and inconsistent. Here's hoping that someone will grow into the job.

I won't be traveling to the last spring match. If someone else makes the trip please let us know how it goes.

 

[4EverAGopher]

Nothing to do with our Spring Schedule but I couldn't resist this link. It appears everybody on the Wisconsin volleyball team had a smile on their face, after the match at the Kauai High School vs Hawaii, the other day, except one player in the back row. Also, I want to mention that their Opp transfer in Grace Lopez is out for the season...ACL injury. No surprise OH transfer in Mimi Coyler dominated scoring.

Volleyball Repeats with 3-1 Victory over Hawaii | Wisconsin Badgers

LIHUE, Kaua'i – The Wisconsin volleyball team capped off its trip to the Aloha state with another 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-19) victory over the University of

uwbadgers.com

I have been reading a lot that fans wouldn't mind seeing Freshman Taylor play the RS. I say whomever can consistently score at that position for us, GO FOR IT! Also we need to add to our arsenal, a back row scoring threat. So far, that is either Hanson or Acevedo who have had some success with that.

I would like to see KCook stick more with a starting lineup than switching things around during this Spring season. I think it is pretty obvious who more than likely will start. IMO there are just too many inexperienced players and we need to be working on coming together as a solid group of players come fall, as soon as possible. If Kinney was included in that, wouldn't you think she would have been here by now U19 USA Team or not?

 

[Hoolio]

Taylor as RS doesn't seem likely. It's an idea that's been proposed on volleytalk. The thought is that she's such a good athlete and strong hitter it makes some sense. I think she actually played hitter in high school. She did not play hitter at all in any of the spring matches. I think she's got a great chance to start as a middle along with Lourdes. Minatee is OK but not great. Taylor has the ability to be great.

 

[4EverAGopher]

RECRUITING OVERALL REALLY NEEDS TO IMPROVE -

I just feel there are way too many question marks heading into the Fall. Passing is still OK and IMO not going to improve that much, if it does. Hitting % - not sure where that is going to come from for improvement. Without Hanson...don't want to think about that at all.

How much recruiting is happening outside of the State of Minnesota by KCook? Sure there are many players ranked high in this state but nationally not so much. Fans and coaches both argue that doesn't necessarily mean that much. Well......we need an Opp that can help improve that Hitting %. Schnichels (her 4th season 2025) probably won't make the starting lineup again and Crowl and Gilk have not had a great Pre-Season based on what I have been reading. Crowl in her 5th year and her First Year to possibly be the starting Opp.

Also, we will have our third Minnesota Libero in 2026. The transfer in starter has a lot of room to improve and it appears that our 2025 Freshman recruit will not be taking over the starting L or DS jersey.

My point is Minnesota fans....it is wonderful that you have these Minnesota players WANTING to be a Gopher and play for this program, but they have not been showing the impact that we need to be a more successful program in the last two years, now and in the future. Georgia Lee has a lot of work ahead of her too.

I want this program to be more successful. IMO KCook needs to be out there recruiting OUTSIDE of Minnesota more than he has been. I don't see a program growing, if it is going to take 3-4 years for most of the recruits to FULLY DEVELOP. Hanson and Stella just have natural ability for the sport and we need more of that.