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2023 Texas Volleyball - Back to Back!

Js1

By Js1
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MirrOlure
MirrOlure

I think this says it all:

speed817
speed817
Firemans4Horn
Firemans4Horn

The Cornhuskers left the big 12 to get away from us.      we’re here mother fuckers. 

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someguy

someguy 1467

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I love how Sark is humble enough to absorb lessons from elsewhere and will give specific, meaningful praise to others.  The head football coach at Texas isn't required to pay attention to the other sports.  But not only does Sark pay attention, he is willing to actually engage.  I mean, he is a busy guy this time of year.  It is signing day and he is in the middle of playoff preparations.  Yet he still follows the volleyball team and can speak intelligently to their journey and how it is a model for his football team's journey.  He didn't just know they won.  He knew they beat three number one seeds in a row and named specifically Stanford, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.  What a great ambassador for the school and example to his team. 

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TwiceHorn

TwiceHorn 30850

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8 hours ago, Js1 said:

She’s more of a serving specialist that plays some defense. But as I recall, she passed really really well against Nebraska. A 2.36 which led all serve receivers on both teams 

Also, for context, when Corn beat us in the semis in 2021, she was part of a salty backcourt and dealt destruction on us with her serve.

I think Elliott saw her being able to do the same at Texas and possibly elevate DS play, which was hurtin for certain at that time, pre-Fleck.  Turns out Fleck + Emma and now Emma have made her semi-superfluous as a DS, but she's still a very effective server.

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Js1

Js1 83389

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 I would also like to re-cap some history in the rally scoring era. Texas is 11-3 vs John Cook and the Nebraska Cornhuskers during this period. Not bad at all.

2008 W 3-1
2009 W 3-0
2009 W 3-1 Elite 8
2010 W 3-1
2013 W 3-2 Elite 8
2013 W 3-0
2014 W 3-2
2015 W 3-2
2015 L 0-3 NC game
2016 L 0-3
2016 W 3-0 Final 4
2020 W 3-1 Elite 8
2021 L 1-3 Elite 8
2023 W 3-0 NC game
 

 

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Js1

Js1 83389

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Interesting discussion on VolleyTalk if Lauenstein's addition will mean an open competition on the right and the left.  10 or so days left for Devin to jump in the portal if she's going to. 

OH1: Madi - no competition

OH2: Jenna, Whitney, Jordan Byrd, Devin

OPP - Whitney, Byrd, Devin, Tomkinson

It looks like Rutherford disengaged from Texas after we got Whitney and is now interested in aggy. Lednicky + Rutherford is badass, but heed the Wisconsin warning, Morrison - a 6-2 hasn't won a title since 2005 (UW). 

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TexasDPT

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2 hours ago, Js1 said:

Interesting discussion on VolleyTalk if Lauenstein's addition will mean an open competition on the right and the left.  10 or so days left for Devin to jump in the portal if she's going to. 

OH1: Madi - no competition

OH2: Jenna, Whitney, Jordan Byrd, Devin

OPP - Whitney, Byrd, Devin, Tomkinson

It looks like Rutherford disengaged from Texas after we got Whitney and is now interested in aggy. Lednicky + Rutherford is badass, but heed the Wisconsin warning, Morrison - a 6-2 hasn't won a title since 2005 (UW). 

I’m thinking 

OH1: Madi - no competition

OH2: Jenna, Whitney, Byrd, Helmers

OPP - Whitney, Byrd, Devin, Tomkinson

 

JE will want to keep 3 ‘Littles’ on the floor, so the OH2 will need to pass when in the front row.

Wenaas may have the inside track bc we really don’t know how the others can pass…but it will also depend how terminal the other OHs can be. I was really impressed that Jenna upped her play in the last 3 matches, but I’d still like to see a more consistent and terminal hitter there to help take pressure off Madi.

With Ella’s more consistent setting, the Opp who can kill the ball in/out of system and with better blocking skills will get the start.

If everyone comes back healthy, we’ll definitely have more options on the pins. I think it will be important for the pins to be terminal since we’ll probably see a significant drop off in offense and defense production from our young middles. 
 

Will JE go for a grad transfer MB? Or will he move Byrd to MB to add depth? Same with DS…does he go for a transfer or does he rely on one of his 2 incoming freshmen DS’s? Hopefully one of them can replicate Halter’s freshman season…

 

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Js1

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43 minutes ago, TexasDPT said:

I’m thinking 

OH1: Madi - no competition

OH2: Jenna, Whitney, Byrd, Helmers

OPP - Whitney, Byrd, Devin, Tomkinson

 

JE will want to keep 3 ‘Littles’ on the floor, so the OH2 will need to pass when in the front row.

Wenaas may have the inside track bc we really don’t know how the others can pass…but it will also depend how terminal the other OHs can be. I was really impressed that Jenna upped her play in the last 3 matches, but I’d still like to see a more consistent and terminal hitter there to help take pressure off Madi.

With Ella’s more consistent setting, the Opp who can kill the ball in/out of system and with better blocking skills will get the start.

If everyone comes back healthy, we’ll definitely have more options on the pins. I think it will be important for the pins to be terminal since we’ll probably see a significant drop off in offense and defense production from our young middles. 
 

Will JE go for a grad transfer MB? Or will he move Byrd to MB to add depth? Same with DS…does he go for a transfer or does he rely on one of his 2 incoming freshmen DS’s? Hopefully one of them can replicate Halter’s freshman season…

 

Jenna should have inside track because Elliot loves her and it's about confidence for her.  She has all the tools, it's just between the ears. 

The OPP will be whoever terminates better.  Probably Whitney, tbh.  Wouldn't be surprised if Devin leaves, but also if she stayed, she'd battle.  She has 2 years in the program. 

MB is definitely where we could pursue a grad transfer, like Bella - may not start, like last year, but provides depth and comes in when needed or starts and eventually gives way to Ames.  I hope we go for a DS/libero for the Barnes role. 

Edited by Js1
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Rickylovesweed

Rickylovesweed 14087

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1 hour ago, TexasDPT said:

I’m thinking 

OH1: Madi - no competition

OH2: Jenna, Whitney, Byrd, Helmers

OPP - Whitney, Byrd, Devin, Tomkinson

 

 

 

I think the issue is scholarship allocation. 7 scholarships for pins? Is it normally that high. 

That means only 5 scholarships allocated to middles and defensive specialists. Definitely feels like somebody is getting pushed out or maybe Byrd moves to MB. 

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Hornbeliever

Hornbeliever 704

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On 12/20/2023 at 1:17 PM, Js1 said:

The true culture Elliot has built:

IMG_2124.thumb.png.5ae72d57fa4c56fb4590fec636336f73.png
I also note that not only did Caffey go to the team hotel send off in her burnt orange, Shook was seen at the arena in burnt orange. Culture 

Feel free to post more of these type of pics as they are great and welcomed by us social media illiterates. Thanks dude

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TexasDPT

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1 hour ago, Js1 said:

Gotta assume an OH on the roster is leaving, or maybe Elliot feels Whitney may not be able to start right away after her layoff from volleyball so Rutherford can step in day 1, or someone is moving to MB. 

Rich get richer 

Byrd to MB seems more likely at this point. 

Devin will have to decide if she is willing to fight for a spot. Doubt it though when she can be an immediate starter somewhere else. 

Still think Wenaas' spot isn't secured.

Skinner, Swindle, Halter, and Akana are the only for sure starters imo. 

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Assman

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Gotta assume an OH on the roster is leaving, or maybe Elliot feels Whitney may not be able to start right away after her layoff from volleyball so Rutherford can step in day 1, or someone is moving to MB. 
Rich get richer 
I kind of thought the latter. I was somewhat worried about putting all our eggs (no pun) into the basket of someone that had a kid just 6 months ago.
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Assman

Assman 1830

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This is a head-scratcher. We got Ella who played like one of the best setters down the stretch. Why would Averi transfer just to ride the bench?
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TexasDPT

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3 minutes ago, Rickylovesweed said:

I think this could be a sign that Swindle is having some type of significant surgery due to the injury she was dealing with. 

 

Someone on VT posted that Swindle posted on Tiktok that she has been in a boot for 3 months....so probably something more serious.

Damn, just shows how much of a baller she really is then...

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Rickylovesweed

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The other thing is portal players like Rutherford and Carlson turn really good teams into national title contenders. 

Just keeping them away from other rosters is a win for us. Players want to win championships so why not stack the roster and keep them away from other good teams? 

Edited by Rickylovesweed
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Rickylovesweed

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45 minutes ago, Assman said:
2 hours ago, Js1 said:
Gotta assume an OH on the roster is leaving, or maybe Elliot feels Whitney may not be able to start right away after her layoff from volleyball so Rutherford can step in day 1, or someone is moving to MB. 
Rich get richer 

I kind of thought the latter. I was somewhat worried about putting all our eggs (no pun) into the basket of someone that had a kid just 6 months ago.

I don't think so. I think a OH leaving is more realistic. 

Even when Jenna was struggling, Elliott stuck with her. I think it's pretty evident that Elliott wasn't a big fan of the talent we had at the pins or he would have benched Jenna. 

 

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Rickylovesweed

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40 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Could but a 6-2 doesn’t win titles. It’s been almost 20 years 

As somebody that's not well-versed in volleyball as other sports it does seem like Carlson and Swindle would be a good fit together in a 6-2. 

Isn't Carlson considered one of the best bump setters in the country? Which is a bit different than the strengths Swindle brings. So now I wonder if the plan is to run a 6-2. 

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Rickylovesweed

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Carlson also led Baylor in aces this year. 

We are returning our top 4 servers (Skinner, Halter, Akana and Swindle) plus adding two more very good servers in Lauenstein and Carlson. This team could be even better from the service line next year and we saw what it was capable of doing in the national semis and national championship matches. 

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Rickylovesweed

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2 hours ago, TexasDPT said:

Same. She showed out this season. But if she is severely injured, we now have a very reliable replacement

The Carlson addition makes a lot more sense when reading the volleytalk board and seeing the Baylor comments. 

She's a completely different player than Swindle. Not much of an offensive threat or great in the block, but very good defensively, and led the Big 12 in service aces/set. Swindle is a more offensive player and puts up a big block. 

I'm viewing this more as a defensive/serve addition than anything. If there aren't any great DS in the portal this may be the best option. Not sure what that means in the context of a 6-2. 

 

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Rickylovesweed

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6 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Not a pure 6-2. She can secondary set and play defense. She would likely not rotate into the front row

Which I think is her biggest strength to begin with. According to Baylor fans, she's really good at bump sets. 

This doesn't look like a prototypical "setter" addition. Defense, serving, secondary setter. This is our "DS" addition from the portal even though she's considered a setter. 

 

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Js1

Js1 83389

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1 minute ago, Rickylovesweed said:

Which I think is her biggest strength to begin with. According to Baylor fans, she's really good at bump sets. 

This doesn't look like a prototypical "setter" addition. Defense, serving, secondary setter. 

 

Yeah she’s not a good 6-2 setter option. Unlikely to be a pure 6-2

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Rickylovesweed

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4 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Texas’ 2nd team could probably win the Big 12 next year 

The only potential weakness I see is the block with young middles and losing Phillips from the pins. 

1) We will be the best serving team in the country.

2) If we aren't the best offensive team in the country we will be 2nd or 3rd with all the OH talent, Swindle's offense, Skinner, etc. 

3) Defensively we should be really good with Halter having another year of experience and if Carlson is as good as Baylor fans say she is defensively. Akana is good too. Probably not the best defensive team in the country but still really good. 

The key will be the block with those young middles assuming we don't add anyone from the portal. 

 

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SL Xpress

SL Xpress 7492

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5 hours ago, Rickylovesweed said:

Read all the salty Nebraska fan replies about "Texas ruining the sport." You love to see it. 

 

 

They weren't salty when they were winning every recruiting battle for the last 3 years, basically building a team from the u19 roster. 

It's amusing when a program's unfair advantages work in their favor, versus when a program's unfair advantages work in an opposing team's favor. Nebraska has dominated Wisconsin in recruiting since forever, yet Wisconsin won 4 Big 10 titles in a row, 9 straight matches, and a national championship over Nebraska and they all cry foul because Wisconsin brought in transfers. 

We used to carry our water against Nebraska in recruiting, but the last 3 years we hadn't won any real head to heads against them in high school recruiting other than Ayden Ames' recent flip. Plus Spears and Vander Wow, and possibly Taylor Harvey if we can get her, too. But 2022/2023/2024 for the most part Nebraska had first dibs on whatever high school recruiting talent they wanted. They even grabbed Kaitlyn Hord out of the portal over us a couple of years ago. 

It's so hilarious to be running circles around them in roster management, both the last two years, and apparently in the years to come as well. Akana, Caffey, and Lauenstein are sure going to make it tough for Nebraska to sell themselves as the more supportive environment. 

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