Your premise is that Thayer was not at the top of her game when she arrived and could have improved. Do you have any basis for saying that? Sometimes 100% is 100%. Has Thayer or any other player ever complained about the coaching or development? Stats are misleading in volleyball as it is very much a team sport and roles change depending on who is playing. I think its easy to blame the coach when things aren't perfect, but not always justified.
I don't think any player comes in at the top of their game. Everyone has room for improvement. With that said, I wasn't putting down Thayer. She had a good 4 years. She played through injuries, tough lady. She gave all of herself to the team and the game; but, she was just one example. I can't think of one player that progressed and took their game to another level in the last five years. That's the reason Bre and Merritt left. They wanted to get better and be coached up so they could be ready for the pros, and of course they were also wanting to win a championship. Florida's team now still has some amazing talent and a tough non-conference schedule; but if Mary can't get the most out of them, it could be another long season. Agree or disagree, that's how I see it.
Really? What's the source of your info for saying that coaching is reason Merritt left?? The scuttlebutt was that Merritt left for big $$$ NIL -- she signed with Opendorse after leaving which seems to support that hypothesis. Where did you get your info that she left for better coaching?
My source is a very reliable one.. my source is Merritt Beason.. "I wanted to be in a program that was going to develop me for (after college), while also competing for a national championship,” she said.
Mary Wise has done wonders for the UF volleyball program. Unfortunately she is past her prime and her star has faded. Will gladly eat crow if wrong.
I believe you will be crow free my friend. Her last hurrah was that 2017 team. What a team that was. Loaded Loaded Loaded. Almost got Mary her championship. She barely even coached that team too, during timeouts Shainah Joseph did most of the coaching/talking. Absolutely the best team Florida has had AND that 2015 team got screwed by that awful call against Texas. Anyway, got caught in the past for a moment. But, yes, the game has past Mary by.
I'm of the opinion that you are right. But, as far as playing pro, we have several that are or have. Rahmat, Carly Snyder, Tall Rachel, Shania. There are probably more from earlier years.
And who can forget T'ara Caesar, who bailed on the team just a couple of years ago when the playoffs were starting because she got a lucrative contract to play pro overseas. (yes, still bitter)
Taylor Parks and Bella Lee, two VB commits are on the team that just won the AAU U17 National Championship. Like to get players who have been on championship teams.
Merritt Beason can go straight to hell, last time I will type her name. She bought the Kool Aid that Nebraska and their players were feeding her all year. I am not expert enough in volleyball schemes to have an opinion on that. But I know what I have heard about the situation and whether or not she felt like she was getting the opportunities at UF. No need to try and bury her old team or coaches in the process. Hope she freezes her ass off and gets bored as hell in that crappy ass city.
She had a team leading 16 kills and 14 digs in Huskers five set victory in match 5 of Brazilian tour on June 7.
It just dawned on me, no more playing SEC teams back-to-back so returning to normal scheduling. No more ecstasy to agony like sweeping UK and then being swept by UK all on one weekend.
