(VB) Ongoing Volleyball Thread 2025

Saw this posted on IG. This is Madi's sister, who will be a senior in the fall.
I hope the new coaches take a look.

 

Anyone heard anything about Dave Boos? While it was sad to see CMW leave, that was her choice. Dave has high school kids and had the rug pulled out. I feel really bad for him.

 

I would be surprised if Mary didn't communicate with Dave about this. He had to have known this was coming and that it wouldn't be Mary's choice who the replacement would be. Not saying it doesn't suck, but it shouldn't have been a "rug pulled out" situation.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

 

hasnt half the team been sent out on a tour of goodwill almost?

 

So I attended the FSU match. While most don't like my thoughts very often, here is a summary anyway.
My first hope with this coaching change would be a more dynamic offense. I didn't see much difference in terms of play sets from what we have been seeing for decades here. From a schematic standpoint however he did experiment with the backcourt quite a lot. Different combinations of hitters and DS players. Martin played several rotations at RB which is interesting. We had good success when Beason played there and it does perhaps give a few open lanes when your setter is at the net however I'm not sold that Martin's skill set is best used in that defensive position. She made a couple of good tip coverage plays but I just feel her length is best used in MB. There is a potential to have two eligible back row hitters when the setter is at the net but my preference would be to have the OH in backrow take that attack in RB as opposed to Martin. She was solid in the middle last year with her size and offensively it's easier to change her hitting lanes starting at middle back.
Hutson dressed, played backcourt including the 4th set at libero. Very pleased with her passing but still no swings on that shoulder yet. She tipped during warmup. No high fives with that arm. She dove for a ball at one point and it was a very awkward slide, only reaching with one arm and protecting that shoulder. Based on limited viewing, IF she is ever cleared to swing, she is definitely the best passer of any of the hitters
Vogel and Lee split the other libero duty by sets. Dzienny played DS a couple sets.

Lots of options at the pins this year if healthy. Byrd got reps at both pins. She will probably be a backup for Martin at OPP if she ever needs a break. Once again, limited viewing but she doesn't appear to have the skill set yet to be a 6 rotation OH, the passing and defense wasn't sharp.

Gravlee still out, no clue of injury by looking at her. Canaan was out as well. Hoyle in an arm sling. Freshman middle McMillan also out.
Madkin played as well. Started really slow. The rotation she was in didn't gel very well, a few players just looked uncomfortable playing next to each other.
Setters rotated by set with Stucky playing 1 and 3, Parks 2 and 4. Stucky imo looked very good in the backcourt. Made some plays literally on the other side of court which wouldn't have happened last year. Parks looked as she did last year. On sets played with Martin, Parks still goes to her way too often, it was probably her first choice 70% of play sets and then to other options in transition. Martin BTW sat out set 4 and had the back stimulation harness on.
Flo looked good and will fill one of those outsides. I felt like she took a few too many second balls then needed. Probably had to at her previous team but our defensive players need to be getting those second balls the setter doesn't. Her serve was great when it was in. High risk high reward just like AC but she does have more control than AC. I know we had quite a few service errors but they were from the same positions so those could be fixed with a sub if needed jaela served and looked great to me in limited back row time. Not sure if the new staff will be going with all the serving subs as Mary did or go with one MB serving. Probably a mix of the two.
Not sure what the backcourt will look like at full strength but I would be OK with Lee at libero and take the learning curve. Maybe Canaan shows up big this year if given the chance but Lee seems to have the advantage to me based on years past with Canaan and potential to get better with more play time.
The middles looked ok. Auguste will have a better year than last. Thomas played a set on the 2 hitter row and to me didn't look as though she could carry that load. Rothe was the same as last year, great on the block. Not a big emphasis on middle hitting today. The passing always dictates if middles get involved and while it wasn't that bad, the pins were easiest choice most the time.

So, not much of a philosophy change based on the limited scrimmage other than perhaps having Martin play some at RB. I think Stucky is more mobile and her hands and set placement looks better to me than Parks and she spreads it out more, not relying on Martin as much. When the game is in doubt you obviously go to your best player but that being the first option so often isn't necessarily the best play.
Sure hope we get to see Kira swing at a ball. That's probably my biggest take away is that she still isn't cleared to do so.

 

According to information heard tonight, he received a generous severance package and is still in GNV.
I hope he did, as he was a loyal partner with Mary for many years.

We heard that CCK is teaching lessons in Tampa.

 

Replacing the amazing skill set of Elli McKissock at DS will take some time. With Canaan and Hoyle out, the three freshmen DS played a lot and, I think, showed some promise…Vogel, Lee and Dzienny…including at serve. Did others think the same?

 

I agree with you on those 3. Bella and Ella were also impressive at libero.
The biggest surprise was Kira at Libero. She cannot attack, so she is getting good training to be a six-rotation. She passes well.
She has a soft support on her right arm and shoulder.
For the first time in my memory, Amaya served. She hit the first in the net, but the others were impressive.
After the match, the Gator Attack Club had a reception in the Center Court Club. All the new coaches and all the players were there. We have several new players, so meeting them off the court was good.
Two players came in turn to all the tables. We had Alec and Alexis. What a breath of fresh air these two are.
Alec is a ball of energy. She is super competitive and intense but fun.
Stuckey is calm, laid-back, and delightful.
Both were asked about the differences in practices under the new regime.
Both said they were shorter, with a competing session at both ends of the practices and individual skills drills in between.
They seemed to like that format.
I am excited about this coming season.

 

A funny thing about last night.
The FSU Libero almost looked like a clone of Elli. And she also wore number 23.
But she is not Elli in terms of skill and ability.