Wisconsin comes to Reed September 11th! Hope they come out with some USA swag

Chruchie said:

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some quick notes that i noticed from watching. Happy to elaborate where i can:


- gabi is so solid, serve receive is really good and defense in general. flying around the court, sees the play so well exactly what we want for a libero and only a freshman.
- kaia is a menace, huge portal pickup very diverse in her attack toolkit and steady as a blocker. maybe late once the entire match.
- Kirra is the best setter, quickest sets, tall and not afraid to be aggressive when in the front row. Connection setting behind her with a slide or oppo is really sharp. Might be growing pains but still the choice. (beat out and played above o'brien in club)
- serving all around is really good. natalie's is really something, a lot of variety
- middles might see some movement minus kaia, but it's a good thing. most likely because of depth of the #2 spot (based solely on eliza not playing today)
- blocking, still a core of this team. we shouldn't expect that to change.
- natalie wants it! when her first backrow attack was called out she immediately told the coaches and setter to give it to her again and then next play off the rip got her kill.
- oppo battle will be interesting. megan is the more dangerous offensive threat but morris is so solid at setting the edge of the block
- morrison wanted middles that can run behind the setter and he got some!

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Kirra over Lily at setter?

Wow, appreciate the detailed analysis

Thanks Chruchie.

in the 1st set we ran a pseudo 6-2 where lily set in the backrow, but kirra came into set when lily would have been front row. they did the same with margot in the 2nd but went full kirra halfway through the 2nd

Was Jenna not dressed out as the second Libero at all today? I thought she might be a serving Libero for Gabi similar to Tatum last season but it didn't seem like she was Libero also, at least for the last set based on the Instagram pictures

Was Kirra still the only setter in the third and fourth sets?

it was all kirra in the 3rd and 4th

Very interesting! I thought she had a strong connection with Ring in the matches I saw, so that may be an X factor for this season

I've thought Kirra very well could be the best setter on campus but that Lily didn't transfer here to sit in her final year. I just don't believe Jamie will run a 6-2. Kirra is super tall so she is obviously better in the front row. Very interesting because Peterson is certainly it going to sit next year.

Exciting to see some of these position battles coming to a head. I like Fitch at opposite, mainly for the offense but I just don't know if we are giving up more defensively than we are gaining offensively.

Can't wait to see how it all plays out, so much talent at each position. A hard problem, but a good problem to deal with! I trust the staff! Friday here we come!

I have always been high on Kirra. Not much to go off of except how highly sought after she was as a recruit. But I do think it is worth noting that as a true freshman she did sit behind one of the best setters in the country last year (Maddie)

FluAggie said:

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I've thought Kirra very well could be the best setter on campus but that Lily didn't transfer here to sit in her final year. I just don't believe Jamie will run a 6-2. Kirra is super tall so she is obviously better in the front row. Very interesting because Peterson is certainly it going to sit next year.

Exciting to see some of these position battles coming to a head. I like Fitch at opposite, mainly for the offense but I just don't know if we are giving up more defensively than we are gaining offensively.

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New NCAA 5 in 5 rules means another season for Lily. Get a year of Jamie coaching and then transfer again isn't terrible.

I also don't see Jamie as one to promise playing time. He seems very big on competition in the gym.

I agree, I know that they were trying it out earlier in the spring. Honestly, I think Jenna has a stronger float serve, but Gabi is great as well and hard to keep off the court even for one rotation. Lots to be excited about!

Chruchie said:

---

some quick notes that i noticed from watching. Happy to elaborate where i can:


- gabi is so solid, serve receive is really good and defense in general. flying around the court, sees the play so well exactly what we want for a libero and only a freshman.
- kaia is a menace, huge portal pickup very diverse in her attack toolkit and steady as a blocker. maybe late once the entire match.
- Kirra is the best setter, quickest sets, tall and not afraid to be aggressive when in the front row. Connection setting behind her with a slide or oppo is really sharp. Might be growing pains but still the choice. (beat out and played above o'brien in club)
- serving all around is really good. natalie's is really something, a lot of variety
- middles might see some movement minus kaia, but it's a good thing. most likely because of depth of the #2 spot (based solely on eliza not playing today)
- blocking, still a core of this team. we shouldn't expect that to change.
- natalie wants it! when her first backrow attack was called out she immediately told the coaches and setter to give it to her again and then next play off the rip got her kill.
- oppo battle will be interesting. megan is the more dangerous offensive threat but morris is so solid at setting the edge of the block
- morrison wanted middles that can run behind the setter and he got some!

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Kirra did not beat out O brien at Skyline, it was the opposite actually. She had to play up to get a chance to set and even then she split time with Cayley Hansen who is at Miss State now. I am looking forward to watching friday to see the improvement as I really always thought she should have been a opp hitter like Logan.

Thanks! Didn't think it was pretty much the whole game point for point.

Just found this too, wondering why it just now showed up in the wild!

Thanks for posting the highlights. That is really great for those of us that could not be there! Curious, how did you get that footage?

Seems it was some media account in attendance, how cool!!!

After watching the scrimmage, the things that stands out the most to me is our passing! It looks so good early on! We know Kyndal can pass well, Addi Applegate looked improve, Natalie Ring looks to be a great passer, but Gabi Rodriguez my oh my, she looked excellent out there! This is going to help this new team out so much!

I agree on Fitch. I think she clearly brought another dimension offensively when she came in

I didn't dig much into that youtube account but there is also a Sophee Peterson mic-ed up video on there. No idea what that media company is or what they are promoting.