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Post by tillie on Feb 20, 2018 7:49:23 GMT -5
Interesting change in the recruitment of "defensive players". Most of those currently noted are youngsters whose careers are built around their ability to deal with the work of playing in the back row , positions 4,5 and 1 where when possible there is a front row player in the mix to provide for back row attack strategies. Seldom if ever do these youngsters play in the front.
The "GLORY Years" at PSU did not feature such players but rather developed or took advantage of skills learned on the left or right side offensive position. Katie Price, Kaleena Walters,Roberta Holehouse and "NUMMY" D'Erico all were offensive players in high school and club ball. Dom and The Red Head were exceptions and there is no complaint against MIss White and her skills.
Yet please note that current club coaches encourage the front row battalion to become 6 rotation players as the battle for scholarships continues unrelentingly.
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Post by toomuchvb on Feb 20, 2018 13:11:56 GMT -5
I don't know if any are on campus yet. I heard a rumor that Blossom had enrolled early, but I don't know if it's accurate. She isn't listed on the Penn State roster. I don't think Penn State will announce its Spring schedule. I think Coach Rose likes to have the freedom to experiment without announcing the experiment to the world. But who knows (not me). Oh good-maybe the team can organize a trip to Bellfonte as a bonding experience. Seriously, I think the team really benefited from the Brazil trip last year. Although understandable, it is too bad that there are limits on the number of times that such trips can be organized. Good learning experience for the students for certain. They may not need four years for their bonding experience. With many incoming players and the opportunity to grow together, bonding may come sooner than we think. The difference I see this season is the primary offensive players are gone. No disrespect to Bryanna, Nia, Tori, Keeton or Kendall. Just thinking about the offensive load. The team is extremely fortunate to have an experienced setter in Bryanna, experience in the middle and on the pin from Tori and Nia, experience on the back row in Kendall and Kenton. Again, from an offensive perspective, there is no super Senior like Aiyana Whitney, no Megan Courtney who is finishing her strong years of play. The incoming freshmen must approach this season and the transition to collegiate, B1G play together from the start. And that may not be a bad thing. Training and competition for positions will happen immediately. No upperclassman to assume holds a particular position across the net. OH, MB and RS are all needed! Hopefully, that doesn't add undue pressure to perform. But I'm still optimistic about their prospects! |
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Post by elliotberton on Feb 20, 2018 15:59:48 GMT -5
Excellent points. The team will bond through the shared struggle. That is true always.
Yet I was noting that a team trip enhances "connnectedness" which was a hot topic on this site before this past year. Somehow the players that could not win 5 setters in 2016, won nearly all the close matches in 2017. No doubt there were many factors leading to the improved results such as excellent coaching and increased maturity, but I think the trip helped too.
We are fortunate to have some fine returning players, and well regarded new additions. Hopefully, they will find the necessary connections to win.
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Post by nyline on Feb 20, 2018 17:31:23 GMT -5
Excellent points. The team will bond through the shared struggle. That is true always. Yet I was noting that a team trip enhances "connnectedness" which was a hot topic on this site before this past year. Somehow the players that could not win 5 setters in 2016, won nearly all the close matches in 2017. No doubt there were many factors leading to the improved results such as excellent coaching and increased maturity, but I think the trip helped too. We are fortunate to have some fine returning players, and well regarded new additions. Hopefully, they will find the necessary connections to win. Maybe the NCAA can't count, or will forget, and there can be a trip next year? |
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Post by traveler on Feb 20, 2018 18:28:08 GMT -5
... Again, from an offensive perspective, there is no super Senior like Aiyana Whitney, no Megan Courtney who is finishing her strong years of play. The incoming freshmen must approach this season and the transition to collegiate, B1G play together from the start. And that may not be a bad thing. Training and competition for positions will happen immediately. No upperclassman to assume holds a particular position across the net. OH, MB and RS are all needed! Hopefully, that doesn't add undue pressure to perform. But I'm still optimistic about their prospects! Hope we'll find 2 (or more) that have great frosh years like Washington and Frantti did. Looking over some comments a couple months ago I remembered that Washington was injured before her frosh year and the non-conference part of the season was consumed with the question: will she play... and how well? Going to be super interesting!! BTW, about the roster: Coach has been one of the last to post out of all the B1G. If memory serves, July or August. |
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Post by elliotberton on Feb 21, 2018 12:12:37 GMT -5
Excellent points. The team will bond through the shared struggle. That is true always. Yet I was noting that a team trip enhances "connnectedness" which was a hot topic on this site before this past year. Somehow the players that could not win 5 setters in 2016, won nearly all the close matches in 2017. No doubt there were many factors leading to the improved results such as excellent coaching and increased maturity, but I think the trip helped too. We are fortunate to have some fine returning players, and well regarded new additions. Hopefully, they will find the necessary connections to win. Maybe the NCAA can't count, or will forget, and there can be a trip next year? Well that would be cheating. And we know that that the WVB team would never cheat. Hence my suggestion for a trip to Bellefonte (or maybe Boalsburg?) More seriously, a number of the players over the years have been involved with worthy public outreach endeavors. Such activities, like the Thon dance, can have a positive team building impact even if less immersive than a multi week trip to foreign lands. |
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