News & Thoughts about PSU Recruiting, Transfer Portal, etc.

I also have a decidedly imperfect memory of that situation, but if I understand the time frame you're talking about, he was choosing between Ali Frantti (AVCA National Freshman of the Year) and Simone Lee.  There are zero potential National Freshmen of the Year or all B1G players sitting on the bench.  The one substitution that could be made in the front row (and has been made) that somewhat fits the Simone/Ali paradigm, is Alexa Markley subbing in for CJ.  I like Alexa as a player, but I don't see her ever being an Ali Frantti level of player (or a Simone Lee, for that matter).  Now, CJ?  If she puts it all together, she can be a very high level player.  She's already pdg (pretty darn good).

Having two great players competing for a spot is a characteristic of championship teams. You can take CJ’s potential and compare her to Ali/Simone, and that’s fair, but people have been making Markley/Megan Courtney comparisons since she got here and she hasn’t done anything to prove that wrong. The long term advantage CJ has is having 3 more years of eligibility to Markley’s one. The disadvantage Markley has had is the Covid 5th year anomaly that brought Kash, Zoe, Jess, and Cam and kept them around an extra year. Markley has performed as well or better than CJ in the limited opportunities she has had and while CJ has performed well, she has also had some bad matches.

They have different strengths. CJ hitting the heavier ball and Markley being the better blocker. What I’d really like to see is Coach Katie deploy both situationally depending on the match up on the other side of the net. I also think we are in good hands if, God forbid, anyone is injured, and being able to endure that is another characteristic of championship teams.

I’d also bet they are both all-American’s before their careers are over. My fear is that Markley earns that accolade somewhere else.

I wouldn’t count her out. Although it would be hard to do I think it’s possible if she gets a solid season of play. I do hope to see her more throughout this season to help gear her up for next year. She definitely has the intangibles to become a star hitter and I think her moment (with Penn State) is coming. I’m hoping with having the players above her like Kash, Jess, Cam, Zoe, and Anj all of that volleyball knowledge and training she’s had playing with and practicing against them will eventually manifest its way onto the court. She also reminds me a lot of Hanson from Minnesota (who I am hoping may be looking to transfer after this season) also. Both can just fly and hit with so much power. I think Markley has always been the underdog, even with her rankings coming out of high school, but she definitely has IT. Only time will tell if we can see her shine!

I won't intentionally criticize players. But I am certain that the staff chooses the players that they believe provide the best chance to win each match. Player development, eligibility, loyalty to deserving players are secondary if considered at all. So I conclude that Markley's present skill set in relative terms are considered to be less likely to lead to wins than those who are out there.

IIRC, Brian was a setter. I have no idea if that means he's the main coach who works with Izzy/Quinn though.

Thanks for the info.  Wasn't aware.

Per ethankasales on the MSU Match Thread: