Volleyball Update
First off, last year we had an effective roster of 13 people. The website lists 15, but we had one mid-season departure from the team and Javoni Faucette sat out the whole season because of injuries. This year, we're looking at a roster of at least 16, and to my knowledge, everyone is completely healthy. I also hear of another likely transfer that isn't yet official and thus isn't listed, and likely won't be added, presumably, until after she arrives on campus for the summer.
We graduated two; Tara Gowan, an outside hitter; and Courtney Robison, a defensive specialist. Javoni Faucette has apparently not been able to fully recover from her injuries and is not returning, and Brooke Betts has decided to pursue the sport elsewhere. That leaves a returning core of ten players. Outside hitters Laura Blab, Maya McClendon, and Janelle Jenkins will be returning (Jenkins has occasionally played at middle when needed). Our phenomenal duo of middle blockers, Tess Clark and Maggie DeJong will also be returning. At setter, we have the services of both Katie George and Lindsay Palmer again, though should Katie win Miss USA in July, its unlikely she will return to play volleyball, in my estimation. On defense, the trio of Roxanne McVey, Gabbie Wiley, and Eleni Georgiafandis will still be providing a solid core, Lindsay Palmer can be counted on to fill in on defense as well, when Katie is setting.
There were two transfers that joined the team in January that we've spoken about some before. Both outside hitters - Ashley Pettibone transferred from Golden West College and will be a sophomore, and Erin Fairs comes to us from USF and will be a senior. I don't expect to see Ashley on the court a tremendous amount this year, but count on Erin to be a major component of what looks to be a fairly potent, if not terribly tall, offense. Erin also will likely play full rotation, so expect to see her digging and passing as well as providing an offensive outlet as a back-row attacker.
Next among the freshmen are a pair from Texas. Aniah Philo is from Rockwall, TX, in the Dallas area. Morgan Miller comes to us from Magnolia, TX (and is remarkably difficult to google due to at least two other notable Morgan Miller's, including one who is a volleyball player, and another who has had some success in the beauty pageant world from Magnolia, AR). Magnolia is outside of Houston, and incidentally, this is the same hometown as Roxanne McVey, though they did attend different high schools. Aniah is an Outside Hitter, and Morgan is listed as both a setter and a right side hitter. While I haven't seen either play, as the only player listed as a right side hitter, I would think it likely that Morgan would get some playing time in that position.
Lastly, Jasmine Bennett comes to us from McCracken County High School in the Paducah area. Jasmine is the daughter of Winston Bennett and will be wearing jersey number 25 like her father did during his basketball career. I have not had the opportunity to see Jasmine play, but I would be surprised, as a middle blocker, if she can crack into significant playing time over Tess or Maggie this year.Baseball Hosts
In the Regional, we will be hosting Morehead State, who will be our first opponent, along with Bradley who is the Regional 2 seed, and Michigan. The format for the NCAA Baseball tournament is the same as Softball, with double-elimination Regionals, a best of 3 Super Regional, and the College World Series with essentially parallel double elimination and a best of three championship series.
Action gets started Friday at 2pm, with the Cards taking the field at a scheduled 6pm. NCAA action is ticketed, unlike most UofL Baseball games. Tickets can be bought starting Thursday through the UofL ticket office.
jmca
jmca
Unless Volleyball has addressed their weakness of passing, they will have another average season.
ReplyDeleteI can say that they did look much better in spring play than they did in the fall. There still is room for improvement, but it was far more under control and on target from what I saw than during the regular season.
DeleteAnd while I haven't seen her play first hand, I've heard numerous reports that Molly Sauer is really all that when it comes to digging and passing. So hopefully she will be a boost as well.
You are correct, though, basically no one is disputing that passing and digging was our big bugaboo in the fall, and there needs to be significant improvement there for this team to be successful.
Does all the ACC play volleyball?
ReplyDeleteYes, all 15 schools in the ACC play volleyball.
DeleteIt is not that I wish Katie George bad luck in the Miss USA contest, it would really be great to have her at setter this year. She saved us a number of times last year by running all over the court to set up hitters for us.
ReplyDeleteKatie is fantastic (and not just as a volleyball setter...look for her to be successful in anything she attempts in life), and I'd really like to see her back for the fall as well. Like you, though, I wish her the best in Miss USA.
DeleteIf she does win that, and doesn't return, I'm ok with our situation at setter, though. Lindsey Palmer is a fine setter, and we'll do just fine with her running the offense, if necessary. For backup, Morgan Miller would be an option.
Katie is certainly talented and attractive but given the odds of most beauty pageants I'm thinking it is safe to assume she'll be on the volleyball club this season.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree, but it is something worth considering and planning contingencies for if its not that much of an issue.
DeleteWhich is what seems to be the case.
Kali Eaken was announced as the transfer that I mentioned above. She's a setter coming to us from Kansas State. She red-shirted the past season (injury?) and will have a full four years of eligibility with us. She has numerous playing accolades, including an Under-Armor First Team All-American, and Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year her senior year in high school.
So, I'd say our setter position is well shored up, even should Katie go off and be Miss USA and not return to us. It also, I think, probably puts us in pretty good position for the setter position for several years to come (Katie and Lindsay will both be in their last year of eligibility with us this fall).
There you go. Looks like we're pretty much covered either way.
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