Volleyball
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The chemistry definitely isn't there right now. No clue what the thought process is but I have theories.
In any case, I won't second guess John Cook on much of anything.
In any case, I won't second guess John Cook on much of anything.
I'm not sure what people expected bringing in and playing that many true freshmen. Cook usually has them playing well by tournament time.
I guess Cook announced today that starting this week he's going with set starters and won't be pulling them as he doesn't want them looking over their shoulders if they have a bad set. Won't announce the starters yet but says he knows who they are. Interesting. I would be surprised if Lexi Sun is one of them.
I think he's sick of his senior outside hitter hitting .000 in big matches and now .171 on the season.
Sun not in the lineup. I didn’t think the freshmen outplayed her by that much. Wonder if there is a backstory there.
Cook just seems like he's really fed up with SOMETHING. I know I'm probably reaching, but I think he knows that they can be really good with Kubik, Sun, etc., but not national championship or even B1G championship level. Kubik played pretty well last night though. Getting Stivrins back would really help.
Agree. His sophs and juniors are not as good as hoped for. Good, but not going to take it to the next level.
The chemistry seems to be off. They are predicable on offense. I've never seen a husker vb team get blocked as much as they are now. They don't spike with near as much authority on the outside either. A lot of dinking and dunking. Gonna be a tough season this year, more losses are on the way. The question is, can Cook keep all this talent happy?
not enough from the middles. Callie isnt overly strong on the offensive side, and Caffey is no stivrins. Having no middle attack allows that extra blocker over.
I thought Meyer did well in her action against Louisville, but I guess she probably has a limited ceiling. She put a couple down with authority.
That's what I saw last night. They didn't seem to be focused sometimes as well. He has to get these Freshmen playing at the same time. I don't know crap about volleyball though or how to coach it.
This team is ridiculously talented. Definitely need to keep gelling, but what I'm seeing is that their conditioning needs work. Noticed that our offense slows down and defense isn't as aggressive when Cook rides the same line up. Then he subs in fresh bodies and we're instantly back to rolling.
Searching for reasons why Sun goes from being a two time all-american to looking below average, I also wonder a lot about how hard she's been working on strength and conditioning.
Lexi has always been an average/below average hitter. Her .233 career average is proof and her best season was year 2 when she hit .270. Most consider .300 or above the number for an elite hitter and that .030 makes a huge difference when you're losing set by 1-2 points. Her honors are based off of being one of the main players on an elite team. She's damn good in the back row and let's hope this reduced role lights a fire under her.
I appreciate the insight. I've been watching more volleyball the last 2 years, and still have a lot to learn about the game.
Her defense seems far better than what they were getting last night though. She made a few plays when she came in at least.
Passing/serve receive/digs. Fix that and your hitters will look much better instantly. The L’s/def specialists need to get much better quick or we will finish middle of Big 10 at best. The Frosh need reps. The attackers are not the issue. Loved to see the big hit from back row last game. More please.
You can point to a lot of areas because this team just doesn't LOOK like what we're used to. MB: haven't seen many middle slides this year without stivrins.
Setter: sets haven't been as creative and sharp (too predictable) because the passing has been subpar plus new personnel. We tend to get hurt when we are in rotation 1 I believe. That's where setter is in front row to the right. That usually puts setter and caffey together which are our shortest blockers as they both give up about 4 inches or more to most teams. Caffey has great ups but that's alot of difference
Libero: Knuckles got moved and playing true freshman who will be a good one eventually.
Don't expect stivrins to be the lifesaver when/if able to play. Hard to be sharp after that much time off. Sun: something is going on there. Clearly in the doghouse. But as long as she doesn't quit she will continue to make 6 figures from nil ( or so it's been reported). Could be a huge distraction.
Gonna be an interesting year.
Setter: sets haven't been as creative and sharp (too predictable) because the passing has been subpar plus new personnel. We tend to get hurt when we are in rotation 1 I believe. That's where setter is in front row to the right. That usually puts setter and caffey together which are our shortest blockers as they both give up about 4 inches or more to most teams. Caffey has great ups but that's alot of difference
Libero: Knuckles got moved and playing true freshman who will be a good one eventually.
Don't expect stivrins to be the lifesaver when/if able to play. Hard to be sharp after that much time off. Sun: something is going on there. Clearly in the doghouse. But as long as she doesn't quit she will continue to make 6 figures from nil ( or so it's been reported). Could be a huge distraction.
Gonna be an interesting year.
Glad I re read your post. I first thought it said than rather than with.... I agree with you.
Another weapon she has confidence in
Seems like we have a tad more power tonight but we're still giving up a few too many bloopers on defense to be a top 5 team right now
WOW. Stivrins amazes me how non rusty she is. Coach Cook said she was like a caged animal. Roar!!