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Post by nyline on Nov 30, 2018 4:59:37 GMT -5
I would have said that it is a "step down" in terms of rankings from the 2006 to 2014 classes, but the 2018 class was ranked #1 and just produced a 1st Team All Big 10 (who was also Big 10 FOY), a 2nd Team All Big 10, two other freshmen who started and performed very well, and a fifth freshman who started one match, played every set (or nearly every set) and probably will be a starter next year. That group of freshmen has helped PSU to the #8 seed in the NCAA Tournament. So they've lived up to their ranking. Who knows whether the three freshmen for next year will outperform their rankings -- personally, I think they will -- but in any event, I think the staff missed on a couple of players (it's a razor-thin margin on the top recruits), but this class is hardly chopped liver, and they have several very good recruits (including two very good OHs) coming in 2020 and 2021. I'd say it's premature to be "worried" yet. What did you say? "No" and "Yes" spring to mind as alternative possibilities. I told him there is far more parity in NCAA VB than he might imagine, especially in the B1G. I also noted that Russ had missed on some top recruits recently, such as Thayer Hall and much of the Stanford roster. I also reminded him that Russ had a pretty good eye for talent and often looks for recruits who will fit well into the program and the culture. I like your answer better than mine. Glad you answered and not me. |
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Post by nyline on Dec 15, 2018 14:37:23 GMT -5
I moved several posts from this thread to the Penn State 2019 thread, as they were more about next season and where players will/may/should play than about news for Penn State recruiting. Let's try to keep this thread for posts about Penn State recruiting.
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Post by nyline on Dec 16, 2018 14:58:07 GMT -5
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Post by letsgolions on Dec 17, 2018 9:22:33 GMT -5
Wonder if penn state will try to get former illinois high school star and auburn frosh Mica Allison to transfer as she had announced plans to leave auburn Supposedly in the same league talent wise as Carlin I Any thoughts on the progress of gabby blossom and her readiness to assume the starting setter role next year? The following is just my opinion and I could be wrong.
I was told that she was the 2nd best setter in the 2018 class, after Nicklin Hames. I think Blossom is very good and very competitive. She may struggle on the block.
Next year we won't have a 2nd setter, only Blossom.
Parker can play setter, but I don't think we want her too, she's too good a hitter.
It would be nice to have a second setter to compete with Blossom.
I personally think that Allison might want to be closer to home, and may choose to play for Tamas at Illinois.
Especially considering that Poulter is graduating. |
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Post by letsgolions on Dec 17, 2018 9:28:16 GMT -5
Krause was an Under Armour First Team All American setter coming out of high school and Pennsylvania's Gatorade Player of the Year, winning back to back state titles. She's listed as 5'7" on the roster, but when I see pictures of her next to Blossom, it's tough to say who's taller. So there is a back-up for Blossom if needed. I think Parker would need to be in the discussion as well, not for a 5-1 offense but a 6-2.
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Post by Millennium on Dec 17, 2018 11:48:56 GMT -5
Krause was an Under Armour First Team All American setter coming out of high school and Pennsylvania's Gatorade Player of the Year, winning back to back state titles. She's listed as 5'7" on the roster, but when I see pictures of her next to Blossom, it's tough to say who's taller. So there is a back-up for Blossom if needed. I think Parker would need to be in the discussion as well, not for a 5-1 offense but a 6-2.
I have only ever seen Krause come in to play as a serving sub for 1 rotation in like 7-8 matches per year. I'm fairly confident in saying she's not going to lead the team to any regional win.
I could be wrong, but I'm simply going by common sense. The Big Ten is too competitive these past few years.
Size matters in this sport, hence my original concern about Blossom as well.
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Post by nyline on Dec 17, 2018 12:21:41 GMT -5
Krause was an Under Armour First Team All American setter coming out of high school and Pennsylvania's Gatorade Player of the Year, winning back to back state titles. She's listed as 5'7" on the roster, but when I see pictures of her next to Blossom, it's tough to say who's taller. So there is a back-up for Blossom if needed. I think Parker would need to be in the discussion as well, not for a 5-1 offense but a 6-2.
I have only ever seen Krause come in to play as a serving sub for 1 rotation in like 7-8 matches per year. I'm fairly confident in saying she's not going to lead the team to any regional win.
I could be wrong, but I'm simply going by common sense. The Big Ten is too competitive these past few years.
Size matters in this sport, hence my original concern about Blossom as well.
I believe letsgolions was talking about Krause as a backup -- not the starter. Krause certainly could fill-in if needed in a match. I suspect that if a longer-term substitute were needed, Parker would end-up as the setter. But we are all speculating -- which I suppose is the role of internet message-board fans who, at least in my case, have no significant ability to assess talent and no knowledge at all of how players perform in practices. |
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Post by nyline on Dec 17, 2018 18:46:40 GMT -5
A member has alerted me to a mew 2019 DS verbal commit: Molly Russell, from Naperville Illinois and 1st Alliance Volleyball Club. Here's a link to the 1st Alliance Volleyball Club "Commits" page, confirming her verbal: sportsrecruits.com/committed/1stalliancevbcI hope to post more by tomorrow. |
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Post by stillkicking on Dec 17, 2018 19:24:19 GMT -5
Well thanks for the heads up, And I would like to welcome Molly to our Penn State Family. I know you will enjoy your stay with us.
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Post by traveler on Dec 19, 2018 17:15:11 GMT -5
Naperville...sounds like Frantti country...
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Post by newfoundballer15 on Dec 21, 2018 22:11:55 GMT -5
According to her Instagram, Sophie Walls, 5-11 Setter from Miami is transferring to Penn State.
Is this showing Russ having some doubts in Gabby's abilities?
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Post by nyline on Dec 22, 2018 2:51:40 GMT -5
According to her Instagram, Sophie Walls, 5-11 Setter from Miami is transferring to Penn State. Is this showing Russ having some doubts in Gabby's abilities? I don't think that's it. Blossom is the only returning setter (Krause played DS, though she can set). Walls gives them depth, although if you're in the gym, presumably you will be competing for playing time -- but that doesn't, to me, mean Penn State is dissatisfied with Blossom. Fwiw, it looks like Walls only played in one match in 2018 for Miami -- maybe injured? hurricanesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=11883Here's a write-up from when she committed to Miami: texas.vype.com/houston/post/7261Here's an article from the Houston Chronicle when she was named the Greater Houston Player of the Year: www.chron.com/sports/highschool/article/All-Greater-Houston-Volleyball-The-Woodlands-12478563.phpfwiw, Miami's starting setter from 2018, Haley Templeton, returns for the 2019 season. In addition, setter Savannah Vach -- the #26 PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace for 2019 -- will join the Hurricanes in 2019. Maybe Sophie Walls thought she would have a better chance to see significant playing time at Penn State (which is different from saying Penn State is dissatisfied with the potential of Gabby Blossom). Here a link to a practice video: |
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Post by stillkicking on Dec 22, 2018 7:53:15 GMT -5
Welcome Sophie to our little family, we will roar loud for you, as I hope you will for us.
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Post by nyline on Dec 22, 2018 10:21:39 GMT -5
Wonder if penn state will try to get former illanois high school star and auburn frosh Mica Allison to transfer as she had announced plans to leave auburn Supposedly in the same league talent wise as Carlin I Any thoughts on the progress of gabby blossom and her readiness to assume the starting setter role next year? Allison has committed to Illinois. Blossom did well in her only start (against Indiana? Maryland?) |
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Post by nyline on Dec 24, 2018 18:33:23 GMT -5
According to her Instagram, Sophie Walls, 5-11 Setter from Miami is transferring to Penn State. Is this showing Russ having some doubts in Gabby's abilities? I don't think that's it. Blossom is the only returning setter (Krause played DS, though she can set). Walls gives them depth, although if you're in the gym, presumably you will be competing for playing time -- but that doesn't, to me, mean Penn State is dissatisfied with Blossom. Fwiw, it looks like Walls only played in one match in 2018 for Miami -- maybe injured? hurricanesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=11883Here's a write-up from when she committed to Miami: texas.vype.com/houston/post/7261Here's an article from the Houston Chronicle when she was named the Greater Houston Player of the Year: www.chron.com/sports/highschool/article/All-Greater-Houston-Volleyball-The-Woodlands-12478563.phpfwiw, Miami's starting setter from 2018, Haley Templeton, returns for the 2019 season. In addition, setter Savannah Vach -- the #26 PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace for 2019 -- will join the Hurricanes in 2019. Maybe Sophie Walls thought she would have a better chance to see significant playing time at Penn State (which is different from saying Penn State is dissatisfied with the potential of Gabby Blossom). Here's a photo of Sophie Walls and an unidentified friend. Welcome to both!  |
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