2014 Starting Lineup Projections

[flyingMoose]

First-day-of-practice article in the Eagle.

[1972Shocker]

@WuDrWu: you need to clear space in your private mail box. Thanks.

[1972Shocker]

First-day-of-practice article in the Eagle.

1 Senior and 13 Freshman. And that 1 senior has only played in 4 sets as a Shocker. This team may try Lambo's patience but Lambo has always seemed to like the teaching and training aspect of his job as much as anything he does.

I don't see how you can lose a 3rd-team AVCA All-American setter and an AVCA HM All-American MB who were Valley Co-POY's, plus a very good All-Valley middle in Elizabeth Field and an inspirational leader in Sam Sanders and not take a step back to have to reload and rebuild a little. I'm certainly not throwing in the towel on this season. I think we will be pretty good. Just how good is very hard to say though with so much youth and inexperience. I am certainly expecting some growing pains along the way but we will probably be a team you would prefer to avoid going into the Valley post-season tournament.

[WuDrWu]

Certainly one could expect this team to be better late than early. You could see a lot of different lineups, especially over the first 6 weeks or so.

There is an awful lot of talent on this team, and some real gamers I think. While this season COULD be down a bit, I believe the trend is pointing way up for Shocker Volleyball.

[1972Shocker]

Certainly one could expect this team to be better late than early. You could see a lot of different lineups, especially over the first 6 weeks or so.

There is an awful lot of talent on this team, and some real gamers I think. While this season COULD be down a bit, I believe the trend is pointing way up for Shocker Volleyball.

Yes, this could just be a slight refueling delay in advance of a blasting-off for a multi-year ride of our lives beginning in 2016. And as @WuDrWu: notes, we MAY NOT have to wait until 2016 for blast off.

[1972Shocker]

It will be interesting to watch Lambo's demeanor and body language at the VB 101 dinner in a couple of weeks. I will be on the look out for canary feathers.

[1972Shocker]

Nice first day of practice interview with Lambo.

It is a little scary to only have 5 letter winners returning. Katie Reilly who is apparently switching to the middle, Ashlyn Driskill on the outside coming off of a procedure on her knee, Dani Mostrom who pretty much was our Libero last year, Gaby Urban a defensive specialist and reserve Mary Ashton Floyd who was on the cusp of a lot of playing time last year but just did not quite break through.

Good to hear that Emily Hiebert had a good spring at setter. Lambo also had some good words for Abby Lehman, Emily's classmate from Newton. Abby is a 6-3 MB. Perhaps somewhat of an Elizabeth Field clone.

[WuDrWu]

I thought Abby looked great during the little bit I saw in the spring. Jenny Whitledge can flat out fly, but she's got a ways to go with all the other skills, plus she's about 5'5" (it seems, in comparison to other OHs). I would bet good money you're going to hear Mike Kennedy saying something similar to "Well, there goes her redshirt" before September is over.

[1972Shocker]

Jenny Whitledge can flat out fly, but she's got a ways to go with all the other skills, plus she's about 5'5" (it seems, in comparison to other OHs). I would bet good money you're going to hear Mike Kennedy saying something similar to "Well, there goes her redshirt" before September is over.

@WuDrWu:, if you are saying Mike will make that statement about Jenny Whitledge I will take that bet. How about $1,000,000. However, in the spirit of fair play I need to point out that Jenny used up her redshirt year last year.

[WuDrWu]

I meant that in general about one of the incoming freshman. I think there's a tiny lesson to be learned regarding redshirts from over the summer. I would suspect that at least one of last year's 5th year seniors were closer to doing a Jordan Hinkle than we'd care to know. These young woman aren't going to make money playing volleyball so getting a great job offer, if they've graduated, is just a viable alternative as Baker knowing he's going in the 1st round.

[1972Shocker]

I meant that in general about one of the incoming freshman. I think there's a tiny lesson to be learned regarding redshirts from over the summer. I would suspect that at least one of last year's 5th year seniors were closer to doing a Jordan Hinkle than we'd care to know. These young woman aren't going to make money playing volleyball so getting a great job offer, if they've graduated, is just a viable alternative as Baker knowing he's going in the 1st round.

I suspect you are right and all 4 of our seniors last year were 5th year seniors.

We have no 5th year seniors this year although I notice Kristin Byers is listed as a senior on the roster even though I think she has 2 years of eligibility left. That indicates to me she is on track to graduate this year and will not be back for her final year of eligibility. (I think I have her eligibility figured correctly).

Gaby Urban is a 4th year Junior this year and could be one that would also move on with a year of eligibility left.

[1972Shocker]

We have 9 true freshman on the roster this year that are the players eligible for redshirts. I agree that we will hear Mike Kennedy make the "Well their goes her redshirt".

My WAG is that 5 or 6 of these young ladies will play as freshman including Shimen Fayad, Rylea Kilburn, Kara Maleski, Mikaela Raudsepp. Also I think there is a good chance we will see McKenzie Fyfe and either Gabi Mostrom or Hanna Shelton get some playing time as freshmen. I think Lambo may have something up his sleeve for McKenzie Fyfe.

Either Gabi Mostrom and/or Hanna Shelton might redshirt although last year we played 4 defensive specialists quite a bit. If we do the same this year I have Dani, Gaby, McKenzie and Hanna filling those roles, although Gabi could easily be swapped for Hanna. I think Reagon Peare and Emma Tynan will join either Hanna or Gabi as redshirts.

Of course, there are some other athletes who may have a say in how this all works out. You can tell Lambo is really pulling for Masher and he had high praise for the improvement Abbie Lehman has made in such a short time. I guess for me the mystery ladies among the returning players are Kristin Byers, Katy Dudzinski, Taylor Brownlee, Jaclyn Roddy, Jenny Whitledge, and Natalie Brisso. Can any of these ladies blossom into key contributors?

Lack of competition during pre-season practices would seem to be something Lambo will not have to worry about.

[xazshox]

Lineup Projection

72, I've not heard anyone called "Masher" before, but I assume you are referring to Mary Ashton Floyd and based on what Lambo has said lately, right? I also noticed that Lambo said McKenzie Fyfe has "magic hands" the other day. And, sometime several mos ago after Hanna Shelton signed with WSU, I also seem to remember that he said she is the most complete defensive speclalist coming in out of high school that he has ever recruited. This is indeed quite an impressive incoming class of frosh!

[1972Shocker]

72, I've not heard anyone called "Masher" before, but I assume you are referring to Mary Ashton Floyd and based on what Lambo has said lately, right? I also noticed that Lambo said McKenzie Fyfe has "magic hands" the other day. And, sometime several mos ago after Hanna Shelton signed with WSU, I also seem to remember that he said she is the most complete defensive speclalist coming in out of high school that he has ever recruited. This is indeed quite an impressive incoming class of frosh!

Yes, I was referring to Mary Ashton Floyd who I have heard called Masher or Mash on numerous occasions. Mostly by Lambo and her teammates. Not sure I've ever seen it in print.

[1972Shocker]

Did anyone make it out to the Meet and Greet with the Volleyball team yesterday. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend. If so, were you able t pick up any insights t the upcoming season? TIA