loyalundfan

.04 was our hitting % i think this was due to our passing. Omaha always serves tough, so we were out of system a lot.

Look like injuries are kind of piling up. Two on the bench with crutches. Barber in wrap whole season. McCormick in knee brace and couldn’t walk without limping at end of match. That doesn’t help a tough season either. Doesn’t look like we have much off the bench when someone isn’t playing well. #12 is it, don’t know if anyone else has seen quality time at all this season.

From what I’ve seen, I think UND is better than they’ve been the past 4-5 years. However, I think the rest of the summit league is also much improved. All teams are competitive, and I don’t remember it being that way (at least since we’ve joined). Used to be a big difference in the top 3-4 and the bottom 3-4. SDSU completely turned it around in 1 season (coach has been there 5 years), St. Thomas flipping it with the same personnel (same coach forever), so anything is possible! Just have to trust things will keep moving in the right direction.

We are there. So close. Just have to find a way to put all the pieces together. Last night was the right side offense and defense. We struggle to slow down good outsides. Defenders are playing well, and serve and pass have improved quite a bit! Each night someone else steps up which is fun and must keep other teams guessing. Blocking is getting better throughout the season. Excited to see where things go as the conference continues to be competitive!

They were looking good vs. Omaha in first set then Cooper went out with bad ankle injury (stretcher, the whole nine yards) then lost in 3. Can’t seem to catch a break with injuries. You always feel for these athletes when injured! Norris looked decent in her spot, hopefully she can step in and they can regroup quick!

Anyone at the scrimmage yesterday? How do the newbies look?

Was at the scrimmage yesterday. Tough that NDSU couldn’t come, would’ve been a better judge of where they are at. Defense and passing looked pretty good. I like our setters! Middle might be the weak link unless they have a stud transfer portal or freshman coming in for the fall. Right now there is 2 on the roster, ones 17 years old and the other will be a junior, but blocking looked to be a struggle for both of them. Otherwise looked pretty similar to last fall. Seems to want to run a 6-2 and set quick to each pin and quick tempo in the middle. McCallister Gayle and Ashlynn Olson were absent yesterday but still on roster. Any info on those two?

How did the scrimmage look? I was hoping to make it but no dice.

One middle, Trinity Blackwell, just committed to Texas Women’s University. Haven’t heard of any others, but could happen in a few months when spring is over. I think they have a freshman on campus this spring though. Mariana Riviera. Not sure what position, though hopefully middle!

Mom is Brenda slight who played for the Bison

Missing tournament sucks, but we were more competitive with the top teams this year than the last 3-4 years. Girls look like they enjoy every point, and have great energy. We will miss our middles ( stockman A LOT), but seems like everyone else will be back, which also helps cohesion and trust. Still looking forward to the future!

Article from December 2021 before Tupac was hired. Barber committed and signed with previous staff. https://fightinghawks.com/news/2021/12/14/womens-volleyball-und-volleyball-adds-four-signees.aspx 2019 roster- Gayle was on team. Might have even been a Pryor recruit. https://fightinghawks.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/2019 And thought stockman transferred after 2021 season before Tupac was hired, but could be wrong on her. Timperly committed to Tiffin (her Instagram says committed September of 2021), but all other freshmen this year are Tupacs. De Jong, Lugo, and O’Dell are the only three non freshmen that I can see that didn’t have a commitment on their Instagram before Tupacs hiring.

Well, the loss tonight sealed it if it hadn’t already. Tonight was bad, another 0-3 loss with no line up changes. Gayle consistently hitting .000 or negative, so Olson must not have the coaches trust for some reason. Potentially because she’s not a good passer, but Gayle was aced twice tonight with no blocks… Only announced 1 on signing day yesterday, so that means everyone is coming back but the two middles, or they have transfers in mind. Again, it’s only year two, and 3 of the staff is new this year, so it is still a building year and a learning process, even though it is a disappointment. Almost everyone on the court are last staffs recruits (McCormick, Norris, Timperly, Gayle, Barber, Stockman, Hornyak) so once they have their recruits in, we’ll get to see what their style/type is! Next year has to have some improvement, in my opinion!

Lost to St. Thomas today in 4 sets.

This loss puts UND down two to SDSU for that final conference tournament spot. A lot can still happen, but this was a BIG one. Uninspired volleyball tonight. Does McCormick bring all the energy? Lots of mistakes. Norris and Gayle not good again, and Olson doesn’t see action. No timeouts taken in 4th set loss. Middles were the bright spot. Love watching Stockman play and O’dell had a good match!