loyalundfan

Any transfer portal activity? It’d be nice to gobble up a middle or a setter.

This is the way of mid major programs. Get a good hire, they recruit well, have success and usually move on (normally to bigger programs, but not in our case….). Then new coaches, program slumps for a while until either they build it back up or another good coach is hired. Move their way to the top then move on again, repeat. look at the Dakota schools over the last 15-20 years. SDSU top of the summit 2005-2007, then NDSU 2009-2011, while UND and USD were transitioning. Then UND and USD get good coaches and the other two coaches leave. Then UND USD good 2013-2017 while the other two slump. Now it’s reversed again with SDSU on top. Tupacs will figure it out or not but at some point the pendulum swings back our way (hopefully sooner rather than later)

Plus you have to add wife’s salary: from open payroll: University of North Dakota (UND) records show Kristen Hahn Tupac held one job between 2023 and 2024. One of the most recent records in 2024 lists a job of Asst Coach - Volleyball and a pay of $45,260.

From the Herald: The contract for new UND volleyball coach Jesse Tupac, who the school named as head coach Dec. 21, is a four-year deal starting at a base salary of $93,635. The base salary grows annually, eventually reaching $102,500 in the fourth season. The Tupac contract has 16 different incentives, including $1,000 for conference regular season championship and $2,000 for conference tournament championship. A conference coach of the year honor would also net $2,000. The contract also has academic bonuses included, such as $2,000 for a semester cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better, as well as $2,000 for a team single-year Academic Progress Rate of 985 or better.

As of right now we are one spot away from conference tournament (St. Thomas still ineligible with move to D1). We are one game back from Kansas City. With our earlier loss to UMKC, we would need to beat them Thursday in 3, or a win and then win one more game to make it in (probably at NDSU). UMKC would also probably have to lose out. Still possible, it helps we are at home! flashes of goodness, just not sustainable. Passing is an issue, slowing down outsides is also a struggle. Serving is hit and miss. Need to make some strides next year to keep fans interested and keep the good players in the program!

.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