undVBfan

I noticed that same things. A few spots look to be claimed, at least for now. Others may be continue to see a revolving cast until someone really steps up. Sewell not playing at all, other than seemingly a single service ace, is surprising. Lots could go into it, illness being one, but I know nothing (to quote Sgt. Schultz) and I won't even try to guess the reason. After Thursday we'll have more info to fuel any speculation.

I didn't see any of the matches, but from looking at the stats it looks like the starters are not completely set. I think all of the middles on the roster played at least one set, but I'm guessing they're getting close to knowing who will start on Thursday. The setters and libero had a different look for the weekend, Norris and Carney set and McCormick looked to be libero. No starting line-ups that I could find in the Box Scores, so I'm just guessing from the stats.

It's way too early for the crap, and not needed. I see signs the ship is starting to change directions. The change is not going to be instant, as much as you might want to. Keep looking for little improvements, enough of them will turn into a big improvement. And I thought they were competitive, just little spurts of giving away a couple of points that made the difference. Cleaning up those will turn close losses into close wins. Ball control is still an issue, when isn't it? Both middles are new (transfer and freshman) and good connections take time. Norris hitting seems to be new, and why wasn't she hitting last year? And I didn't see much of a legit non-last resort backrow attack, that would take a lot of heat off the outsides when not in system. Did you see #1 for Fordham? Hits a *very* heavy ball (ask Carney) with a lot of range, fun player to watch.

I wouldn't put too much on the results from the weekend. I suspect the focus was learning more than winning. You always want to win, but I think they wanted to see how the players did against someone other than themselves. Looking at the stats, with 17 players, everyone played in 1 match and all but 3 played in at least 2 matches. We don't need to worry the impact of the weekend on RPI. I suspect they're figuring out who will sit out the year (redshirt), who will likely sit a lot during the year, and who will be on court when it matters. About the grad transfers, has anyone heard about their eligibility? With COVID, is it possible that they might have 2 years rather than the usual 1 year? Grad school is generally a 2 year program, or 1 1/2 for the over achievers (which for a fall sport offers 2 seasons).

UND's exhibition against MSU Moorhead is now at 2 PM Saturday. It will be interesting to see all the new faces.

Roster has been posted, no surprises. All 9 of the new players are listed (4 from Tiffin, 5 from Tupac). Carlat is the only one not listed that wasn't mentioned as not returning. Looks to be going to Merrimack, which will now have 2 former UND players. Nothing on the non-conference schedule. It will be interesting to see what direction Coach wants to go with the competition. It looks to be an interesting fall. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress, and more people in the seat.

I'm not worrying about numbers. I'd like good numbers, and even great numbers , but what I really want to see is competitiveness, a program pointing in the right direction. I don't think it will be hard to get most of the fan base back once they start moving in the right direction. The environment from 5-10 years ago is what I want, and then every should feed off of each other, making the Betty a fun place to be and a hard place for a visiting team to win. I like what I've seen so far. I was all for giving the previous coach a chance, but I did have my doubts, and it clearly didn't work out. I don't have any of the same concerns right now, I think there are good days ahead.

Should be an interesting fall. By clicking on links in the Instagram page I see all 4 previous recruits still mention UND volleyball. The initial group had a little of everything: a MB, RS, OH, and Libero. Now add in 5 more recruits. Something will have to give. Three of the five are grad transfers. I like that coach is bring in some outside experience, even if for just one year (maybe two - who knows with COVID and possible red shirts). Position possibilities are: 3 middles (2 of the grad transfers), 2 RS, 1 OH and a Libero. No setters in either bunch of recruits. We still have the current 3 fighting for 1 or 2 positions. Should make practice competitive. With COVID I can't keep track if they have only this year or 2 more years left. At the previous scrimmage it sure looked like Norris can hit as well as set. I didn't catch all the matches last year, but I was pleasantly surprised. Wonder if that might have an impact on the pecking order? Passing is always a concern. MB and RS don't pass, so there isn't a lot of new options for serve receive. I hope they are making strides this spring. You can never pass too well. And they'll need passes if they want the middles to get set. MSU Moorhead Tuesday night at the Betty for the second scrimmage. I think it's at 7 PM.

Coaches select their own staff.

I suspect the administration would have know this was going to happen, not that it's a bad thing. I think it might be a very good thing. Spouses coaching together is not unheard of. Kreklows at Missouri immediately come to mind. Washington State right now. I seem to recall Michigan years ago, maybe even at Oregon and Colorado State. Closer to home the Moodys (Aidan's parents) did pretty well at Dickinson State. Spouses coaching against each other has to be much more interesting. I remember that happening years ago in MN high school, I think Win-E-Mac vs. Fosston?

I think they have limited practice time for the short term, with more practice time per week when we get closer to spring ball. Years ago they were allow "individual practices," maybe no more than 3 or 4 players at a time, usually grouped by position. I'm not sure if they still have limits on numbers, or if it's just a limitation on hrs./week. They were setting up the nets after Thursdays basketball game, so I suspect it's early AM practices. I suspect there is a lot of mental filtering going on right now, figuring out who will be around in the fall.

I was wondering if she wants to go elsewhere? A spouse (I assume with a career), little kids (not sharing anything that isn't already public), time away from home, available support systems (she's from MN, not sure about his family), among other factors; lots and lots that go into the equation. Prior left to limit travel and spend less time on the road. It's pretty hard to fault someone for that. It's also hard to fault someone for having career asperations. I'd like to see her stay as well, assuming that is what she wants to do. I wouldn't think Coach Tupac has anyone coming with him, so I assume we'll be hiring two assistants. And there are numerous examples in VB where spouses have worked together, but that sounds like a scary idea (only thinking personally ). It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Roster has been updated, no surprises. Everyone that I expected to be gone is gone. I think everyone else is still listed, but it's just January, so who knows what it will look like by summer. 5 players graduated (or ran out of eligibility or just decided to be done ), 2 more left at break. They've announced 4 signees, assuming they are all still coming to UND. I don't know the scholarship status of any of the 11 outgoing or incoming players, but it does make me think there is some room for Coach to venture into the Transfer Portal. I don't think the roster is even close to being set. Has anyone heard anything about Erin's plans? This is where choosing coaching as a profession has to make life interesting.

Seems like a good time to start a new topic. I like the hire. Volleytalk likes the hire. :-) I see energy, which is something that has been missing for several years. Had it with Hardee and Prior, time to get it back. A couple of thoughts: Time to get off the bashing. New coach, new attitude, new upcoming season. Our best hope for a coach is to have someone in high demand in 3-4 years. That means we'll have done well. We're not UM, or UNL, or UW (vb equivalents of UND hockey), we want someone who the big time schools want. And it'll make the job appealing for whomever is next. For needs, everything. Setters have been mentioned, but first we need ball control. Setting is running an offense, our setters spend too much time just trying to get to the ball. I think the players who ended up on the court must have been picked for their ability to put up the best out-of-system ball, not running an offense. A six rotation O1 who can consistently put away a ball and hits out of the pipe would be nice. But passing is first. At all levels, the teams that pass the best usually win. Personnel: No idea what went into any of these decisions, but there are always roster changes. And new transfer rules have to be h*ll for coaches these days (see men's bb). I think everyone is convinced the grass will be greener, except it doesn't always work out that way. Ahrens looks to be playing beach at UTA&M Kingsville. The change should be interesting, especially for a middle usually (next to never) in serve receive. :-) I wonder if there was any interest in going to grad school at UND? A change of scenery and weather can't be all bad, I wish her well. Think Alexa Albinson is at Canisius. Sofia Hedqvist looks to be at some Cal state college (don't remember which one). I haven't heard anything else, but I suspect there will be more movement with 4 signees (assuming they are still on board). On a side note, anyone have any ideas how it works with signees when there is a coaching change? Lots going on in the transfer portal, but mostly showing players from P5 schools. Not everyone is from P5, and the Twitter page obviously doesn't show everyone transferring. UND might be an interesting sell to a transfer; guess that is where having some energy injected into the system might be beneficial. I'm looking forward to the fall...

Lots in the transfer portal, take a look. https://twitter.com/CVBTransfers If there is any room is a good question. I have no idea who is not coming back (other than the seniors), their decision or otherwise. Guess the new coach will have a say on that situation.

So just go away, you'll be much happier.

Yeah, it was made official last night. https://longbeachstate.com/news/2021/12/19/womens-volleyball-tyler-hildebrand-returns-to-long-beach-state-as-the-sixth-head-coach-of-the-womens-volleyball-program.aspx Like he was coming here. If he doesn't see LB (his alma mater) as his forever job I suspect he's building up the resume to be in line for Nebraska when Cook retires.

Reading that it likely won't be until after the holidays. Disappointing, but I hope worth the wait.

I was told earlier this week that phone interviews had started. If something was finalized late in the week it might make sense to wait until Monday to make an announcement. Friday afternoons are when you make announcements that you don't want anyone to notice. Rumor has it that Nebraska is looking for a new assistant. What are the odds that Tyler is heading to UND, and they couldn't make the announcement until after the Final Four? The answer is less than 0; if he's going, it's to the Beach. Anyone else see Hugh reupped with the Gophers for 500K+/yr. Also read that Iowa is likely to offer 250K/yr in an attempt to get competitive in the B1G. There's some serious money to be made at the upper levels.

The Gophers are looking for a new assistant coach, Laura Kasey is no longer listed as a coach. Again, to quote Sergeant Schultz, "I know nothing." Just throwing it out there. GF is a great place to raise kids. :-) On a side note, there are a serious number of players in the portal. I doubt UND has any scholarship room left, even if the next coach was interested (I suspect on some level every coach is interested). But there is some serious hot potato action going on. Someone looking for greener pastures is going to be left without a seat.

Heard interviews were this week. No idea if it was phone/Zoom interviews or if they would do on-campus interviews. Regardless, I'm hearing there could be an announcement soon. I haven't heard anything about the short list, but the person I spoke to was happy with the candidates. It'll be nice to get people excited about UND VB again.

Steve R and Erin are co-coaches, but Steve definitely takes on a more active role on game days. Erin seems to do much of what she did in the past on game days, probably blocking assignments. When I think about it, Steve did have a pretty active role on the sidelines prior to the "administrative leave." I like watching him, he's very intense, but in a good way. The previous coach always had this look like the team just ran over his dog. Steve clearly wants to win, and wasn't happy at times, but not in a pissed-off-at-the-world kind of way. It would be interesting to know their pre- non-game days roles, and how they've changed, such as planning and running practices. It does seem like a lot of players have been seeing playing time that I didn't see earlier in the year. I'm sure practice stats backup the changes, but it makes me wonder about earlier in the year. Regardless, there has been some differences since change of leadership. I don't know if he's up for consideration for the position, or Erin, but it would not bother me at all if Steve got the job. I've crossed paths with him more than once, and I like what I've seen and heard. And I can see him on the recruiting trail selling his enthusiasm to potential players. I'm much less interested in a Power 5 pedigree and more interested in someone who can fire up and rally the troops. Regarding the (assumed to soon be the ) previous coach, I suspect they have a statement ready to be released right after the season ends. Let's get through the season without any additional distractions, and then start the process, whatever that will be.

Hardee had the program going well. Funny thing about that is, he did it initially with Katy and Kari Peterson's players. He also did very well with his own players. And I always loved talking to him. Pryor did the same thing, initially doing well with Hardee's players, and then with his own players. And I loved talking to him as well, very engaging. Say what you want about his Bronco, we did well with him at the helm. And it's hard to fault a guy for going where his family wants to be. In fairness, Tiffin came in when the team was in need of rebuilding, but it's been a downhill slide since his arrival. I don't know that I've every had a actual conversation with him. I'm of zero importance to the program, and I definitely don't write big (meaning any) checks to the U, but it's strikes me as frustrating that the face of the program doesn't seem to the have presence in the community I would like to see. I could see Hardee or Pryor getting a recruit excited about playing at UND, I struggle to see that in the current situation. I would not say that about the assistants, but they are not the head coach (the bottom line). It's fair to say that his overall record isn't entirely on him. The social media issue didn't help, but a lot of players with experience who would have had considerable court time choose not to finish playing here, whether they switched schools or just quit playing. That happens for a lot of reasons, but mostly with the first and second year players, much less so with the upper class players. Not much was said in the past, but there is/was a trend that wasn't positive, and I wonder if it was a precursor to the recent events, whatever they were.

I commented earlier this year that coach didn't have to win big this year, but had to show improvement. We knew they'd be young, but had to get better as the season progressed. It seems clear that the ship is not only pointing in the wrong direction, but taking on serious water as well. I'm going to take that not hearing much about the reason for the administrative leave as a good thing. I suspect if it was something "really" serious (see past events) there would be a lot more word getting out. I'm speculating tough practices, lots and lots of frustration from everyone (any maybe things being said that shouldn't be said), and a booster or two that's had enough. To quote Sergeant Schultz, "I know nothing!" I'm just guessing and hoping for the best. We need someone to inspire, to motivate. We've been there before. I'm hoping the administration will step up and do what needs to be done to get that type of person here again. And no, it won't be "that" person from the Cities. He has too good of thing going at CSP. If he wanted to leave, he would have been gone long ago. And to a more high profile job (with better pay) than UND.

I would think 1-19, or whatever it ends up being, would be an end-of-the-year issue. It doesn't seem like a mid-season issue. I hope this ends up being someone with clout whose had enough, only because every other option seems much worse. I'm sure we'll hear more soon enough. I wonder how long it will take before this makes it to VolleyTalk?