Dustin

More musings from last night's match: First off, sorry if it seemed I was coming down hard on our libero. I wasn't trying to. Play has improved DRASTICALLY since early in the year. You'd swear it wasn't the same players sometimes. Ball control, communication, blocking, and spiking all big improvements. I felt sorry for Ashlyn Olson. She never was able to get it going, which, if she had, could have been the difference. A powerful lefty (and the threat thereof) is a really good way to just mess with opposing defenses. Even during the golden age of UND volleyball, a lefty hitter on other teams always caused us problems. It's nice to have one on our side now. Of all the players, I trust Elizabeth Norris the most, whether it's setting, hitting, or serving. All-around very versatile player. Our team is young. 3 freshman are regular players. 2 sophomores are regular players. Norris is a junior. As long as we replace Stockman and Ward with equal (or better) hitters, our program will be relevant. I could see using the transfer portal or graduate transfers again to fill specific roles/needs. Amazing job by Tupac and his staff to resurrect the program to this level in just one year.

Those were just my wife’s observations tonight. She’s the volleyball player from back in HS. I wasn’t trying to speak poorly of her. We will need to recruit a libero, however, since she is a senior.

At times, UND was the better team. At times, not. Our back row, overall, needs a boost to get back to our preferred level. A back row attacker would add some variety to our offensive, and the libero could be more aggressive. USD found some success by hitting/serving at our libero, and normally that would be the player you’d want to avoid because she’s so good at digs and bumps. A legit libero would my my #1 recruiting target.

That’s the impression I’m considering away with, too. Either that, USD isn’t as dominant without their starting setter. But I saw a lot of good things, a few bad things, but, honestly, prepared to lose in 3 tonight. Way exceeded by expectations.

Turned the tide in our favor the rest of the way. I can’t believe how many gifts USD gave us by hitting attempts long or wide.

Went toe to toe with them the whole set, but couldn’t pull it off. 2-1 USD after a 25-23 set 3 win.

How’s Taylor Budge on the pxp for those of you watching at home?

Started out hot again, but looked out if sync the last several points of the set. USD takes Set 2 25-19. Need to shake that off.

With the exception of a few points, we looked like the better team. We’ll see if it holds up.

Last game I was at was bigger, but that was a Thursday. A Tuesday might be a tougher for people to make. But a fun atmosphere nonetheless. Band and cheerleaders are here.

Set 1 to UND 26-24!

Smaller crowd than I would have expected for playing the top team in the conference.

Yeah, I agree. Design the system for the players you have. I think we’ve been doing a really good job with on offense.

I will be there!

Got the top and the bottom right, but the middle is almost the complete opposite.

I did/have think/thought both of those things at one point. But at this time, Danny’s command of the offense would make him the heir apparent.

The feeling I get from how people have been talking is that Jerry Kaminski is the heir apparent. I'm sure at least one of our current Freshman/RSFreshman QBs won't be on the roster in 2025.

It appears your math is correct.

They did this on a kickoff?

Like Kelly Howe says, he got beat downfield many-a-time, but the D-line got home those plays, so it didn't matter. A QB sack can cover up a multitude of other defensive sins.

I mean, he did play for UND, so it's the system he's been coached in.

So are we basically being out-recruited by our primary rivals? I thought recruiting has taken a big step in the last couple classes.

Thanks for the insight. The good thing is that I trust our offense enough to not need many field goals (so far).

I like the fact that our defense is unique from most other systems, but the cracks that have been developing for a while seem to be getting wider. I am not a proponent of switching systems, but I'd like our system to work better.

Exactly. Are there even kickoff returns in the NFL anymore?