2014 Volleyball season

[Dustin]

The 2014 volleyball roster has been posted on UNDsports.com - quite a different look to the team this year. We'll have to see what kind of impact the Hardee incident had on the team. The roster has been cut from 19 to 16 (not a huge change - I always thought we had a lot of girls on the sidelines). Lots of new (and unpronouncable!) names, with 4 countries represented (USA, Canada, Poland, Australia). Missing from last year's team (2013 non-seniors) are Kellie Schmidt (never played a game, I think Hardee was red-shirting her), Emily Asche, Dani McNallan, Candice Yager, Meagan Hollis, and Naomi Dahl - all of which were ND/MN girls (except Hollis), which is too bad. The good news is that we have nearly all of our starters back, and, hopefully, some new playmakers. Excited to see what's about to unfold!

[SWSiouxMN]

From all the girls that left voluntarily, I count 3 Defensive Specialists, 1 setter/Defensive Specialist, 1 Outside Hitter, and 1 Outside Hitter/Middle. The biggest loss out of all of those was Yager, but overall it wasn't too bad considering most of the defections where in positions where there was a lockdown starter already or was going to be lost in the talent shuffle.

We need our middles to be ready come day 1, we have the defense and hitters to win the conference but we need to have our blocking game to be strong. One of our freshman needs to be like Pioske was last year up the middle.

Way too early predicitons

Big Sky Southwest

1) ISU

2) NAU

3) PSU

4) SAC

5) WEB

6) SUU

Big Sky Northeast

1) UND

2) Idaho

3) UNC

4) MONT

5) EWU

6) MSU

[Dagger]

Did they want to lose the Schmidt girl? When she signed on I got the impression she was going to be pretty good. What happened there?

[UND1983]

Did they want to lose the Schmidt girl? When she signed on I got the impression she was going to be pretty good. What happened there?

She transferred to Northern State.

[SWSiouxMN]

http://www.undsports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=209607637

 

UND picked 4th being ISU, NAU, and Idaho.

[dmksioux]

http://www.undsports.com//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=209607637

 

UND picked 4th being ISU, NAU, and Idaho.

 

I find our ranking a bit surprising considering we tied for the crown last year.  Then again we do have a new coach.  Hopefully this will provide some extra motivation for the ladies.  

Anyone have any info on Idaho's vb program?  Have they historically been a good program?

[SWSiouxMN]

I find our ranking a bit surprising considering we tied for the crown last year.  Then again we do have a new coach.  Hopefully this will provide some extra motivation for the ladies.  

Anyone have any info on Idaho's vb program?  Have they historically been a good program?

They have had a pretty good run these past few years in the WAC.  They pretty much brought back the whole team off a 19-11 squad.  They have some height for their girls (6'3, 6'4).  Not surprised with how the preseason polls came down, pretty much went down like I thought it would with a few switches here or there.  Figured we would be in the top 4 with ISU, NAU and Idaho.  UNC and PSU with potential to break into the top 4. 

 

Makes that trip out to Pocatello on Oct 11th that much more important. 

 

The sooner we can get our middle established the better.  That will be the key to our season.

[Dustin]

I find our ranking a bit surprising considering we tied for the crown last year.  Then again we do have a new coach.  Hopefully this will provide some extra motivation for the ladies.  

Anyone have any info on Idaho's vb program?  Have they historically been a good program?

Idaho has a solid program, and they will add some very nice competition to the Big Sky.  2013 RPI was 139, which would place them 4th in the Big Sky (UND was 112).  They've had the same coach for 14 years, who led them to 2 NCAA tournaments, so their AD must think she's doing something right.

[SiouxVolley]

 

 

The sooner we can get our middle established the better.  That will be the key to our season.

Other coaches don't have faith in Faith Dooley from Casselton or Julie K from Ontario.  When that middle is established in the college game, this team will be dynamite.  

[GordonGekko]

Fourth might actually be a bit high. Yes the program returns a lot, but only one of those returning players was a dependable point scorer.

SiouxVolley, those two young ladies could be good, but asking two freshmen to lead the way could be asking a whole lot, and maybe too soon.

Replacing two senior all conference middles is not going to be easy. Ronnie was a 5th year kid, and she was an exceptional leader. Lisa's blocking presence will be missed early on.

I would not be surprised to see this team start very slow, but hopefully figure some things out by mid October and make a run.

Anybody have any insight on how preseason is going?

[jjensen]

Fourth might actually be a bit high. Yes the program returns a lot, but only one of those returning players was a dependable point scorer.

SiouxVolley, those two young ladies could be good, but asking two freshmen to lead the way could be asking a whole lot, and maybe too soon.

Replacing two senior all conference middles is not going to be easy. Ronnie was a 5th year kid, and she was an exceptional leader. Lisa's blocking presence will be missed early on.

I would not be surprised to see this team start very slow, but hopefully figure some things out by mid October and make a run.

Anybody have any insight on how preseason is going?

Undsports has done a little coverage recently on the team. I personally am thinking that the team will have some success because meeting and seeing some of Pryor's practices it has the feel of a big things on the horizon

[SiouxVolley]

Fourth might actually be a bit high. Yes the program returns a lot, but only one of those returning players was a dependable point scorer.

SiouxVolley, those two young ladies could be good, but asking two freshmen to lead the way could be asking a whole lot, and maybe too soon.

Replacing two senior all conference middles is not going to be easy. Ronnie was a 5th year kid, and she was an exceptional leader. Lisa's blocking presence will be missed early on.

I would not be surprised to see this team start very slow, but hopefully figure some things out by mid October and make a run.

Anybody have any insight on how preseason is going?

No doubt Munkaby and Parlich will be missed.  But Dooley could be the best NoDak player ever for UND, whether it takes a month or years for adjustment is the question.  At least she'll have height for blocking.  Pioske and Co may have to get even better for kills.  

[SWSiouxMN]

What we lack right now in hitting we make for in strong defense and at the service line too. A fifth year senior as a setter doesnt hurt either.

[Dustin]

Fourth might actually be a bit high. Yes the program returns a lot, but only one of those returning players was a dependable point scorer.

SiouxVolley, those two young ladies could be good, but asking two freshmen to lead the way could be asking a whole lot, and maybe too soon.

Replacing two senior all conference middles is not going to be easy. Ronnie was a 5th year kid, and she was an exceptional leader. Lisa's blocking presence will be missed early on.

I would not be surprised to see this team start very slow, but hopefully figure some things out by mid October and make a run.

Anybody have any insight on how preseason is going?

One thing I remember Pryor saying was that Felicia Ulrich was under utilized by Hardee.  So hopefully she can become the senior leadership for the hitters, and then other girls can follow suit.

[GordonGekko]

Look at UND Volleyball's Twitter Account. Pryor is calling out NDSU already. It seems to be in good fun and for a good cause. Definitely seemed like a cool day for this activity.

[vbfan1]

“Anna is battling to be on the court.  She wants to be there, and her teammates and staff would like her on the court,” Pryor said. “It would be a big plus for the program if she can be on floor, but right now, your guess is as good as mine.”

What is wrong with Anna Pioske?

[UND Fan]

“Anna is battling to be on the court.  She wants to be there, and her teammates and staff would like her on the court,” Pryor said. “It would be a big plus for the program if she can be on floor, but right now, your guess is as good as mine.”

What is wrong with Anna Pioske?

I was going to post the same question - very concerning!

[SiouxVolley]

The first tournament will be tough:

 

G Washington was picked 4th if the Atlantic 10, and the A10 normally has top teams like Dayton.

Auburn finished strong in the SEC and has the #14 recruited class coming in plus good transfers

Ark St may be the only win, as they are picked 8th out of 11 in the Sun Belt.

 

We need Pioske to be healthy for this tournament.

[UND Fan]

The first tournament will be tough:

 

G Washington was picked 4th if the Atlantic 10, and the A10 normally has top teams like Dayton.

Auburn finished strong in the SEC and has the #14 recruited class coming in plus good transfers

Ark St may be the only win, as they are picked 8th out of 11 in the Sun Belt.

 

We need Pioske to be healthy for this tournament.

What type of injury does she have?

[darell1976]

Tonight at the Betty is the Green vs White exhibition game at 7pm. First game of the year is in Washington DC vs Auburn, and Arkansas St on Friday. First home game is next Friday Sept 5 vs Tulane, and South Dakota.

[Dustin]

At the scrimmage. Anna Pioske and Faith Dooley are on the sidelines. It looks like mostly veterans vs. mostly newcomers. First set went 25-23 to the mostly veterans.

[darell1976]

At the scrimmage. Anna Pioske and Faith Dooley are on the sidelines. It looks like mostly veterans vs. mostly newcomers. First set went 25-23 to the mostly veterans.

Any newbies look good enough to start?

[UND Fan]

At the scrimmage. Anna Pioske and Faith Dooley are on the sidelines. It looks like mostly veterans vs. mostly newcomers. First set went 25-23 to the mostly veterans.

How is attendance?

[Dustin]

Without actually counting, I would say around 100. A couple if the girls switched sides during the set break. The newcomers most likely to push for playing time are Magda Zietek and Julia Kaczorowska, IMO. Emily Thompson and Chelsea Moser look to have improved their game.

[darell1976]

Thanks for the update Dustin!