feels like another end to a 'mini-era' like the TJ-Ensing-Tuaniga squads, with these departing seniors.
since 2016.
7 final fours in 8 seasons.
6 MPSF & Big West Regular Seaons Titles
3 MPSF & BWCT tourny Champions
Remarkable
Of the 3 NCAA tournaments, aside from the recent Belmont Abbey match, this squad really took the hard road, of the other 6 matches, they never once won a first set, and only once did not get in a 0-2 hole. a lot of grinding.
Came Back in 2022 from 0-2 to beat UCLA, before Hawaii swept
Came Back down a set last year to beat GCU 3-1, before the UCLA sweep
Came Back down 0-2 again to beat GCU, then lost first two sets.
those semis reverse sweeps were two of the most memorable fun matches ever for the program, the two most exhilerating given the holes the team was in.
It'll seem a bit odd next year. a new setter and libero especially, been 2019 since there was a different libero, that's a long time.
Next year, I think they could be really good, even better, but passing will be the main item?
the middles, McRaven and Bouchkov. SIapanis I think takes the team leader mantle, and Varga will only get better. those 4 guys are huge weapons
Nikolov arrives, along with another Bulgarian Kandev, although with Sani and Dickinson and Hershtyovich (sic) Beach will have some sick firepower for the new setter. And Dane Hillis proved a solid serving sub.
Imagine that Beach might have 3 Bulgarians in the line-up next year. Sofia west. They'll need to serve up a Bulgarian dish in tribute.
and a slew of promising liberos.
It's gonna be about passing, Have no concern about the block or hitters. Even with Harlan, Godbold, and Torwie leaving, those other hitters can bomb serves.
Definite BIg West and National title contenders....if they can pass. and a libero emerges to provide a solid backrow like Briggs has.
UCLA loses as much or more, with 4 key players leaving. Could see us and UCLA playing again in the finals next year. Because of a new setter though, UCLA probably has a bit of an edge with Rowan.
Siapanis last year, and hopefully gets him that National Title.
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