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D1 women's volleyball is at another level when you compare teams to the very top. Those teams are recruiting and buying players that has concentrated the best talent in a dozen or so programs with the top 5 really standing out. Cannot compare the Big West or the majority of the nations conferences to these teams. The days of mid majors make the final four and winning national champions are done. Runs like Cal Poly made last year is about as good as it's going to get in most years.

LBSU's real struggle so far has been on the left. Murphy looks very tentative with her swing and is not putting a lot of pressure on teams with all her tips and pushes. Just really teeing them up for in system play. Her injury seems to be lingering either physically or mentally right now. Hopefully she can figure things out sooner rather than later. Johnson is undersized but has some good athletic ability but is struggling like a lot of freshman do early in the season. I expect she will continue to get better but will she be effective in the pre season this year? I like Annabel, she is a good teammate and person but she is not the D1 starter LBSU really needs. Not sure why the coach is not giving anyone else a chance, especially Marumoto.

If a current left does not separate themselves the coach might have to swing Hamaker back to the left since lefts get a lot more swings especially out of system. A team cannot be successful without solid play from the left.

So far the back row and setting has been solid with the middles improving. Hamaker's play on the right has been good especially when you consider this is her first year playing that position.

UCLA has a big block and maybe that has amplified the weakness on the left. This upcoming week will be telling with a solid Utah team at home and two other matches against teams coming off of successful seasons.