Long Beach State Athletics!: Re: WVB

Do not think moving Maxwell from setter is a good idea. She is the dynamic for this team that makes playing Long Beach a challenge, she would not be as disruptive as a right side as she is playing setter/hybrid. & she's basically taking OH type swings anyway.

I do believe Johnson will improve, she has shown some solid athletic hops and quickness.

Murphy though is the massive key IMO. Just needs to swing at the ball more, looks like her hitting decisions are based on avoiding the block, those tips the UCLA was just camping out for those. Her first 20 or so attempts she did not get blocked once last night at the same time she was just tossing the ball over to UCLA. If she's gonna tip it has to roll a bit more.

I think it was Annabel, but jeez, our set point in set two last night she tipped. Swing at the ball more ladies! I do think it all depends on Johnson and Murphy being more aggressive, we'll see though.

the Wyoming match next week will tell a lot about where this team is at.

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I had concerns about Murphy's health that I mentioned in a pre season post. It's almost impossible to recover 100% from the injury and surgery she's undergone. Clearly she's not the same player she was her first years at Baylor. Do you know what's up with Dani Thomas Nathan? Is she also injured? Think Johnson is a good player. She's in a bit over her head right now but she should be doing fine by the time conference play begins. As good as Hamaker is she needs help from her friends. Still might have to move Maxwell back to OH and let Kinga and Madi Collins handle the setting.

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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.

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Not at all impressed with UCLA. Either they were so uninspired having to play us or they simply aren't very good. If they don't pick up their game they will likely finish in the cellar in their conference. I'm a huge volleyball fan so I checked out Pitt, Kansas and Wisconsin. These programs are eons ahead of the Big West. They actually make the entire Big West look like a high school conference. This actually explains why are esteemed coaching staff has commitments for 2027 and 2028 almost all of whom are undersized for the positions they play. Lastly I miss Logan King.