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Post by Toby2 on Aug 18, 2018 18:27:12 GMT -5
Not surprised setting was an issue. I was hoping some of the new OH would make a difference. Don't know if it was folks not playing or what. Time will tell. While hard to do if setting isn't your strength, there are ways to creatively get OH in advantageous positions - IF your back row can control the pass. Can one of you folks who were there say how the back row looked? Like OH, that was a continuous issue previously. The libero and DS looked very good. The issue last year was passing from the OHs in the back row. That remains to be seen as they shuffled OHs in and out so its tough to tell who will play 6 rotations. But, if what I'm hearing is true then it will be the transfer from Toby's old school UMES. Toby has a history of favoring "his" kids and isolating/cutting kids from prior coaching staffs. He's done it at every one of his coaching stops. Time will tell.
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Post by hoyavbfan on Aug 18, 2018 19:02:00 GMT -5
Passing has been an issue for the last three years. Arlisa didn’t appear to develop her back row so it’s not surprising that many of her hitters struggle with passing. And still do. Toby needs to move on and develop players who have more promise. Barring a few players, the 2019 recruiting class has been a disappointment. Perhaps it was tone-deaf former coaching? Perhaps it was a poorly funded program? Maybe McKnight, who appeared to only set to two players (thereby becoming very predictable for opposing blockers to guess her simple game plan) was to blame? It doesn’t matter. The obvious fact is that this highly regarded recruiting class has had three years to bring it on. It’s definitely time for the new coach to develop different players who can take the program in a new direction.
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Post by volleyballjack on Aug 19, 2018 6:40:50 GMT -5
Not surprised setting was an issue. I was hoping some of the new OH would make a difference. Don't know if it was folks not playing or what. Time will tell. While hard to do if setting isn't your strength, there are ways to creatively get OH in advantageous positions - IF your back row can control the pass. Can one of you folks who were there say how the back row looked? Like OH, that was a continuous issue previously. The libero and DS looked very good. The issue last year was passing from the OHs in the back row. That remains to be seen as they shuffled OHs in and out so its tough to tell who will play 6 rotations. But, if what I'm hearing is true then it will be the transfer from Toby's old school UMES. Toby has a history of favoring "his" kids and isolating/cutting kids from prior coaching staffs. He's done it at every one of his coaching stops. Time will tell. Not for nothing...a new coach can "favor" whoever a new coach wants to "favor" and a lot of that comes from who is working hardest in the gym as to who gets favored. It's a new sensibility. Losing won't be the default at Georgetown anymore. He and his assistants won't let it be from what I hear. If Georgetown has given T the the keys to changing the program, then he's driving the car. Let him drive. Take a deep breath, TBT and try to draw in some positive air.
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Post by volleyballjack on Aug 19, 2018 6:44:51 GMT -5
How did the freshmen play? Nerves? Anyone stand out? How was Wilhite? Very interested in watching the class develop. Thanks for helping fill us in, TBT (even with the shade) and Hoyavbfan.
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Post by hoyavbfan on Aug 19, 2018 8:17:29 GMT -5
Like most incoming freshman players, they need time to transition to the speed and intensity of D1 Vball. Based on just one scrimmage, the only freshman ready to play is the DS. She is quick and keeps the ball in play-something that has been missing for years in that position. Pair her with the senior libero and GU finally has some strong backrow defense. The freshman hitter from CA shows promise: not flashy, but a steady passer and has a nice swing. There are some sleepers on the team that have been underutilized or mismanaged in the past. King was playing RS in spring tournaments and killing it. Smart move on Ren’s part. Kelly is one of team’s best passers and can move. Like to see her paired with the UMES OH transfer, who will most likely be one of the go-to 6-to hitters. Plovonka brings energy to the court-something that was missing from the setting position in years past. Plovonka only played DS last season. Strange. Never understood why former coaches didn’t work her in as a setter last season and try to develop her-especially since team was struggling match after match. Gotta blame coaches for lack of vision. Continuing to play the same starting line up when that starting line up lost game after game was puzzling. Rens will most likely be more willing to take some risks and adapt, switching out players depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team. Looking forward to watching him develop this team.
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Post by Toby2 on Aug 19, 2018 11:14:25 GMT -5
Like most incoming freshman players, they need time to transition to the speed and intensity of D1 Vball. Based on just one scrimmage, the only freshman ready to play is the DS. She is quick and keeps the ball in play-something that has been missing for years in that position. Pair her with the senior libero and GU finally has some strong backrow defense. The freshman hitter from CA shows promise: not flashy, but a steady passer and has a nice swing. There are some sleepers on the team that have been underutilized or mismanaged in the past. King was playing RS in spring tournaments and killing it. Smart move on Ren’s part. Kelly is one of team’s best passers and can move. Like to see her paired with the UMES OH transfer, who will most likely be one of the go-to 6-to hitters. Plovonka brings energy to the court-something that was missing from the setting position in years past. Plovonka only played DS last season. Strange. Never understood why former coaches didn’t work her in as a setter last season and try to develop her-especially since team was struggling match after match. Gotta blame coaches for lack of vision. Continuing to play the same starting line up when that starting line up lost game after game was puzzling. Rens will most likely be more willing to take some risks and adapt, switching out players depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team. Looking forward to watching him develop this team. Well, since u have a total of 3 posts and opened your account just days ago, I suspect you are a new parent with a kid on the team or a new coach. So, let me fill you in on reality. McKnight was hands down the best setter on the team. Thats why she played over Margo. Margo is not the answer in my opinion, not skilled or athletic enough. The transfer setter, well, my guess is she is there as an emergency back up should Margo get injured, fail or they decide to try a 6-2. Toby ran off McKnight who had a year of eligibility left as well as some other kids. There's a reason Toby bounces around from job to job at low level schools. And there's a reason he failed at Pitt and was dismissed. Pitt, now with Dan Fisher taking over for Toby, has been a top notch program since day 1. I'm sure Toby will have a much better record this year than in previous years as his non-conference schedule is extremely weak. They only play 1 school in a power 5 conference out of their 12. And, Georgia Tech is hardly a challenge. I'm not sure how he got Wilhite, but coming from USC there will be a shock for her as the season goes on regarding differences in a lack of resources and competence between the two programs. My guess is she will not finish her career at Gtown. Look for her to transfer out at some point. Toby has increased the talent level from last year, no doubt about it. And, he has enough players (except at setter and DS) attackers specifically, and an easy preconference schedule to show a vast improvement from years past. But, when Toby settles in, and his personality is on full display, Gtown will realize they need a new coach. The AD got Toby on the cheap, rather than going after a top notch head coach or assistant at a big time program. That decision to not pay a competitive wage for their new head coach will be detrimental in the medium and long term. I will be interested in seeing how this plays out. I've watched this program for many years and will continue to do so even if I dont agree with the AD's hire or how the coach goes about his business. I love my school but I dont think Toby was the right hire. I think his coaching staff selections show he does not have a very good reputation amongst fellow coaches as none of his assistants have any coaching experience of any relevance in college. Which tells me, nobody of substance or competence was willing to work for him. And, based on all the new posters on this thread I'm sure some of them are new coaches and I will hear about it on this forum shortly. Have at it.
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Post by volleyballjack on Aug 19, 2018 11:51:52 GMT -5
1. i suspect you are an old coach. 2. or, a relative of McKnight. 3 or, an upset club director/coach. 4. didn't toby win a big east title at Pitt? 5. i'm not a player's parent or a coach or related to a coach. just someone excited for a new season and a new day at georgetown. 6. i think wilhite might enjoy being all big east and being a part of getting the team back to the tournament -- both of them. so here's hoping she doesn't ever transfer. who doesn't want a georgetown degree? 7. doubt toby's budget for assistants was high enough to have people move to DC, some with families. seems to me he has done a pretty great job with getting this many hires in the first place. sounds like you believe every bad thing you hear, third-person, about rens, unless of course you have personal experience in the same gym. Hope you enjoy the season! and i do appreciate your updates (though not the sarcasm) from the scrimmage. I would like more insight and less snarkiness (including the disrespectful handle). But it's your forum, too. Go Hoyas!
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Post by hoyavbfan on Aug 19, 2018 12:26:38 GMT -5
If McKnight was so invaluable, why was she “run off” the program? Coaches don’t typically get rid of excellent players just to be vindictive. Was it attitude problems? Inability or unwillingness to set to position? Big East coaches knew and planned on McKnight’s predilections to set to just two hitters. Her game was predictable and opposing teams would just set up for the block. Although she was athletic and had good hands, there appeared to be no strategy to her setting. I stand by my previous observation that McKnight had three lackluster years-and it wasn’t just because of poor passing issues. Inability to effectively communicate and poor attitude may have been at issue, coupled with ineffective coaching. Who knows? And at this point it doesn’t matter. The facts remain that McKnight played in every set for the last three losing seasons. Rens has a chance to set the team on a new course and I wish him the best of luck this coming season.
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Post by Toby2 on Aug 19, 2018 12:32:24 GMT -5
1. i suspect you are an old coach. 2. or, a relative of McKnight. 3 or, an upset club director/coach. 4. didn't toby win a big east title at Pitt? 5. i'm not a player's parent or a coach or related to a coach. just someone excited for a new season and a new day at georgetown. 6. i think wilhite might enjoy being all big east and being a part of getting the team back to the tournament -- both of them. so here's hoping she doesn't ever transfer. who doesn't want a georgetown degree? 7. doubt toby's budget for assistants was high enough to have people move to DC, some with families. seems to me he has done a pretty great job with getting this many hires in the first place. sounds like you believe every bad thing you hear, third-person, about rens, unless of course you have personal experience in the same gym. Hope you enjoy the season! and i do appreciate your updates (though not the sarcasm) from the scrimmage. I would like more insight and less snarkiness (including the disrespectful handle). But it's your forum, too. Go Hoyas! My guess is you are assistant coach Jackie as your account was just opened in June. Same time Jackie was hired. Right VolleyballJACK? Not too creative with the handle. Anyway, um, NO Toby NEVER won a Big East Championship. Is that what he told you? Is that what you are selling recruits/transfers? The internet is a wonderful thing, information is easily accessible. Toby has "coached" for 19 years. 5 of which have been at a recognizable school, Pitt. The others are a joke. Chicago State, LIU, UMES twice, Northern Michigan. There's a reason in 19 years he's only coached at 1 legit school until now when the AD decided to go the cheap route. You dont get top notch coaches on the cheap. Regardless of the reasoons Toby hired who he did for assistants, the fact remains they have ZERO meaningful experience coaching D1 athletes. They are ALL learning on the job. Good luck, coach, i hope you find a job that can actually pay you after this season. But, your inexperience will probably force you to stay at least another year. I hope you like beans and franks. Maybe you can rent a room from Toby, gotta be tough living in DC on $30k
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Post by volleyballjack on Aug 19, 2018 12:39:04 GMT -5
you'd be very wrong. you sound fairly angry and very immature. i would hope all of the g coaches are never on this forum. it's rather counterproductive to the work they need to do and a waste of their time.
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Post by Toby2 on Aug 19, 2018 12:41:10 GMT -5
If McKnight was so invaluable, why was she “run off” the program? Coaches don’t typically get rid of excellent players just to be vindictive. Was it attitude problems? Inability or unwillingness to set to position? Big East coaches knew and planned on McKnight’s predilections to set to just two hitters. Her game was predictable and opposing teams would just set up for the block. Although she was athletic and had good hands, there appeared to be no strategy to her setting. I stand by my previous observation that McKnight had three lackluster years-and it wasn’t just because of poor passing issues. Inability to effectively communicate and poor attitude may have been at issue, coupled with ineffective coaching. Who knows? And at this point it doesn’t matter. The facts remain that McKnight played in every set for the last three losing seasons. Rens has a chance to set the team on a new course and I wish him the best of luck this coming season. Thanks Coach. Who else would know if she had "attitude issues". Her job was to try and win. Her top OH hit .170 and couldnt pass. Their losses were a factor of errors, serving, hitting and passing. You are a new poster, just last week. So, thanks for your input coach. If McKnights issue was attitude and setting choices and not skill or athleticsm, then i would think a good coach and his staff would work on changing those characteristics. But, as has been Toby's method, he gets rid of or alienates players from former coaches if he can at all possible. Cutting McKnight will come back to bite him this year in the Big East. McKnight has ZERO options at RS last year, look up the stats. Zero talent there. Speech was about it. Eichie was hurt much of the year and her OH options were awful. Look at the stats. They only had 1 DS last year on the roster, that forced some horrific options to be played in the back row. Good luck this year, coach. I hope you make it on $30k salary this year. Get that resume together and get out when you can.
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Post by hoyavbfan on Aug 19, 2018 13:16:08 GMT -5
I’m sorry to make you feel so defensive about McKnight. I suspect you are one of her relatives as you otherwise would not be so quick to attack. (I’m a fan, btw-not the head coach. Can’t imagine any of the GU coaches being on this forum-besides to chuckle at all of our postings.) You are correct that my observations are purely speculative. Yes, Arlisa obviously mismanaged the talent on this team for years, but I suspect McKnight’s dismissal had deeper underlying issues. Why would a coach “run offf” his best setter (and be left with just one setter for the season that is, in your estimation, inferior) unless the issues were too problematic to fix? And who knows? You may be right about Rens. I hope you are wrong. I will stand by my earlier observation that it will be another losing season if the coaches choose to play the same losing lineup that Arlisa seemed to be stuck on, like a broken record. Let’s hope that Rens can fire up this team to believe in themselves and start winning games during the season. There is plenty of talent. Hoya Saxa!
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Post by Toby2 on Aug 19, 2018 13:42:31 GMT -5
I’m sorry to make you feel so defensive about McKnight. I suspect you are one of her relatives as you otherwise would not be so quick to attack. (I’m a fan, btw-not the head coach. Can’t imagine any of the GU coaches being on this forum-besides to chuckle at all of our postings.) You are correct that my observations are purely speculative. Yes, Arlisa obviously mismanaged the talent on this team for years, but I suspect McKnight’s dismissal had deeper underlying issues. Why would a coach “run offf” his best setter (and be left with just one setter for the season that is, in your estimation, inferior) unless the issues were too problematic to fix? And who knows? You may be right about Rens. I hope you are wrong. I will stand by my earlier observation that it will be another losing season if the coaches choose to play the same losing lineup that Arlisa seemed to be stuck on, like a broken record. Let’s hope that Rens can fire up this team to believe in themselves and start winning games during the season. There is plenty of talent. Hoya Saxa! Edited. Avoid personal attacks against the coaching staff. See the message board rules for more information.--Admin
hoyatalk2.proboards.com/thread/13110/message-board-rules-updated-27
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Post by hoyavbfan on Aug 20, 2018 18:29:43 GMT -5
Last years’ stats list Sinnette and Speech both getting over 900 attempts-Speech (922/.377) and Sinette (931/.144). Compare that to other starting hitters: King (350/.086) Wertzberger (442/.106 ), Eichie (155/.275) and Smith (271/.271) Note stats for two underutilized hitters last season: Mihm (13/.385) and Kelly (24/.292) Those numbers confirm that two hitters (Sinnette and Speech) were getting set at a significantly higher percentage than other attackers last season-even though Sinette’s stats are less than impressive. Arlisa and her assistant coaches must have been aware of those stats that plainly show that some hitters were not getting the same hitting opportunities on the floor-even when taking injuries into account. Even more puzzling, this strategy enabled Big East competition to easily deduce GU’s simple and unchanging game plan. If Arlisa was instructing her setter to mainly focus on what she perceived to be her only two hitters, it was a flawed game plan that bore out in loss after loss. That being said, it would be unfair and incorrect to blame losses on the setter. Poor coaching and tone deaf coaching decisions lost match after match. Coaches rarely pulled struggling starters, who made countless service and passing errors, out of games, until it was next to impossible for the team to regain any kind of momentum. Again, this sent a strong and demoralizing message to the team that the coach would only rely on her starting lineup-no matter what the stats relayed. Many of her younger players, besides Wertzberger, who played with a knee injury all season, were not given the opportunity to develop. As I mentioned earlier, there is untapped and mismanaged talent on the team (Kelly, who only saw action sporadically in back row, and King who has proven in spring tournaments to be a strong RS) Rens has also recruited additional attackers to hopefully help turn around this struggling program. Hoping he won’t rely on just a handful of players like his predecessor, but instead, he proves to be the kind of coach who utilizes different players depending on the opposing competition. There has only been one scrimmage so it’s not possible to have a meaningful discussion about the upcoming season without the stats to back it up-but so far, it looks like he’s giving many players the opportunity to win court time. Time will also tell how this new team gels. In the meantime, here’s hoping for a winning season. Be great to see them in Omaha this November. Go Hoyas!
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Post by hoyavbfan on Aug 21, 2018 8:33:37 GMT -5
Correction: Eichie (356/.275), Smith (273/.165), Mihm (141/.071), and Herrington (89/.236) Kelly and Mihm’s previously mentioned hitting stats were from 2016 season. (Strangely, Kelly never saw court time as a 6-ro hitter last season.) Point remains that Speech and Sinnette had a disproportionate number of sets, and in Sinnette’s case, it was not merited.
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tgo
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 799
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Post by tgo on Aug 21, 2018 11:04:37 GMT -5
This thread has been a sad cat fight between a bunch of people on both sides who are clearly not being honest about their connections to the program. It is incredibly immature and none of you are fooling anyone but you are doing it in public and have the potential to be hurtful to the real live humans you are talking about.
I can cut the over the top boosters some slack since at least they aren't hurting anyone by promoting themselves, their family and their program and may feel they have to stand up for themselves which is understandable. For the detractors, however, think about how this thread would read to your daughter or to a potential recruit or parent and remind yourself that these are actual human beings who are not making tons of money in exchange for having people who hide behind anonymous usernames rip them apart.
You can be critical of people or make comparisons of their performance and how it could or should be better without being nasty.
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DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 30,466
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Post by DanMcQ on Aug 22, 2018 12:48:20 GMT -5
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Post by volleyballjack on Aug 23, 2018 7:47:07 GMT -5
Awesome video work!
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Post by hoyawatcher on Aug 23, 2018 17:45:21 GMT -5
I am not close to the program anymore but I will give him credit for a couple of things already. Most of all he has gotten the largest roster I can remember with hopefully the most competition for playing time. Still thin at setter but we will see how this goes to start the season. I don't know if the setter was run off or if she simply didn't want to commit to the new regime. Quite possible they wanted her ship for someone else and equally possible she just didn't like Rens or didn't want to put up with change. I don't know. But one thing that I don't think Arlissa did well when she took over was put her stamp on the program and make sure everyone who was there had bought into her and what she was doing. That transition can be rough but necessary. Again, I don't know what happened but I do hope he is really focused on changing the culture/making it his team/all the good Bull Durham cliches. The pre BE schedule is pretty weak - including this weekend and including a very young GT team. Probably what this team needs. Wouldn't support an NCAA run but that isn't what this team is looking for anyway. Let's see what happens.
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Post by volleyballjack on Aug 24, 2018 6:56:28 GMT -5
Point of reference: When a coach dismisses a player, the player remains on scholarship in most every case. So, I would guess there was no opened scholarship without McKnight on the roster. // This definitely a building year, but the team just might pull some surprises.
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