Heading into this season, I was excited abou the strength of the recruiting class the last 2 years. Now that the season is here, my enthusiasm for this team is growing. Against UNI, CJL used 2 freshman and 3 sophomores to go with 1 junior and 2 seniors. And there are 2 more freshman on the bench. Really nice balance, and the girls did their thing.
Given their play against UNI, in a sold out UNI gym, helped to show this team's potential, and the skill and capabilities of the freshman. I think they deserve their own thread because they are off to a great start and contributing big time to the team.
Of course, with youth can come some inconsistency as they adjust to a new level of play, but the team is off to a 4-1 start (I'm including the SD game); I am sure they would like to have the Oregon State game back - but the season is still young. We will learn a bit more this weekend at the Montana Invitational, where the opposition is a mixed bag. Gonzaga twice lost in 4 sets to UCLA which is now ranked 10th but that has been their only opponent; they are therefore a bit of an unknown going into this t'ment. The host Grizzlies are 0-3, losing to Akron 2-3, Cal State Fullerton 0-3 and UC Riverside 1-3. On the other hand, the Utes are currently ranked #22, beating UC Irvine 3-0 and Denver 3-2 while losing to Saint Mary's (the California version) 3-2. I am more concerned about the Gonzaga game than the Ute game.
Given their play against UNI, in a sold out UNI gym, helped to show this team's potential, and the skill and capabilities of the freshman. I think they deserve their own thread because they are off to a great start and contributing big time to the team.
Of course, with youth can come some inconsistency as they adjust to a new level of play, but the team is off to a 4-1 start (I'm including the SD game); I am sure they would like to have the Oregon State game back - but the season is still young. We will learn a bit more this weekend at the Montana Invitational, where the opposition is a mixed bag. Gonzaga twice lost in 4 sets to UCLA which is now ranked 10th but that has been their only opponent; they are therefore a bit of an unknown going into this t'ment. The host Grizzlies are 0-3, losing to Akron 2-3, Cal State Fullerton 0-3 and UC Riverside 1-3. On the other hand, the Utes are currently ranked #22, beating UC Irvine 3-0 and Denver 3-2 while losing to Saint Mary's (the California version) 3-2. I am more concerned about the Gonzaga game than the Ute game.
