UTVballfan
100+ Posts
I swung by the UT-Tulane scrimmage today. A huge highlight for me was seeing Ashley Engle set. She set all the way around and was super awesome. She’s got great court awareness combined with an unbelievable shot repertoire. Loop, dink, wipe, tip, dump, curl, shoot, slam, angle, hammer time, you name it, she’s got it. I love it that she’s setting; any system that makes sure she gets lots of touches is a good deal in my book.
My favorite play today was a shot she missed! A ball was loose on three off the net, and she spun, jumped and shot a ball one-handed sharply back to the sideline inside the 10 foot line. That spot of the court was wide open. The ball was wide a bit, but I was like, “Whoa, even to conceive of that shot is awesome!”
She has a two-handed dump that’s very deceptive; it looks just like she’s going to set. She did it twice and both times Tulane didn’t even freaking move. And sometimes she just takes the pass and pounds it down lefty. That option is gonna keep the middle blocker home and help our hitters.
In fact, with Ashley setting, and all our offensive weapons, I just think the Horns are going to be really, really hard to defend.
Jen Doris looked like she was jumping higher, and taking the ball higher, too. I think they have her on the same program they put Paolini on to improve her verticality. JD played some middle and some opposite and looked good. Just needs a bit more practice scoring against the block. Elizabeth Graham looked fit and played well also.
Heather Kisner looked sharp at libero. Incoming frosh Sydney Yogi better be working hard; she’s going to have her hands full trying to take the black jersey away from Heather.
I get a kick out of watching Kiley at the outside. Hey, 5’8” but that doesn’t stop her from swinging away. Super-powered – like Underdog!
Chelsey and Alexandra were doing well.
I didn’t see RuthAnn. Anyone know what’s up with that?
I’m glad Ashley isn’t over in China getting all worn down. She can get fit & strong and practice setting. (Stay gold, Ponyboy!) But I am glad Destinee, Juliann and Lauren are there. I expect we’ll see some maturation in their games as a result of their experience.
When they get back, our coaching puppet-masters will be hard at work putting the whole package together. Meshing Ashley’s setting and our hitters, pushing the tempo, etc.
We should have a very strong team. I think the days of Nebraska being the default Big XII winner are over. In fact, with our teams’ talent and heart, NO WAY they don’t make the final four this year.
My favorite play today was a shot she missed! A ball was loose on three off the net, and she spun, jumped and shot a ball one-handed sharply back to the sideline inside the 10 foot line. That spot of the court was wide open. The ball was wide a bit, but I was like, “Whoa, even to conceive of that shot is awesome!”
She has a two-handed dump that’s very deceptive; it looks just like she’s going to set. She did it twice and both times Tulane didn’t even freaking move. And sometimes she just takes the pass and pounds it down lefty. That option is gonna keep the middle blocker home and help our hitters.
In fact, with Ashley setting, and all our offensive weapons, I just think the Horns are going to be really, really hard to defend.
Jen Doris looked like she was jumping higher, and taking the ball higher, too. I think they have her on the same program they put Paolini on to improve her verticality. JD played some middle and some opposite and looked good. Just needs a bit more practice scoring against the block. Elizabeth Graham looked fit and played well also.
Heather Kisner looked sharp at libero. Incoming frosh Sydney Yogi better be working hard; she’s going to have her hands full trying to take the black jersey away from Heather.
I get a kick out of watching Kiley at the outside. Hey, 5’8” but that doesn’t stop her from swinging away. Super-powered – like Underdog!
Chelsey and Alexandra were doing well.
I didn’t see RuthAnn. Anyone know what’s up with that?
I’m glad Ashley isn’t over in China getting all worn down. She can get fit & strong and practice setting. (Stay gold, Ponyboy!) But I am glad Destinee, Juliann and Lauren are there. I expect we’ll see some maturation in their games as a result of their experience.
When they get back, our coaching puppet-masters will be hard at work putting the whole package together. Meshing Ashley’s setting and our hitters, pushing the tempo, etc.
We should have a very strong team. I think the days of Nebraska being the default Big XII winner are over. In fact, with our teams’ talent and heart, NO WAY they don’t make the final four this year.
