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Buffs Picked Seventh In Pac-12 Preseason Poll

BOULDER— After a great 2013 campaign, the University of Colorado volleyball team has earned respect in the Pac-12 Conference and was picked to finish seventh in the league’s coaches poll, which was released Wednesday afternoon. Senior outside hitter Taylor Simpson was also named to the All-Pac-12 Preseason Team.

Colorado recorded 62 points in the poll, marking its’ best preseason ranking since joining the Pac-12 Conference.

The Buffs advanced to the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. They tied for seventh overall in the league with a 9-11 record and finished the season at 18-14. 2013 also saw the Buffs knock off three top-25 ranked opponents, including then-No. 1 Washington.


Preseason Pac-12 Coaches Poll Results
School (first-place votes) Points
1. Stanford (5) 114
2. USC (5) 113
3. Washington (2) 106
4. Arizona State 73
5. California 70
6. Oregon 70
7. Colorado 62
8. UCLA 58
9. Arizona 51
10. Utah 39
11. Washington State 25
12. Oregon State 11

Read more...
 
Considering the teams ahead of us, I think that it's probably a fair place to be ranked.
 
Well, seventh is where the Buffs ended up last season so that's basically a status quo position. In my view, that's pretty good right now.

We certainly have a good front line ... setter and hitters ... returning. But the big question in my mind is the defense. The best defensive specialist was Elysse Richardson who has graduated. She would play back row in place of Alexis Austin usually... decent server and good on digs. Who replaces her? Is Austin ready to be a 6 rotation player, like T Simpson is and Kerra Schroeder was? Or do we need another defensive player to step up? Also, on defense, Kerra Schroeder was one of the best in the back row. Who replaces her back row play?? Also who steps up for Nicki Lindow with her blocking and ability to kill the over-pass? The other middles on the team were not up to her level last season. It will be interesting to see who emerges.

First day to see the team is 8/23 at a Black and Gold scrimmage.
 
Well, seventh is where the Buffs ended up last season so that's basically a status quo position. In my view, that's pretty good right now.

We certainly have a good front line ... setter and hitters ... returning. But the big question in my mind is the defense. The best defensive specialist was Elysse Richardson who has graduated. She would play back row in place of Alexis Austin usually... decent server and good on digs. Who replaces her? Is Austin ready to be a 6 rotation player, like T Simpson is and Kerra Schroeder was? Or do we need another defensive player to step up? Also, on defense, Kerra Schroeder was one of the best in the back row. Who replaces her back row play?? Also who steps up for Nicki Lindow with her blocking and ability to kill the over-pass? The other middles on the team were not up to her level last season. It will be interesting to see who emerges.

First day to see the team is 8/23 at a Black and Gold scrimmage.

Can Hargis be that blocker?
 
Also, Congratulations to Taylor Simpson for making the Preseason All-Pac-12 Team!!!


2014 PRESEASON ALL-PAC-12 WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM
PLAYER, TEAMPOS.HT.YR.HOMETOWN
Inky Ajanaku, STANMB6-3Jr.Tulsa, Okla.
Liz Brenner, OREOH6-1Sr.Portland, Ore.
Samantha Bricio, USCOH6-2So.Guadalajara, Mexico
Madi Bugg, STANS6-0Jr.Apex, N.C.
Jordan Burgess, STANOH6-1Jr.Fort Meyers, Fla.
Macey Gardner, ASUOH6-0Jr.Gilbert, Ariz.
Christina Higgins, CALOH6-2Sr.Inglewood, Calif.
Kyra Holt, WSUOH6-1So.Hercules, Calif.
Brittany Howard, STANOH6-3Jr.Los Altos, Calif.
Madi Kingdon, ARIZOH6-1Sr.Phoenix, Ariz.
Karsta Lowe, UCLAOH6-4Sr.Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
Kaleigh Nelson, WASHOH6-0Sr.Salem, Ore.
Ebony Nwanebu, USCOH6-4So.Fairview, Texas
Taylor Simpson, COLOOH6-3Sr.Colorado Springs, Colo.
Krista Vansant, WASHOH6-2Sr.Redlands, Calif.
* The Preseason All-Pac-12 team is made up of 14 individual members with the highest points totals. There are 15 members this year because there was a tie for last place.
 
Can Hargis be that blocker?

Good question. The one scrimmage I saw in the spring, Hargis was basically overwhelmed. She had a coach constantly in her ear, coaching her along. It's been 4 years since she played volleyball and the game is a lot faster and more consistently powerful at the college (particularly PAC 12) level. She had so many things to get re-acquainted with and needed to work on recognition, timing, etc, etc. She probably has the qualities needed to be a decent blocker but she can't get years of experience at the position during one spring and one summer practice. I will be very interested to see how much progress she has made when I go to the Black/Gold scrimmage.
 
Is Hargis going out for the team this fall?

Will there be the Friday night upsets in Coors? Can't wait for the season to start.
 
Yes, Hargis is listed on the VB roster as a senior. She started practicing with Kritza's squad after basketball finished in the spring. Coach is hoping she can fill at least part of the hole left with graduation of Lindow while they see exactly what the young middles bring.
 
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She always seemed to have good timing blocking shots in hoops. Lateral agility isn't great, but maybe that isn't such an issue in volleyball.
 
Middles need to move laterally to close the block. Outside hitter sets the position for the block and the middle has to move to her to make it a solid 2 person block so that lateral ability will come into play in VB. Doesn't need to be super agile but does need some good speed along with some jumping ability.
 
We will find out if Hargis can make the transition. We do know she can block.

I will be seeing the team play August 29 and 30. Can't wait! :gobuffs:
 
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