[oldalum]

I'm not surprised at the start, for two reasons in addition to the lack of almost any reasonable practice (one week total of on-court practice before the first match?):  there is no substitute for game experience, and the current lineup has precious little; and because we are missing our two best and most experienced players (one apparently is out for the season). Prep accolades are not necessarily predictive of immediate freshman productivity: I remember reading from self-styled experts before last season that Kendall Kipp was going to be a stellar outside hitter for us immediately, but it turned out not so much. I suspect this team will have a steep learning curve over the course of the season. It was going to be a rebuilding year anyway, after losing so many starters from last year.

[oldalum]

I'm not surprised at the start, for two reasons in addition to the lack of almost any reasonable practice (one week total of on-court practice before the first match?):  there is no substitute for game experience, and the current lineup has precious little; and because we are missing our two best and most experienced players (one apparently is out for the season). Prep accolades are not necessarily predictive of immediate freshman productivity: I remember reading from self-styled experts before last season that Kendall Kipp was going to be a stellar outside hitter for us immediately, but it turned out not so much. I suspect this team will have a steep learning curve over the course of the season. It was going to be a rebuilding year anyway, after losing so many starters from last year.