[MSG1716]

I am surprised by our #5 ranking, but am optimistic about this team.  Last Saturday's practice with some scrimmaging and then talking with several of the players at the BBQ made more excited for the nationally televised labor day tourney in Milwaukee against Minnesota and Wisconsin.  I agree with Bobbk that Andrew looked good, particularly blocking.  We should have a good starting middle with Francis & Andrew, and depth with with our ND transfer Charity McDowell and Tim Duncan's daughter Sidney Duncan.  We have an incredible core returning with Miner & Oglivie, both potential All-Americans, as well as 2 year starter and likely go-to pin this year, Elia Rubin.  Yes, we lost Kipp and Baird, but we 3 second year OH/OPP (yes Kurt was red-shirted), Ipar Kurt, Jordyn Harvey and Julia Blyashov, who were all top recruits with incredible promise who spent a year practicing against Kipp, Baird and Rubin.  Whether we end up a Final Four team or a top 15 team depends on how quickly those women develop.  Hambley's OOC schedule guarantees both a very high RPI for tourney seeding and a chance to see these newcomers strengths and weaknesses with plenty of time to get better.  I hope, and truly think is more likely than not, that come tourney time this team will be better than last year's squad.  I particularly think that could be true in terms of playing under pressure with full intensity in must win post season matches, something the last two years squads have not shown in the elite 8.

[MSG1716]

I am surprised by our #5 ranking, but am optimistic about this team.  Last Saturday's practice with some scrimmaging and then talking with several of the players at the BBQ made more excited for the nationally televised labor day tourney in Milwaukee against Minnesota and Wisconsin.  I agree with Bobbk that Andrew looked good, particularly blocking.  We should have a good starting middle with Francis & Andrew, and depth with with our ND transfer Charity McDowell and Tim Duncan's daughter Sidney Duncan.  We have an incredible core returning with Miner & Oglivie, both potential All-Americans, as well as 2 year starter and likely go-to pin this year, Elia Rubin.  Yes, we lost Kipp and Baird, but we 3 second year OH/OPP (yes Kurt was red-shirted), Ipar Kurt, Jordyn Harvey and Julia Blyashov, who were all top recruits with incredible promise who spent a year practicing against Kipp, Baird and Rubin.  Whether we end up a Final Four team or a top 15 team depends on how quickly those women develop.  Hambley's OOC schedule guarantees both a very high RPI for tourney seeding and a chance to see these newcomers strengths and weaknesses with plenty of time to get better.  I hope, and truly think is more likely than not, that come tourney time this team will be better than last year's squad.  I particularly think that could be true in terms of playing under pressure with full intensity in must win post season matches, something the last two years squads have not shown in the elite 8.