Badger 2024 Volleyball

[Pokerbrat2000]

They did a great job rebuilding the areas where they lost a lot of talent. To be honest, I'm amazed at how well they did. I think they're going to be one of the better teams next year in the conference, and nationally. How good? I wish I knew, but it does look like they're going to be in the hunt for the championships.

I do remember all these players from when the Badgers played them. These were ladies that were standouts on their teams and bringing that talent in all at one time is fantastic! It gives the younger Badgers a chance to grow into their game. Topping it off, Colyer is the only one with a single year of eligibility left.

Yup, for once I kind of like the Transfer Portal.

It does show you though how Elite Players are attracted to Elite Teams. As well as how those Elite teams will continue to be just that, elite. Even with as many starters as the Badgers lost due to graduation/eligibility, the program was able to reload immediately with really good talent.

Losing Sarah Franklin, Devyn Robinson, Anna Smrek, CC Crawford, Julia Orzol, Gülce Güçtekin and Carly Anderson was a big blow to the team. Franklin is the big loss IMO and those shoes aren't easy to fill. However, I think the talent of the new TP additions, plus Madison Quest (Freshman) is really going to give the Badgers another excellent team. It might take them a half of a season to really jell but I expect to see them in the round of 8 again.

 

[Voyageur]

Yup, for once I kind of like the Transfer Portal.

It does show you though how Elite Players are attracted to Elite Teams. As well as how those Elite teams will continue to be just that, elite. Even with as many starters as the Badgers lost due to graduation/eligibility, the program was able to reload immediately with really good talent.

Losing Sarah Franklin, Devyn Robinson, Anna Smrek, CC Crawford, Julia Orzol, Gülce Güçtekin and Carly Anderson was a big blow to the team. Franklin is the big loss IMO and those shoes aren't easy to fill. However, I think the talent of the new TP additions, plus Madison Quest (Freshman) is really going to give the Badgers another excellent team. It might take them a half of a season to really jell but I expect to see them in the round of 8 again.

I agree they may take a few lumps early but They're going to improve fairly quickly. The freshmen, Horner, Quest, Simon, and Wardlow is a solid mix. Wardlow is the only one of the 3 that isn't given big time props on a national level but at 6-4, and being agile, one heck of a good middle blocker from what I head. She will get on the court. Last year's big grab of Fuerbringer along with the portal players gives this team pretty much a new makeover and one that I think will be a real challenge to the opposition out there.

Losing a blocker like Smrek is tough but maybe in a way, a good thing, because being a little shorter makes them more agile. Anxious to see how good our new libero is, and which one will be out there. I see Warren getting it at this point, but don't count Wardlow out. From what I heard she works her tail off improving her game and isn't afraid to throw her body around to get those tough digs. But, like I said, I see Warren getting it. #1 in the nation coming out of HS ain't such a bad thing to be.

It's going to be a fun year with so many new faces and leaders on the team.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Losing a blocker like Smrek is tough but maybe in a way, a good thing, because being a little shorter makes them more agile.

I agree. While I really like Smrek, Robinson and Booth, I don't view them as very agile. Kind of 2 trick ponies (block and kill). I do think Booth will be a better fit with more a more athletic front line.

Another exciting thing about the 3 TP players (Egan, Colyer and Lopez) all 3 are really good servers. That should really add some options for Kelly and the rotation(s) he uses. Besides Franklin, none of the front line players on the Badgers could serve very well.

 

[Voyageur]

I agree. While I really like Smrek, Robinson and Booth, I don't view them as very agile. Kind of 2 trick ponies (block and kill). I do think Booth will be a better fit with more a more athletic front line.

Another exciting thing about the 3 TP players (Egan, Colyer and Lopez) all 3 are really good servers. That should really add some options for Kelly and the rotation(s) he uses. Besides Franklin, none of the front line players on the Badgers could serve very well.

Amen! They gave up a lot of points with poor serves. You could see how frustrating it was to Sheffield. But, when they had the skills set those players had they were hard to beat.

I seriously think this team is going to grow fast.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Just saw that John Cook is retiring. That's a big hit to the Nebraska program.

 

[Voyageur]

Just saw that John Cook is retiring. That's a big hit to the Nebraska program.

I think he realized the direction the sport has been going with NIL money and the fact that players move from program to program without regard to any belief of obligation. John is an old school coach who believes in team and commitment. I actually agree with him. I think most coaches do, but he's already proven what he wanted to and like he said at 60 it's a good time to hang it up.

Strangely enough it didn't take a heartbeat for them to announce his replacement. It's almost like they were welcoming his retirement because they already had his replacement in the wings.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Strangely enough it didn't take a heartbeat for them to announce his replacement. It's almost like they were welcoming his retirement because they already had his replacement in the wings.

True, but guessing that Cook himself had Dani Busboom Kelly waiting in the wings for when this time came. Couldn't be a more tailor-made choice. Kelly played for Nebraska, was Cook's assistant coach from 2012-2016 and then in 8 years as HC of the Louisville Program, compiled a record of 203–44 (.822).

Hmmm....Sheffield is 54....keep an eye on Lauren Carlini.

 

[Voyageur]

True, but guessing that Cook himself had Dani Busboom Kelly waiting in the wings for when this time came. Couldn't be a more tailor-made choice. Kelly played for Nebraska, was Cook's assistant coach from 2012-2016 and then in 8 years as HC of the Louisville Program, compiled a record of 203–44 (.822).

Hmmm....Sheffield is 54....keep an eye on Lauren Carlini.

I know she's acting as an advisor to the Badger program. She's not making a living wage out of it. It's going to be tight between her and Brittany as to whom gets it. I think Dildine is also the Associate Head Coach, and in charge of recruiting which is essential to the program. But I think iit's between the two. When one gets it the other will leave. The same might be said about everyone else figuring they'd been passed over and they're never going to be in the mix. Especially when you figure both Dildine and Carlini are younger. Dildine pushing 40 and Carlini pushing 30.

The biggest question I ask is how well Carlini could hold the recruiting direction together.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I know she's acting as an advisor to the Badger program. She's not making a living wage out of it. It's going to be tight between her and Brittany as to whom gets it. I think Dildine is also the Associate Head Coach, and in charge of recruiting which is essential to the program. But I think iit's between the two. When one gets it the other will leave. The same might be said about everyone else figuring they'd been passed over and they're never going to be in the mix. Especially when you figure both Dildine and Carlini are younger. Dildine pushing 40 and Carlini pushing 30.

The biggest question I ask is how well Carlini could hold the recruiting direction together.

Oh I don't think Carlini is anywhere near ready to take over. Nor do I think that Kelly is ready to retire, he has a good 10 or so years left. I can see Dildine biding her time for the HC'ing gig at Wisconsin, but if a smaller up and coming school or her alma matter (Purdue) offers her the HC job, the Badgers might lose out on her. Purdue's current coach, Dave Shondell, is 67, so who knows just how much gas he has left in his tank. Losing 3 players (Chicoine, Hudson and Myers) into the TP and 6 to graduation, probably isn't helping him to grow any hair back on his head.

Dildine definitely should get a lot of credit for her recruiting skills and it sounds like she is a very good skills coach. If Kelly quit today, no doubt she would get the job. Carlini is still actively playing for the Madison team in the LOVB, which I really need to go see. I can't find any info. on if she will resume her "advisory" job with the Badgers in 2025, but I am guessing her next phase in Volleyball is coaching.

 

[Voyageur]

Oh I don't think Carlini is anywhere near ready to take over. Nor do I think that Kelly is ready to retire, he has a good 10 or so years left. I can see Dildine biding her time for the HC'ing gig at Wisconsin, but if a smaller up and coming school or her alma matter (Purdue) offers her the HC job, the Badgers might lose out on her. Purdue's current coach, Dave Shondell, is 67, so who knows just how much gas he has left in his tank. Losing 3 players (Chicoine, Hudson and Myers) into the TP and 6 to graduation, probably isn't helping him to grow any hair back on his head.

Dildine definitely should get a lot of credit for her recruiting skills and it sounds like she is a very good skills coach. If Kelly quit today, no doubt she would get the job. Carlini is still actively playing for the Madison team in the LOVB, which I really need to go see. I can't find any info. on if she will resume her "advisory" job with the Badgers in 2025, but I am guessing her next phase in Volleyball is coaching.

It wasn't that long ago that Carlini left the National Team. Too much involved for being able to make the 2028 roster. I don't blame her. The youth movement is always going to be there now. I think one more year as an advisor is about all she's going to do. She could move into the role of Dildine if she did jump ship for another program. Hard to say. Within the next two to three months there's going to be several openings out there. Some completely unexpected. NIL is killing some of the programs. Dildine's recruiting prowess is what could get her an HC job at a high-level school that needs to get over the hump. Carlini is still learning the sideline as a non-player.