Initial post

For my initial post, I am just going to copy my last post from richkern.com. Lazy, you say? I prefer "economical." And shut up, by the way!



I thought I’d provide a quick look at one pseudo-fictional person’s Top Ten for the upcoming DI season. Just try to stop me! It’d be like telling Heathcliff to come down from those wuthering heights to play Yahtzee with the neighborhood kids. Not going to happen.

1--Nebraska

People -- and by “people” I don’t mean virtual people, so pipe down VolleyTalkers! -- tend to overlook how close the Huskers were from being bounced from the 2006 tournament. They were down 0-2 to Minnesota in their Regional final, were a deuce game from an 0-2 deficit to UCLA in the National semi-final, and had to rally late in game 2 to avoid trailing Stanford 0-2 in the final. So there are good reasons for not immediately touting the 2007 Huskers as the favorite to win it all again this year.

That said, they are still my pick for three reasons: Sarah Pavan, Jordan Larson and Christina Houghtelling. Was there an award Ms. Pavan did not win this past off-season? OK, no Oscars or Emmys, but I hear she does have a shot at a Pulitzer.

2--Stanford

The Cardinal said goodbye to Kristin Richards and hello to Alix Klineman (as well as Gabi Ailes, Cassidy Lichtman and Stephanie Browne). Kind of makes you a little nauseated doesn’t it? Applications for your local BASTA! chapter are available on request.

3--Penn State

The youngest top four team from 2006 should be even better this year. Is this the season the Lions return to the Championships for the first time since they won it all in 1999? Everyone keeps telling me that Alyssa D’Errico will provide immediate help for the team’s Achilles’ Heel: passing and defense. There’s also talk that Russ will be sporting Achilles’ Sweater this Fall. So they have that going for them, too.

4--Texas

The Longhorns have added 6’5” Jennifer Doris and 6’2” Juliann Faucette to the Redwoods already casting such long shadows in the Big12. Is this the season the gals from Texas return to the Championships for the first time since losing to Nebraska in 1995? Will I use this phrase again in this blog?

5--Florida

Tick tock tick tock or tick tick tick?. The fabulous class of 2004 -- Angie McGinnis, Marcie Hampton, and Kisya Killingsworth -- is now seniors, as well as 5th-year senior Amber McCray. This is their last chance to make an appearance in the Championships. Will it happen? And, if so, is this the season Mary wins her first title? I say “no”, but it’s a great story, should it happen.

6--USC

The Trojans will not have the scintillating Debora Seilhamer chasing down volleyball after volleyball, but what amazing talent they have added! Zoe Garrett, Kimmie Roleder and Geena Urango join a very, very deep USC squad. This team may even be good enough to seriously challenge the Cardinal in the Pac10.

7--UCLA

I hesitate to rank the Bruins this high, given the loss of Katie Carter and, especially, Nana Meriwether, but the team made a statement which can’t be ignored when they won the USAV Open title in early June. Not only that, they have the incomparable Nellie Spicer running the show at setter and one of the best names in the game -- Dicey McGraw -- joining them.

8--Wisconsin

Don’t overlook the Cheese! That may not be the rallying cry in Mad-town, but “Howzabout another beer!?” doesn’t seem particularly appropriate, so we’ll go with it. The Badgers, I predict, will feature both offensive firepower and ball control this season, a trademark of their best teams of the late 90s and early aughts. Can they challenge Penn State in the Big10? Maybe not. But they may be able to separate themselves from the Gophers, Boilermakers and Buckeyes, which is no small feat.

9--Washington

The departure of All-American setter Courtney Thompson (and her headband) is a huge crater for the Huskies to fill, but assuming one of the several replacement candidates comes with a decent shovel, it can be done. There are, after all, plenty of fine hitters waiting to be fed, such as Christal Morrison, Alesha Deesing, Jessica Swarbrick, Stevie Mussie and Jill Collymore.

10--Hawai’i

Don’t overlook the Cheese! This is not the rallying cry in ‘lulu-town either, although they can use it if they want. The Wahine come in at #10 mainly because I’m not going to put Minnesota there and have everyone call me a homer. In fact, all is not paradise in Hawai’i, except for that paradise-thing they have going, of course. They will be looking to replace Kanoe Kamana’o, who, like Thompson, is another All-American setter, as well as their go-to outside hitter, Sarah Mason. Can they? How should I know? If I could afford to spend time out there finding out, don’t you think I’d be out there spending time finding out? All I know is that it’s not wise to overlook the Cheese or the Wahine Rainbow.


Knock, knock, knocking on the Top Ten’s door.

Cal Poly -- One of the best keep secrets in DI volleyball, the Mustangs, defending Big West Champions, return almost their entire team for the 2007 season. The returnees include four all-conference selections and six starters. Can the Big West produce a Top Ten team? It’s been a while.

California -- The Golden Bears are yet another team needing to replace a starting setter (Sam Carter). They also bid adieu to Jillian Davis, their fine libero (who may or may not speak French, but will catch their drift regardless), but everyone else is back, including the high-flying 5’8” outside hitter Angie Pressey.

Purdue -- This could very well be the year the Boilermakers climb to the upper three floors of the Big10. It won’t be easy -- there are no elevators in that building -- but with six starters returning and some solid frosh, the door to the stairs is wide open.

Minnesota -- The Gophers lost Meredith Nelson, Meghan Cumpston and Marci Peniata from their 2006 Elite Eight squad, but they have a solid core returning, plus several top-ranked frosh, including Lauren Gibbemeyer and Brook Dieter. This team could end up surprising a lot of people. Again. (And probably should have been #10 in this list.) [8/23 15:00 It's true! I left off Kelly Bowman from the list of Gophers completing eligibility. Oops. A major departure.]


So there you have it. I’d ask you if you agree or disagree, but what’s the point? It’s too late for me to change anything now.