Preseason AVCA Top 25 Poll (8/13)

[CarrollCyclone]

Link: https://www.avca.org/polls/di-women/8-13-2019.html

AVCA Division I Preseason Coaches Poll (8/13)
1. Stanford (62) (34-1) - 1,598 pts
2. Nebraska (1) (29-7) - 1,451
3. Minnesota (27-4) - 1,414
4. Texas (23-5) - 1,385
5. Wisconsin (25-7) - 1,329
6. Illinois (32-4) - 1,258
7. Kentucky (26-5) - 1,204
8. Penn State (1) (26-8) - 1,182
9. BYU (31-2) - 1,111
10. Florida (26-7) - 1,028
11. Oregon (23-11) - 934
12. Pittsburgh (30-2) - 827
13. Washington (20-13) - 797
14. USC (22-11) - 664
15. Michigan (24-10) - 645
16. Marquette (28-7) - 596
17. Purdue (24-9) - 571
18. Creighton (29-5) - 457
19. Tennessee (26-6) - 438
20. Baylor (20-9) - 407
21. San Diego (18-13) - 313
22. Washington State (23-10) - 289
23. Cal Poly (25-3) - 213
24. Arizona (22-11) - 157
25. Louisville (22-9) - 120

Others Receiving Votes
Missouri (100), Utah (56), Colorado State (51), Central Florida (45), Pepperdine (36), Florida State (33), Hawaii (13), Northern Iowa (13), TCU (10), UCLA (7), Cincinnati (6), Rice (6), South Carolina (6), Texas State (6), Loyola Marymount (4), Colorado (3), Kansas (2)

 

[Buster28]

Wow, just two ranked Big 12 teams (UT, BU) and Kansas as the last team receiving more than a single vote. It might be reasonable to collect a good number of league wins, if Christy can cobble together some consistency from this group. Looking forward to seeing what they can do.

 

[Tornado man]

That's pretty sobering - a chance though to prove ourselves all over again. Looking forward to the season. Yes, we're in a conference to pick up lots of wins.
Can't wait to host a program like Penn State in Hilton.

 

[cykadelic2]

That's pretty sobering - a chance though to prove ourselves all over again. Looking forward to the season. Yes, we're in a conference to pick up lots of wins.
Can't wait to host a program like Penn State in Hilton.

Agree it is sobering not to get any votes given the prior success of the program. There has been noticeable slippage which culminated with missing the NCAAs last season. Also, have just one senior on the roster and she entered the program as a walkon transfer from a mid major program. Kiel, Hillegas and Hillmer all would have been seniors or RS JRs this season and all transferred out. Hopefully this group can start a turnaround with better results. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Marquette, Creighton, Missouri, Illinois, KU and, ahem, UNI are all nearby programs ranked ahead of ISU in this poll.

 

[NWICY]

Well time for them to go out and earn it.

 

[gizzsdad]

Looking like Creighton will be a good early test, as would be expected.

 

[Crazyape22]

Agree it is sobering not to get any votes given the prior success of the program. There has been noticeable slippage which culminated with missing the NCAAs last season. Also, have just one senior on the roster and she entered the program as a walkon transfer from a mid major program. Kiel, Hillegas and Hillmer all would have been seniors or RS JRs this season and all transferred out. Hopefully this group can start a turnaround with better results. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Marquette, Creighton, Missouri, Illinois, KU and, ahem, UNI are all nearby programs ranked ahead of ISU in this poll.

The senior was not a walk-on. Kiel wanted to be closer to her family, Hillegas didn't know where she stood going in as a senior & Hillmer wasn't going to see a lot of playing time.

 

[runbikeswim]

I feel so disconnected to this program. I watched the NIT but honestly couldn't name a player

 

[cykadelic2]

The senior was not a walk-on. Kiel wanted to be closer to her family, Hillegas didn't know where she stood going in as a senior & Hillmer wasn't going to see a lot of playing time.

All could be true but the point is that recruiting cycle for those 4 created an upperclass talent deficiency for this season’s roster which could negatively impact results. That deficiency also negatively impacted results last season to some extent in addition to the injury issues.

 

[Cyfan1965]

If we are going to finish any higher than 4th in big 12 we are going to have to have a monster year from one of these Mantz Hatch Schuler Andersen Herbst because Holtaus Herrera Rhodes will be solid.

No idea what we will get from Greiman? We played DC Grimes at a tournament last year in HS ball lost 21-19 21-17 15-13 but I don't remember a thing about it.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

We need great setter play whether it's from Piper or Jenna. I hope Piper is ready to take the next step because that is what it takes to have a special season. Not having every middle get hurt would be nice too.

 

[Crazyape22]

All could be true but the point is that recruiting cycle for those 4 created an upperclass talent deficiency for this season’s roster which could negatively impact results. That deficiency also negatively impacted results last season to some extent in addition to the injury issues.

Say what you want on the deficiency part from the senior class, 2/4 being back row players, solid back row is what is needed too, so Piper or Jenna can get off a good set. This is a young team that needs to click on all fronts to be successful. They had winnable games last year(Syracuse, Baylor for examples) but the chemistry wasn't always there throughout the whole match. Injury at middle was a non factor, Cande came in & did a great job, she's a natural middle, look at her Argentina team, that's exactly where she played.

 

[cykadelic2]

Say what you want on the deficiency part from the senior class, 2/4 being back row players, solid back row is what is needed too, so Piper or Jenna can get off a good set. This is a young team that needs to click on all fronts to be successful. They had winnable games last year(Syracuse, Baylor for examples) but the chemistry wasn't always there throughout the whole match. Injury at middle was a non factor, Cande came in & did a great job, she's a natural middle, look at her Argentina team, that's exactly where she played.

Injuries at middle last season were definitely a factor. You got to have at least two of them and IIRC, Brandt had to play there a match or two due to Rhodes, Hart and Bailey all being out with injuries.

ISU’s best teams have previously had a setter who was at least All Conference caliber and it’s been awhile since the program has had one. Hopefully Mauck and/or Brandt can elevate their play to that level.

Barring injury, back row and MB play should be in good shape but as mentioned by another poster, CJL must have at least one or two OHs emerge this season to help out Holthaus.

 

[Crazyape22]

Injuries at middle last season were definitely a factor. You got to have at least two of them and IIRC, Brandt had to play there a match or two due to Rhodes, Hart and Bailey all being out with injuries.

ISU’s best teams have previously had a setter who was at least All Conference caliber and it’s been awhile since the program has had one. Hopefully Mauck and/or Brandt can elevate their play to that level.

Barring injury, back row and MB play should be in good shape but as mentioned by another poster, CJL must have at least one or two OHs emerge this season to help out Holthaus.

Jenna had to play middle b/c Holthaus had a concussion so Bailey played right. And Lazard was suspended. Bailey was rushed back to play.

You are correct about setting & 2 OH's need to step it up, but again, its a very young team. If they have chemistry, they can be good. There is talent on this team.

 

[Cyfan1965]

I hope they can get Mantz some swings by moving her around. If you have to contend with her then Holthaus and Herrera can do some damage.

 

[cykadelic2]

Jenna had to play middle b/c Holthaus had a concussion so Bailey played right. And Lazard was suspended. Bailey was rushed back to play.

You are correct about setting & 2 OH's need to step it up, but again, its a very young team. If they have chemistry, they can be good. There is talent on this team.

Watched the CJL presser at lunchtime today. She did subtly touch on the chemistry/behavior/clique issues that may have impacted last year's results. One can assume the behavior issues were related to Lazard given her suspension and eventual dismissal and possibly she was at the center of the chemistry issues as well.

When asked about the incoming freshmen, CJL didn't offer any public evidence that any of them were standing out and ready to positively impact results although she did mention that Hatch has terminating potential at OH.

 

[cykadelic2]

Now back to getting some Top 25 votes. Baylor up to #2:

https://www.avca.org/polls/di-women/9-23-2019.html

 

[NWICY]

Now back to getting some Top 25 votes. Baylor up to #2:

https://www.avca.org/polls/di-women/9-23-2019.html

Didn't realize the Lady Bears were so highly ranked.

 

[runbikeswim]

Didn't realize the Lady Bears were so highly ranked.

They have a pretty impressive resume so far

 

[knowlesjam]

The Lady Bears are pretty darn good at most sports...similar to Iowa State in that aspect.