I think the exciting thing with Stowers and Fitch… we are building legit depth and have a clear path for our leaders for next year. It's clear they will be OH 1 and 2 next year. Although MB will be a question, there really aren't too many questions after that

Just got back from game and dinner

I will list the cons first because those are the things you need to focus on to get better

Serving wasnt aggressive IMO. That may have been by design and we would obviously target different players when we have an opponent on the other side

Depth at middle scares me. Molly Brown played tonight as did Lexi a bit in the middle along with the assistant coach. We have no true middle as a backup and we have to train someone. Lexi filled the position for quite a few rotations with Perkins not playing BUT she hasnt played middle in a long while (if ever) and was slow reacting and setting a block but looked better as the scrimmage continued but they also had her play OH and RS as well.

OOS hitting from the OH position was predictable and not at the level we need to break the Sweet 16 barrier. Logan will play 6 rotations and will be a valuable option OOS from the back row or when the libero has to set and she can terminate at a high level

If Logan gets injured I am curious as to how the team will adjust and who would play RS. IMO we have a couple of options in that regard. And I can also see running a 6-2 in some early matches in the regular season and Saturday depending on who we have as opponents.

The depth at OH position is much better and I think many people who come Saturday will see that.

I would say just on this limited scrimmage against our own players I would have Hellmuth and Stowers on the outside but Saturday could change all that depending on if Morrison gives all the players more time on the court or uses the main lineup almost exclusively.

Any other injuries in the season besides MIddles and Logan and I think we can fill in with a drop off BUT not a huge drop off which pleases me.


Pros

We have a completely balanced roster and other than middle depth we are probably as solid from 1-18 we can be.

Logan could very well be a 1st team AA this season depending upon how they have the makeup of the AA first team.

Setting looked good on both sides, some timing issues but that is to be expected.
Applegate looked good in the other libero uniform.

Defensively we kept the ball in play when it ping ponged around the court and whenever the non setter took a second contact it was placed pretty well


This roster is ready if Morrison can petition the NCAA to get Molly Brown another year


I wont be able to be there Saturday as out of state for a VB tourney myself so I will be reading this page to ee how we looked and honestly how SMU looks with a completely revamped roster

Stowers posted on social media how it's been 19 months since she last wore a jersey! I'm elated for her!

This summer (thankfully in June) Jamie Morrison will coach the 2025 Pan American Cup U19 Girls USA Team!!!