VVG to Return in 2024

[chrisran24]

I don’t know how much better this makes the team next year on the court as I think Bayless is the future at the other OH position, but definitely helps with leadership and veteran presence. It would be great to have her as a serve specialist or third OH coming off the bench. That means we only lose Chia and Monks next year to be replaced by Kelley and Jepsen (or a transfer/freshman). A year of seasoning for Stafford/Babcock and barring injuries next year I think will be the year Pitt finally makes the Championship game

 

[vantheman1976]

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I don’t know how much better this makes the team next year on the court as I think Bayless is the future at the other OH position, but definitely helps with leadership and veteran presence. It would be great to have her as a serve specialist or third OH coming off the bench. That means we only lose Chia and Monks next year to be replaced by Kelley and Jepsen (or a transfer/freshman). A year of seasoning for Stafford/Babcock and barring injuries next year I think will be the year Pitt finally makes the Championship game

There is a freshman MB that has committed for 2024.....Ryla Jones from the Virginia/ DC metro area. Prep Dig has her listed as the #5 player from Virginia. MB should be solid next year as long as Kelley recovers from what is apparently a pretty serious injury. To be honest...I didn't expect VVG to return.....just a hunch. Bayless will give VVG some tough competition I think. It will be very interesting to see where Fisher focuses in terms of a transfer or two from the portal.

 

[Black Panther]

Good to hear.Happy she wants to stay.I didn’t think she had more eligibility left.

 

[121rum]

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I don’t know how much better this makes the team next year on the court as I think Bayless is the future at the other OH position, but definitely helps with leadership and veteran presence. It would be great to have her as a serve specialist or third OH coming off the bench. That means we only lose Chia and Monks next year to be replaced by Kelley and Jepsen (or a transfer/freshman). A year of seasoning for Stafford/Babcock and barring injuries next year I think will be the year Pitt finally makes the Championship game

And Fish almost always knocks it out of the park on transfers. How many big time weapons have we gotten out of the portal? Buzzerio, Membor Meneh, and Gray off the top of my head.

 

[PittMBA]

And Fish almost always knocks it out of the park on transfers. How many big time weapons have we gotten out of the portal? Buzzerio, Membor Meneh, and Gray off the top of my head.

Monks

 

[chrisran24]

Monks

Kelley too. I'm sure he goes out and gets a player at either OH or MB or both. I would lean toward MB. Maybe DS too as I believe Mosely is on her last year of eligibility as well, though I could be wrong there

 

[mike412]

I wonder if VVG coming back will cause Bayless to enter the portal. I think Bayless is very talented. She just happens to be behind two frosh who are even more talented.

I suspect that with medical questions about how fit Kelley will be, Fisher might go after another MB in the portal.

 

[121rum]

I wonder if VVG coming back will cause Bayless to enter the portal. I think Bayless is very talented. She just happens to be behind two frosh who are even more talented.

I suspect that with medical questions about how fit Kelley will be, Fisher might go after another MB in the portal.

She's so young I would hope she would stay and fight for at least another season. If recruiting ranking was accurate she could probably steal time away from VVG as she develops.

 

[chrisran24]

I wonder if VVG coming back will cause Bayless to enter the portal. I think Bayless is very talented. She just happens to be behind two frosh who are even more talented.

I suspect that with medical questions about how fit Kelley will be, Fisher might go after another MB in the portal.

Fisher isn't the type to play an older player just because she is older. If Bayless will make the team better, she'll be playing. So I would hope that she's willing to put the effort in to stick it out and earn that playing time. I will say Fisher has yet to lose any major talent to the portal. But you never know in college sports today.

 

[imrealangry]

Love the veteran presence coming back, and more depth is never a bad thing. Getting her back along with Bre Kelly is huge for next year's team

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

If Dan Fisher wants her back I'm all for it.

 

[Chaos]

I'd like to see Bayless surpass VVG, and have VVG have a role like Akeo this year. I think VVG is inconsistent, and honestly is the weakest player that starts. She plays well vs low to mid tier teams, but disappears against the better teams. Iron sharpens iron, so hopefully vvg and Bayless push each to perform at higher levels. H2P

 

[PittMBA]

I'd like to see Bayless surpass VVG, and have VVG have a role like Akeo this year. I think VVG is inconsistent, and honestly is the weakest player that starts. She plays well vs low to mid tier teams, but disappears against the better teams. Iron sharpens iron, so hopefully vvg and Bayless push each to perform at higher levels. H2P

I think you’re under selling VVG a bit - she’s been a good player on 2 final 4 teams . She’s a much improved server this season and has been solid on the back row.

That said i do see more upside with Bayless and would really disappointed if she left - .

Fishers track record would suggest it’s very unlikely Bayless leaves -

 

[pittdan77]

Fishers track record would suggest it’s very unlikely Bayless leaves -

Possible that Bayless has already signaled her departure but I would tend to agree.

 

[veryrustyred]

My guess is the Bayless may have communicated an intent to enter the portal --- and that may have been the impetus for Fisher approaching VVG as to her plans for next year.
While VVG has been a great asset to the program, as previous posters have written, I definitely think Bayless has a (much) higher ceiling. Additionally, VVG has been very "uneven" this season - productive against lesser opponents and...not getting it done against elite opponents (think BYU, Louisville).

 

[Black Panther]

Just as a server alone Vazquez Gomez is a valuable asset.So she will have a role on next years team no matter if Bayless ends up being the starter or not.

 

[PittMBA]

My guess is the Bayless may have communicated an intent to enter the portal --- and that may have been the impetus for Fisher approaching VVG as to her plans for next year.
While VVG has been a great asset to the program, as previous posters have written, I definitely think Bayless has a (much) higher ceiling. Additionally, VVG has been very "uneven" this season - productive against lesser opponents and...not getting it done against elite opponents (think BYU, Louisville).

I feel like this is unlikely unless you have specific knowledge. I’d be surprised if Bayless has already said she’s leaving -

 

[pittdan77]

Just as a server alone Vazquez Gomez is a valuable asset.So she will have a role on next years team no matter if Bayless ends up being the starter or not.

Possible that they may choose to use her that way or as a role player. Cat Flood settled into that kind of role although she came from a bit of a different role to get there.