Pitt Volleyball 2025

[veryrustyred]

It's now been a week since the NCAA semis...
In retrospect, I believe all 4 teams were capable of beating one another. 'Though Penn State certainly wouldn't have been my odds-on favorite to win the title.
I'm sure that Nebraska, Penn State, Louisville + the 5 and 6 teams, Stanford and Creighton are all looking to reload/upgrade their teams. Regretfully, I don't think Pitt's 2025 front-line players (i.e., starters) will be an upgrade from 2024. The good news is that the return of the core group of Babcock and Safford + the 2 MBs. Assuming no health challenges, they should only get better.
-Fairbanks - I think the best we can hope for from the Haiti/Mosher combination is to APPROACH Fairbanks' level of play. No way will it be an upgrade. Both on and off the floor, her leadership presence will be missed.
-Klicka - With all of the "uneven" feedback on the volleyball thread about her performance vis-a-via other top liberos, Fisher was always very supportive and complimentary of her play (at least in public). Again, at best, unless Meyer/Dupes are real surprises, I think the best to hope for is flat year-to-year performance.
-VVG - I would have hoped to see a 6 rotation player come in through the portal. So it appears that for now, Bayliss will move into this slot. However, despite some of VVG's occasional back row errors, Bayliss will be a downgrade defensively. She certainly didn't step up when Pitt could have really used a jump start in the 4th vs. Louisville - if I recall, two receiving errors and a 000 hitting %. While she has a bigger arm that VVG, she'll have to become far less predictable than going full tilt cross-court.
*In addition to these personnel changes, I think the team, collectively (with the exception of Babcock and Meyer), needs to be more aggressive serving. Especially against elite teams. In the semis (and vs. OK or Oregon for that matter), I think Pitt was out of system far more than Louisville. In a match where sets 2 and 3 were even, as Fisher said in his post-game interview, they didn't win a few big points. They won those points all season.

 

[PittMBA]

It's now been a week since the NCAA semis...
In retrospect, I believe all 4 teams were capable of beating one another. 'Though Penn State certainly wouldn't have been my odds-on favorite to win the title.
I'm sure that Nebraska, Penn State, Louisville + the 5 and 6 teams, Stanford and Creighton are all looking to reload/upgrade their teams. Regretfully, I don't think Pitt's 2025 front-line players (i.e., starters) will be an upgrade from 2024.
-Fairbanks - I think the best we can hope for from the Haiti/Mosher combination is to APPROACH Fairbanks level of play. No way will it be an upgrade. And off the floor, her leadership presence will be missed.
-Klicka - With all of the "uneven" feedback on the volleyball thread about her performance vis-a-via other top liberos, Fisher was always very supportive and complimentary of her play (at least in public). Again, at best, unless Meyer/Dupes are real surprises, I think the best to hope for is flat year-to-year performance.
-VVG - I would have hoped to see a 6 rotation player come in through the portal. So it appears that for now, Bayliss will move into this slot. However, despite some of VVG's occasional back row errors, Bayliss will be a downgrade defensively. She certainly didn't step up when Pitt could have really used a jump start in the 4th vs. Louisville - if I recall, two receiving errors and a 000 hitting %. While she has a bigger arm that VVG, she'll have to become far less predictable than going full tilt cross-court.
*In addition to these personnel changes, I think the team, collectively (with the exception of Babcock and Meyer), has to be more aggressive serving. Especially against elite teams. In the semis (and vs. OK or Oregon for that matter), I think Pitt was out of system far more than Louisville. In a match where sets 2 and 3 were even, as Fisher said in his post-game interview, they didn't win a few big points. They won those points all season.

few , if any , teams return a core group of talent comparable to Olivia, Torrey, Bre, and Ryla. That’s just a great foundation to re-build around.

I agree we can’t replace Fairbanks - but a combo of Ha’ti and Mosher might be pretty close and better built for a long season than what we had at the position in 2024. Fairbanks simply couldn’t be out of the lineup ever and that takes a physical and mental toll.

I’m excited about the incoming freshman - especially the 5 star OH. She steps in right away - I think we get more diverse offensively of that’s possible.

Bayless is an X factor- huge season for her .

Libero is my biggest question mark - Meyer looked good in limited action and Dinn obviously missed the season with an injury but was highly regarded coming in.

My guess is we’ll add at least 2 more portal players - perhaps pretty big names. Pitt has a great track record with transfers- no reason for that not to continue.

Pre season top 5 seems very likely at this point .

The 2026 class is really exciting. Just keep adding high level talent.

 

[pittdan77]

Pitt has to avoid being passive. Babcock talked about it after the game. You can't do much when a team gets as hot as Louisville did but you can't let off of the gas, either. There were some times this year where I felt like that happened.

Fairbanks was hurt or having conditioning issues the last quarter of the season. She may be done with volleyball. I don't know that for sure but she has struggled at the end of the last two seasons. It's for that reason that I don't worry as much about who replaces her. Ha'ti is good. I'm not overly concerned.

Right now, I look at what Fisher has coming in for the next two classes and I'm not losing a lot of sleep. I really don't think Bayless starts next year and might not even be on the roster. Don't see them doing much more in the portal, either. My guess is that Fisher will go with the freshman on the outside and take his lumps if he has to. Love Val but she struggled at times this year so I don't see that position as much of a change. I'm also not losing as much sleep about the back row. I expect Pitt will lose some games early as the setters get comfortable. If they get better as the season goes, they'll be good.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Pitt has to avoid being passive. Babcock talked about it after the game. You can't do much when a team gets as hot as Louisville did but you can't let off of the gas, either. There were some times this year where I felt like that happened.

Fairbanks was hurt or having conditioning issues the last quarter of the season. She may be done with volleyball. I don't know that for sure but she has struggled at the end of the last two seasons. It's for that reason that I don't worry as much about who replaces her. Ha'ti is good. I'm not overly concerned.

Right now, I look at what Fisher has coming in for the next two classes and I'm not losing a lot of sleep. I really don't think Bayless starts next year and might not even be on the roster. Don't see them doing much more in the portal, either. My guess is that Fisher will go with the freshman on the outside and take his lumps if he has to. Love Val but she struggled at times this year so I don't see that position as much of a change. I'm also not losing as much sleep about the back row. I expect Pitt will lose some games early as the setters get comfortable. If they get better as the season goes, they'll be good.

Can you elaborate more on your bullishness regarding Ha’ti? Is it due to her pedigree out of HS, or things you’ve heard about her since she arrived in Oakland? Or is it a glass half full mindset because you believe in Fisher?

 

[ThePanthers]

I think people need to realize we aren’t only going to lose 2 matches all seasons. Or 16 sets. That was crazy this year

 

[bellvision1]

We only have four (and a quarter) pins on the roster next year. I would hope that we bring in at least one more as a transfer. And maybe a utility player like Flood or Ennis.

Babcock on the right. Stafford, Bayless, and Coleman on the left. Dinn is listed as a S/RS, but she is only 5'9", so I don't think she will get much time hitting. Bayless is the only backup for Babcock.

 

[mike412]

I hope Fisher isn’t counting on Bayliss to be a 6 rotation player. I don’t she ever will be more than a 3 rotation player. But, there is nothing wrong with that. Jurevicious was a 3 rotation player for PSU and was their second leading hitter in the tournament. Same with Andi Jackson for Nebraska. I think Bayliss will be an upgrade over VVG in the front row. She has a bigger swing and is a better blocker.

I think we need to bring in another outside hitter so we can rotate 4 or 5. Babcock was taking too many swings at the end of the year. As good as she is, we can’t overwork her. The Purdue OH would have been great. She is a six rotation player and a very good defensive player. But, she supposedly is going to Louisville.

 

[vantheman1976]

I hope Fisher isn’t counting on Bayliss to be a 6 rotation player. I don’t she ever will be more than a 3 rotation player. But, there is nothing wrong with that. Jurevicious was a 3 rotation player for PSU and was their second leading hitter in the tournament. Same with Andi Jackson for Nebraska. I think Bayliss will be an upgrade over VVG in the front row. She has a bigger swing and is a better blocker.

I think we need to bring in another outside hitter so we can rotate 4 or 5. Babcock was taking too many swings at the end of the year. As good as she is, we can’t overwork her. The Purdue OH would have been great. She is a six rotation player and a very good defensive player. But, she supposedly is going to Louisville.

If Bayless could develop into what Jurevicious achieved at PSU we would be set. Incoming freshman Coleman will compete for the VVG spot with Bayless. If Bayless loses out to Coleman.....or anyone else....would she even stay at Pitt? I think Mosher along with Tautua'a will be a pleasant surprise at setter.....not worried. Tautua's was the #1 recruit from Hawaii 2 years ago. If she fully recovers from her knee injury she will be a big part of the 2025 roster. Mosher is a good addition and I'm pleased that we landed her. She also has experience as an OPP....which she played as a freshman.

On paper...we will have 5 MBs....that's crazy.....Kelley, Jones, Virlan, Garibaldi, and incoming freshman Emch. Every time I have seen Garibaldi......I have been impressed. She's only 5'11" but has springs in her legs that reminds me of Member-Meneh. I would like to know if she could double as a pin hitter. Three MBs is usually enough....4 is a luxury.....5 is too many IMO.

I believe L/DS is still a need. Meyer has shown promise aside from her serving skill. Dupes....the senior add from portal....is a relief for our concerns.....but I'm anxious to know how well she has recovered from her knee injury of 2 years ago. Izzy Masten arrives in 2026 and I'm sure Fisher is expecting great things from her. Another L/DS would be perfect. I wish that it was Griffin....our senior serving specialist....but she's not the answer. Junior portal entry.....Ramsey Gary from Indiana....would be an outstanding add. Kianna Dinn is a wild card.....no idea how good she is.....listed as setter and OPP.....so I'm wondering where she lands on the 2025 roster.

I believe Pitt will be a force again in 2025.....maybe even another final 4.

 

[pittdan77]

Can you elaborate more on your bullishness regarding Ha’ti? Is it due to her pedigree out of HS, or things you’ve heard about her since she arrived in Oakland? Or is it a glass half full mindset because you believe in Fisher?

Jump touch of 10'2" out of HS. Very athletic setter that sets from well above the net so she can run a much faster offense. Was invited to the US National Team open program. Pretty certain Fisher was willing to roll with her as the second setter this year before she got hurt. And yes, my mindset is that Fisher knows what he's doing and is finally putting his program together the way he wants rather than patching things together.

 

[pittdan77]

On paper...we will have 5 MBs....that's crazy.....Kelley, Jones, Virlan, Garibaldi, and incoming freshman Emch. Every time I have seen Garibaldi......I have been impressed. She's only 5'11" but has springs in her legs that reminds me of Member-Meneh. I would like to know if she could double as a pin hitter. Three MBs is usually enough....4 is a luxury.....5 is too many IMO.

I'm not sure Garibaldi is a middle. I know that's where she's training but she may end up moving to opposite. Great defensive player. Just a bit small.

 

[vantheman1976]

I'm not sure Garibaldi is a middle. I know that's where she's training but she may end up moving to opposite. Great defensive player. Just a bit small.

Yep.....maybe our version of Chicoine.

 

[pittdan77]

Yep.....maybe our version of Chicoine.

Yes, and I have to wonder if Babcock won't consider going pro after next year. Would help her with an Olympic bid. National team will almost certainly look a lot different in 2028.

 

[RightSaidTed]

I don’t think it’s fair to judge Bayliss on her performance in limited playing time. That said, next year will be make or break for her to step up and show can play at an elite level.

 

[chrisran24]

I'm not sure Garibaldi is a middle. I know that's where she's training but she may end up moving to opposite. Great defensive player. Just a bit small.

Saw someone on VT predict Garibaldi would transfer to GT - probably just a guess with the South America connections with their coach but interesting to watch for since she seems like our 4th middle at the moment.

I wonder if Emch ends up the backup to Liv at OPP this year because i believe she played both opposite and middle in high school. That would be her best opportunity to see the court i believe rather than being the fifth middle.

Still hope we are in on Ramsey Gary as a transfer libero. Would be at minimum an equivalent level player to Klika if not an upgrade. We seem like as good of a landing spot as anywhere considering our opening at libero/championship aspirations. If not, rolling with only Meyer/Dupes is risky imo. Really should have 3 capable littles on the roster, and so far they have shown no interest in playing Griffin.

Coleman vs Bayless and Haiti vs Mosher will both be important battles to watch in the offseason. Anyone know if Coleman will be in for spring season? If not then definite advantage to Bayless on winning that job, though i only expect her to play 3 rotations barring a huge improvement in passing.

Overall, I still expect Pitt to be ranked #2 or #3 in the country in the preseason rankings. Only Nebraska returns as many total all Americans as we do, and we’re the only squad to return two first team AAs. My guess will be Nebraska one, Pitt two, PSU three

 

[vantheman1976]

Saw someone on VT predict Garibaldi would transfer to GT - probably just a guess with the South America connections with their coach but interesting to watch for since she seems like our 4th middle at the moment.

I wonder if Emch ends up the backup to Liv at OPP this year because i believe she played both opposite and middle in high school. That would be her best opportunity to see the court i believe rather than being the fifth middle.

Still hope we are in on Ramsey Gary as a transfer libero. Would be at minimum an equivalent level player to Klika if not an upgrade. We seem like as good of a landing spot as anywhere considering our opening at libero/championship aspirations. If not, rolling with only Meyer/Dupes is risky imo. Really should have 3 capable littles on the roster, and so far they have shown no interest in playing Griffin.

Coleman vs Bayless and Haiti vs Mosher will both be important battles to watch in the offseason. Anyone know if Coleman will be in for spring season? If not then definite advantage to Bayless on winning that job, though i only expect her to play 3 rotations barring a huge improvement in passing.

Overall, I still expect Pitt to be ranked #2 or #3 in the country in the preseason rankings. Only Nebraska returns as many total all Americans as we do, and we’re the only squad to return two first team AAs. My guess will be Nebraska one, Pitt two, PSU three

At this point in her career....I give Gary the nod over Klika. only because Gary just finished her sophomore year.....and played as well if not better than Klika who was a senior. I think both were 2nd team all conference. Pitt would have Meyer (sophomore), Gary (Junior), Dupes (senior), and Masten coming in a s a freshman in 2026 in the L/DL role.....ideal sequencing year over year.

Never thought of Emch as an opposite......interesting. By the way.....Chicoine finally announced she going to Louisville.....important and very good transfer for them.

 

[phijo]

At this point in her career....I give Gary the nod over Klika. only because Gary just finished her sophomore year.....and played as well if not better than Klika who was a senior. I think both were 2nd team all conference. Pitt would have Meyer (sophomore), Gary (Junior), Dupes (senior), and Masten coming in a s a freshman in 2026 in the L/DL role.....ideal sequencing year over year.

Never thought of Emch as an opposite......interesting. By the way.....Chicoine finally announced she going to Louisville.....important and very good transfer for them.

Yeah, she suits their style. I think she is a very good undersized PIN.

 

[persp]

At this point in her career....I give Gary the nod over Klika. only because Gary just finished her sophomore year.....and played as well if not better than Klika who was a senior. I think both were 2nd team all conference. Pitt would have Meyer (sophomore), Gary (Junior), Dupes (senior), and Masten coming in a s a freshman in 2026 in the L/DL role.....ideal sequencing year over year.

Never thought of Emch as an opposite......interesting. By the way.....Chicoine finally announced she going to Louisville.....important and very good transfer for them.

Wasnt Babcock considered a middle at one point in her recruitment? Maybe Fish likes athletic middles as attacking opposites like the rape enabler liked moving running backs to LB?

 

[Fk_Pitt]

At this the way.....Chicoine finally announced she going to Louisville.....important and very good transfer for them.

Ugh. That’s a gut punch.

 

[MartyInLawrenceville]

I’m really excited to see Virlan next season. I view her as kind of a silent assassin. I thought she performed well when in this year. I know she was a highly thought of player in Romania. It was good to have Nisa this season, as she seemed to have taken Virlan and Garibaldi under her wing, helping them to acclimate to the US.

 

[pittdan77]

Wasnt Babcock considered a middle at one point in her recruitment? Maybe Fish likes athletic middles as attacking opposites like the rape enabler liked moving running backs to LB?

I don't recall if that's the case or not but you are seeing opposites that are a bit more dynamic starting to emerge as more of the norm. Big problem for a lot of teams has been the inability to attack from both pins. That's held PSU back for a while and they certainly got that fixed.

Having such a wealth of talent that you're losing players to the portal should be seen as a good thing. Especially when you have three first and second team All-Americans coming back and some good talent coming into the program out of high school.

 

[pittdan77]

I don’t think it’s fair to judge Bayliss on her performance in limited playing time. That said, next year will be make or break for her to step up and show can play at an elite level.

The fact that Bayless couldn't push VVG says a lot about why she had limited playing time. This was her year to take over. I know she was hurt but she should have been pushing. Her back row play is the sticking point, I think, and that's a big problem.

 

[mike412]

I don’t understand why people think Bayliss’ back row play is important. Did all of you watch the NCAA tournament? Did you notice that we were the team that substituted the least because Babcock, Stafford and VVG all played in the back row and we only used 3 hitters and one libero?

Anyone see Andi Jackson in the back row? What about Reese Robins? Jurevicious? Kentucky’s best hitter is DeLeye and she also is their best server and an adequate defender, so she played in the back row. But, two of the 4 hitters they used never played in the back. There is absolutely no reason that Bayless’ future at Pitt be governed about whether she can play defense in the back row. Not only did Jurevicious not play in the back row, but she played almost exclusively on the right side when she was in the front row. Whatever her position was supposed to have been in the rotation, she ended up on the right because she hits much better from there.

If we can get her, Ramsey Gary would IMO make us a pretty clear choice for a top 2 team next year because she would give us a lot of flexibility in the back. She probably is the best returning libero in the country. Plus, both her and Mosher give a team more flexibility. There were quite a few posts on VolleyballTalk that Pitt would be her best choice unless she is committed to staying in the Big Ten.

 

[mike412]

The big transfer portal entry today is Averi Carlson, the starting setter for Texas. She only was at Texas for one year, after transferring from Baylor.

Her likely landing spot might be SMU. SMU’s coach recruited her to Baylor when she was the HC there. And, the posters on the VolleyballTalk board think Texas, Nebraska and SMU, in some order, have the most NIL money in volleyball.

 

[Jakehyper09]

The fact that Bayless couldn't push VVG says a lot about why she had limited playing time. This was her year to take over. I know she was hurt but she should have been pushing. Her back row play is the sticking point, I think, and that's a big problem.

They were never gonna let her take VVG spot

 

[pittdan77]

They were never gonna let her take VVG spot

Well, no. She hasn't been good enough.

 

[persp]

I’m really excited to see Virlan next season. I view her as kind of a silent assassin. I thought she performed well when in this year. I know she was a highly thought of player in Romania. It was good to have Nisa this season, as she seemed to have taken Virlan and Garibaldi under her wing, helping them to acclimate to the US.

Idk about Virlan. She doesn't seem very athletic to me. She's long, but gangly and awkward looking when Ive seen her play. She doesnt scream "future AA" like someone like Ryla Jones does.

She's young though so there's room to grow and improve

 

[chrisran24]

I don’t understand why people think Bayliss’ back row play is important. Did all of you watch the NCAA tournament? Did you notice that we were the team that substituted the least because Babcock, Stafford and VVG all played in the back row and we only used 3 hitters and one libero?

Anyone see Andi Jackson in the back row? What about Reese Robins? Jurevicious? Kentucky’s best hitter is DeLeye and she also is their best server and an adequate defender, so she played in the back row. But, two of the 4 hitters they used never played in the back. There is absolutely no reason that Bayless’ future at Pitt be governed about whether she can play defense in the back row. Not only did Jurevicious not play in the back row, but she played almost exclusively on the right side when she was in the front row. Whatever her position was supposed to have been in the rotation, she ended up on the right because she hits much better from there.

Gotta look at the difference between positions. An outside hitter is expected to receive serve even when they are in the front row. The names you mentioned are a middle, opposite, and opposite. I’ve said this to you multiple times before on various posts but an opposite (Babcock, Jurevicious, Robbins, etc) and an outside hitter (Stafford, VVG, Bayless) do not have the same responsibilities. When you have a lineup where your back row includes your setter, the outside hitter in the front is expected to receive serve and pass. And Bayless was awful at that this year. A DS can replace her in the back but that doesn’t help in her front row rotations

 

[RightSaidTed]

Never doubted Olivia was coming back, but this would seem to confirm it.

 

[mike412]

Gotta look at the difference between positions. An outside hitter is expected to receive serve even when they are in the front row. The names you mentioned are a middle, opposite, and opposite. I’ve said this to you multiple times before on various posts but an opposite (Babcock, Jurevicious, Robbins, etc) and an outside hitter (Stafford, VVG, Bayless) do not have the same responsibilities. When you have a lineup where your back row includes your setter, the outside hitter in the front is expected to receive serve and pass. And Bayless was awful at that this year. A DS can replace her in the back but that doesn’t help in her front row rotations

Please. The distinction between Outside Hitters and Opposites is a distinction without a difference. You can give an Opposite the duties of an Outside Hitter without missing a beat. You think Jurevicious is a 3 rotation player because she hits from the right side? She obviously comes out because they have better second row options.

In Pitt’s normal rotation, Babcock and Stafford both hit from the left and right sides. Both play in the back row and both serve. And you are trying to tell us that there is a big difference between their duties? Watch a match some time instead of reading some old manuscript about how the game supposedly is played.

 

[Pitt Fish]

Saying RS and OH are identical is silly. Chris is 100% correct that many/most OH's (leftside attackers) are also required to be in serve receive even when they are playing in the front row. Olivia Babcock plays all 6 rotations but is never in serve receive - NEVER, EVER. We only used 3 players in serve receive regardless of their location in front or back. Klicka, Stafford and VVG are the 3 regular players receiving serve all season long. Even if you only play an OH in the front row - they are still typically involved in serve receive.

If pin attackers are also good in serve receive that allows them to be outside hitters. It's more likely Jurevicious or any RS is a RS because she is not as good in serve receive. The place you could play Bayless if you only wanted her as a front row blocker/attacker is RS for 3 rotations, but we already have the best RS in the country so that's out. It's what allows Robbins at UL or Sabrina Starks a few years ago to play RS. They are basically MB type players playing at RS.

Babcock and Stafford take limited swings from the other side when their starting position on the court forces a swing from the other side, before they have a chance to slide over. So when Babcock starts in Position 4, she may take a left side swing before heading right. Same thing happens in a HS game. Babcock can take a swing from anywhere and be effective as can Torrey, but they are playing specific positions with different responsibilities. Your RS also is responsible for blocking the other teams outside hitters - who are usually the opponent's best attackers.

 

[chrisran24]

Please. The distinction between Outside Hitters and Opposites is a distinction without a difference. You can give an Opposite the duties of an Outside Hitter without missing a beat. You think Jurevicious is a 3 rotation player because she hits from the right side? She obviously comes out because they have better second row options.

In Pitt’s normal rotation, Babcock and Stafford both hit from the left and right sides. Both play in the back row and both serve. And you are trying to tell us that there is a big difference between their duties? Watch a match some time instead of reading some old manuscript about how the game supposedly is played.

Per Evollve, Torrey Stafford received 636 serves this year, most on the team. Olivia Babcock received 2. So yea, pretty big difference between their duties.

 

[veryrustyred]

I recently watched the post-NCAA Final Four edition of Mick Haley's Six Rotations.
His colleague, Daniel Gillman, predicted that Fisher would be...to use Gillman's words, coaching a team wearing red, white, and blue next year. He and Haley offered they they thought there were two candidates.
Needless to say, it would be great for Fisher to achieve something he aspires to.
...But not so much for Pitt Volleyball, regardless of who the reins might be turned over to.

 

[persp]

I recently watched the post-NCAA Final Four edition of Mick Haley's Six Rotations.
His colleague, Daniel Gillman, predicted that Fisher would be...to use Gillman's words, coaching a team wearing red, white, and blue next year. He and Haley offered they they thought there were two candidates.
Needless to say, it would be great for Fisher to achieve something he aspires to.
...But not so much for Pitt Volleyball, regardless of who the reins might be turned over to.

I just dont see Fisher taking a 50% pay cut

 

[Jakehyper09]

I recently watched the post-NCAA Final Four edition of Mick Haley's Six Rotations.
His colleague, Daniel Gillman, predicted that Fisher would be...to use Gillman's words, coaching a team wearing red, white, and blue next year. He and Haley offered they they thought there were two candidates.
Needless to say, it would be great for Fisher to achieve something he aspires to.
...But not so much for Pitt Volleyball, regardless of who the reins might be turned over to.

He wont leave. But even if he did, Kellen would be promoted and we wouldnt lose a single player

 

[mike412]

Louisville starts DeBeer and Luper in the front row along with one of their MBs. So, which one is the OH and which one is the Opposite? Both play 6 rotations. Both serve. DeBeer had 275 digs; Luper had 242.

On the roster, both are listed as OH. So is Maldonado-Diaz and so is Peterson. The only Opposite listed on the roster is Robins. She also is the only one who only plays 3 rotations. The notion of starting an OH on one side and an OPP on the other is outmoded. Teams start their best combinations. Pitt started three players who played 6 rotations as pins: Babcock, Stafford and VVG. You assign duties based on who is good at different tasks, not on the basis of some artificial designation of who starts on the right side and who starts on the left side.

If Bayliss is our third best hitter next year, she can play 3 rotations. If Fisher uses her in the back row too because that is what some old book says, he wouldn’t be the coach who has gotten us to four straight Final Fours. Just like Robins plays 3 rotations for Louisville. Just like Jurevicious and Camryn Hannah did for PSU. Hannah played in the back row quite a bit at Clemson but that was reduced significantly in her last two years at PSU. That wasn’t because she changed positions; it was because PSU had other players who were better in the back row.

You are allowed 15 substitutions per set in volleyball. We almost never used them. PSU almost always used most of them. (Against Louisville in the second set they used them all and had to play two DS in the back row at the end of the set because they couldn’t take either out.) IMO in 2025 we need to get Bayliss more time in the front row. She has a powerful arm and she is a good blocker. But, unless she improves a lot in serve/receive she needs to be a 3 rotation player. No matter what anyone wants to call her.

 

[chrisran24]

Louisville starts DeBeer and Luper in the front row along with one of their MBs. So, which one is the OH and which one is the Opposite? Both play 6 rotations. Both serve. DeBeer had 275 digs; Luper had 242.

On the roster, both are listed as OH. So is Maldonado-Diaz and so is Peterson. The only Opposite listed on the roster is Robins. She also is the only one who only plays 3 rotations. The notion of starting an OH on one side and an OPP on the other is outmoded. Teams start their best combinations. Pitt started three players who played 6 rotations as pins: Babcock, Stafford and VVG. You assign duties based on who is good at different tasks, not on the basis of some artificial designation of who starts on the right side and who starts on the left side.

If Bayliss is our third best hitter next year, she can play 3 rotations. If Fisher uses her in the back row too because that is what some old book says, he wouldn’t be the coach who has gotten us to four straight Final Fours. Just like Robins plays 3 rotations for Louisville. Just like Jurevicious and Camryn Hannah did for PSU. Hannah played in the back row quite a bit at Clemson but that was reduced significantly in her last two years at PSU. That wasn’t because she changed positions; it was because PSU had other players who were better in the back row.

You are allowed 15 substitutions per set in volleyball. We almost never used them. PSU almost always used most of them. (Against Louisville in the second set they used them all and had to play two DS in the back row at the end of the set because they couldn’t take either out.) IMO in 2025 we need to get Bayliss more time in the front row. She has a powerful arm and she is a good blocker. But, unless she improves a lot in serve/receive she needs to be a 3 rotation player. No matter what anyone wants to call her.

Louisville has never once played both DeBeer and Luper in the front row together because they are both outside hitters. They play opposite rotations from each other, when one moves to the back row to serve the other moves from the back to the front. But both receive serve whether they are in the front or the back. Maldonado Diaz and Robbins both play opposite for Louisville because they run a 6-2, so Robbins subs in for Cabello in the front row and SMD subs in for Glock in the front row. Neither return serves for Louisville.

I’m not disagreeing with the ability to play a DS for Bayless in the back row. But here’s the problem. When Pitt has a rotation with Stafford/Setter/Libero or even Stafford/Babcock/Libero in the back and Bayless/Middle/Babcock or Setter in the front - who is receiving serve? Are you only going to use two passers in those rotations? Or force Babcock to pass? You see the issue here? Penn State plays two DSpecs, one for Hannah and one for Jurevicious, so Hannah was only passing for them in one rotation. But we would not be putting in a DS for Babcock. So that’s a problem

 

[Pitt Fish]

I was typing my response at the same time as Chris who beat me to the punch. Mike you are just wrong and that's fine. You are confused on the roles of RS and OH, where they are playing, etc. None of this has to do with an old book. Fish and Kellen are putting our best line-ups out there with the players on the roster - just like every other coach. And OH's help with serve receive because that's their role.

Luper and DeBeer both play OH and that's been the case for the past 2 years since Luper transferred in to take Chausse's spot. That means they are 3 rotations apart and never play in the same row at the same time. I turned on the first point of our semifinal match and DeBeer is serving in position 1 (backrow) and Luper is in position 4 (front row). As they progress through the positions, Anna will never catch up to Charity. They both receive serve (just like Pitt's OH's and almost all other teams).

Chris is also correct on Robbins/SMD splitting time with the setters in the 6-2 system.

Nebraska ran 3 littles this season with a libero and 2 DSs. Which allowed them to get away with not having Landfair (OH2) have to receive serve. Those switches then use up all of your 15 subs and removes any possibility for the serving specialists that we have been using. Also, nobody else in the country had 3 littles as good as Rodriguez, Mauch and Choboy.