Texas's outsides are unreal with their athleticism and power. Their middles too are outstanding and ridiculously athletic (especially Butler). I'm rooting for Wisconsin, but honestly Kentucky vs. Texas would be a more compelling title game IMO with both teams having insanely good hitters.
Agree. This is one of the best all-around Texas teams I have seen over the past decade. That makes Kentucky's play all the more impressive.
It'll be interesting to see how Kentucky does next season without Lilley. She is possibly the best setter in the college game I have seen in awhile. Her pace and placement of the ball to her hitters really made the Wildcat offense to me the most efficient in the nation. I was also very impressed how they handled the pressure of the moment as if they were there before. It looked as if it didn't affect them at all.
Definitely. SEC needs to do it consistently for a while to catch up. Need more than 1 or 2 programs being contenders as well.
Is Curry coming back too? She was instrumental defensively. Lilley was something else though, absolutely a magnificent setter with her reads and consistent location. Kentucky has fantastic hitters but I'm not sure I've seen a collegiate setter just nail almost every set in perfect tempo like Lilley does, and she consistently getting her hitters one on one opportunities. Texas should be the favorite going into next year, they have almost everyone back and some excellent defensive players. Eggleston/Fields are absolute beasts on the left and their middles are phenomenal. I think next year they're the heavy favorites with Wisconsin/Minnesota/Nebraska/Kentucky all losing major pieces.
I believe Curry is a senior also and what a job she did too in the final. I hope that Lilley gets some serious consideration for the USNT. As for Texas, I wonder if they can get over the hump. I feel as if they continue to underachieve with all the talent they have but at least they made it to the final this season.
Yes, but only kind of. The sport is played at a very low level in many of the high schools throughout much of the SEC footprint compared to the PAC12 and B1G, the two dominant conferences. That's changing some now, but it's been a slow process of building for a lot of teams.
I think Texas will get there if they build off this season. Their defense/passing was much improved this year (and last year), and I thought despite not winning it all, they in no way underachieved this season. They are solid at libero/setting positions and elite on the outside and in the middle. I'm just glad we get to see more volleyball in 4 months.