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Pitt Volleyball Spring Scrimmage #1 vs Ohio State

Fellow POVers – our Roving Reporter for volleyball, Annie, has written a very detailed article on Pitt’s women’s volleyball team’s scrimmage against Ohio State last Saturday and as always, it is a fine piece of work – thanks Annie!!  Below are four new players of VB Coach Fisher’s highest rated recruiting class in Pitt’s history. Also – here is a list of “Volleyball Glossary and Terms” for we fans who aren’t as knowledgeable as some…

Fisher Signs Highest Rated Class in Program History - Pitt Panthers #H2P

April 1, 2023

Ohio State visited Pitt for their first volleyball (VB) scrimmage of the spring season. I had rather low expectations for the scrimmage since Pitt only has eight players on their spring roster. The team is too small to have live game scrimmages at practice, so they worked a lot on fundamentals and did drills. We will be adding two grad transfers and four highly rated freshmen this summer.

Because of the small roster, Pitt brought back two of our graduate players from the fall, Serena Gray and Cam Ennis. Pitt was without OH Juliana Dalton, who stayed on the bench and was on crutches.

Ohio State also had a short roster. They came with 10 players, Pitt had nine. One of the OSU players was an early-enrolled freshman from nearby North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Mia Tuman. She was the PA Gatorade Player of the Year for the past two years and earned four PA state championships with NA. She is a setter. Her mother, Molly, was on the US National VB Team and her dad, Jerame, was a tight end with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pretty good athletic lineage.

SET 1

Pitt lineup: Lexis Alkeo (S), Rachel Jepsen (MB), Valeria Vasques Gomez (OH), Rachel Fairbanks (S/RS), Cat Flood (OH), Serena Gray (MB), Emmy Klika (L) OSU started out fast and took a 5-1 lead. OSU had two players who were dominating at the net- #7, a 6’3” rising sophomore OH and #22, a 6’3” rising senior RS. Pitt had a hard time getting past their blocks.

Pitt finally took the lead at 12-11, and scoring was back and forth until they tied at 21. Pitt lost the first set 25-22. My note from set one was that Rachel Jepsen still needed work. She’s young, but we will need her to be a strong middle if we hope to compete with the best teams.

Several of her hits were just taps, perhaps she just hasn’t had enough time to develop timing with the setters. Akeo set from the back and Fairbanks played RS in the front and set from the back, just as they did last year. Dillyn Griffin (DS) did not play in set 1. I can’t remember if Cam Ennis (S/OH) did either.

SET 2

Akeo sat out this set and Dillyn Griffin was in. Cam Ennis was the second setter. For OSU, they had a new setter who is a rising sophomore and locally trained from Seneca Valley H.S. in Cranberry. Cat Flood had three nice kills and served a pair of aces, something she excelled at last season. She has really increased her arm speed and strength.

With Pitt leading 9-4 OSU called a timeout (TO). OSU called another TO at 17-14. Pitt made a few errors, and at 21-20 OSU leading, Pitt called a TO. Pitt then went on to take set 2 25-23. Cat Flood had two big points to end the set, a block and a kill. She’s playing really solidly.

SET 3

Tuman was back setting for OSU, Akeo returned for Pitt and played all six rotations. This really hurt us when she was in the front line since she is short and not a factor in blocking. Cam Ennis sat the set out. I’m guessing since she finished her eligibility in the fall she has not been practicing and probably needed a breather.

It could be that Coach Fisher was trying out different player combinations, too. Pitt took the lead and didn’t look back. At 17-13 Pitt leading, OSU called a TO. OSU rallied to 18-17, then Pitt caught fire again and won 25-22. OSU had two costly service errors at the end of the set.

SET 4

Cam Ennis returned to set and #5 for OSU returned to set also. Vasquez Gomez hit from the back line, something not seen much last year. Fairbanks hit from the back line too, but I forget which set that was. Back line attacks are something I don’t remember seeing us do last year, so hopefully this is another attack area we can master this year. Pitt served very strong all match long, something they were known for last year also.

The rotations changed several times this set. We are lucky that Cam Ennis is so versatile, as she played Setter, OH and RS. Cat Flood played OH and RS also. Fairbanks set and hit RS. With the score 15-11 Pitt, OSU called a TO. Pitt stretched it to18-11, then OSU rallied, and at 18-15, Pitt called a TO. OSU scored a few crazy points in transition. OSU made a few dumb mistakes, and at 22-16 OSU calls their last TO.  Pitt wins 25-18.

Serena Gray was her outstanding self. I made a note to check if Gray could come back for one more year but unfortunately, she cannot. Rachel Jepsen looked like the inexperienced player she is in the first set but got better as the match went on and made some very nice plays. Pitt players were scrambling on the floor and saved quite a few errant passes. Emmy Klika was great at libero and that will be a solid position for us. Both Vasquez Gomez and Flood looked good too.

I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw today. My concern will be with the middle position. We will get a grad transfer from Michigan St. this summer but need at LEAST one more middle from the portal. I think Jepsen still needs one more year to fully develop, but we may not have that luxury. Having such a small lineup may help us in the long run, since the players must be flexible enough to play several positions. That will be important in the case of injuries.

Pitt wins the scrimmage 3-1. Next week James Madison comes to the Field House.

(Editor’s Note: Pitt has two more Spring scrimmages on tap – here is the schedule.  For some reason I couldn’t find the actual upcoming 2023 season’s schedule.  Here are the stats for the 2022 version of the team so you can see what the returning players did in that fantastic season.  With that here is Pitt’s really nice “2022 Season Notes” with tons of info at a glance.)

HTP!

90 thoughts on “Pitt Volleyball Spring Scrimmage #1 vs Ohio State”

  1. Again, and I seem to say this all the time, but you won’t find this type of detailed college sports coverage in any other blog…or perhaps even from professional outlets either.

    This is the fantastic by-product of having readers who know their stuff and who aren’t afraid of putting pen to paper (you know what I mean) and submitting their thoughts to be published. For those who haven’t done that yet – please do give it a try and I’ll work with you to get it into article form.

    Reed

    Liked by 3 people

  2. Fantastic write-up ! Who needs a SID (sports information department) when you hav the roster of POV writers ?

    In case you missed it at the end of the last thread, Pitt to name a new Chancellor at 11 a.m. this morning.

    Like

  3. Fantastic write up Annie! I may retire and let you handle the volleyball reporting this year!

    For Reed: The 2023 Women’s Volleyball schedule will not come out for a while yet. Typically, coaches want to know what their lineup looks like for the fall before making the schedule. If a team is very young, a coach may schedule the out-of-conference schedule weaker at the beginning of the season. Coach Fisher does not seem to have that sort of mind set though.

    I am not surprised Dalton did not play. From the sound of it, the procedure was not minor. I hope she comes back to full strength before the training for this season starts in the summer.

    Jepsen hopefully will progress quickly. We really need her to live up to her hype! She looked pretty good in clean-up roles last year. The graduate transfer from Michigan State is no Serena Gray and looks to be our second-best option behind an improved Jepsen.

    We definitely need a third middle. The only other option is to have one of our freshmen develop into a right-side/middle player. Wisconsin and BYU along with others are starting to go this route. This allows two really strong players who both share the same natural position to be on the court at the same time. Typically, it is a middle developed to play the outside but at 6′-5″ incoming freshman Olivia Babcock could also be a force in the middle.

    It appears Cat Flood is working hard to see the floor as an OH/RS. Hopefully she can win a starting spot. There is no way though Babcock will not start this coming year. She is that good! If Pitt is to be successful this year, Olivia will need to be the ACC freshman of the year.

    If we are going to have Akeo playing all six rotations, we are in serious, serious trouble. Just kidding. There is no way this is going to happen. We have a good third setter coming in our freshman class.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Annie, you should have become a sports reporter…excellent job……Hey, Tribune and PG you both could upgrade your sports coverage. Pitt’s VB future based on your optimism seems very bright. I have complete faith that Coach Fisher will do a superior job getting the team ready. You pointed out that we have a very promising group of incoming talent and hopefully we will be able to shore up our depth through the portal. On to another strong year for women’s volleyball….oh, how we need a good women’s basket ball coach!!

    Liked by 2 people

  5. I’m not very happy with Heathers search for a women’s basketball coach! Her only real candidate is Tori Verdi HC UMASS. He was at E Michigan with her before being hired at UMass where he’s been for 21 years. Yes, Tori is a “he” and would be a retread at Pitt.

    Remember that it doesn’t matter how competent you are as HC, it’s all about recruiting ACC Competent players. I’d rather she hire a young dynamic Asst Coach from a big league program with something to prove! Keep hunting Heather. Find that “Diamond in the rough!” She’s out there!!!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Pitt is very guarded with their candidates. Always has been. I wouldn’t read too much into that. Her MO is to hire ACC assistants so I still suspect that will be the case here as well.

      Like

  6. You know what would be great Annie & John in SC? We readers need a real quick overview of the game of volleyball – game basics, scoring, what positions do what and the importance of these positions, etc…

    You both have created a whole new flock of Pitt POV VB fans and it would be really helpful to have you share some of your knowledge with us virtual newcomers to the game.

    Liked by 2 people

        1. I will put together some basic articles on volleyball in the next couple of months. They may be a bit boring to some so we will see how it goes.

          Liked by 1 person

    2. Fantastic job Annie! PITT is a women volleyball school….too.

      I’m with you Reed, there is room for two and Annie and John will make a great pair for our women volleyball fix.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Excellent job, Annie! Thank you.

    OT – I agree with Dan on the women’s BB Coach search. It will be interesting to compare who WVU hires with who we hire…

    (If it’s Verdi, I did check UMass’s roster, and at least they did have a couple 6-4 type post players…)

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I thought that was well written and accurate. During the first set I was thinking, “Omg we are in trouble”. It was clear that the team had not done much live game playing beforehand- how could they with only 7 healthy players? Jepsen’s continued development and/ or finding a strong middle in the portal will be crucial for the fall. A college coach who was recruiting my son told us that all he really needs is a strong setter and good middles. All other positions are a dime a dozen.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. MM I checked the UMASS roster also… but height as you know can be deceiving when it come to talent. UMASS does not compete in a high level conference with premier players at almost every school….Heather, do what you have to do…take your time and make the right choice. I agree with both you and Dan that we need a woman as a coach who can probably better relate to today’s young players.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. From E.J. Borghetti:

    April 3, 2023​

    Head Coaching Change Announced for Pitt Gymnastics

    “PITTSBURGH—University of Pittsburgh Director of Athletics Heather Lyke announced today a head coaching change for the Pitt gymnastics program, which had been led the past six seasons by Samantha Snider.

    “On behalf of our entire department, I want to convey my deepest appreciation to Coach Snider for her passionate commitment to Pitt gymnastics,” Lyke said. “We wish Samantha the very best in her future pursuits.

    “Watching the NCAA Gymnastics Regional Championships at the Petersen Events Center this past weekend only reinforced my belief that our program can be a major contender in the ACC and nationally. As we anticipate the completion of new training and competition venues as part of Victory Heights, the potential for Pitt gymnastics has never been higher. We will conduct the search for our next head coach immediately and I expect the opportunity to attract national interest.”

    Like

  11. Joan T.A. Gabel, president and chief executive of the University of Minnesota System and Twin Cities campus, has been named 19th chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh.

    Gabel will be the first woman to lead the University since its founding in 1787.

    H2P!!!

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Pitt has a new Chancellor… Joan Gabel. University of Minnesota President.
    Will be interesting to hear her views on athletics.
    U Minnesota is an urban university with a new(er) on-campus stadium.
    I believe her predecessor oversaw that development though.

    Like

    2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntington_Bank_Stadium

      Stadium proposal
      The push for a new on-campus stadium for Golden Gopher football began in the fall of 2000. The university cited poor revenue and lack of a college football atmosphere at the off-campus Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome as their main reasons for wanting to move back on campus. A plan for a joint Minnesota Vikings/University of Minnesota football stadium was proposed in 2002, but differences over how the stadium would be designed and managed, as well as state budget constraints, led to the plan’s failure. In September 2003 a highly publicized attempt was made by T. Denny Sanford to be the lead donor for the project, but in early 2004 the plan fell through when the two parties were unable to come to an agreement on the financial terms. The university unveiled preliminary stadium drawings and a general plan to seek state money and donations in December 2003. On March 24, 2005, the university and TCF Bank announced a deal that would have the bank contribute $35 million towards the project which would give them naming rights. The deal was given an expiration date of December 31, 2005; time enough for the Minnesota Legislature to provide the bulk of funding needed to make the project a reality.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. There is one major error in that article. The number of substitutions allowed per match went from 12 to 15 in 2012. I missed that when I wrote the article.

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    1. OK – I’ll put it on my calendar. Just need to know when the VB season starts or at least the month.

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  15. Great article on the volleyball match, Annie. Don’t know how you were able to keep notes as the match was being played. Volleyball is pretty much non-stop action. From the Twitter photos it appeared to be a better crowd than I would have expected. Nice to see. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the match.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. The thing that impressed me most about UConn’s run is their amazing defense, very few open shots allowed. Many blocks and steals. Secondly they prove that a team that consistently makes more three point shots is hard to beat.
    Three NC’s under three different coaches, impressive.

    Like

  20. Annie, great job on the volleyball article!!!

    Isnore99, I disagree with Pitt taking its time with the women’s basketball hire. Coaching hires are often luke playing musical chairs and too often Pitt is the player left standing. I reference the Shawn Watson hire among others.

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    1. ??? Taking time to hire a new coach…..get it right if you find a winner in one week or 1 month. Our women’s basketball team is just plain lousy…not they don’t try to play hard, but simply because we have a lack of talent in an excellent conference. A major part of coaching is recruiting (See Capel)….the rumored head coach at UMASS just might be the greatest possibility since toast was invented, however UMASS is basically a so so program against major conference teams….hmmmm.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. The UMass coach strikes me as a lazy hire, someone she already had a relationship with, not the best possible hire. The department knew early in the season that White was likely to be replaced and the coaching list should have been completed long ago.

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  21. NCAA tourney shows team seeding is in need of major overhaul. Almost better if it was random or done by the number of wins or expanding the number of teams.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. The Aztecs got a ton of shots off, some undefended, but couldn’t hit the side of a barn. UCONN has a good defense but it was poor shooting by San Diego State that lost that game.

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    1. Reed they held the Aztecs and Miami to 59 points and Gonzaga to 54. They all had poor shooting nights. UConn’s defense was great.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. OT – I was looking something up on the football roster, and I’ve come to the conclusion that this, as far as heights and weights, may be the largest football team Pitt has ever had.

    Those 5’9” DBs, who used to be so prevalent, are all gone except for Williams who is listed at 5’9” and is super quick. But the young DBs are taller now.

    From Williams we go all the way up to OT Baer who is 6’7” and 335#…. I’m wondering if D. Hayes has gotten too big to play DE. He’s listed at 6’3” and 270#.

    What I was looking up was to see whether the WR speedster, Che, had put on any weight. He was listed as 5-10 and 165 last season and he looked every pound of it. This year they have him listed as 175 pounds. Progress!

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Forgot to mention – the “large players” approach extends to the QB room:

      Phil J. ……….6-5, 235
      Christian V. ..6-4, 220
      Nate Y. ………6-6, 215
      Ty D. ………….6-6, 210

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 2 people

  25. Two members of the Pitt women’s volleyball incoming freshmen class have been named to the @usavolleyball U19 NORCECA Pan American Cup Training Roster. They are Olivia Babcock and Blaire Bayless. Congratulations future Panthers! To read more go to the Women’s Volleyball news tab at Pitt’s Athletic site.

    Liked by 2 people

  26. In the least surprising news of the offseason …

    I’m guessing Capel was honest about the pecking order of the team and his portal strategy.

    Liked by 2 people

  27. I’ve been trying to find the words to discuss LSU’s Angel Reese’s flaunting by shoving her had in Caitlin’s Clark’s face following a 15 Pt win for the Nat Champ when she was sure the cameras were on her
    It’s hard to discuss because of the racial implications and egregious nature of the act. But here goes…

    First let me say that I’ve seen Angel play in HS at St Francis (where our recruit Carrington is from) and again at MD. She is a terrific basketball player but often out of control. She comes from an inner city environment where that kind of in your face behavior is common. Baltimore crime has gotten so bad that I just turned down ticks for Os Pirates on May 15 for my wife and I.

    Having said that, the fact that the game was over and she followed Clark around with this gang sign four or five times in her face, I find it intolerable, rude, inflammatory and the epitome of poor sportsmanship!! (And Many other things o cannot say!) if you read the Facebook comments we are on the verge of a race war.

    I also believe that incredibly biased
    and god awful reffing played a part.

    I know I’m old school but
    I always coached players to play hard but with manners that show respect for everyone on the floor. If any of my players (and I know it’s been 17 years since I coached) ever did that, I would take their uniform and they’d be off the team. To get it back, they’d have to write a letter of apology to the offended player, myself and the team. And I still may not take them back. What a ruination if a good game and two great teams. I am now forever an Iowa Ladies Fan (except when they play Pitt)!
    But when you have a ostentatious coach like Kim Mulkey who makes the game all about her with her gaudy outfits ….. it’s easy to see the precedent sent!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. In my very humble opinion and this reply will be short (probably will not be allowed to be posted) America is missing something in its basic fabric….the concept of sportsmanship, the ability to GRACEFULLY accept winning and yes, losing. Politics is strictly forbidden on the POV so without naming any individual or party it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to not see the change that has come over America…..every election is false, the winners “cheated”
      and the ability to concede to the winner is being replaced with vitriol, Sports is a mirror of our society and the history of our sports teams and individual participants is woven into our fabric….see #42….see integrated college teams (Pitt Sugar Bowl history) ….see the rise of women in sports (Billie Jean King vs Bobby Riggs) ad infinitum.

      The Angel//Clark confrontation is the canary in the coal mine….we need strong voices to speak out against the displays of hate that are too often becoming commonplace in our country.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I disagree to an extent. I could go back to every decade and point out similar and much much worse situations than this. If anything sports are softer now. I think recency bias is at play here. The only difference is that you used to have to expect to be punched in the face if you did something like that … but getting punched in the face never stopped anyone so it wasn’t really a deterrent.

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  28. I don’t know. Clark talks a lot of trash. Like a lot. And LSU going into the game was articulating how disrespectful they felt Clark was being throughout the entire tourney. I think Angel’s emotions just got the best of her. Clark was the chip on the shoulder LSU was using as motivation for the game. I like trash talk. I think it’s fun. Like I always say, I’m the guy pointing to the scoreboard but I’m also the guy you have to point out the scoreboard too. Haha. Sports are meant to be fun above all else for me. Teams that win but are joyless annoy me. You can ask my kids … if I don’t see them having fun, win or lose, I get on them for it. I better see smiles during a game. Angel went too far but so did Clark. She was yapping the entire game (tourney), too. And to her credit she let the Angel stuff go. If you dish it you have to take it and she took it. In my opinion nothing more than emotions. I get why people did not like it. I agree it was unnecessary. But, it was likely stemming from some context we’re not privy to and emotions just bubbling over. Clark rightly or wrongly put a target on her back with her confidence. LSU did not take kindly to it. Whatever gives you your edge. I also think people just like to argue and made this way bigger than it is/was … which was just part of the blood sweat and tears of competition. No regrets. What happened, happened. Doesn’t change the outcome of the game or society. Sometimes things are just singular events. They don’t have to mean more. You don’t have to like your competition. Sports are better when you don’t. Bad blood is the best blood in athletics. Haha. Just a good old start to a rivalry. The ESPYS are probably already drooling over reuniting them in peace for the awards show.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tossing – I expected you to be the first to respond and agree with most of your comments. Except do it during the game. Not after you’ve crushed a team by 15 points! Not after the handshake line!
      That is rubbing it in big time and nothing but th- g behavior!

      Good column by Zeiss yesterday saying the women’s tourney was much more interesting than the men’s.

      Like

      1. Oh, I agree it was unnecessary 100%. I think I said that. I just think it was still emotions bubbling over, which iI’m fine with. Better there than a punch in the handshake line. Haha. Had this happened 5 years ago I don’t think it’s a story but the current political climate forced it to the front page. Clark has handled it all expertly. So big kudos to her. I don’t think it’s an indictment on society. You could to every decade and find worst stuff. Throws at the head in baseball, blindsided KO’s in basketball, Bad Boy Pistons, Jim McMahon being body slammed. Sometimes the emotions of the game are hard to let go.

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      2. I replied but it’s stuck in moderation. I don’t disagree that it wasn’t necessary. I just think it was emotions carrying over. She let Clark get in her head. Which may have been intentional as motivation but she didn’t get out of her head fast enough. Lots of worse post-game activities across all sports over the years.

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  29. OT – didn’t realize that Jahvante Royal has been moved from DB to WR. Sort of like he went into the position-change portal…

    At 6-3 and 195 pounds he will make a big target…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Royal is a former 4 star DB.

      Who was the last 4 star FB recruit who played well at Pitt?

      Was it DB Whitehead? Pre-Duzz…

      I’m scratching my head on this question.

      I’m thinking we develop 2 & 3 star talent pretty well but not so well with 4 star talent. Duzz has never landed a 5 star recruit.

      I made the mistake to read the Duzz transcript on the scrimmage last Saturday – if you want to learn a whole lot of “nothing”, indulge yourself. We have a back-up FG kicker named Franco who was pulled from one of the dorms on campus and made a 42 yard field goal.

      Enough – I need to clear my head from the Spring FB nothing-ness.

      I did catch that our LBers are not very good, at all…

      Off to work to deal with reality.

      Like

  31. With 6 guys leaving and three freshmen coming, I assume Capel can recruit 3 portal guys for immediate help. I would expect a power forward and a couple of guards or maybe a good shooting wingman. Potential to really improve this team.

    Narduzzi seems to be getting a lot of high profile guys on campus, hopefully he can land a few of them plus some last minute transfers.

    In any case, I don’t remember recruiting looking so promising for both sports.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Royal being moved is the norm. You play kids where they can get on the field. We saw this way back when with Scorin’ Dorin. Sometimes it’s hard to find “the” position. Spring is the time to try new things out. Sounds like he wasn’t going to get on the field anytime soon at DB so the coaches are working with him to find a what to get him out there. That sounds like it’s a good thing for Royal because the coaches would rather try something before he transfers out … but, don’t be surprised to see his name in the portal in the future.

    Like

    1. TJ CLemmings as well. 4 star who began at DT and moved to OT. THat may have also been motivated by a need to get talent on the OL and the Stache had enough on the DL.

      Worked out for him as he was drafted in the 4th round… made a little money, but could not stay healthy and bounced around a few teams.

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      1. Yeah, I just see it as an “experiment”. If it goes well, great. If not, back to square one. The team could also just be using him as a body if they’re down anyone as well.

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  34. A couple comments about the whole taunting thing.

    Its not my style, but I appreciate that there is a game within the game and smack talk is part of that. In football, OL and DL are jawing at each other game… one cannot see it a good bit of it because they are wearing helmets.

    Coach Dan noted above that Reese used a gang sign. I think that may be incorrect – at the very least, its not specifically a gang sign, but rather a sign associated with John Cena during his time in WWE and it became more widely adopted in athletics;

    https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/you-cant-see-me-john-cena-wwe-hand-gesture-explained

    IMO its wrong to criticize Reese for doing it without holding Caitlin Clark to the same standard. She’s been doing that stuff all along as well.

    The LSU coach…a bit flamboyant for me but doing the same thing a Lou Carnesecca. If they ever play Pitt in Pgh, I would expect higher attendance out of curiosity alone…what she’s gonna wear?!

    Liked by 1 person

  36. The LSU coach was a clown show. Her dress was enough reason for me to back the other team. I came into this ladies’ NCAA with no experience in watching the women’s game. So no inherent biases. The lady players were fantastic athletes who could shoot lights out! But from what I saw in the finals including the idiotic coach who was walking within 10 feet of live action on the court, with no referee slap down, I would never be an LSU fan. (But Iowa, heck yeah!)

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  38. The woman’s tourney had more stars this year which was odd. Sports are star driven and this year’s freshman class was weak. Sports at that level are entertainment and if you don’t have stars to drive the entertainment the eyeballs will not be there. College basketball is definitely changing right now, too. So no stars and a transition from an old era to a new one. If there was a male version of Clark this tourney, the men’s tourney would have been fine. The player of the year for men’s was that 7’6″ kid at Iowa who got knocked out in round 1. The player of the year may not even get drafted. Just one of those years.

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  39. BREAKING NEWS FROM THE PG TODAY:

    Jurkovec named starting QB for Pitt!

    Shocking! Never saw that coming. 🙄

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    1. Are they porn flicks or actual plays? Love the names and glad I’m no longer coaching because I’d go over every one of them in detail!

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      1. Dan, I like the plays that have Slice, Stagger in them.
        Reminds me of my last few golf shots in a free beer golf scramble.😎

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I was hoping Pitt would make a move for one-time Pitt assistant coach and now Ole Miss head Coach Yolett McPhee. Then I saw where she got a contract extension and is now making $850,000.

      Okay, never mind…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  42. Smesko would be a terrific choice. She’s energetic, a people magnet and has the makings of a good recruiter. Pull the trigger Heather. She’s talking with other schools.

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    1. Seems a bit odd that Smesko has been at Florida Gulf Coast for 20 years. He has had a lot of success there.

      He’s 52.

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 2 people

  43. Love that Jill Biden invited both finalists. Iowa and SC to the White House. Angel Reese lost her mind over it today. Talk about throwing gasoline on a fire!!

    Like

  44. Excellent observation. Smesko, to my knowledge, has no scandals attached to his resume. He has to be working for a much lower salary than what is available at every major program. The excellent men’s coach at The University of Vermont, John Becker, comes to mind. Becker
    is outstanding, however, he stays for a lower salary because he likes the great lifestyle of living in beautiful Vermont without the high pressure of having to deal with the grind of being under the microscope for every decision he makes. Smesko could be a Becker.

    Liked by 3 people

  45. With ladies BB, there are not as many professional opportunities so it appears that the stars will stay longer than the men’s game where the one and done is commonplace for the top players.

    If Pitt is passing on women’s coaches who want $850,000/yr., then it is obvious the ladies game is not yet producing the outlandish salaries that could cause coaches like Smesko and Becker to jump.

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  47. Becker earns in the $325,000 area….a very substantial salary to enjoy the lifestyle of beautiful Burlington, Vt.

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  49. One final thought about why Becker stays at UVM…Burlington is on the shores of the magnificent Lake Champlain and is within easy driving distance of some of the best skiing in the East and only a 2 hour drive to the fantastic City of Montreal…Becker is a lifer in Vermont.

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  50. A possible reddish flag on Smesko – I took a quick look at his roster and the tallest player is 6-foot. Obviously he’s not in the ACC, but he would have to make a big adjustment in the size of players he recruits.

    His teams are supposed to be high-volume three-ball shooters…. But need to have a presence in the paint in the ACC.

    Go Pitt.

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