Nope. No sit-out years for vball transfers.Is there a sit out year in volleyball? Twitter suggested there wasn't, but I thought it was pretty universal.
I am guessing Kylie and maybe even Diana will move on after this signing.
BRucks, who are the walk-ons?
Many of the walk-on players are told what their duties are. Mainly to be practice players and that they will probably see little court time unless injuries happen etc. The coaches have made it clear to how important they are towards the success of the team. Some accept that as their role, some do not. They also get the perks of being on the team minus playing time. Travel, nice hotels, academic support, food/nutrition plans, Illini swag etc. It's not for everyone, but for those who do, it can have a rewarding impact on their college experience.
So for the locals that can follow a bit more closely, what is our outlook for this season looking like? The girlfriend and I watched the Final Four game vs. Nebraska together, and it was honestly riveting ... volleyball is cool! Lol, it was also genuinely fun and rewarding to watch the Illini be on a national stage again, regardless of the sport. I would love to see us back there. I even got my originally-a-Hawkeye-fan girlfriend to get really into it, though I did receive a friendly eye roll when I stated that my favorite player was Morgan O'Brien. Lol
The outlook is very good. We lose two All-Americans in Poulter and Bastianelli, but return one in Jacqueline Quade and we return pretty much everyone else. Poulter was probably the best setter in the country last year and the best to ever play at Illinois, so losing her REALLY hurts. However, we have two very capable new setters (redshirt freshman Diana Brown and sophomore transfer Mica Allison) who will both compete for the starting spot. As for replacing Bastianelli, we have two solid freshman MBs coming in along with Bruna who's an OH but can also play MB. We should definitely be at least a top 25 team this year. I would expect a little bit of a dropoff from losing Poulter and Bastianelli, but we have a ton of returning and new talent. If the X-factors play well (new setters, Bruna, freshmen) then I don't think another Final Four appearance is out of the question. Should be a fun season!
The outlook is very good. We lose two All-Americans in Poulter and Bastianelli, but return one in Jacqueline Quade and we return pretty much everyone else. Poulter was probably the best setter in the country last year and the best to ever play at Illinois, so losing her REALLY hurts. However, we have two very capable new setters (redshirt freshman Diana Brown and sophomore transfer Mica Allison) who will both compete for the starting spot. As for replacing Bastianelli, we have two solid freshman MBs coming in along with Bruna who's an OH but can also play MB. We should definitely be at least a top 25 team this year. I would expect a little bit of a dropoff from losing Poulter and Bastianelli, but we have a ton of returning and new talent. If the X-factors play well (new setters, Bruna, freshmen) then I don't think another Final Four appearance is out of the question. Should be a fun season!
Holzman is not projected to play middle by most. I'm pretty sure she played outside on her club team. It is very possible that no freshmen start.
Who their 2nd MB will be might be the most interesting question.
Based on what the university has put out, they list Fleming as the only returning MB, they list Swanson (Fr.) and Hinton (Fr.) as MBs, Collins (Fr.) as an OH and they list Holzman (Fr.) as both an OH and a MB.
https://fightingillini.com/news/201...ball-welcomes-three-for-2019.aspx?path=wvball
https://fightingillini.com/news/201...al-student-athletes-for-2019.aspx?path=wvball
Maybe Prince or Hollowell could move to the middle, but that would certainly remain to be seen.
In an interview I read, Tamas made it pretty clear that Vrankovic is going to be a pin hitter, so she's out as an MB option.
So I'd assume that Quade, Vrankovic, and Cooney at a minimum are going to be OHs/OPPs, Fleming will be their MB #1, and they'll have to figure out one more OH/OPP and one more MB out of Prince, Holzman, Swanson, Hinton, Hollowel, and Collins. It seems like a lot of it will depend on just where Beth Prince ends up fitting in.
I'm just hoping that Holzman is simply too good to keep off the court in some capacity. But, long term, I'd expect Holzman to be on the outside.