Bump for Coach to respond.
With this large mix of newcomers, and they look great, how are things to change? Anything new, or simply new parts to the same puzzle so to speak?
Obviously we are excited about the incoming class as my assistants have done a tremendous job again in securing a class which is sure to be nationally ranked.
One thing that I have learned over the years is that there will always be someone who on paper has all the accolades, yet struggles to adjust to the college game. Every year there will also be that āsurpriseā ā¦ the player who comes in without the resumeā yet rips it up from the beginning. How this plays out will have a huge impact on our season, at least in the beginning.
The challenge for next year is multi-faceted:
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Deal with the loss of the seniors
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Prepare for a sick pre-conference schedule
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Fill the leadership void
note: Ozimek returned last night from another tour with the u23 national team (this one in Spain) and played the full 90 minutes versus Germany, the top team in the world. She has become a mainstay again in the national team system!
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The loss of any senior is always a challenge but obviously losing Lindsey is another level as she was so heavily involved in all areas of the game (including all set pieces). We cannot simply replace her one-for-one so this spring will be a search to have other players pick up pieces of what we are missing. Together we must be able to fill in the void.
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I do not believe that our 2008 schedule is posted yet but just believe me when I say it is sick. I will be taking the team on the road over and over to test our young team and force us to find a new identity without our graduated leadership. A sneak peak is that in the first 3 weeks we go to UNC-CH, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, etc. These road tests will make us grow up quickly. I believe we only have 3 home games in August and September combined.
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Ozimek and Rex were captains for 3 years and Dorsch joined them for the last 18 months. That leaves a huge void. I will spend much of the spring working on leadership training for our new captains, who will be named in the next 2 weeks.
I am considering tinkering some with our shape and style. Overall we will be much more technical and capable of playing a more indirect style. Without our graduating seniors we will probably spend more time in possession and wear teams down over 90 minutes rather than being as much of a quick-strike counter-attacking team. Of course I will need this spring to make these decisions after watching how our players respond to the new challenges.
My greatest emphasis right now and until August is on strength and conditioning. We are taking both to new levels and are actually sacrificing some time with the ball to have more time in the weight room and on the track. In order to be able to handle a schedule like what I have developed for Fall 2008 we simply have to be much stronger and more fit.
So that is where we are right now and what my thoughts are for preparation for the upcoming season. If there are any specific questions about anything, including the 2008 class just put them on here and I will do my best to answer.
As always, thanks for all of your support and GO NINERS!
Thank you so much for your detailed response, Coach. We appreciate the time and effort.
Iām SO stoked weāre playing UNC-CH. What an incredibly huge win that would be for our program. I will absolutely have to make the trip.
note: Ozimek returned last night from another tour with the u23 national team (this one in Spain) and played the full 90 minutes versus Germany, the top team in the world. She has become a mainstay again in the national team system!
Thanks for the info coach. Great to hear. It looks like the nats faired decently in the tourny going 1-1-1. The blow out to England is a shocker (are the English this good?). They tied the Germans, which is awesome! Hope she can continue to develop. Who knows, maybe weāll see her on the full team one day!