So, as mentioned in earlier posts, Buffs volleyball has picked up a couple commitments recently, we think both for next year. Just to summarize the above posts, as well as provide what other information I know (or think I know- corrections always appreciated)-
Zuri Smith is joining the Buffs, we THINK from Sumter High School in Sumter, South Carolina, and
maybe the Las Vegas Impact Volleyball Club. As Bebe’s and my earlier posts indicate, we don’t have a lot of information on Ms. Smith yet, and much of it is confusing. It appears she’s somewhere between 6’1” (per maxpreps) and 6’5” (BeBe’s earlier post). Per her team’s stats in maxpreps.com (
http://www.maxpreps.com/high-school...ocks-(sumter,sc)/volleyball-fall-14/stats.htm), I’m just guessing she was mainly used as a middle blocker on her high school team, due to the large number of blocks she had (82- next highest on team 13), and the fact that she had hardly any digs or serve receives. In addition to blocks, she also led her team in kills (3.1/set) and hitting % (.381). (Maxpreps has her listed as both an Outside Hitter and Middle.)
Abbie D’Agosta is joining the Buffs from Fossil Ridge HS in Ft. Collins and the NORCO Volleyball Club. Confirmation of her commitment from her club is here-
http://www.norcovolleyball.com/news_article/show/488448?referrer_id=219437. (Interesting that a local club fell victim to the CU must = “Colorado University” error.) Per
http://www.maxpreps.com/high-school...fort-collins,co)/volleyball-fall-14/stats.htm , the 5’8” Ms. D’Agosta was a versatile Outside Hitter for her team, finishing 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] in her team in both kills per set (2.3) and digs, with a very strong 3.7 per set. Per the fun (for volleyball fans) premium website prepvolleyball.com, Ms. D’Agosta just this year started playing as the libero on her club team (which qualified for nationals in the recent Denver Crossroads tournament), and my assumption is defense will likely be her anticipated role for the Buffs.
General roster note- This defensive support from Ms. D’Agosta, along with the previously listed (in this thread) verbal commit Gabriella Carta-Samuels, could be extra helpful next year. I recently noticed this year’s sophomore Katherine Hawkins and junior Erin Taylor, 2 of the 4 defensive specialists/ liberos on the team roster last year (both lightly used - partly I believe due to illness and/ or injury), are
not showing up on the 2015 roster at cubuffs.com. Assuming that just isn’t an error, the Buffs look thin in known defensive support depth for next year (only 2 non-freshmen), so the 2 incoming freshmen will have a chance to come in and help immediately as backups and competition to the returning Cierra Simpson and Gwen Herring. In fact, just based on the numbers (the 2013 roster had
7 defensive specialists on the roster), I wouldn't be shocked if another one or two more currently unknown defensive specialists end up on the roster when the season starts.
Of course, one or more of the hitters on the roster could also provide support in the defensive area, either being plugged in as defensive specialists (as Stephanie Shadley (only a freshman this year) and Kelsey English were sometimes used this year), or with the chosen starters improving their defense so one (actually- that's almost always a minimum) or more can pretty consistently play all 6 rotations.
. Really, in women's soccer things are going well in this department. I pointed out a while ago that the group that's coming in this fall is - on paper - the best recruiting class in school history. Now they appear to be building on the with the class of '16.