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Predictions – SCIAC

Writer: goldenstateservicesj
goldenstateservicesj
Aug 10, 2017
3 min read

I will be doing a prediction post each day this week.  Here is the order for the week:

NOTE – I will make updates to all of these posts as more rosters get updated.  Check back and look for any updates at the bottom.

SCIAC

  1. Claremont M-S

  2. Cal Lutheran

  3. Chapman

  4. La Verne

  5. Occidental

  6. Pomona-Pitzer

  7. Redlands

  8. Whittier

  9. Caltech

Conference Tournament – Claremont M-S

For just pure volleyball watching, I am really sad to see some of these SCIAC seniors graduate.  With respect to these predictions, CMS seems the logical first choice as they are returning the most talent.  Betting against Cal Lu, however, is always a problem as they have won or tied for the conference every season this decade.  I just think the loss of three top hitters is too much to overcome, but I also think they have “Hope” (see what I did there?) for this year with their outstanding OH.  I also respect the program too much to slide them down past the 2 slot.  Chapman is my dark horse this year but also know that I’m a closet Panther fan.  As much as I loved watching the Cal Lu seniors, I think the most devastating loss in this conference will be La Verne’s Robinson.  Couple that with the loss of their senior setter and I struggled with where to place them in my predictions.  Occidental is another team that could finish higher than where I have them placed if they can replace their senior setter.  Pomona slots in at #6 and the strange thing is that there are only three spots that I feel confident in with these predictions – #1, #6 and #9.  Go figure.  I think Redlands and Whittier are a notch below in this conference and then I have Caltech.  It should be noted that Whittier picked up a transfer libero and OH so this will be immediate help to offset their big losses to graduation and might move them up a spot or two.  Dang!  Now I’m not even confident about the #6 slot.

UPDATE – Chapman posted their roster Wednesday and when I talk about a freshman class being able to make an immediate difference then it appears in 2017 I am talking about Chapman.  They were already on my radar as they had an average 2016 season but were returning virtually the entire team.  With the graduation losses to Cal Lu and La Verne, I saw a hole for Chapman to step into but now I’ve seen their freshman class and I would be disappointed if they don’t claim at least third this year in conference.  It appears they have two DI transfers and two freshman that could make a big impact.   

UPDATE – I think I now have a gauge on the Cal Lu roster.  It doesn’t appear they lost anyone unexpected that would have contributed a lot to the team this season.  They are also bringing in a complete team with subs it seems this year (setter, libero, RS, three middles and two OH).  A number of these players should be able to compete quickly so I’m feeling a little better about my Regal prediction.  Their incoming class includes a sophomore transfer OH and a junior transfer MB.  They all will be thrown into the fire early as they have a tough schedule and I would have to say this team is one of my more anticipated watches to start the year.  (Not sure “anticipated watches” is even a thing but I’m leaving it in for now.)

 
 
 

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