@vanillagee.bsky.social
Father and husband. Huge fan of volleyball, basketball, and track and field.
I'm interested in your take on his overall impact this season, Mo. Earlier, it seemed his defense was such a liability that it was hard for Ime to find time for him. They seem to bleed points less when he's out there now, and his shooting and offensive creativity really bring something valuable.
January 21, 2026 at 8:52 PM
I'm interested in your take on his overall impact this season, Mo. Earlier, it seemed his defense was such a liability that it was hard for Ime to find time for him. They seem to bleed points less when he's out there now, and his shooting and offensive creativity really bring something valuable.
I'd give A&M a slight edge at MB, with Perkins' experience over freshman Emch. If Pitt ends up losing, I'd predict that OH is where they get outplayed. Stowers has been sensational, and Hellmuth is very solid. Both Bayless and Pezelj will need to play well to win, unless we get a Babcock takeover.
December 18, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I'd give A&M a slight edge at MB, with Perkins' experience over freshman Emch. If Pitt ends up losing, I'd predict that OH is where they get outplayed. Stowers has been sensational, and Hellmuth is very solid. Both Bayless and Pezelj will need to play well to win, unless we get a Babcock takeover.
Good thread. It's a very even matchup. A&M is one of the only teams in the NCAA that isn't vastly outgunned at OPP, but IMO Babcock is a marginally better blocker, floor defender and back-row hitter. Both setters very accurate and experienced, but Mosher's serve can be a game-changer. (cont.)
December 18, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Good thread. It's a very even matchup. A&M is one of the only teams in the NCAA that isn't vastly outgunned at OPP, but IMO Babcock is a marginally better blocker, floor defender and back-row hitter. Both setters very accurate and experienced, but Mosher's serve can be a game-changer. (cont.)
The book is so much fun, and this song is a banger. Def need a major motion picture.
July 24, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The book is so much fun, and this song is a banger. Def need a major motion picture.
2/ I’m less optimistic about Nisa Buzlutepe at setter. She’s a solid backup, but I don’t know if I saw a potential NCAA champion setter in her performances this season. Do you have any insight into the team’s recruiting class?
December 23, 2024 at 10:53 PM
2/ I’m less optimistic about Nisa Buzlutepe at setter. She’s a solid backup, but I don’t know if I saw a potential NCAA champion setter in her performances this season. Do you have any insight into the team’s recruiting class?
Hey @santelli.bsky.social I just read your latest newsletter. Any thoughts on who may step into Pitt’s open positions? I thought Mallorie Meyer had some excellent shifts at DS throughout the tournament. Blair Bayless seems to have the hitting and blocking power to replace VVG in the front row. 1/
December 23, 2024 at 10:46 PM
Hey @santelli.bsky.social I just read your latest newsletter. Any thoughts on who may step into Pitt’s open positions? I thought Mallorie Meyer had some excellent shifts at DS throughout the tournament. Blair Bayless seems to have the hitting and blocking power to replace VVG in the front row. 1/
Olivia Babcock’s serve looks a lot better tonight than it did in the two matches last weekend. Makes Pitt even tougher.
December 20, 2024 at 12:22 AM
Olivia Babcock’s serve looks a lot better tonight than it did in the two matches last weekend. Makes Pitt even tougher.
This match has two of the top blocking combos in the NCAA IMO. Cresse-Robins is massive, and Kelley-Babcock is even tougher. The other combo that leaps to mind is Booth-Smrek for Wisconsin.
December 20, 2024 at 12:20 AM
This match has two of the top blocking combos in the NCAA IMO. Cresse-Robins is massive, and Kelley-Babcock is even tougher. The other combo that leaps to mind is Booth-Smrek for Wisconsin.
Am I crazy, or is it crazy to leave Harper Murray off the AVCA First-Team All-America ? I don't have any qualms with the OHs who made the team, but she's clearly better than most of them. There are plenty of quibbles one could make with the whole list, but that sticks out as the weirdest omission.
December 19, 2024 at 3:43 PM
Am I crazy, or is it crazy to leave Harper Murray off the AVCA First-Team All-America ? I don't have any qualms with the OHs who made the team, but she's clearly better than most of them. There are plenty of quibbles one could make with the whole list, but that sticks out as the weirdest omission.
When VVG is on, she's solid enough offensively to stay on the court. Last night was not that. I don't know what Bayless' passing numbers were yesterday, but the eye test wasn't great. That said, she took some nice swings, including OOS, and even made a few nice defensive plays as the off blocker.
December 13, 2024 at 3:07 PM
When VVG is on, she's solid enough offensively to stay on the court. Last night was not that. I don't know what Bayless' passing numbers were yesterday, but the eye test wasn't great. That said, she took some nice swings, including OOS, and even made a few nice defensive plays as the off blocker.
VVG isn’t the most physical hitter, but she’s good at every aspect of volleyball, and she’s excellent at all the back row skills. Kudos to Bayless coming in and giving Pitt a stronger presence at the net as well.
December 13, 2024 at 2:35 PM
VVG isn’t the most physical hitter, but she’s good at every aspect of volleyball, and she’s excellent at all the back row skills. Kudos to Bayless coming in and giving Pitt a stronger presence at the net as well.
Reposted
God i love @propublica.org so much
I don't know who needs to know this, but Pro Publica has an online thing that will format a letter to your US health insurance company to demand the records behind a claim denial. (which the insurance is then legally required to provide in most cases)
projects.propublica.org/claimfile/
projects.propublica.org/claimfile/
Find Out Why Health Insurance Denied Your Claim
You likely have the right to access records that explain why your insurer denied your claim or prior authorization request. Use ProPublica’s free tool to generate a letter requesting your claim file f...
projects.propublica.org
December 7, 2024 at 2:36 AM
God i love @propublica.org so much
Lots of tough teams to get through. It’s gonna be a great tournament.
December 2, 2024 at 12:09 AM
Lots of tough teams to get through. It’s gonna be a great tournament.
I think the KPI top 4 more closely reflects how I would rank the top 4 teams than the RPI. Definitely seems weird for Penn State to beat Nebraska and drop a spot.
December 1, 2024 at 5:15 PM
I think the KPI top 4 more closely reflects how I would rank the top 4 teams than the RPI. Definitely seems weird for Penn State to beat Nebraska and drop a spot.
That is a nasty foursome in the Nebraska group. Would give the Cornhuskers some interesting opportunities for revenge.
December 1, 2024 at 1:34 AM
That is a nasty foursome in the Nebraska group. Would give the Cornhuskers some interesting opportunities for revenge.
It looks weird to have 8 players from 2 teams on my first team, but those teams were so clearly the best in the country that it's merited.
Also, I've got a 13-player roster for the second team, and 5 other players who should be on the second team. Sue me.
Also, I've got a 13-player roster for the second team, and 5 other players who should be on the second team. Sue me.
November 21, 2024 at 10:12 PM
It looks weird to have 8 players from 2 teams on my first team, but those teams were so clearly the best in the country that it's merited.
Also, I've got a 13-player roster for the second team, and 5 other players who should be on the second team. Sue me.
Also, I've got a 13-player roster for the second team, and 5 other players who should be on the second team. Sue me.
Others under strong consideration:
Camryn Hannah
Argentina Ung
Geli Cyr
Claire Jeter
Celia Cullen
Maya Tabron
Ayah Elnady
Camry Turner
Emma Grome
Mimi Colyer
Melani Shaffmaster
Mabrey Shaffmaster
Logan Lednicky
Flormarie Heredia Colon
Grace Lopez
Milan Gomillion
Emmy Klika
Mary Shroll
Camryn Hannah
Argentina Ung
Geli Cyr
Claire Jeter
Celia Cullen
Maya Tabron
Ayah Elnady
Camry Turner
Emma Grome
Mimi Colyer
Melani Shaffmaster
Mabrey Shaffmaster
Logan Lednicky
Flormarie Heredia Colon
Grace Lopez
Milan Gomillion
Emmy Klika
Mary Shroll
November 21, 2024 at 10:12 PM
Others under strong consideration:
Camryn Hannah
Argentina Ung
Geli Cyr
Claire Jeter
Celia Cullen
Maya Tabron
Ayah Elnady
Camry Turner
Emma Grome
Mimi Colyer
Melani Shaffmaster
Mabrey Shaffmaster
Logan Lednicky
Flormarie Heredia Colon
Grace Lopez
Milan Gomillion
Emmy Klika
Mary Shroll
Camryn Hannah
Argentina Ung
Geli Cyr
Claire Jeter
Celia Cullen
Maya Tabron
Ayah Elnady
Camry Turner
Emma Grome
Mimi Colyer
Melani Shaffmaster
Mabrey Shaffmaster
Logan Lednicky
Flormarie Heredia Colon
Grace Lopez
Milan Gomillion
Emmy Klika
Mary Shroll
Not sure how I can leave off second team:
OH Brooklyn Deleye Kentucky
OH Ally Batenhorst USC
OH Melanie Parra TCU
OH Audrey Koenig FSU
S Kendra Wait Creighton
OH Brooklyn Deleye Kentucky
OH Ally Batenhorst USC
OH Melanie Parra TCU
OH Audrey Koenig FSU
S Kendra Wait Creighton
November 21, 2024 at 10:12 PM
Not sure how I can leave off second team:
OH Brooklyn Deleye Kentucky
OH Ally Batenhorst USC
OH Melanie Parra TCU
OH Audrey Koenig FSU
S Kendra Wait Creighton
OH Brooklyn Deleye Kentucky
OH Ally Batenhorst USC
OH Melanie Parra TCU
OH Audrey Koenig FSU
S Kendra Wait Creighton
Second Team:
OP Merritt Beason Neb
L Elena Scott Louisville
MB Cara Cressey Lville
OH Anna DeBeer Lville
OH Jess Mruzik PSU
OP Anna Smrek Wis
MB Carter Booth Wis
S Kami Miner Stan
OH Elia Rubin Stan
L Elena Ogilvie Stan
MB Sami Francis Stan
PH Eva Hudson Purdue
OP Naya Shime SMU
OP Merritt Beason Neb
L Elena Scott Louisville
MB Cara Cressey Lville
OH Anna DeBeer Lville
OH Jess Mruzik PSU
OP Anna Smrek Wis
MB Carter Booth Wis
S Kami Miner Stan
OH Elia Rubin Stan
L Elena Ogilvie Stan
MB Sami Francis Stan
PH Eva Hudson Purdue
OP Naya Shime SMU
November 21, 2024 at 10:12 PM
Second Team:
OP Merritt Beason Neb
L Elena Scott Louisville
MB Cara Cressey Lville
OH Anna DeBeer Lville
OH Jess Mruzik PSU
OP Anna Smrek Wis
MB Carter Booth Wis
S Kami Miner Stan
OH Elia Rubin Stan
L Elena Ogilvie Stan
MB Sami Francis Stan
PH Eva Hudson Purdue
OP Naya Shime SMU
OP Merritt Beason Neb
L Elena Scott Louisville
MB Cara Cressey Lville
OH Anna DeBeer Lville
OH Jess Mruzik PSU
OP Anna Smrek Wis
MB Carter Booth Wis
S Kami Miner Stan
OH Elia Rubin Stan
L Elena Ogilvie Stan
MB Sami Francis Stan
PH Eva Hudson Purdue
OP Naya Shime SMU
First Team:
S Rachel Fairbanks Pitt
OH Torrey Stafford Pitt
MB Bre Kelley Pitt
OP Olivia Babcock Pitt
OH Harper Murray Neb
S Bergen Reilly Neb
MB Andi Jackson Nab
L Lexi Rodriguez Neb
OH Sarah Franklin Wis
MB Raven Colvin Purdue
OH Madi Skinner Tex
OP Kennedy Martin Fla
S Rachel Fairbanks Pitt
OH Torrey Stafford Pitt
MB Bre Kelley Pitt
OP Olivia Babcock Pitt
OH Harper Murray Neb
S Bergen Reilly Neb
MB Andi Jackson Nab
L Lexi Rodriguez Neb
OH Sarah Franklin Wis
MB Raven Colvin Purdue
OH Madi Skinner Tex
OP Kennedy Martin Fla
November 21, 2024 at 10:12 PM
First Team:
S Rachel Fairbanks Pitt
OH Torrey Stafford Pitt
MB Bre Kelley Pitt
OP Olivia Babcock Pitt
OH Harper Murray Neb
S Bergen Reilly Neb
MB Andi Jackson Nab
L Lexi Rodriguez Neb
OH Sarah Franklin Wis
MB Raven Colvin Purdue
OH Madi Skinner Tex
OP Kennedy Martin Fla
S Rachel Fairbanks Pitt
OH Torrey Stafford Pitt
MB Bre Kelley Pitt
OP Olivia Babcock Pitt
OH Harper Murray Neb
S Bergen Reilly Neb
MB Andi Jackson Nab
L Lexi Rodriguez Neb
OH Sarah Franklin Wis
MB Raven Colvin Purdue
OH Madi Skinner Tex
OP Kennedy Martin Fla
I'm not sure who cares, but here's my list for who I think should be the NCAA Volleyball All-American team this season 1/x:
(Note: Obv still lots of season left, so subject to change, and posted here for discussion/ feedback from volleyball-interested folks on Bluesky.)
(Note: Obv still lots of season left, so subject to change, and posted here for discussion/ feedback from volleyball-interested folks on Bluesky.)
November 21, 2024 at 10:12 PM
I'm not sure who cares, but here's my list for who I think should be the NCAA Volleyball All-American team this season 1/x:
(Note: Obv still lots of season left, so subject to change, and posted here for discussion/ feedback from volleyball-interested folks on Bluesky.)
(Note: Obv still lots of season left, so subject to change, and posted here for discussion/ feedback from volleyball-interested folks on Bluesky.)
Can we see the Gaetz report anyway? Like, we need someone to make it public. Now.
November 21, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Can we see the Gaetz report anyway? Like, we need someone to make it public. Now.