Calisto has been in street clothes so I suspect whatever her injury was that kept her out but for a few appearances is still an issue. Loving has been spotted some and playing a little more than she had earlier. Phiri is the one who has lost significant minutes and Theodorsson is playing a lot less than I would expect given how she has and is performing.

Add freshman Ava Webster as another volleyball player entering the transfer portal. That’s 3 I know of to date and there are possibly others to come who didn’t see much action this year. Still waiting to see incoming additions. What a way to run a railroad.

Problem, or value, with widespread social media is finding out about what many of us think is the scourge of college athletics, the transfer portal. So far I’ve seen 2 members of the volleyball team have entered the portal while one who left the program last year is once again leaving her new program this year.

GW is apparently set to lose senior Dilara Elmacioglu who was the starting setter until a very early season ankle injury sidelined her for the year. She was more than ably replaced by Abby Markworth. Crushing loss from my perspective as a fan is the entry into the portal of 1st team All-conference outside hitter sophomore Taylor Treahy. Love the portal for incoming players, not so much for departing ones.

Apologies to Coach Reifert who I ran into and talked briefly with on my way to the women’s bball game against Dayton. She sheepishly and appropriately danced around my question about whether everyone would be returning. Definitely prefer being a fan than a coach who has to deal with all this and keep winning to boot.

Did I miss something about Dinkins? Seems we could use his shooting

Not liking the look of that injury to Marshall.

Team had an open practice on Sunday preceded by a chalk talk session with Coach G. Believe the latter may have been limited to season ticket holders (Yes, there are still some of us). Hard not to be optimistic about the transformation of the women’s program heading into the new season. When she was here on Rizzotti’s staff, I always thought of Coach G as the quiet one the players could go to as a safe haven. As the head coach, G is the one with the determined fire in the belly instructing and guiding her team. She’ll stop practice and instruct if she sees something she doesn’t like. But she also is quick to pass on encouragement and praise when it’s warranted. Team appears to respond well to her and her staff that should translate into much improved play this year. Coaches always talk about wanting to play an uptempo game and as a self proclaimed coach who loves guards, G has GW playing in a five out offense with emphasis on disciplined passing and cutting. Anyone merely going through the motions was immediately called out as a reminder that turnovers can be minimized if not eliminated by proper attention to fundamentals. Gonna take all 5 on the court to garner our share of rebounds but at least based on that public practice and social media interactions, the canvas being painted will be pleasing to the eye. Time will tell how many wins that will mean. But I’m encouraged, even beyond looking through my usual rose-colored glasses.

I take Rising’s response to mean that it’s probably a night game rather than a Saturday afternoon tip-off. Maybe it’s 5, maybe it’s 7. Understand the frustration but I seriously doubt the athletic department has it finalized with Georgetown but is keeping it under double secret probation wraps.

I long ago gave up my rivalry animosity against Georgetown, at least as long ago when Georgetown cheaped out and let us buy out the Vern campus from under them. It’s a good start and I always want to beat Georgetown in whatever sport we play them but our record against the Hoyas is not to be envied. Measuring stick? Probably more so than Fort Hood. And I was here 56 years ago when we played them regularly.

A game at West Point goes far beyond the opponent. It’s the venue. “We thank you for your service” has become as commonplace as “How you feeling?-“Fine/good” “Nice meeting you.” The players get the chance to see and compete against peers who are just as dedicated as they are to their passion and commitments but in a far different setting and atmosphere. Undoubtedly, an invaluable opportunity for Caputo and the staff to impress upon their players what it takes to succeed beyond the experience of a Marine Corps workout visit to Quantico. I’m a veteran of the Moratoriums but one can’t but be affected by visits to the Naval Academy or West Point.

Florida Colonial wrote:

Nya Morris commits to George Washington per her Instagram. The 5’9 guard is transferring from Claflin (DII) where she was named CIAA POY, CIAA All-Backcourt and made the D2CCA All-American Team. She averaged 20.2 ppg, 4.5 rebs, and scored 525 points this season.

Thanks for the news FC. Got us a Nya back.