I wish I knew more, but, what I think I understand is that the Big West is freaking loaded as usual. My musings below based on what I've read in volleytalk mostly and what ccman posts on the old message board.

https://volleytalk.proboards.com/board/8/men-boys-volleyball-forum

I will be interested to see if setter Knipe has developed his game over the summer because frankly he needs to improve for us to be a top team vying for the big prize. He's good, just not good enough. Too predictable and not enough dimensions to his game. Not asking for a Thelle level guy but I hope he has improved that will help a lot. If he hasn't improved much, I hope coach Knipe gives this Island Doty kid some meaningful minutes (great name anyway!).

Would love to see big seasons from Olivier, Godbold and the emergence of Torwie as a major middle blocking presence. I think its newcomer Derek Owens is a MB and can jump outta the gym? Maybe someone can confirm that.

The transfer Sotiris Siapanis from Ohio State while only 6-3 is supposed to be a major get and a dynamite terminator likely in the starting rotation.

I think having Nikolov last year was the chief reason we got to the finals, and also the reason we couldn't handle Hawaii, because we relied too much on him. Hopefully we spread things around a lot better this year.

But hey, we have the best libero in the land, Mason Briggs! And one of the top coaches.