The 2022-23 Season

[unalions]

UNA sports are officially over for the year. There were definitely some ups and downs but I still bleed purple (and gold, haha). Before we turn the page to next season, let’s take a few days to reflect on this year from your perspectives, etc.

[brandon]

Football, from my pov, was a nightmare. Offensive production increased enough (like we had been begging for the past 5 years) to win a lot of ball games. But, honestly, that was the worst coached defense I've ever seen.

Basketball was fun. Wish we could have did better in the post season. But overall, can't complain. Great building year. Just keep progress going.

WBB thought we took a big step back, honestly. Maybe I was watching something different? I was disappointed in their season.

Don't really watch Tennis so I can't comment.

Golf seems headed in a great direction.

I'm not the biggest Soccer fan, but UNA I do pay attention to. IMHO, Walker should be on the hot seat. I think we have fantastic soccer players (that's not an unfair assessment, I have to find people who actually know soccer) and haven't been able to get back to the ASUN championship game. Watching on ESPN, we probably have the best fan support and I've even been to a few games. It's a great atmosphere. (Wish those fans would show up to American football games)


Softball, I think did about what they could. Wish more post season would have happened, but did more in the ASUN than I was expecting, so I'm happy about that. I think we have a great program and will continue to move forward.

Baseball, sucks as far as Win and losses, I do think we have a good coaching staff, and we have good freshmen to build with. It just takes some time to build a PROGRAM, not just a team. I could definitely see some improvement overall, just not much in the Win category. The ASUN is a tougher baseball conference that most give it credit for, I'd go as far to say competitively, you have SEC, ACC, PAC, B12, SBC, ASUN in that order, and year to year, the last two can swap. But we will never get the credit we deserve if we(UNA) and others don't step up and contribute. And we need to stop crapping the bed in regionals...


Overall I had fun. I'm not just a fan when we win. I bleed purple and Gold and yellow and white and Grey and black... lol

[unafied]

Good thoughts, Brandon. I don't see much I'd disagree with.

I'm not a huge softball follower, but for whatever reason I watch more of it than I do baseball. I think potential is there to really build the program into something special. Look at what Liberty did beating #2 UCLA (though I realize Liberty has advantages we don't). Or, look at what Louisiana did to LSU, McNeese almost did to Washington, etc. McNeese especially is a program that likely doesn't have more resources than we do. I think there is just a ton more parity in that sport than what you had even 10 years ago, and with the reputation we already have, I don't see why we can't be the spoiler in a regional someday soon.

[mtc13]

Missy Tiber and Chris Walker are definitely on the hot seat. The men's basketball team did improve this season, so Pujol is off the hot seat for now. Softball had another great season. I felt that the offense missed having Emma Broadfoot on the team, since we seemed to generate runs with small ball, but we can always improve it with recruiting. Football and baseball were train wrecks. Tennis and volleyball seemed to improve with their new coaches. Golf and cross country were good, even if we lost the XC coach to Jacksonville State.

All in all, there were glimmers of hope and I always look forward to next school year. Roar Lions!

[roaringsince96]

Soccer needs to rebound. Are we still trying here?
Volleyball showed signs of improvement. Hope here.
Football was ugly. Yet I thoroughly enjoyed watching Powell play. He was exciting and surprising. One of the most electric players to wear a Lions uniform and yet we still couldn’t win. We all knew the outcome was inevitable but hoped somehow it would change. Now new staff which feel’s completely different, and Qb with experience. Can Lacey be that playmaker on offense? Did we bring in the right guys to turn the defense around? Can we win?
Basketball on men’s side definitely was fun until we let JSU beat us at home…still not over that game….may be a minute.
We fell apart once our depth was challenged. Hoping who we brought in gives us depth and fills the void left by our perimeter shooter. We got taller, hon order to compete for rebounds. I think Forrest really iimproved and that continues this year could be special.
Women’s basketball lost their best player on the team. Did we bring in anyone that is capable of replacing that production? Appears we are satisfied with shooting from perimeter and taking our chances? If we do not make ASUN tourney or we do and lose first game again. Change must happen.
Tennis beat JSU twice! Come on! Exciting finishes too. Hope other programs figure out how follow that blueprint. Coaches seems to solid, will bring in talent. Like where tennis is heading.
Cross Country seemed to be turning the corner with some big meets. Then we lose our coach to JSU? Hope the new guy continues to develop that program.
Baseball wasn’t really a surprise until the last few series. The team figured some things out. Really hoping we land some dudes there. Think .500 in conference could be a possibility next year.
Softball almost made it th big tournament! Wow! Played in championship finale with no losses and just didn’t have any bats the last two games. Cozart seems to get the most out of her players and they play confidently. She lands couple of power hitters and we will be ok. Land will be missed.

[unalions]

I agree with y'all on basically every point. I see improvements that give me hope but I see some hot seat coaches for sure.

Walker has underperformed since that first D1 season. Again, the ASUN is no slouch in both women's and men's soccer. But, it may be time to go in a new direction. Yet, you'd think that European connection is exactly what we need in soccer. It's worked so well in the past but it hasn't been enough to compete the last few seasons.

Tiber, sigh. I spend half my time wishing her well and the other half, well...I'll keep it semi-positive. LOL. Bless their hearts. The staff works hard, I feel. We've seen it click and work so well. It's fun to watch. But, even at it's best it takes an incredible effort to compete with FGCU. And that's what it's all about in the ASUN for women's hoops. He reloads with transfers, they shoot, they have size in the middle, and he teaches them his system and tries to make a run each season. They usually succeed. They lost a lot of seniors this year, though.

Football and baseball, we've beat those dead horses. Programs in transition for the better is my hope and prayer.

The most fun to watch this past season to me was softball and beach volleyball. They don't broadcast most of the BV matches and I hope that changes. BV is a sport where schools like UNA might have a better shot at a national title than regular volleyball. The commentators gushed at UNA BV during the conference tournament. One was a former Stetson All-Star and she was so positive about how UNA has come in and disrupted ASUN Beach Volleyball. We should really focus in on that.

Softball needs to fill the void of Birdyshaw on the mound and, more importantly, Georgia Land behind and at the plate. This season had highs (dominating non-conference) and some lows (not knowing until the final weekend if we'd make the ASUN tournament). But, wow, that conference tournament was an effort to be proud of for those involved. Cozart gets quality JC/CC transfers. It works for her in softball. Not sure it translates in others sports as much.

The jury is still out in my mind on Pujol and men's hoops. I was pleased with their run 3/4's the way through the season. But, after that OT win at EKU, KJ was hurt and it was never the same. Ortiz was up and down and this team needs some consistency. Everyone performed well at one point in the season. They just have to put it all together on a consistent basis. Lane was a great addition.

Big improvements in men's and women's golf. I was disappointed in the men's ASUN tournament finish but by far the best regular D1 season ever. The women had individual players be very competitive.

[roaringsince96]

Forget to mention the golf who really surprised this year.
Good points by all, easy to tell how closely we follow our UNA Lions.