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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2015 18:45:57 GMT -5
FINAL EDIT (12/03/15): I couldn't change the names of the teams in the poll after the voting began, but I did want to add that at least 2 members commented on this thread that they would have voted for NEBRASKA had they been named in the poll. I tried to remove TX, which received 0 votes, and replace them with NE but to no avail. The only thing that remains now is who will claim the bragging rights at the end of the tourney!
I'm trying to gauge what most Penn State fans are thinking. I know there have been various discussions and opinions given on various threads throughout this forum. Some posters believe this PSU team is finished this season, others think the dynasty is over, and other believe this team still has a good chance to win an 8th this year. What do you think? I believe it's time to commit to our opinions for the remainder of the 2015 season and tourney. I know we're all hoping Penn State wins it every year, but what would you vote, if say, you had to put money on it (for the record, I'm not a betting man).
Sorry there wasn't any more room to add other teams, like say Nebraska, where the final four is being played.
If you have another team in mind put, then post it below.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2015 22:15:15 GMT -5
Too early for me. Right now, I'd say it's a three-way toss-up between USC, Washington, and Minnesota.
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Post by psumaui on Nov 21, 2015 4:24:32 GMT -5
Until they prove me wrong I'm sticking with Penn State to win it all this year. When it comes to tournament time, there is no better coach at getting his team ready for a match in post season. If he can fix our back row defense issues by tournament time, it will be extremely tough to beat them in post season and a dynasty is not finished just because of one normal season. I say normal because right now they are playing like a typical regular team. To win it all they need to get back to that next level that Penn State teams are used to being at. I have confidence in coach and team to put it all together when it counts! At minimum I see them in the Final Four.
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Post by nyline on Nov 21, 2015 5:44:35 GMT -5
Until they prove me wrong I'm sticking with Penn State to win it all this year. When it comes to tournament time, there is no better coach at getting his team ready for a match in post season. If he can fix our back row defense issues by tournament time, it will be extremely tough to beat them in post season and a dynasty is not finished just because of one normal season. I say normal because right now they are playing like a typical regular team. To win it all they need to get back to that next level that Penn State teams are used to being at. I have confidence in coach and team to put it all together when it counts! At minimum I see them in the Final Four. From your lips to the volleyball gods' ears. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2015 5:53:27 GMT -5
I will be rooting for PSU the whole way, no doubt. I believe this team has the talent to pull out a win, and they've been there before. Question is, will they be able to fix the little defensive issues they've been having as of late. I hope so. Having said that, if I had to bet the farm (I don't own a farm), I would say Washington has the best statistical chance of winning all the marbles. Their stats this year are tops in almost all categories and they are very similar to Penn State's stats from last year. I will provide a WA chart by the final four, if they're still in it. PSU Info:The last time the Lions had back-to-back losses was during the 2011 season, actually it happened twice that season: 1) On 9/09 & 9/10/11 vs Stanford and Texas, respectively, and 2) On 11/06 & 11/11/11 vs Wisconsin and Illinois, respectively. The loss to Illinois on 11/11/11 was also the last time PSU was swept by a Big10 opponent. The last time PSU was swept by anyone was in the 2011 post-season, which ended with a 3-0 loss to UCLA in the KY regional final. FYI - this season's stats are beginning to look more and more like those of the 2011 season (i.e., Micha and Dom's freshman year). Hopefully, we will only see improvement in the following years from our young setter and libero. Here's a graphic of the current season stats and how they compare to the 2012 and 2011 seasons (when PSU didn't win a NC). Click on the thumbnail icon below to open a larger graphic.
 You will notice from the chart: 1) Hitting % differential is close to 2011 team. 2) Aces/set and digs/set differential are a wash vs 2011. 3) Kills/set differential is better in 2011. 4) Blocks/set differential is better in 2015. 5) 2012 was really better or equal in the stat comparison to 2015. Please let me know if you see any errors or can draw different conclusions from the numbers. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2015 23:21:18 GMT -5
Wanted to share this very interesting tidbit. UCLA won the 2011 tourney dropping 3 of their last 5 regular season matches. Anything is possible!
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Post by canda on Nov 26, 2015 15:23:36 GMT -5
We should include Wisconsin, who I think is better than Texas. Carlini is the best setter, and Morley is a great DS. We saw what a difference Micha and Dom made in our NC run.
Wisconsin's freshmen have gotten much better, and the whole team is playing very well.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2015 15:44:48 GMT -5
We should include Wisconsin, who I think is better than Texas. Carlini is the best setter, and Morley is a great DS. We saw what a difference Micha and Dom made in our NC run. Wisconsin's freshmen have gotten much better, and the whole team is playing very well. Wisconsin may be the B1G's best team right now. I wonder what John Cook thinks this year about the uneven scheduling and the conference standings? |
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Post by psumaui on Nov 26, 2015 16:46:11 GMT -5
I honestly see no real strong teams this year so it's up for grabs. Every team that has a chance has weak areas that can be exploited. Washington vs Penn State would be a great match since I think we could exploit their back court as we did in 2013. USC has come back to earth. Bricio has slowed down considerably. She was on a 100+ service ace pace but will be lucky if she hits 90 by end of post season. I think she was used too much this season and it showed in last few matches. Wisconsin is good but we should still beat them in 4 or less. We have the 2nd best blocking average in the country and can use that to our advantage to help our defense out by getting either clean blocks or tips that they can handle. Hawaii has best block average but I'm not sold on them at all. I have watched them all season and I predict that if they meet a top seeded team in round 2, they will fall and will be shown to be the team that they really are with RPI 27. Their only significant win was against Florida which has some serious problems and could get knocked out as early as 2nd round. The rest of their matches they won were to teams that don't have a chance to make it to post season(except maybe Long Beach State). As for us, we need to get the easy points instead of giving opposing team chances on those points. Talking about overpasses, short and long. Bryanna is doing more setter dumps but I think she should dump at every opportunity she can when she sees space in defense. I am not sure why Russ is not using Simone Lee to serve anymore because what I saw against Michigan in set 1 was she was serving undigable balls (rockets)!! Maybe he's waiting until Round 3 of post season  My 1st dream match-up in post season this year would be for Hawaii to come to Happy Valley! Can't wait to see Sunday's selection show which I will be uploading on YT. In the meantime, a win at Nebraska will really boost our women's team's confidence going into post season! My Final Four Penn State Nebraska ( Revised after further thought) UCLA Washington I also predict we have to play a BIG 10 team in Regional Semi and Finals. Possible teams coming to Happy Valley from East Coast. Harvard - Very good blocking team and is their very first year ever in NCAA tournament! - Check out their Outside Hitter 6'1"- Paige Kebe Dayton - Always a scrappy team American - Not the team they were last year but still can be a team that could push us. New Hampshire - Shouldn't be a tough match at all. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2015 17:29:44 GMT -5
We should include Wisconsin, who I think is better than Texas. Carlini is the best setter, and Morley is a great DS. We saw what a difference Micha and Dom made in our NC run. Wisconsin's freshmen have gotten much better, and the whole team is playing very well. First, welcome to the forum. Nice to see new members join in the discussions. Unfortunately, the polls here only allow for 5 options, so I was a little limited and had to make some difficult choices regarding who makes the cut when I created the thread. Anyway, you're absolutely right. Wisconsin is a much better team now and the freshmen are no longer playing like freshmen. Probably could replace TX with WI now. I think WI could make the final 4 if they get a favorable bracket, not sure about a NC; those 2 losses to MN still make me a little weary. |
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Post by nyline on Nov 26, 2015 17:42:10 GMT -5
I honestly see no real strong teams this year so it's up for grabs. Every team that has a chance has weak areas that can be exploited. Washington vs Penn State would be a great match since I think we could exploit their back court as we did in 2013. USC has come back to earth. Bricio has slowed down considerably. She was on a 100+ service ace pace but will be lucky if she hits 90 by end of post season. I think she was used too much this season and it showed in last few matches. Wisconsin is good but we should still beat them in 4 or less. We have the 2nd best blocking average in the country and can use that to our advantage to help our defense out by getting either clean blocks or tips that they can handle. Hawaii has best block average but I'm not sold on them at all. I have watched them all season and I predict that if they meet a top seeded team in round 2, they will fall and will be shown to be the team that they really are with RPI 27. Their only significant win was against Florida which has some serious problems and could get knocked out as early as 2nd round. The rest of their matches they won were to teams that don't have a chance to make it to post season(except maybe Long Beach State). As for us, we need to get the easy points instead of giving opposing team chances on those points. Talking about overpasses, short and long. Bryanna is doing more setter dumps but I think she should dump at every opportunity she can when she sees space in defense. I am not sure why Russ is not using Simone Lee to serve anymore because what I saw against Michigan in set 1 was she was serving undigable balls (rockets)!! Maybe he's waiting until Round 3 of post season My 1st dream match-up in post season this year would be for Hawaii to come to Happy Valley! Can't wait to see Sunday's selection show which I will be uploading on YT. In the meantime, a win at Nebraska will really boost our women's team's confidence going into post season! My Final Four Penn State Texas(default) as normal due to easier brackets UCLA Washington I also predict we have to play a BIG 10 team in Regional Semi and Finals. Possible teams coming to Happy Valley from East Coast. Harvard - Very good blocking team and is their very first year ever in NCAA tournament! - Check out their Outside Hitter 6'1"- Paige Kebe Dayton - Always a scrappy team American - Not the team they were last year but still can be a team that could push us. New Hampshire - Shouldn't be a tough match at all. Psumaui, if we can limit Washington even remotely the way we did in 2013, it will be epic! I will levitate! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2015 17:46:39 GMT -5
I honestly see no real strong teams this year so it's up for grabs. Every team that has a chance has weak areas that can be exploited. Washington vs Penn State would be a great match since I think we could exploit their back court as we did in 2013. USC has come back to earth. Bricio has slowed down considerably. She was on a 100+ service ace pace but will be lucky if she hits 90 by end of post season. I think she was used too much this season and it showed in last few matches. Wisconsin is good but we should still beat them in 4 or less. We have the 2nd best blocking average in the country and can use that to our advantage to help our defense out by getting either clean blocks or tips that they can handle. Hawaii has best block average but I'm not sold on them at all. I have watched them all season and I predict that if they meet a top seeded team in round 2, they will fall and will be shown to be the team that they really are with RPI 27. Their only significant win was against Florida which has some serious problems and could get knocked out as early as 2nd round. The rest of their matches they won were to teams that don't have a chance to make it to post season(except maybe Long Beach State). As for us, we need to get the easy points instead of giving opposing team chances on those points. Talking about overpasses, short and long. Bryanna is doing more setter dumps but I think she should dump at every opportunity she can when she sees space in defense. I am not sure why Russ is not using Simone Lee to serve anymore because what I saw against Michigan in set 1 was she was serving undigable balls (rockets)!! Maybe he's waiting until Round 3 of post season My 1st dream match-up in post season this year would be for Hawaii to come to Happy Valley! Can't wait to see Sunday's selection show which I will be uploading on YT. In the meantime, a win at Nebraska will really boost our women's team's confidence going into post season! My Final Four Penn State Texas(default) as normal due to easier brackets UCLA Washington I also predict we have to play a BIG 10 team in Regional Semi and Finals. Possible teams coming to Happy Valley from East Coast. Harvard - Very good blocking team and is their very first year ever in NCAA tournament! - Check out their Outside Hitter 6'1"- Paige Kebe Dayton - Always a scrappy team American - Not the team they were last year but still can be a team that could push us. New Hampshire - Shouldn't be a tough match at all. Lots of good stuff above. Enjoyed it thoroughly. I was thinking the same thing about Lee, who was replaced by Rivera, then I figured the change was for Rivera's back row defense more than the serve benefit. It's unfortunate, but I think you're right, we'll end up being bunched together with 2 other Big10 teams in some bracket. I can see 4 teams from the Big10 going to the elite 8 and at least 2 getting into the final four, if the bracket is favorable to such a scenario. Can never trust that the Selection Committee will be totally unbiased. I think they like parity in the final four and try to work it out so different conferences can make it, but that's just a suspicion. UCLA in the final four is a surprise, but I did pick them and Ohio State as dark horses. |
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Post by nyline on Nov 26, 2015 17:52:45 GMT -5
Based on his comments after the match, I think Coach Rose is subbing in Rivera for her defense and general volleyball IQ. She's somewhat filling a Lacey Fuller-type
role.
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Post by psumaui on Nov 26, 2015 18:39:15 GMT -5
We should include Wisconsin, who I think is better than Texas. Carlini is the best setter, and Morley is a great DS. We saw what a difference Micha and Dom made in our NC run. Wisconsin's freshmen have gotten much better, and the whole team is playing very well. Wisconsin may be the B1G's best team right now. I wonder what John Cook thinks this year about the uneven scheduling and the conference standings? Since Penn State has played Wisconsin twice in post season, I am predicting that there will be a Nebraska vs Wisconsin Regional Final which will unfortunately knock out one of the two seeded BIG 10 teams as it did last year. If this match happens, will be a great one to see! |
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Post by psumaui on Nov 26, 2015 18:40:57 GMT -5
Based on his comments after the match, I think Coach Rose is subbing in Rivera for her defense and general volleyball IQ. She's somewhat filling a Lacey Fuller-type role. Then I guess Simone Lee will have to work hard and improve defense because I can see her as a huge asset on the serving line next season if she can get better at back row defense! |
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