Post by nyline on Nov 25, 2015 9:12:01 GMT -5
We've posted this week's 15 Points (with news from . . . brace for it . . . beyond Happy Valley). Here's the link: 15 Points: 60,001 Penn State Fans!; Senior Night; Northwestern and Nebraska; Badgers; Purdue; Arkansas State; more
And here's an excerpt:
1. Feeling Blue?
An uninspired effort against Michigan resulted in some history Penn State wasn’t looking to make: its first-ever home loss to the Wolverines. The first matchup between the programs came in 1981, with the two schools meeting every year since 1991. In those 34 years, the Wolverines were 3-37 against the Lions, their last win a five-setter in Ann Arbor in 2002. The loss dropped Penn State three spots to #7 in the poll, and to #9 in the RPI. It leaves them tied for third in a tight conference race. If Penn State loses a match this week and Wisconsin goes 2-0, the Lions will have their lowest conference finish ever in the Big Ten.
2. No Worries . . . Two Chances for Redemption
Penn State’s final regular-season week will give them a shot at redemption against two teams that beat them this year, both in five sets. But it won’t be easy.
The Lions host Northwestern on Wednesday, and the Wildcats will be fighting hard—they need two wins this week (they also host Maryland) to qualify for the NCAA tournament.
If the Lions can get past them, they will look to maintain the momentum against their nemesis: the #5 Huskers, who have beaten the Lions 13 of the 17 times they have played in the state of Nebraska (who also hosts a tough Illinois team on Wednesday).
3. Wanted: 1,795 Fans (for the Northwestern Match!)
So far this season, Penn State has drawn a total of 58,206 fans to its 14 matches in Rec Hall. So, if 1,795 fans come to the Northwestern match, total home attendance for the 2015 season will be 60,001. Go Fans!
4. For . . . . Penn State’s Senior Night
Four Penn State seniors — Lara Caraway, Megan Courtney, Kendall Pierce and Aiyana Whitney — will be honored in a ceremony prior to the Northwestern match. In their careers to date, these players have recorded a won-loss record of 128-12 (60-8 mark in the B1G), back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2012 and 2013, and back-to-back NCAA titles in 2013 and 2014, with trips to the NCAA Final Four for the past three seasons. Sure, they had help (Micha, Nia, Dom, Lacey — we haven’t forgotten you) but this is an impressive bunch.
5. Badger of Honor
After starting 12-6, Wisconsin faded from the limelight for a while. But with a 10-match winning streak, Wisconsin looks like a team that could win it all. Five of those recent wins have come against ranked teams, including last week’s five-set thriller at Illinois and last weekend’s sweep of Ohio State. Wisconsin is now tied for third in conference with Penn State, stands at #10 in the poll (too low if you ask lionsfan) and has risen to #4 in the RPI. Where will they finish? A season-ending road trip will have a lot to say about that…
6. Boiling Point
…especially if Purdue plays like it did over the weekend. The Boilermakers got the statement win they have been looking for all season with a five-set victory over top Big Ten dog Minnesota. They nearly swept the Gophers before Minnesota fought back in an epic 3rd set (32-34), and then took the force set to force a fifth set. In the end, Purdue prevailed 25-22, 25-19, 32-34, 19-25, 15-9 for its fifth straight win. The Boilers moved up a spot to #14 and are 13-5 in conference, just one match behind Penn State and Wisconsin.
