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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 6:02:32 GMT -5
Bballnut90's analysis looks like what I saw in the match. Talking Head's perspective seems very optimistic. Its hard to believe that the last time PSU defeated a top 10 team was in SEPTEMBER vs. Minn. These recent sweeps by Minnesota and Nebraska showed us a PSU team not capable of competing with a top 5 team. Thinking that the coaches are holding something back that will produce a dramatic improvement in the tournament is a flight of fancy. If they had found a solution we'd be seeing it, they would want that unit working together against top ranked opponents. Sadly, the other three top Big 10 teams, Minn, Nebr and Wisc, have improved since September while PSU has not improved and perhaps even regressed! I cannot remember so many matches in prior years where PSU has played so chaotically, disorganized, etc. As I have said often there is a lot of talent on the PSU team but it is not playing together effectively. Kendall is not a natural libero, she is a veteran substitution server and spot defensive player who is trying to fill a need. Bryanna certainly has volleyball talents but I suggest that we can't know from this season if she is the right setter for PSU for the next 3 years. Others are certain to get a shot. Aiyana may very well be required on the outside if there is any chance to make a run in the tournament. Its very perplexing why Haleigh is having such an up and down season, especially lately. She will have to have huge matches blocking and hitting for PSU to even make it to the third round. It seems very unlikely that PSU can make it to the regional Final with the serve receive and other defensive problems unsolved. Major issues in the offseason in every phase of the game. The talk about needing transfers may be relevant...any good liberos and setters potentially interested in s school change? I think you're correct about Kendall, probably best fits the role that Fuller left behind. Bryanna is still acclimating to the college game, she is a little rough and her setting needs polishing, but she is the team's best server and does a good job defensively (both blocking and digging). I'm sure she'll be challenged next year for the position from Rivera and whoever else. At the very least, she will get better just from the experience of one full year as a starter. One thing is certain, you need a very good setter and libero to win a NC. Haleigh could be playing hurt, she's still wearing that knee brace, but that's just a conjecture. She is the team's top blocker and has the best hitting efficiency %. She was great most of the season, it's just lately she's dropped in production but that could be due to offensive changes - the setting feeding other hitters more. We are getting a top incoming libero next year, so that could be the most important fix next year. We'll have to wait to find out though. For now let's hope these girls can get it done or at least compete at a higher level.
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Post by nyline on Nov 30, 2015 6:07:43 GMT -5
Bballnut90's analysis looks like what I saw in the match. Talking Head's perspective seems very optimistic. Its hard to believe that the last time PSU defeated a top 10 team was in SEPTEMBER vs. Minn. These recent sweeps by Minnesota and Nebraska showed us a PSU team not capable of competing with a top 5 team. Thinking that the coaches are holding something back that will produce a dramatic improvement in the tournament is a flight of fancy. If they had found a solution we'd be seeing it, they would want that unit working together against top ranked opponents. Sadly, the other three top Big 10 teams, Minn, Nebr and Wisc, have improved since September while PSU has not improved and perhaps even regressed! I cannot remember so many matches in prior years where PSU has played so chaotically, disorganized, etc. As I have said often there is a lot of talent on the PSU team but it is not playing together effectively. Kendall is not a natural libero, she is a veteran substitution server and spot defensive player who is trying to fill a need. Bryanna certainly has volleyball talents but I suggest that we can't know from this season if she is the right setter for PSU for the next 3 years. Others are certain to get a shot. Aiyana may very well be required on the outside if there is any chance to make a run in the tournament. Its very perplexing why Haleigh is having such an up and down season, especially lately. She will have to have huge matches blocking and hitting for PSU to even make it to the third round. It seems very unlikely that PSU can make it to the regional Final with the serve receive and other defensive problems unsolved. Major issues in the offseason in every phase of the game. The talk about needing transfers may be relevant...any good liberos and setters potentially interested in s school change? Hey, why not be an optimist? Plenty of time to be pessimistic if they lose ☺
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snj
Sophomore
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Post by snj on Nov 30, 2015 10:42:42 GMT -5
I would very much like to be an optimist but after the sweeps by Minn and Nebr...
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Post by Onthebench on Nov 30, 2015 11:07:36 GMT -5
Bballnut90's analysis looks like what I saw in the match. Talking Head's perspective seems very optimistic. Its hard to believe that the last time PSU defeated a top 10 team was in SEPTEMBER vs. Minn. These recent sweeps by Minnesota and Nebraska showed us a PSU team not capable of competing with a top 5 team. Thinking that the coaches are holding something back that will produce a dramatic improvement in the tournament is a flight of fancy. If they had found a solution we'd be seeing it, they would want that unit working together against top ranked opponents. Sadly, the other three top Big 10 teams, Minn, Nebr and Wisc, have improved since September while PSU has not improved and perhaps even regressed! I cannot remember so many matches in prior years where PSU has played so chaotically, disorganized, etc. As I have said often there is a lot of talent on the PSU team but it is not playing together effectively. Kendall is not a natural libero, she is a veteran substitution server and spot defensive player who is trying to fill a need. Bryanna certainly has volleyball talents but I suggest that we can't know from this season if she is the right setter for PSU for the next 3 years. Others are certain to get a shot. Aiyana may very well be required on the outside if there is any chance to make a run in the tournament. Its very perplexing why Haleigh is having such an up and down season, especially lately. She will have to have huge matches blocking and hitting for PSU to even make it to the third round. It seems very unlikely that PSU can make it to the regional Final with the serve receive and other defensive problems unsolved. Major issues in the offseason in every phase of the game. The talk about needing transfers may be relevant...any good liberos and setters potentially interested in s school change? Hey, why not be an optimist? Plenty of time to be pessimistic if they lose ☺ No matter our personal outlooks, we'll all cheer and support our ladies once the tournament starts.
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Post by treblejig on Nov 30, 2015 13:50:08 GMT -5
I'm no expert, but I think Thelen is a great blocker and brings a lot of confidence to the court. Whitney is more valuable at RS, even though she is very adaptable. Most definitely agree. I'd like to see Thelen come in at some point in the tournament, especially against a better blocking team. Maybe coach has been changing his lineups all year so that no team can figure him out from a scouting perspective. Perhaps he can bring the element of surprise to some matches (from a lineup perspective). We'll see, in any case, it'll be interesting to discuss for the next 5 days since we don't have any VB matches to watch. Another thing. Thelen is all business when she makes a block or a kill when she has the opportunity. So is Whitney. I think we need more of that matter-of-fact attitude when we score a point, that we are PSU, and this is what we do.
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Post by nyline on Nov 30, 2015 14:21:13 GMT -5
Most definitely agree. I'd like to see Thelen come in at some point in the tournament, especially against a better blocking team. Maybe coach has been changing his lineups all year so that no team can figure him out from a scouting perspective. Perhaps he can bring the element of surprise to some matches (from a lineup perspective). We'll see, in any case, it'll be interesting to discuss for the next 5 days since we don't have any VB matches to watch. Another thing. Thelen is all business when she makes a block or a kill when she has the opportunity. So is Whitney. I think we need more of that matter-of-fact attitude when we score a point, that we are PSU, and this is what we do. I agree with you in theory, but I've heard Coach Rose say several times how much he values the energy Simone Lee brings to the team. Obviously, neither Simone nor Heidi offers the total package (how many players do?) Coach Rose seemingly believes that the team needs the energy and offense more than the blocking. We fans are free to question and disagree with that decision, but he has a pretty solid body of work to back up his judgement (whatever his rationale may be). I think it's important for us to remember that he without question has considered every single idea we have posted, and more. In retrospect, he may not always think he made the right decision, or that he shouldn't change his mind based on new information, but I am certain he never chooses one course of action over another simply because he didn't think of the alternative choice. (And I'm not suggesting that you, or anyone on this forum, aren't aware of that. This post is aimed mostly at myself, and my own fan-foibles.)
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Post by bob2061 on Nov 30, 2015 14:43:04 GMT -5
Bballnut90's analysis looks like what I saw in the match. Talking Head's perspective seems very optimistic. Its hard to believe that the last time PSU defeated a top 10 team was in SEPTEMBER vs. Minn. These recent sweeps by Minnesota and Nebraska showed us a PSU team not capable of competing with a top 5 team. Thinking that the coaches are holding something back that will produce a dramatic improvement in the tournament is a flight of fancy. If they had found a solution we'd be seeing it, they would want that unit working together against top ranked opponents. Sadly, the other three top Big 10 teams, Minn, Nebr and Wisc, have improved since September while PSU has not improved and perhaps even regressed! I cannot remember so many matches in prior years where PSU has played so chaotically, disorganized, etc. As I have said often there is a lot of talent on the PSU team but it is not playing together effectively. Kendall is not a natural libero, she is a veteran substitution server and spot defensive player who is trying to fill a need. Bryanna certainly has volleyball talents but I suggest that we can't know from this season if she is the right setter for PSU for the next 3 years. Others are certain to get a shot. Aiyana may very well be required on the outside if there is any chance to make a run in the tournament. Its very perplexing why Haleigh is having such an up and down season, especially lately. She will have to have huge matches blocking and hitting for PSU to even make it to the third round. It seems very unlikely that PSU can make it to the regional Final with the serve receive and other defensive problems unsolved. Major issues in the offseason in every phase of the game. The talk about needing transfers may be relevant...any good liberos and setters potentially interested in s school change? I think you're correct about Kendall, probably best fits the role that Fuller left behind. Bryanna is still acclimating to the college game, she is a little rough and her setting needs polishing, but she is the team's best server and does a good job defensively (both blocking and digging). I'm sure she'll be challenged next year for the position from Rivera and whoever else. At the very least, she will get better just from the experience of one full year as a starter. One thing is certain, you need a very good setter and libero to win a NC. Haleigh could be playing hurt, she's still wearing that knee brace, but that's just a conjecture. She is the team's top blocker and has the best hitting efficiency %. She was great most of the season, it's just lately she's dropped in production but that could be due to offensive changes - the setting feeding other hitters more. We are getting a top incoming libero next year, so that could be the most important fix next year. We'll have to wait to find out though. For now let's hope these girls can get it done or at least compete at a higher level. I really like Weiskircher but the truth is she is already very polished and what you see is what you get. She does not set very accurately and often leads the LS hitters right into a double block. She is already near her top potential. With good passers she can be a good setter but not an elite one. With our recent poor recruiting of liberos I am not confident in the coaches finding us a great one. I wonder if the confusion on the court sometimes is due to too many cooks (coaches) in the kitchen and players are getting mixed messages.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 15:31:17 GMT -5
I think you're correct about Kendall, probably best fits the role that Fuller left behind. Bryanna is still acclimating to the college game, she is a little rough and her setting needs polishing, but she is the team's best server and does a good job defensively (both blocking and digging). I'm sure she'll be challenged next year for the position from Rivera and whoever else. At the very least, she will get better just from the experience of one full year as a starter. One thing is certain, you need a very good setter and libero to win a NC. Haleigh could be playing hurt, she's still wearing that knee brace, but that's just a conjecture. She is the team's top blocker and has the best hitting efficiency %. She was great most of the season, it's just lately she's dropped in production but that could be due to offensive changes - the setting feeding other hitters more. We are getting a top incoming libero next year, so that could be the most important fix next year. We'll have to wait to find out though. For now let's hope these girls can get it done or at least compete at a higher level. I really like Weiskircher but the truth is she is already very polished and what you see is what you get. She does not set very accurately and often leads the LS hitters right into a double block. She is already near her top potential. With good passers she can be a good setter but not an elite one. With our recent poor recruiting of liberos I am not confident in the coaches finding us a great one. I wonder if the confusion on the court sometimes is due to too many cooks (coaches) in the kitchen and players are getting mixed messages. The only way to know for sure about Weiskircher is to wait and see next year, but also poor serve-receive has limited her options/quality of sets. If she's gets a really good libero next year and is still setting only high arching balls to the outside hitters and cannot send quick sets, then maybe she is as polished as she's going to get. I don't know that, but I'd like to think she can get better. Heck, our best players (Harmotto, Fawcett, and Glass) who left in 2008 and 2009 (who were already great) got much better when they started playing professionally overseas and on the national team. They are now head and shoulders above their college quality. When you get to the college level, it's not always talent that makes you better or great, I believe it has more to do with work ethic and mentality. Also, I believe the coaches are in sync, we see a lot of them barking orders from the sidelines during matches all at the same time, but my gut tells me they are all coaching different aspects of the game and different positions. I can't imagine any coach would try to supersede Russ' authority, he's just too much of a legend in the sport.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 15:53:20 GMT -5
Most definitely agree. I'd like to see Thelen come in at some point in the tournament, especially against a better blocking team. Maybe coach has been changing his lineups all year so that no team can figure him out from a scouting perspective. Perhaps he can bring the element of surprise to some matches (from a lineup perspective). We'll see, in any case, it'll be interesting to discuss for the next 5 days since we don't have any VB matches to watch. Another thing. Thelen is all business when she makes a block or a kill when she has the opportunity. So is Whitney. I think we need more of that matter-of-fact attitude when we score a point, that we are PSU, and this is what we do. It's funny that you should say that. I actually thought the team played better when coach allowed Washington to be her crazy, fun-loving self on the court. She had this way of pumping up the team which had them all laughing and feeling good about themselves. Then at some point in the season coach asked her to be more business-like and after that (it seems to me) they were not playing as good (as if they had more pressure on them). I noticed the same thing last year late in the tournament, but Micha's leadership was so strong she could carry the team with her laser focus. This year the team seems like there is no one person leading the charge; not sure Whitney and Courtney are as good as Micha was at leading the charge. Of course, I may be completely wrong. My guess is that different leaders have different styles with which to motivate the people around them.
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Post by nyline on Nov 30, 2015 16:52:46 GMT -5
I think you're correct about Kendall, probably best fits the role that Fuller left behind. Bryanna is still acclimating to the college game, she is a little rough and her setting needs polishing, but she is the team's best server and does a good job defensively (both blocking and digging). I'm sure she'll be challenged next year for the position from Rivera and whoever else. At the very least, she will get better just from the experience of one full year as a starter. One thing is certain, you need a very good setter and libero to win a NC. Haleigh could be playing hurt, she's still wearing that knee brace, but that's just a conjecture. She is the team's top blocker and has the best hitting efficiency %. She was great most of the season, it's just lately she's dropped in production but that could be due to offensive changes - the setting feeding other hitters more. We are getting a top incoming libero next year, so that could be the most important fix next year. We'll have to wait to find out though. For now let's hope these girls can get it done or at least compete at a higher level. I really like Weiskircher but the truth is she is already very polished and what you see is what you get. She does not set very accurately and often leads the LS hitters right into a double block. She is already near her top potential. With good passers she can be a good setter but not an elite one. With our recent poor recruiting of liberos I am not confident in the coaches finding us a great one. I wonder if the confusion on the court sometimes is due to too many cooks (coaches) in the kitchen and players are getting mixed messages. You probably are a better student of setters than I am (that is a very low bar, by the way ☺) but my take is it is too early to tell with Weiskircher. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that she has met, or even exceeded the staff's preseason expectations. As to "poor libero recruiting," PSU thought they had recruited their next libero in Natalie Canulli, for the 2015 class. She gave up volleyball. You might call that bad recruiting. I would call it an example of the many imponderables coaches encounter in recruiting. BTW, among the libero recruits for the 2016 class is Kendall White, the #38-ranked PrepVolleyball.com Senior Ace. That's the highest ranking for a PSU libero recruit since Kristin Carpenter (who was something like #8).
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Post by tillie1014 on Nov 30, 2015 17:53:18 GMT -5
NOTE: CARP did not win the libero job. Interestingly she was a setter when first she went National.
As for Bryanna I doubt that she has reached her limit of perfection. Again think back when after Carp Micha came on board and there was a clear consensus that she was not a setter and that opinion was shared by many. But she took to learning and brought an attitude that is not likely to be found in many. "BW" has a lot of talent and can be better although I find the constant rejection of her sets as her failures: "Leading into a double blocks" are the attackers not aware and adjust as they should?. The problem that exists is that with the passing ( is not allowing her to run a faster game. Nebraska ran a faster game and that permitted them to beat our blockers. What is the natural talent for a LIBERO? Kaleena, Holehouse and NUMMY were outside hitters in their pre collegiate life. Keaton was a DS and libero allowing all to study her capabilities in that position.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 21:38:00 GMT -5
NOTE: CARP did not win the libero job. Interestingly she was a setter when first she went National. As for Bryanna I doubt that she has reached her limit of perfection. Again think back when after Carp Micha came on board and there was a clear consensus that she was not a setter and that opinion was shared by many. But she took to learning and brought an attitude that is not likely to be found in many. "BW" has a lot of talent and can be better although I find the constant rejection of her sets as her failures: "Leading into a double blocks" are the attackers not aware and adjust as they should?. The problem that exists is that with the passing ( is not allowing her to run a faster game. Nebraska ran a faster game and that permitted them to beat our blockers. What is the natural talent for a LIBERO? Kaleena, Holehouse and NUMMY were outside hitters in their pre collegiate life. Keaton was a DS and libero allowing all to study her capabilities in that position. As I'm sure you know, Carpenter was never supposed to be a setter. Mikinzie Moydell was supposed to set, but never worked out and essentially quit before the 2010 season ended, Carpenter set the first game of the 2011 season--the debacle against Oregon. She moved to Libero for the second game, but was replaced soon after by Ali Longo. What's scary? What if Hancock hadn't had the opportunity to get out of going to Tulsa. You think Tulsa would have won a National Championship? Or Hancock could have won a POY?
I think Weiskircher is a pretty good setter, but the passing has made her less effective. You make a great point about the attackers not making adjustments. I guess it's a team game(?). Hancock's setting in 2011 wasn't great, but the back row left a lot to be desired. She had two advantages over Wesikircher, she was left-handed, and she was hyper-competitive.
It will be interesting to see what Rose comes up with during the off-season.
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Post by psumaui on Nov 30, 2015 22:51:08 GMT -5
Remember people, we destroyed Nebraska at home last year in last regular season match and they still went on to beat Washington in Regional Semi-Final! I still have faith in this team to take it all! Had the spoiler (BYU) not been there, I think they would have made it to the FF.
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Post by nyline on Dec 1, 2015 1:52:49 GMT -5
Remember people, we destroyed Nebraska at home last year in last regular season match and they still went on to beat Washington in Regional Semi-Final! I still have faith in this team to take it all! Had the spoiler (BYU) not been there, I think they would have made it to the FF. Really good points. As cross5 has said, in the tournament, every team is 0-0.
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Post by nitneliun on Dec 1, 2015 18:20:07 GMT -5
Remember people, we destroyed Nebraska at home last year in last regular season match and they still went on to beat Washington in Regional Semi-Final! I still have faith in this team to take it all! Had the spoiler (BYU) not been there, I think they would have made it to the FF. The problem is that 2015 PSU is nowhere near as good as 2014 Nebraska.
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