Match Preview: Penn State vs. Howard

As a card-carrying lurker, I am afraid to post after the reaction to my last contribution. But I have had some predictions about the weekend notarized, and will share them, right or wrong, after the first two rounds.

My apologies, because this month is crunch time for me and I will be working crazy OT.
So I don't know how much input material I'll be able to provide. Hopefully some updated charts of PSU (for opponents - only AFTER round 2).
Round 1 and 2 should be a pastry-walk for PSU. Hawaii should be a good match. Can't wait?

Message boards are great for creating conversations,  but like email,  nuance often is lost.   I replied to your post about the coaching staff,  but certainly didn't intend to communicate that there was anything wrong with you expressing your opinion.   So to the extent it came across that way,  apologies.   Keep posting.  Clearly, as someone who has no concept of whether Penn State split with, or lost both matches to, Minnesota,  I have scant credibility. ☺

I did a screen capture from the PSU website of some simple stats of the PSU vs Howard matchup. Huge disparity in quality of opponents here folks. Check out the RPI numbers between the two teams, that's the most telling figure. This match should be a blowout.



Penn State RPI = 10
Howard  RPI  =  228

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Howard only has one player listed at 6'0". All the rest are shorter (much shorter). Yikes, gotta feel for the Bison. Whitney is gonna have a field day.

I love it.  You're on a roll ("Stay around for the second set.  Don't forget to tip your server.")  Actually, we had some trouble with Demi Morales of Wisconsin, as I recall, and though taller than 5-8, 5-11 Kelli Bates is also somewhat undersized for an OH, and she has also had some good moments against Penn State. 

Not only do I think that will happen but I really do think Illinois could take down and unsuspecting Minnesota team.   As much as Illinois has been "not good" and incomplete in so many outings it is a definite possibility  that this happens.


Scenario - PSU takes out TAMU in 3 (or Hawaii for that matter)  Minnesota is sitting there watching the "NEW" PSU roll in the 5:30 match in Des Moines and starts to look forward to the Regional Finals and taking down the Back-to-Back Evil Empire.......whoops - Birks and Poulter and Co. sneak up and take the 1st game.......pressure and panic mounts.  Think about it....they did go 5 @ Minn this year.

Not sure if anyone's posted it or not...Saw this article in the Collegian. It talks about Holcomb's role as the libero. Good article, but I'm not sure if them calling her the current libero is an honest mistake or if things have changed since the loss to Nebraska. I think Keeton takes too much grief from this board and others, but I have a tough time imagining Rose would go back to her so suddenly. Pierce wasn't all that great against Nebraska, but no one really was besides Whitney. Then again, I didn't think Holcomb was the problem after the Michigan game & the coaching staff made the change. If the staff wanted to allow Keeton a game to get her confidence back, I guess (theoretically) the match against Howard would be it. Something to watch, I suppose.
colleg.in/1O5Brrh

One more note, all of the neutral party Penn State postseason previews that I've seen have been positive. It's probably just people giving State the benefit of the doubt, but maybe we're overblowing their struggles a bit? I believe the talent is there & although I can't imagine them flipping a "greatness" switch, I could see momentum slowly building as the matches get tougher. Even though State is a young team, they still have a ton of experience in pressure situations.