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Post by nyline on Dec 10, 2015 18:10:30 GMT -5
We've posted a match preview/match thread for Penn State vs. Hawaii. Here's the link: Penn State vs. Hawaii: Russ Rose on the Wahine; Frantti and Weiskircher Meet the Press; Stat Joust; more
Here's an excerpt:
The last time #7-seeded Penn State (28-5) faced Hawaii (28-1) was in the 2009 NCAA national semifinals. Penn State, which was 36-0 going into that match, downed then-# 12 Hawai’i (32-3) in four sets (23-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-18), moving on to the epic match against Texas, where it won its third consecutive NCAA Championship. That match featured Penn State players such as Sr. OH Megan Hodge, Jr. MB Arielle Wilson and Jr. RS/Opp Blair Brown, and Sr. setter Alisha Glass.
It’s a different cast of characters for Penn State this time around. 6-4 RS Sr. RS/MB Aiyana Whitney leads the team with 3.11 kills/set, reaching double digits for kills in nine of the Nittany Lions’ last 11 matches. 6-3 So. MB Haleigh Washington is averaging 1.40 blocks/set (2nd in the B1G, 20th nationally), and is hitting .443 — 1st in the B1G and 3rd nationally. 6-2 Sr. OH Megan Courtney has averaged 3.04 kills/set. Whitney, Washington and Courtney all earned 1st Team All Big Ten recognition (Washington was a unanimous choice). Senior libero Kendall Pierce was named Penn State’s sportsmanship honoree.
In the NCAA Regional press conference, Penn State head coach Russ Rose noted that this year’s Hawaii team is built differently than the 2009 Hawaii squad:
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Post by bob2061 on Dec 10, 2015 19:54:53 GMT -5
Russ knows how to beat them if our players just execute. Serving will be the critical factor in the match and hopefully we will be ready for them.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2015 0:05:02 GMT -5
SIDEOUT STATSI have put together the sideout stats for both Penn State and Hawaii for comparison. I have only gone back the last 14 matches for both teams, including the 2 tourney matches they've each played. PSU is siding out at 63.7% over the past 14 matches and their opponents are at 51.8% (differential is 11.9%) HI is siding out at 66.7% over the past 14 matches and their opponents are at 53.8% (differential is 12.9%). Please keep in mind that PSU has had a much tougher schedule in the regular season than Hawaii.
However, Hawaii has had tougher matches in the tourney, thus far.  KEY STATS COMPARISONBelow you will find a chart comparing the key statistics for each team (side-by-side). I have split the chart into 2 categories: 1) conference-only & 2) tourney-only. It's difficult to draw any solid conclusions from the data because of the disparity in each team's strength-of-schedule.  Click on any of the thumbnails to view a larger graphic.Looking forward to a great match!
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Post by nyline on Dec 11, 2015 4:52:04 GMT -5
SIDEOUT STATSI have put together the sideout stats for both Penn State and Hawaii for comparison. I have only gone back the last 14 matches for both teams, including the 2 tourney matches they've each played. PSU is siding out at 63.7% over the past 14 matches and their opponents are at 51.8% (differential is 11.9%) HI is siding out at 66.7% over the past 14 matches and their opponents are at 53.8% (differential is 12.9%). Please keep in mind that PSU has had a much tougher schedule in the regular season than Hawaii.
However, Hawaii has had tougher matches in the tourney, thus far. KEY STATS COMPARISONBelow you will find a chart comparing the key statistics for each team (side-by-side). I have split the chart into 2 categories: 1) conference-only & 2) tourney-only. It's difficult to draw any solid conclusions from the data because of the disparity in each team's strength-of-schedule. Click on any of the thumbnails to view a larger graphic.Looking forward to a great match! Thanks! |
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Post by psufan24 on Dec 11, 2015 12:25:10 GMT -5
what are all of your thoughts on the match... Win for PSU? or do we lose to Hawaii?
a guess and a hope for 3-1 PSU win...
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Post by goldengoal on Dec 11, 2015 12:47:21 GMT -5
I am hoping for and predicting a Penn State victory--possibly a sweep; they are due to put together a complete effort. And if they advance, I am glad the regionals don't go to the home of the highest remaining seed until next year. I don't think I like that change.
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Post by cross5 on Dec 11, 2015 13:51:24 GMT -5
Hearing and reading that our girls feel good and healthier, I think a 3-0 win is a distinct possibility
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Post by phillytom on Dec 11, 2015 14:01:18 GMT -5
I think health and fatigue had to account for some of the late season struggles. Frantti really was not herself for portions of the latter part of the season. To get through the subregional without too much struggle and then have almost a week, I think that's got to be good.
I've also been heartened to see Wilma Rivera playing and playing well. Her range and her communication skills are really needed. Finally, I think keeping Whitney outside is the best overall choice. She is PSU's most dominant hitter and playing middle takes her out of the offense when passing is off. Plus Lee becomes available to substitute if Frantti is struggling.
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Post by nyline on Dec 11, 2015 15:34:37 GMT -5
what are all of your thoughts on the match... Win for PSU? or do we lose to Hawaii? a guess and a hope for 3-1 PSU win... I'm going with Penn State -- either 4 or 5.
First report for the day: Iowa is very flat.
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Post by treblejig on Dec 11, 2015 16:17:46 GMT -5
what are all of your thoughts on the match... Win for PSU? or do we lose to Hawaii? a guess and a hope for 3-1 PSU win... I'm going with Penn State -- either 4 or 5.
First report for the day: Iowa is very flat.
You are there? Lucky! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2015 16:26:11 GMT -5
what are all of your thoughts on the match... Win for PSU? or do we lose to Hawaii? a guess and a hope for 3-1 PSU win... I'm going with Penn State -- either 4 or 5.
First report for the day: Iowa is very flat.
But the soil is very rich.
I'm trusting you guys to keep an eye on them. I'm stuck with radio and my vivid imagination. I hope for a win and TCMULLET loading within the week.
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Post by nyline on Dec 11, 2015 17:13:09 GMT -5
I'm going with Penn State -- either 4 or 5.
First report for the day: Iowa is very flat.
But the soil is very rich.
I'm trusting you guys to keep an eye on them. I'm stuck with radio and my vivid imagination. I hope for a win and TCMULLET loading within the week.
My taxi driver, who originally was from Somalia, and moved to Iowa three years ago, said Des Moines is a land of great opportunity. There is alot of construction going on close to the Wells Fargo Arena. The Event Staff are very nice. Actually, everyone is very nice. |
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Post by psulion on Dec 11, 2015 17:51:49 GMT -5
I'm going with Penn State -- either 4 or 5.
First report for the day: Iowa is very flat.
You are there? Lucky! I'm going with Penn State Lady Lions winning in four. We will undoubtedly lose Set 3!! That's just the way it is! |
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Post by traveler on Dec 11, 2015 17:54:17 GMT -5
from a Wahine blog: Annie Mitchem will not be with the team this week. She flew back for this week’s final week of classes. She was not cleared to play and was limited in practice. She may return to team should they make the final four.
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Post by psumaui on Dec 11, 2015 18:04:26 GMT -5
from a Wahine blog: Annie Mitchem will not be with the team this week. She flew back for this week’s final week of classes. She was not cleared to play and was limited in practice. She may return to team should they make the final four. She really isn't a starter and didn't have much impact on play this year. Now if you said Nikki Taylor was on her way home, then it would peek my interest. |
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