Post by nyline on Sept 16, 2015 7:51:37 GMT -5
Here's a link to Lionsfan's latest -- Fifteen Points: Hawaii Rains on Florida, Stanford Struggles, more.
And here's an excerpt:
1. Hawaii Rains on Gators
In front of 7,419 fans at the Stan Sheriff Center, Hawaii notched a signature win with its thrilling 18-25, 25-22, 17-25, 25-22, 15-9 victory over previously unbeaten Florida. As noted by the Bows’ SID, it was Hawaii’s first win over a ranked opponent since beating #23 Creighton on Sept. 20, 2013; Hawaii’s first victory over a Top 10 opponent since Sept. 7, 2013 (a straight-set win over #10 UCLA); and its first win over a Top 5 opponent since beating No. 1 Texas to open the 2013 season.
The result boosted 8-1 Hawaii climbing four spots in the AVCA Poll to #12, with Florida dropping three spots to #5. Bow OH Nikki Taylor earned junior Sports Import/AVCA Division I Player of the Week honors for her efforts in the match.
2. Stanford Struggles
After getting swept by Penn State in the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge, Stanford headed south for another pair of road battles—and got swept again by North Carolina. It marked only the second time in the NCAA era that Stanford had been swept twice in a row. Prior to John Dunning becoming coach, the Card dropped three sweeps in a row in 2000 (losing to USC and UCLA at home, and to Arizona on the road), and also dropped two consecutive sweeps back in 1980 (to UCSB and Cal Poly).
In its match the next day after the straight-set loss to UNC, Stanford needed five sets to defeat Duke. The Card dropped to #8 in the polls, its lowest ranking since of October of 2013.