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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2019 5:18:49 GMT -5
I recently posted on another thread regarding the expected PSU v Pitt match-up:
"Assuming the teams get past the two early matches, I'm really looking forward to the PSU v Pitt showdown. Very confident that PSU will win comfortably - Pitt have had too many easy matches recently whilst PSU will be match sharp after their big games against Wisconsin and Minnesota.
"
Well, I've just finished watching (on catch-up) Pitt's loss to Cincinatti and I feel it proves what I said in the above post. Pitt were just not able to consistently raise their game to the next level after so many comfortable wins. Cincinatti came in fired up from the start and fully deserved their win.
Will Cincinatti be able to fire up to an even higher level to take down Penn State? I don't think so. Will PSU be complacent about facing a much lower ranked opponent than Pitt? No - Russ (and Kendall!) simply won't allow that to happen. I'm confidently predicting a PSU sweep!
It's 10am here in England, but as it's only 5am in the US, I look forward in a few hours time, to other folks' reactions to Cincinatti's win.
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Post by nyline on Dec 8, 2019 5:25:31 GMT -5
Well, there are a few early birds here. Not sure I'd predict a sweep (Jordan Thompson. 50 kills in one match! Oh my). But I agree that Penn State will win. And I hope you're right on the sweep.
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Post by stillkicking on Dec 8, 2019 6:09:43 GMT -5
Congratulations to Cincinatti, let's hope you are correct in your prediction David, and yes as nyline said there are early birds here and I am one of them.
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Post by yogi on Dec 8, 2019 7:05:35 GMT -5
I didn’t watch any of the Cincy/Pitt match but how is Cincy’s serving? Towson really stressed our serve receive and to me, that will be telling in how well we do. We have our vulnerabilities when we are out of system so we need strong showing by Jena and Keeton (Kendall is a stud so no concerns there). If we serve receive well and side out then I would agree that we should win easily. However, this is the regionals of the tourney and all 16 teams earned their spot with their play so anything can happen. Here is hoping for an entertaining, but not too stressful, match!
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Post by elliotberton on Dec 8, 2019 9:08:37 GMT -5
I agree with Yogi. Serve/Receive struggled against both Princeton and Towson. Yet the middles still got enough swings and the hitting percentages were good.
If these last two matches demonstrate anything is that there are no easy opponents for this group. "Winning Ugly" is still winning.
I have not seen Cincy play this year. However any team with Jordan Thompson would be a threat to win it all. Her experience with the National Team this Summer showed that she is ready to beat the best players in the world. So I think we will see some major adjustments to the blocking scheme. I also think a sweep is not likely.
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Post by traveler on Dec 8, 2019 9:53:17 GMT -5
I almost felt sorry when we cranked up our serving. Hill and Clark...what a revelation. have never really looked at this, but my assumption would be that our opps would improve in receiving serve as the match progressed. Not last night.
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Post by ethankasales on Dec 8, 2019 10:48:54 GMT -5
I just looked up Thompson’s career stats for fun. She heads into the Penn State match with 2,634 kills and 1,011 digs. Thompson is also a threat at the service line with 48 aces this season and 122 during her career.
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Post by traveler on Dec 8, 2019 11:39:55 GMT -5
OK, those Ks are unreal. Assuming she played 30 matches every year for 4 years I think my calculator said about 22 Ks/match. Average. !?
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Post by idseer2 on Dec 8, 2019 12:03:11 GMT -5
OK, those Ks are unreal. Assuming she played 30 matches every year for 4 years I think my calculator said about 22 Ks/match. Average. !? but how many attempts? being their only really good player i would guess they go to her very often. |
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Post by nyline on Dec 8, 2019 12:18:58 GMT -5
OK, those Ks are unreal. Assuming she played 30 matches every year for 4 years I think my calculator said about 22 Ks/match. Average. !? but how many attempts? being their only really good player i would guess they go to her very often. They do, and one could question quality of competition, but as Talking Head points out in a soon-to-be released article ( hoping for Monday) , those kills have come when every team knew she was the go-to hitter, every time. Very few easy chances for her. |
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Post by nitneliun on Dec 8, 2019 12:34:05 GMT -5
Jordan Thompson is already a quality international player and can take over a match at any time. However, she is vulnerable as a service receiver. We have to serve tough and block very well to minimize her impact on the game. Frankly, I haven't been impressed with the rest of the Cincy team.
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Post by traveler on Dec 8, 2019 14:08:05 GMT -5
On the NCAA site, they put up video of the last few points. The announcer maintains that she is the best player in the country. I'd hadn't heard of her until today (not that I'm a good barometer...).
Couple thoughts:
1) she'll be in the eye of the AA/POY selection teams by going to the Sweet 16
2) she may give some competition to Rettke and Plummer
3) and speaking of that, will Plummer's absence this year, which was fairly lengthy, provide some space for others to be considered?
Rhetorical questions?
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Post by pennstate1973 on Dec 8, 2019 15:08:54 GMT -5
Plummer not eligible for POY because she did not play the minimum number of sets required for the season. Plummer didn't win any PAC-12 awards because of this.
My guess is Rettke or Thompson, but the player typically has to be on a team making it to the Final Four. So if PSU beats Cincinnati, unfortunately for Thompson she won't be in the running.
Also, one goal on this thread is for everyone to figure out how to spell Cincinnati correctly.
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Post by nyline on Dec 8, 2019 15:22:43 GMT -5
Plummer not eligible for POY because she did not play the minimum number of sets required for the season. Plummer didn't win any PAC-12 awards because of this. My guess is Rettke or Thompson, but the player typically has to be on a team making it to the Final Four. So if PSU beats Cincinnati, unfortunately for Thompson she won't be in the running. Also, one goal on this thread is for everyone to figure out how to spell Cincinnati correctly. Ha!  Your wish is granted: www.ncaa.com/game/3909381/(Thanks for the heads-up) |
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Post by yogi on Dec 8, 2019 16:08:24 GMT -5
Plummer not eligible for POY because she did not play the minimum number of sets required for the season. Plummer didn't win any PAC-12 awards because of this. My guess is Rettke or Thompson, but the player typically has to be on a team making it to the Final Four. So if PSU beats Cincinnati, unfortunately for Thompson she won't be in the running. Also, one goal on this thread is for everyone to figure out how to spell Cincinnati correctly. I think the OH from Baylor, Pressley, wins POY this year. She reminds me of Destinee Hooker, uber vertical at 6 ft tall, and has been a big reason for Baylor’s dominance this year. If you have not seen her play, you need to as she is very impressive. |
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