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Post by ethankasales on Aug 28, 2022 19:52:26 GMT -5
I agree that Holland had an impressive weekend. I would think the all-tournament team selection committee wants to have at least one player from each team represented.
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Post by nyline on Aug 28, 2022 20:10:03 GMT -5
I agree that Holland had an impressive weekend. I would think the all-tournament team selection committee wants to have at least one player from each team represented. No doubt. As traveler noted, we needed to be polite to our guests.
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 29, 2022 10:02:12 GMT -5
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 29, 2022 11:47:32 GMT -5
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 29, 2022 14:02:55 GMT -5
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 29, 2022 17:09:15 GMT -5
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ski
Freshman
Posts: 18
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Post by ski on Aug 29, 2022 19:23:00 GMT -5
10 Thoughts about the opening weekend1) Transfers Kash Williams, Zoe Weatherington, Taylor Trammell and Leisa Elisaia are as advertised -- dynamic, talented players. It remains to be seen how they'll fare against tougher opponents in upcoming matches, but so far, they pass the eye-test. 2) Kash Williams has a lightening quick arm. And a very powerful swing. I can't remember ever seeing a player's attack hit an official so hard the official had to "take a moment" to check he was still in one piece. That's what happened after one of Kash's swings. 3) Speaking of powerful swings, Zoe Weatherington definitely has one. Someone should scan the Rec Hall court to check for dents. 4) Taylor Trammell is a real force in the middle. She and Allie Holland are a very talented duo. Allie looks stronger than last season, and her situational awareness is high. 5) Anjelina Starck seems to be much stronger, with a more powerful swing and improved elevation. Really looking forward to her progression this season. 6) Leisa Elisaia brings alot to the table -- including a formidable net front presence. Through the first three matches, she is averaging 10.18 assists/set (3rd in the B1G), 0.91 kills/set (7th on the team), 1.73 pts/set (6th on the team), 2.64 digs/set (2nd on the team), and 0.91 blocks/set (4th on the team). 7) Maddy Bilinovic played very well (IMHO). She's averaging 4.18 digs/set (5th in the B1G). And she has 6 service aces through 11 sets (10th in the B1G)! 8) Gillian Grimes and Cassie Kuerschen both played solid defense and served well. Grimes's energy reminds me of Kendall White. That's a good thing. 9) Nasta Kudryashova had a very solid match against Connecticut, but didn't match that performance on Saturday against Loyola and West Virginia. Penn State will benefit greatly if she can bring more consistency to her game. 10) Heard that after the Booster Club Social (which typically follows Saturday night home matches) Coach Katie brought everyone together -- players, parents, family, friends, coaches, staff, boosters -- for a quick "Group Hug." I love that, and think it epitomizes the culture that Coach Katie is creating at Penn State. They work very hard, and the staff is demanding, but there is also alot of caring. I would add that the serve receive and passing looked to be better than last year in a limited sample. I used to feel sorry for Blossom at times last year after she was run all over the court trying to make lemonade out of lemon passes. I am encouraged by Weatherington, but I am going to withhold forming a strong opinion until I see her 6' hold up and have success against better teams. Is she Allyson Cathey/Lauren Clark or Simone Lee? At a minimum, she makes too many errors at the line to keep serving. Let her back court replacement take those duties from her.
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 29, 2022 20:06:47 GMT -5
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Post by nyline on Aug 29, 2022 20:18:11 GMT -5
10 Thoughts about the opening weekend1) Transfers Kash Williams, Zoe Weatherington, Taylor Trammell and Leisa Elisaia are as advertised -- dynamic, talented players. It remains to be seen how they'll fare against tougher opponents in upcoming matches, but so far, they pass the eye-test. 2) Kash Williams has a lightening quick arm. And a very powerful swing. I can't remember ever seeing a player's attack hit an official so hard the official had to "take a moment" to check he was still in one piece. That's what happened after one of Kash's swings. 3) Speaking of powerful swings, Zoe Weatherington definitely has one. Someone should scan the Rec Hall court to check for dents. 4) Taylor Trammell is a real force in the middle. She and Allie Holland are a very talented duo. Allie looks stronger than last season, and her situational awareness is high. 5) Anjelina Starck seems to be much stronger, with a more powerful swing and improved elevation. Really looking forward to her progression this season. 6) Leisa Elisaia brings alot to the table -- including a formidable net front presence. Through the first three matches, she is averaging 10.18 assists/set (3rd in the B1G), 0.91 kills/set (7th on the team), 1.73 pts/set (6th on the team), 2.64 digs/set (2nd on the team), and 0.91 blocks/set (4th on the team). 7) Maddy Bilinovic played very well (IMHO). She's averaging 4.18 digs/set (5th in the B1G). And she has 6 service aces through 11 sets (10th in the B1G)! 8) Gillian Grimes and Cassie Kuerschen both played solid defense and served well. Grimes's energy reminds me of Kendall White. That's a good thing. 9) Nasta Kudryashova had a very solid match against Connecticut, but didn't match that performance on Saturday against Loyola and West Virginia. Penn State will benefit greatly if she can bring more consistency to her game. 10) Heard that after the Booster Club Social (which typically follows Saturday night home matches) Coach Katie brought everyone together -- players, parents, family, friends, coaches, staff, boosters -- for a quick "Group Hug." I love that, and think it epitomizes the culture that Coach Katie is creating at Penn State. They work very hard, and the staff is demanding, but there is also alot of caring. I would add that the serve receive and passing looked to be better than last year in a limited sample. I used to feel sorry for Blossom at times last year after she was run all over the court trying to make lemonade out of lemon passes. I am encouraged by Weatherington, but I am going to withhold forming a strong opinion until I see her 6' hold up and have success against better teams. Is she Allyson Cathey/Lauren Clark or Simone Lee? At a minimum, she makes too many errors at the line to keep serving. Let her back court replacement take those duties from her. I'm with you on the "wait and see," but I'd apply that to Zoe's serving as well. You may be right that PSU would be better off with a DS serving for her, but I'd give it a bit more time. (Having said that, KSC will probably make the change starting with the next match )
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 31, 2022 1:31:28 GMT -5
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Post by nyline on Aug 31, 2022 7:30:37 GMT -5
Great, just really great interviews, Ethan! So impressed! Though all three said alot of insightful and interesting things, my favorite is from Zoe:
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 31, 2022 10:10:01 GMT -5
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cindy
Sophomore
Posts: 80
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Post by cindy on Aug 31, 2022 10:17:42 GMT -5
I am so impressed with Taylor and Zoe in that interview - this season is going to be so fun watching this team gel and be there for each other. Go Lions!
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Post by lionsfan on Aug 31, 2022 16:44:02 GMT -5
10 Thoughts about the opening weekend1) Transfers Kash Williams, Zoe Weatherington, Taylor Trammell and Leisa Elisaia are as advertised -- dynamic, talented players. It remains to be seen how they'll fare against tougher opponents in upcoming matches, but so far, they pass the eye-test. 2) Kash Williams has a lightening quick arm. And a very powerful swing. I can't remember ever seeing a player's attack hit an official so hard the official had to "take a moment" to check he was still in one piece. That's what happened after one of Kash's swings. 3) Speaking of powerful swings, Zoe Weatherington definitely has one. Someone should scan the Rec Hall court to check for dents. 4) Taylor Trammell is a real force in the middle. She and Allie Holland are a very talented duo. Allie looks stronger than last season, and her situational awareness is high. 5) Anjelina Starck seems to be much stronger, with a more powerful swing and improved elevation. Really looking forward to her progression this season. 6) Leisa Elisaia brings alot to the table -- including a formidable net front presence. Through the first three matches, she is averaging 10.18 assists/set (3rd in the B1G), 0.91 kills/set (7th on the team), 1.73 pts/set (6th on the team), 2.64 digs/set (2nd on the team), and 0.91 blocks/set (4th on the team). 7) Maddy Bilinovic played very well (IMHO). She's averaging 4.18 digs/set (5th in the B1G). And she has 6 service aces through 11 sets (10th in the B1G)! 8) Gillian Grimes and Cassie Kuerschen both played solid defense and served well. Grimes's energy reminds me of Kendall White. That's a good thing. 9) Nasta Kudryashova had a very solid match against Connecticut, but didn't match that performance on Saturday against Loyola and West Virginia. Penn State will benefit greatly if she can bring more consistency to her game. 10) Heard that after the Booster Club Social (which typically follows Saturday night home matches) Coach Katie brought everyone together -- players, parents, family, friends, coaches, staff, boosters -- for a quick "Group Hug." I love that, and think it epitomizes the culture that Coach Katie is creating at Penn State. They work very hard, and the staff is demanding, but there is also alot of caring. I would add that the serve receive and passing looked to be better than last year in a limited sample. I used to feel sorry for Blossom at times last year after she was run all over the court trying to make lemonade out of lemon passes. I am encouraged by Weatherington, but I am going to withhold forming a strong opinion until I see her 6' hold up and have success against better teams. Is she Allyson Cathey/Lauren Clark or Simone Lee? At a minimum, she makes too many errors at the line to keep serving. Let her back court replacement take those duties from her. Zoe is 6-2...Kash is 6-0
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 31, 2022 17:35:41 GMT -5
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