Match Thread - PSU vs. Florida: Fri. Aug 25, 2023 8 p.m. ET
Aug 26, 2023 11:42:17 GMT -5
nyline, ski, and 3 more like this
Post by elliotberton on Aug 26, 2023 11:42:17 GMT -5
I did not want to comment in too much detail last night because I don't want to be too harsh.
The comments from our esteemed posters on this site have been a bit contradictory because the team's play ranged from pretty good to well short of the mark. I felt that the passing in the first set was very good, but we hit a very poor percentage. Service in that set was helped by FL nerves. As the match progressed, FL passed better and better (including on what seemed to be some really good PSU serves) and our passing degraded as FL began serving much better.
The point here is that when the passing was good, the offense still was not. Many of the sets were not where the hitter needed them to be. Setting middle is always tricky, but none of the slides were perfect sets, and the quick to Allie was often off. Thanks to Jess' athleticism, we got some attacking from the left, but I observed quite a number of swings where she had to twist to get the ball from behind her head. Meanwhile, the back row attacks, which were fairly numerous, were set pretty well both for Jess and Angelina (and one for Zoe). While setter/hitter comfort levels will improve, I observe that FL setter did pretty well with lots of new players including some very impressive Freshman. Moreover, last year, albeit against much lesser competition, our grad transfer setter seemed to mesh more swiftly with (to her) all new teammates.
We have been told to expect quite a lot from this group (and not just from our coaching staff). So I expected much better play (win or lose, I did not think we would hit so poorly). I would have felt the same even if we won set 4 and somehow took the match.
I was not surprised to hear that A. Starck was regarded as the most improved player in the pre season camp-her confidence seemed very low at the end of last season and so there was a low starting point. I fully admire her passing and defense for a 6 rotation player, and last night she showed some offense. But she still tips too much and clearly did not play well enough to keep Markley on the bench. I too wish that more of our players were willing to tool the block more and hit line, but last night the sets were so all over the place that maybe this first match is not a barometer or fair measure of what the hitters can actually do.
I have big confidence in our coach-she has already accomplished a great deal following a legend, and highly regarded players have come to the team to play for her (I don't accept Coaches' humble assertion that they just want to play at PSU). Although I too was surprised at some of the personnel choices, I am not willing to question. The staff has been at practice with these ladies and I trust their judgment and reasoning.
Usually, when the coaches and pundits are in agreement, in Women's volleyball, there are few surprises. But that may be changing now that so many top players are transferring each season (San Diego anyone?). I can only wish that the team very swiftly finds itself and plays much better.
The comments from our esteemed posters on this site have been a bit contradictory because the team's play ranged from pretty good to well short of the mark. I felt that the passing in the first set was very good, but we hit a very poor percentage. Service in that set was helped by FL nerves. As the match progressed, FL passed better and better (including on what seemed to be some really good PSU serves) and our passing degraded as FL began serving much better.
The point here is that when the passing was good, the offense still was not. Many of the sets were not where the hitter needed them to be. Setting middle is always tricky, but none of the slides were perfect sets, and the quick to Allie was often off. Thanks to Jess' athleticism, we got some attacking from the left, but I observed quite a number of swings where she had to twist to get the ball from behind her head. Meanwhile, the back row attacks, which were fairly numerous, were set pretty well both for Jess and Angelina (and one for Zoe). While setter/hitter comfort levels will improve, I observe that FL setter did pretty well with lots of new players including some very impressive Freshman. Moreover, last year, albeit against much lesser competition, our grad transfer setter seemed to mesh more swiftly with (to her) all new teammates.
We have been told to expect quite a lot from this group (and not just from our coaching staff). So I expected much better play (win or lose, I did not think we would hit so poorly). I would have felt the same even if we won set 4 and somehow took the match.
I was not surprised to hear that A. Starck was regarded as the most improved player in the pre season camp-her confidence seemed very low at the end of last season and so there was a low starting point. I fully admire her passing and defense for a 6 rotation player, and last night she showed some offense. But she still tips too much and clearly did not play well enough to keep Markley on the bench. I too wish that more of our players were willing to tool the block more and hit line, but last night the sets were so all over the place that maybe this first match is not a barometer or fair measure of what the hitters can actually do.
I have big confidence in our coach-she has already accomplished a great deal following a legend, and highly regarded players have come to the team to play for her (I don't accept Coaches' humble assertion that they just want to play at PSU). Although I too was surprised at some of the personnel choices, I am not willing to question. The staff has been at practice with these ladies and I trust their judgment and reasoning.
Usually, when the coaches and pundits are in agreement, in Women's volleyball, there are few surprises. But that may be changing now that so many top players are transferring each season (San Diego anyone?). I can only wish that the team very swiftly finds itself and plays much better.
