|
|
Post by offonvictory on Sept 10, 2023 18:39:49 GMT -5
The thing that gets me the most about this team is the level of confidence the players projected in advance of the season.
Exhibit A is a cringe-worthy (especially now) interview with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission with Taylor and Mac. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuvbZZMHFW4)
Taylor says that she told her mom to book her flight to Tampa for the Final Four (Mac echoes "book it.") and that because the team beat Stanford and Oregon in the non-con last season that this tournament with FL and GT should "an easy one for us." Why would you EVER say something like that (or even think that)?
From Mac: "On paper we look really good. The challenge I guess you could say is going to be How do we put this together? How do we mesh as a team? How do we work together and figure that out? And, after this first week [of practice], I can that's not going to be the challenge anymore.... We've got a good road ahead of us."
I just don't know how that mindset helps anything in practice or during games. Also, it's clear that there's much more work to do on the questions in that quote, and it's a little baffling that practice seemed to show everything was going great. There are clear setter-hitter connections that are off. How does that not show in practice?
I think last year's team found success (and was so compelling during many big games) with a scrappy, underdog mentality. Maybe because this team has been kicked a few times, they'll adopt that mindset. I was hoping the Louisville game would bring that out.
It may have been wishful thinking on their part (and perhaps our part as fans) that replacing a first-team all Big Ten OH with a first-team all Big Ten OH and replacing a second-team all-Big Ten setter with a first-team all-Big Ten setter would result in much more than a possibly marginally better team than last year.
Let's hope when we look back on the season Taylor's quote below turns out to be true...
"I'm feeling really confident about our team. I know this is one of the best teams I've ever been a part of. I'm really excited for our future; it's going to be really bright."
|
|
|
|
Post by elliotberton on Sept 10, 2023 18:57:12 GMT -5
The thing that gets me the most about this team is the level of confidence the players projected in advance of the season. Exhibit A is a cringe-worthy (especially now) interview with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission with Taylor and Mac. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuvbZZMHFW4) Taylor says that she told her mom to book her flight to Tampa for the Final Four (Mac echoes "book it.") and that because the team beat Stanford and Oregon in the non-con last season that this tournament with FL and GT should "an easy one for us." Why would you EVER say something like that (or even think that)? From Mac: "On paper we look really good. The challenge I guess you could say is going to be How do we put this together? How do we mesh as a team? How do we work together and figure that out? And, after this first week [of practice], I can that's not going to be the challenge anymore.... We've got a good road ahead of us." I just don't know how that mindset helps anything in practice or during games. Also, it's clear that there's much more work to do on the questions in that quote, and it's a little baffling that practice seemed to show everything was going great. There are clear setter-hitter connections that are off. How does that not show in practice? I think last year's team found success (and was so compelling during many big games) with a scrappy, underdog mentality. Maybe because this team has been kicked a few times, they'll adopt that mindset. I was hoping the Louisville game would bring that out. It may have been wishful thinking on their part (and perhaps our part as fans) that replacing a first-team all Big Ten OH with a first-team all Big Ten OH and replacing a second-team all-Big Ten setter with a first-team all-Big Ten setter would result in much more than a possibly marginally better team than last year. Let's hope when we look back on the season Taylor's quote below turns out to be true... "I'm feeling really confident about our team. I know this is one of the best teams I've ever been a part of. I'm really excited for our future; it's going to be really bright." Everyone led us to believe that this was a top team. Not only were they highly rated, but I saw a quote from KSC that this was a "special group." So the challenges being demonstrated are surprising and that much more disappointing. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2023 19:31:44 GMT -5
Anyone else feel the coaching staff is not serving the amount of talent this team actually has ? I agree, I'm very disappointed with the coaching staff this season. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2023 19:32:50 GMT -5
Anyone else feel the coaching staff is not serving the amount of talent this team actually has ? Speaking of, is Hodge gone for good? What's going on there? It's a little odd, but still too early to glean anything from her absence. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2023 19:34:28 GMT -5
I think coaching staff should stick with Markley. Her block is still an asset even is she is not hitting well. I'll add that at the very least, you want next year's hitters getting experience and reps. If this season keeps progressing like it is now, I'd throw Markley and Willow into every match. Make sure their ready to hit the ground running with baby Starck setting them next season. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2023 19:36:43 GMT -5
I still think this team can make the tournament, so the streak is still safe, IMO.
|
|
|
|
Post by nittanylion1 on Sept 10, 2023 19:59:21 GMT -5
I'm confident the coaching staff and players will get it together. It's not how you start, but how you finish. First and foremost, I'm a huge fan of the program and every player. Just from watching the first few weeks, it appears that Stark and Markley adapt better to a quick tempo office. I would love to see more of Markley on the right side and Stark as the other outside. Markley is the best blocker out of all the pins and could really slow down/shutdown the opponent's outside attack. Stark controls the ball well and is a solid all around player. This is not to take anything away from Zoe or Cam. They are both solid players who can put dents in the floor with their powerful swings. The team has so many options and it will be interesting to see who starts a month from now:)
|
|
|
|
Post by mrdibbs on Sept 10, 2023 19:59:23 GMT -5
I don't post very often but feel a need to chime in
Today's match was disappointing to say the least. The ladies looked way, way overmatched and with conference play drawing closer, the optimism of mid August has flown the coop.
On the plus side, the 3 losses are to 3 pretty good teams. #2, #3 & #11 is a daunting task. Of course the preseason pundits had PSU as a #7 and even after the Tampa trip only dropped to #14.
On the negative side, in each of those 3 losses, this team wasn't close in play to their opponent. Not good.
Can KSC and her staff work some magic with this team? Maybe, but the long term downside may be losing the younger players because their opportunities are limited by the annual transfer portal infusion of players.
Time will tell.
|
|
|
|
Post by psu1972 on Sept 10, 2023 20:08:12 GMT -5
I may be way off on this, but there have been quite a few calls on Mac for spinning the ball on her sets. I think the call is double touch? Some of the announcers have mentioned the call (and not just on Mac). Perhaps this is how she sets and now is overly conscious about getting called on it.
|
|
|
|
Post by ethankasales on Sept 10, 2023 20:46:02 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by toomuchvb on Sept 10, 2023 21:30:22 GMT -5
😩😭
|
|
|
|
Post by rrsarson on Sept 10, 2023 22:21:36 GMT -5
My major concern following the loss against a good Louisville team is the chemistry within the TEAM. Here's my take.....If my daughter was a highly recruit say 6'0" player but had a consistent vertical jump height around 40 inches what would her decision to sign for PSU when freshman don"t get the time to develop in playing condition's,. To me that is a learning process. Sometimes and I believe often practice is not the showcase for live action performance. Look at 2022 Markley played a ton of games as a freshman and now very seldom is she in rotations. Understand the season just began but things have to change for PSU to get to the ultimate goal. The transfer portal to me is a risky 50/50 gamble to match athletes abilities with their mindset. Women are very delicate individuals. I look at Macy as an example. For several years now she has been behind the scenes the type of player who is probably valuable in prep for upcoming opponents. Damn give the kid a shot or two. Also I'd be very careful of losing some players to the portal if things do not change. My opinion if a player is struggling to get consistent in game condition to succeed with the team then some time sitting is the right thing to do. It appears to be KSC is nervous to sit down some of the recent struggling transfers regardless. Each made a commitment to PSU make them live up to it, that's why they wear the BLUE and WHITE. WE ARE!!!!
|
|
vb
Freshman
Posts: 15
|
Post by vb on Sept 10, 2023 23:26:53 GMT -5
Am I the only one that saw Penn State switch, although too late, to a 6-2 Offense? I have to commend the coaching staff on this seamless transition. They saw the problem and tried to address it.
Only other point I want to make— Unlike where the setter came from, there is no coach on the staff that knows setting. Significantly easier to become an AA setter when you have a setting coach.
|
|
|
|
Post by ethankasales on Sept 11, 2023 8:48:17 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by ethankasales on Sept 11, 2023 10:17:12 GMT -5
|
|
