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Post by nyline on Apr 15, 2017 10:52:57 GMT -5
This is Part 2 of our series comparing stats from the 2012 and 2013 seasons, to stats from the 2106 season — in this post, comparing blocking stats. Part 1 compared attack stats. Here’s why we’re interested in the comparison. Think back to 2013. Penn State had come oh-so-close to making the NCAA finals in 2012, losing to Oregon, 3-1 in a tough match in which sophomore setter Micha Hancock was injured in the second set, limiting her effectiveness for the rest of the match. In 2013, the Nittany Lions returned almost everyone from that 2012 squad — including Jr. setter Hancock, Sr. OH Deja McClendon, So. OH Megan Courtney, Sr. RS/Opp Ariel Scott, Sr. MH Katie Slay, and Jr. MH Nia Grant. That 2013 team built on their experience from the 2012 season to capture the NCAA Title in Seattle, taking down the home town Washington Huskies in a dominating sweep in the Semifinals, and holding off a tenacious and talented Wisconsin team 3-1 in the Finals. Penn State has pretty much everyone back in 2017, too. We’re not predicting an NCAA title for Penn State in 2017, and the point here really isn’t to compare the 2012/2013 players to the 2016 players — although to some extent that’s an inevitable conclusion some will make, given the comparison of their statistics. Of greater interest to us was to see how the statistics from 2012 weren’t necessarily all that different from the statistics in 2016. And, equally (or more) important — how many of the players improved, statistically, from 2012 to 2013. Although there’s no guarantee, it’s not unrealistic to anticipate improvement from 2016 to 2017 — without even taking into account the three new front row players: RS Kat Cather, MH Cami May, and OH Michaela Putnicki. Quick Takes — Katie Slay was so talented and such a force. Megan Courtney was truly special as a solo blocker. Tori Gorrell was pretty darn good as a redshirt freshman. No question the 2012 and 2013 teams were more proficient blockers, overall, than the 2016 team. It will be interesting to see how the team improves in 2017. Click Here for Part 2, including the table that makes the comparison for blocking statistics. |
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Post by toomuchvb on Apr 16, 2017 15:12:58 GMT -5
The 2016 difference in blocking stats as compared to 2012-2013 may account for some of the "underperformance" about which fans are concerned. Net play that scored 152 blocking points more than opponents in 2012 and 165 more in 2013 is a significant loss of scoring compared to 2016. This 2016 team has blocking stats more in line with its opponents. Yes, they scored 92 more blocking points than their opponents. But it represents a loss of 60 or 70 points when compared to 2012-2013. Again, could this be a reason for the records set in 2016: most losses, lowest finish, lowest seeding, etc.
This year's National Championship Stanford Cardinal, a very tall team, totaled 433 total blocks, and Texas, also a tall team, produced 310.5 total points blocking. Why the reduction in blocking? No 6'6" stature players? Lack of blocking skills? Change in speed of the game over time? I'd love to know others' thoughts.
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Post by toomuchvb on Apr 16, 2017 15:25:48 GMT -5
And if anyone else is curious (I was), Nebraska posted 330 total blocks and Wisconsin 310.5 total blocks in 2016.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2017 20:47:21 GMT -5
But.... The 2014 Championship team averaged but 2.68 blocks per set. (Although their hitting percentage was around 340 which probably more than made up for it)
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Post by elliotberton on Apr 19, 2017 12:18:39 GMT -5
I think one of the main blocking issues (for comparison purposes) is how athletic Micha was(is). Micha had 30 more blocks than Abby (who in fairness did not play full time). Significantly, Micha was enough of a blocking threat that hitters could not always just pound the line like they did last year.
Unless Abby or Bryana pulls substantially ahead, I wonder if we might not see a lot of 6/2 this year, as we did in the tournament, primarily to insert better right side blocking. I know coach really does not like the 6/2, but he dusted it off for the tournament, and it seemed to help some. Also, although Abby is a leftie, her swings were all too often off the mark, while Bryanna really only can do the occasional dump. Another true hitter on the right might be a further reason to try such a system.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 19:26:02 GMT -5
It dawned on me that there were no blocking stats for Bryanna. In 2015 she averaged 0.59 blocks/set. I checked PSU stats and apparently she had no blocks??? I know she didn't play a lot, but I'm sure she had some. And, in that respect, one can't make a meaningful comparison between Detering's and Hancock's blocking numbers. Micah never left the court.
So Nyline, we can't blame this on your notorious slacker staff. This one rests with PSU's statisticians.
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Post by elliotberton on Apr 21, 2017 13:40:33 GMT -5
If we cared enough, we could figure out Bryanna's blocking stats (and Rivera's too come to think of it). For example, Bryanna did not play against West Virginia, was credited with a block assist in the Georgia Southern match, and one block assist against UNC.
But as I get paid less than the staff, I decline to work my way through all of the match stats just to make an accurate comparison of blocking statistics. We all know that Micha was a more impressive athlete than either of our current setters, so what really is the point.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2017 17:27:26 GMT -5
If we cared enough, we could figure out Bryanna's blocking stats (and Rivera's too come to think of it). For example, Bryanna did not play against West Virginia, was credited with a block assist in the Georgia Southern match, and one block assist against UNC. But as I get paid less than the staff, I decline to work my way through all of the match stats just to make an accurate comparison of blocking statistics. We all know that Micha was a more impressive athlete than either of our current setters, so what really is the point. Oh yes... Searching for stats game-by-game. I'd almost blocked the process out after my last foray into the world of volleyball statistics at the end of the 2014 season. A word or warning. Stay away from University of Texas pre-2013 statistics. It is disappointing to see PSU statistics so carelessly kept. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2017 17:55:17 GMT -5
Well! I am embarrassed! I must have had an out-of-body-experience as a slacker staff member.
Penn State did have season blocking stats for Bryanna Weiskircher.
The stats are:
BS=0; BA=14; Total=14; Blk/Set=0.2; BE=3; BHE=1
As Elliot suggested, it will have little effect on the team's 2016 stats. Wish I hadn't missed it. I've sent a formal apology to PSU's SID.
(as if)
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Post by nyline on Apr 24, 2017 19:48:36 GMT -5
Well! I am embarrassed! I must have had an out-of-body-experience as a slacker staff member. Penn State did have season blocking stats for Bryanna Weiskircher. The stats are: BS=0; BA=14; Total=14; Blk/Set=0.2; BE=3; BHE=1 As Elliot suggested, it will have little effect on the team's 2016 stats. Wish I hadn't missed it. I've sent a formal apology to PSU's SID. (as if) Slacker staff had energy to ask for one too. So? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2017 19:57:56 GMT -5
Well! I am embarrassed! I must have had an out-of-body-experience as a slacker staff member. Penn State did have season blocking stats for Bryanna Weiskircher. The stats are: BS=0; BA=14; Total=14; Blk/Set=0.2; BE=3; BHE=1 As Elliot suggested, it will have little effect on the team's 2016 stats. Wish I hadn't missed it. I've sent a formal apology to PSU's SID. (as if) Slacker staff had energy to ask for one too. So? Ask for one what? An apology? I'll pass along my regrets at the DigNittany Hospitality Suite in Pittsburgh in 2019. |
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Post by elliotberton on Apr 26, 2017 16:14:30 GMT -5
As part of my pro bono services, I will apologize formally on behalf of anyone who might be sorry....
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Post by nyline on Apr 26, 2017 16:29:58 GMT -5
As part of my pro bono services, I will apologize formally on behalf of anyone who might be sorry.... Sort of like the professional mourners in New Orleans. I like it. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 16:33:21 GMT -5
As part of my pro bono services, I will apologize formally on behalf of anyone who might be sorry.... I thought Sonny Bono perished in an unfortunate skiing accident? Want to apologize for something? How about that busybody lead singer with U2? |
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