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Post by nyline on Aug 6, 2017 17:07:53 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 8:15:47 GMT -5
Wow! Lotsa information to absorb--that's probably why no one's commented; they're in absorption mode.
After reading Talking Head's assessment, it's hard not to be optimistic. It's probably the best shape in terms of experience that the team's been in since 2013--the senior class is even looking to bookend their careers with a second national championship. Yet with all this experience, why don't I feel as confident (as confident as a fan can feel) as I did four years ago?
Seems that Talking Head stressed that with so much experience, the coaching staff can be very flexible. One thing I've noticed the last few years is that Coach Rose isn't overly flexible once the roster is set. The biggest exception to that was last year's switching setters--culminating in the 6-2 experiment at Nebraska. It would be interesting if Coach Rose were to maximize flexibility this season to take advantage of the team's broad-based experience. If he could pull it off, the preparation challenge might overwhelm PSU's opponents. Face it, in 2013 PSU could physically overwhelm opponents with the seniors. I don't know if this year's seniors can do that--they didn't demonstrate that type of dominance last year. So instead of the dominant front line Rose used in years past, maybe a "human wave" approach will work this year in which he throws everything and the kitchen sink at the opponent.
I have other thoughts, but that's enough for now. At my age, I have to guard against carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Post by treblejig on Aug 7, 2017 9:30:46 GMT -5
Great read, thank you.
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Post by cross5 on Aug 7, 2017 9:49:14 GMT -5
 The staff sounds like they have gotten better. The B1G sounds like they have not. Hopefully the girls want to achieve something special TOGETHER |
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Post by toomuchvb on Aug 7, 2017 10:27:16 GMT -5
The staff sounds like they have gotten better. The B1G sounds like they have not. Hopefully the girls want to achieve something special TOGETHER Burning desire to achieve success! |
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Post by bob2061 on Aug 7, 2017 12:17:32 GMT -5
I have recently become very optimistic having read the bios of all the new players. If last year's starters start out less than stellar I expect to see changes taking place. Coach now has some real options rather than "grinning and bear it". Hopefully the starters will feel the pressure and elevate their play even higher.
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Post by elliotberton on Aug 7, 2017 13:13:25 GMT -5
I am only cautiously optimistic. My observation is that coach switched between setters last season because neither was getting the job done. If the setting remains not quite good enough, then the results will likely be similar to last year.
As several sage observers on this site have noted, a 6/2 could impair some of the slide play, and might force our hitters to have to adjust to different sets than they might prefer. However, getting a better blocker and third hitter on certain rotations may outweigh such concerns. Talking Head's suggestion that using the 6/2 might keep both setters hungry is also interesting. I remain convinced that Penn State could have had another National Championship if Carpenter had been ready to step in when Micha turned her ankle.
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Post by traveler on Aug 7, 2017 18:04:32 GMT -5
What a blast from the past! That neither Carp nor Racibarskus ran to the coach and onto the court i think is one of the great mysteries and/or shortcomings of the team. Raci was a more than competent setter; that she could not see she was needed at that moment just blows my mind. Coach: I've GOT this. Where was that thought???
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Post by traveler on Aug 7, 2017 18:11:54 GMT -5
GNU2 has focused on only one part of the equation that Coach created by using the 6-2. It also allowed Reed into the mix, and it wasn't just a 1-1 trade off. it was complex and hard to react to for the NE team. Just when they had our front line figured out, here was something totally new. I think it was not just throwing things at them, but really crafty. PSU as a team seemed to really love adding both Reed and Powers into the mix, and it didn't throw off their rhythm. If the setters can see this not as a competition against each other but against all others, i think it will be effective.
The good thing is they both seem to be prepared to step in at any time....which is what we need from all hands.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 18:35:49 GMT -5
What a blast from the past! That neither Carp nor Racibarskus ran to the coach and onto the court i think is one of the great mysteries and/or shortcomings of the team. Raci was a more than competent setter; that she could not see she was needed at that moment just blows my mind. Coach: I've GOT this. Where was that thought??? It's a fair question/observation. I don't know anything of the personal dynamics between Coach Rose and the team. I only know what I observe. But from what I've observed during games, I don't think I've ever seen a player approach Coach Rose on their own initiative during a game. |
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Post by toomuchvb on Aug 7, 2017 19:16:34 GMT -5
By the way, is it permissible to only use vicennial photos of Russ Rose? 😆😆😆
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Post by nyline on Aug 7, 2017 19:51:18 GMT -5
By the way, is it permissible to only use vicennial photos of Russ Rose? 😆😆😆 Vicennial. I had to look this up. It sounds questionable.  |
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Post by toomuchvb on Aug 7, 2017 19:57:16 GMT -5
By the way, is it permissible to only use vicennial photos of Russ Rose? 😆😆😆 Vicennial. I had to look this up. It sounds questionable. Probably used that adjective incorrectly! 🙃 I'll keep it simple: must 20-year-old photos of Coach Rose be used? Ha ha ha. Some of those pictures look like the 1980s even! But judging from the annual team photos I've seen, he's not one to enjoy having his picture taken. 😒 |
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Post by toomuchvb on Aug 7, 2017 19:58:15 GMT -5
Gads, I went emoji crazy!
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Post by treblejig on Aug 7, 2017 19:59:17 GMT -5
What a blast from the past! That neither Carp nor Racibarskus ran to the coach and onto the court i think is one of the great mysteries and/or shortcomings of the team. Raci was a more than competent setter; that she could not see she was needed at that moment just blows my mind. Coach: I've GOT this. Where was that thought??? It's a fair question/observation. I don't know anything of the personal dynamics between Coach Rose and the team. I only know what I observe. But from what I've observed during games, I don't think I've ever seen a player approach Coach Rose on their own initiative during a game. I have a vague memory of this...I remember only once during a match Carp indicating to coach that she would go in and she was not invited to do so. My recollection is that if coach wants someone to go in, he puts them in. |
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