Four Things We Learned from Week 1
Sept 2, 2015 17:29:02 GMT -5
nyline, treblejig, and 1 more like this
Post by snj on Sept 2, 2015 17:29:02 GMT -5
Good afternoon all, pleased to be joining you. Wife and I are longtime fans of PSU W-VB, her association with PSU goes back to 1968-72, she managed the training table for the football team while she was a Food Service major. I am an IU guy who is probably an even more interested fan of PSU W-VB than she is!
I am not nearly the expert that some of you are but I believe that the front line players are as good as anybody in the country today and with continual work will be better than all by the end of the season. So much talent...very athletic, skilled, determined. Strong blocking so far, should help in tough matches.
Our setters seem capable given their age/experience. Focusing on the Villanova match, when Weiskircher got the ball in system, inside the 10 foot line, she seemed to make good sets often, perhaps she can move the ball around more, they need to be able to attack from the middle more frequently to keep the blockers from being secure on the outside hitters. When she had to go further back, and at least once I saw her put up a set from only 6-7 feet from the endline, things went less well as we know. Her willingness to go over on 2 is encouraging, sign of confidence.
We all knew the defense would be a serious challenge this year. So far anything can happen when the ball comes over, a good in system reception and pass or a scramble resembling a circus. The players are clearly talented, so I have confidence the defense will improve, but that will take time, weeks, more than a month, maybe not until mid season, so we can't be surprised if they lose a few times.
Right now the most important player is Courtney, she has to do it all, especially contribute from the back while the new players develop. If she gets hurt it would have a serious impact, hoping she stays very healthy.
Can't see them beating both Colorado and Stanford this weekend unless there is remarkable improvement this week by the defense. I believe they will be in the Final Four because of the load of talent and the outstanding coaching.
I am not nearly the expert that some of you are but I believe that the front line players are as good as anybody in the country today and with continual work will be better than all by the end of the season. So much talent...very athletic, skilled, determined. Strong blocking so far, should help in tough matches.
Our setters seem capable given their age/experience. Focusing on the Villanova match, when Weiskircher got the ball in system, inside the 10 foot line, she seemed to make good sets often, perhaps she can move the ball around more, they need to be able to attack from the middle more frequently to keep the blockers from being secure on the outside hitters. When she had to go further back, and at least once I saw her put up a set from only 6-7 feet from the endline, things went less well as we know. Her willingness to go over on 2 is encouraging, sign of confidence.
We all knew the defense would be a serious challenge this year. So far anything can happen when the ball comes over, a good in system reception and pass or a scramble resembling a circus. The players are clearly talented, so I have confidence the defense will improve, but that will take time, weeks, more than a month, maybe not until mid season, so we can't be surprised if they lose a few times.
Right now the most important player is Courtney, she has to do it all, especially contribute from the back while the new players develop. If she gets hurt it would have a serious impact, hoping she stays very healthy.
Can't see them beating both Colorado and Stanford this weekend unless there is remarkable improvement this week by the defense. I believe they will be in the Final Four because of the load of talent and the outstanding coaching.
