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Post by cross5 on Sept 29, 2015 6:14:44 GMT -5
Your guess is as good as mine. I agree, it certainly seemed like he meant Simone. Beyond that, who knows. Besides what's been said in many threads, I think the DS lineup is another liability for PSU. As the position states, they are supposed to be defensive specialists, but both Kendall, Lainey and Taylor all have not contributed to much to the defense. Megan is getting 50 plus attacks and in addition she has to be the main defender even though one of the DS are nearby is something I feel will hurt the team in a close games. If Keeton didn't emerged early, PSU would've been even in a deeper trouble. Taylor is the only DS in reality as she is set for who she goes in for, when she goes in and unchanging. Lainy has been used as a serving specialist. Wednesday it was for Keeton and then playing the 5 spot on defense and on Saturday it was for Megan playing the 6. Both are very different positions and vastly different in responsibility, with the 6 position being the most difficult by a large margin. Kendall has been used as a serving sub for 3 different players of late and the main sub for Ali, usually late in games. When that sub is made is never consistent as to when. It looks like Coach Rose is trying to make Ali into a consistent 6 rotation player if not for this year most certainly for next year when Megan leaves. However, on Saturday Kendall started for Ali in game 5 and played all the way through the match. She and Keeton had crucial digs that were the difference in the match. My point is that knowing a singular role is and when that is going to happen is a favorable position for anyone. As mention by many I think we will see this lineup begin to morph and solidify in the next two weeks, especially in these areas. If Kendall had become the Libero , who would have played for Ali and been able to play the 6 spot. Keeton? She has never played the 6 spot in her life and not sure the coaching staff had the time to teach her. The push/pull effect of chess pieces being moved is larger that many of us know and the backrow positions are a lot more complicated and demanding especially when it is a changing one . |
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Post by cross5 on Sept 29, 2015 6:35:55 GMT -5
That pretty much sums it up but it looks like Taylor Krause has won the spot for right now. for right now......I would think so also. |
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Post by nyline on Sept 29, 2015 8:29:06 GMT -5
That pretty much sums it up but it looks like Taylor Krause has won the spot for right now. for right now......I would think so also. One thing that Coach Rose says repeatedly -- and it appears to hold true -- is that no one is guaranteed playing time. Obviously, star players get a bit more leeway following a poor performance, but no one is sacrosanct. |
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Post by Onthebench on Sept 29, 2015 8:37:55 GMT -5
Besides what's been said in many threads, I think the DS lineup is another liability for PSU. As the position states, they are supposed to be defensive specialists, but both Kendall, Lainey and Taylor all have not contributed to much to the defense. Megan is getting 50 plus attacks and in addition she has to be the main defender even though one of the DS are nearby is something I feel will hurt the team in a close games. If Keeton didn't emerged early, PSU would've been even in a deeper trouble. Taylor is the only DS in reality as she is set for who she goes in for, when she goes in and unchanging. Lainy has been used as a serving specialist. Wednesday it was for Keeton and then playing the 5 spot on defense and on Saturday it was for Megan playing the 6. Both are very different positions and vastly different in responsibility, with the 6 position being the most difficult by a large margin. Kendall has been used as a serving sub for 3 different players of late and the main sub for Ali, usually late in games. When that sub is made is never consistent as to when. It looks like Coach Rose is trying to make Ali into a consistent 6 rotation player if not for this year most certainly for next year when Megan leaves. However, on Saturday Kendall started for Ali in game 5 and played all the way through the match. She and Keeton had crucial digs that were the difference in the match. My point is that knowing a singular role is and when that is going to happen is a favorable position for anyone. As mention by many I think we will see this lineup begin to morph and solidify in the next two weeks, especially in these areas. If Kendall had become the Libero , who would have played for Ali and been able to play the 6 spot. Keeton? She has never played the 6 spot in her life and not sure the coaching staff had the time to teach her. The push/pull effect of chess pieces being moved is larger that many of us know and the backrow positions are a lot more complicated and demanding especially when it is a changing one . I really appreciate your analysis on the matter of DS responsibilities. I am not as versed in that respect. Even with your explanation, it's not who plays where and when. It's what each one of them does when they are inserted to play the role. As far as I see, Keeton has done a credible job, still far away from what Dom accomplished. But, Lacey's role is being greatly exposed by lack of contribution from the other DS. Again, I would emphasize that no one can and will replace the Dom and Lacey's tremendous sacrifice they exhibited during their tenure at PSU. But, I fear that, unless there's a steep upgrade soon, their overall defense will be a liability in their pursuit of the NC. As far as grooming Ali for Megan's role for next year, I really hope not. She is very far from becoming a decent defender and I don't think that is her strong suit or she can learn to become one. Megan already had the "it" factor when she arrived, so to teach someone to be instinctive as Megan, will be a tall order. I would rather hope coach Rose has a different plan in mind for next year. |
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Post by cross5 on Sept 29, 2015 10:44:23 GMT -5
Taylor is the only DS in reality as she is set for who she goes in for, when she goes in and unchanging. Lainy has been used as a serving specialist. Wednesday it was for Keeton and then playing the 5 spot on defense and on Saturday it was for Megan playing the 6. Both are very different positions and vastly different in responsibility, with the 6 position being the most difficult by a large margin. Kendall has been used as a serving sub for 3 different players of late and the main sub for Ali, usually late in games. When that sub is made is never consistent as to when. It looks like Coach Rose is trying to make Ali into a consistent 6 rotation player if not for this year most certainly for next year when Megan leaves. However, on Saturday Kendall started for Ali in game 5 and played all the way through the match. She and Keeton had crucial digs that were the difference in the match. My point is that knowing a singular role is and when that is going to happen is a favorable position for anyone. As mention by many I think we will see this lineup begin to morph and solidify in the next two weeks, especially in these areas. If Kendall had become the Libero , who would have played for Ali and been able to play the 6 spot. Keeton? She has never played the 6 spot in her life and not sure the coaching staff had the time to teach her. The push/pull effect of chess pieces being moved is larger that many of us know and the backrow positions are a lot more complicated and demanding especially when it is a changing one . I really appreciate your analysis on the matter of DS responsibilities. I am not as versed in that respect. Even with your explanation, it's not who plays where and when. It's what each one of them does when they are inserted to play the role. As far as I see, Keeton has done a credible job, still far away from what Dom accomplished. Absolutely true and we have a long season ahead of us. she is not wired like any other Libero that I can remember and does not talk very much. However, she has done a nice job. But, Lacey's role is being greatly exposed by lack of contribution from the other DS. Again, I would emphasize that no one can and will replace the Dom and Lacey's tremendous sacrifice they exhibited during their tenure at PSU. But, I fear that, unless there's a steep upgrade soon, their overall defense will be a liability in their pursuit of the NC. Whenever Lacy went in it was 100% to play in position 5 , which is the easiest (I use that term lightly) to play as you are seeing the flow of the set and hitter from an angle and when you play the ball it is a more natural left to right which plays into the transition easier and setters hands. She was high energy, flew around and very fast twitch, all of which allowed her to become very good once she developed a better touch on the ball by her junior and Senior year. If she ever played another defensive position it was very very infrequent. This forced Dom to learn how to play the 6 spot (all kinds of diging angles and centerfield) and or the 1 behind the setter where you have to dig balls hard driven down the line, get all the tips or dig hammers from the other teams Opposite hitters and dig to a more vertical angle for the setter to your right. Coming into college it would be a safe bet that most DS/L in club ball played and trained very little out of the 6 and 1. Dom was very good in all 3 spots.
Our specified DS's (Rivera and Krause) are playing in a totally different role than Lacy was. That being said , they should be used to it as both were/are setters and that IS there trained spot. Rivera has not provided much and Krause has been on/off.
As far as grooming Ali for Megan's role for next year, I really hope not. She is very far from becoming a decent defender and I don't think that is her strong suit or she can learn to become one. Megan already had the "it" factor when she arrived, so to teach someone to be instinctive as Megan, will be a tall order. I would rather hope coach Rose has a different plan in mind for next year.
I'm not sure you are seeing the big picture here. While I agree that it may be better to let Ali focus more on her front row for her and the teams success THIS year, she HAS to develop and I believe can for next year. Unless we find a 6 rotation Opposite who can threaten out of the D ball (back row attack) PSU will need to have someone hit out of the Pipe like Megan does or else we will get stuck in rotations with only 2 and sometimes 1 option to attack. That is not good. I am only speaking of what we have next year.
If Ali isnt a 6 rotation player then you better have a superb libero, 2 DS's who can play the 6 and pass nails AND a ds who can play the 1 spot. As of now I only see 1 DS in Kendall that Russ trusts to play the 6 spot and pass, and she graduates this year.
Generally WE DO need to see more production and I agree with you there.
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Post by Onthebench on Sept 29, 2015 11:18:48 GMT -5
I will address each with a different color.I really appreciate your analysis on the matter of DS responsibilities. I am not as versed in that respect. Even with your explanation, it's not who plays where and when. It's what each one of them does when they are inserted to play the role. As far as I see, Keeton has done a credible job, still far away from what Dom accomplished. Absolutely true and we have a long season ahead of us. she is not wired like any other Libero that I can remember and does not talk very much. However, she has done a nice job. But, Lacey's role is being greatly exposed by lack of contribution from the other DS. Again, I would emphasize that no one can and will replace the Dom and Lacey's tremendous sacrifice they exhibited during their tenure at PSU. But, I fear that, unless there's a steep upgrade soon, their overall defense will be a liability in their pursuit of the NC. Whenever Lacy went in it was 100% to play in position 5 , which is the easiest (I use that term lightly) to play as you are seeing the flow of the set and hitter from an angle and when you play the ball it is a more natural left to right which plays into the transition easier and setters hands. She was high energy, flew around and very fast twitch, all of which allowed her to become very good once she developed a better touch on the ball by her junior and Senior year. If she ever played another defensive position it was very very infrequent. This forced Dom to learn how to play the 6 spot (all kinds of diging angles and centerfield) and or the 1 behind the setter where you have to dig balls hard driven down the line, get all the tips or dig hammers from the other teams Opposite hitters and dig to a more vertical angle for the setter to your right. Coming into college it would be a safe bet that most DS/L in club ball played and trained very little out of the 6 and 1. Dom was very good in all 3 spots.
Our specified DS's (Rivera and Krause) are playing in a totally different role than Lacy was. That being said , they should be used to it as both were/are setters and that IS there trained spot. Rivera has not provided much and Krause has been on/off.
As far as grooming Ali for Megan's role for next year, I really hope not. She is very far from becoming a decent defender and I don't think that is her strong suit or she can learn to become one. Megan already had the "it" factor when she arrived, so to teach someone to be instinctive as Megan, will be a tall order. I would rather hope coach Rose has a different plan in mind for next year.
I'm not sure you are seeing the big picture here. While I agree that it may be better to let Ali focus more on her front row for her and the teams success THIS year, she HAS to develop and I believe can for next year. Unless we find a 6 rotation Opposite who can threaten out of the D ball (back row attack) PSU will need to have someone hit out of the Pipe like Megan does or else we will get stuck in rotations with only 2 and sometimes 1 option to attack. That is not good. I am only speaking of what we have next year.
If Ali isnt a 6 rotation player then you better have a superb libero, 2 DS's who can play the 6 and pass nails AND a ds who can play the 1 spot. As of now I only see 1 DS in Kendall that Russ trusts to play the 6 spot and pass, and she graduates this year.
Generally WE DO need to see more production and I agree with you there.
Again, you are dead on with your analysis. I am quite impressed. Glad that you and I see pretty similarly. I guess you have much more patient for these girls to develop than I do. I guess I am so used to Megan, Dom and Lacey's superb efforts and skills that I am somewhat spoiled to see others to pick up somehow. I just don't see the similar traits to any of the the current DS players, beside Keeton. This year, they have to go with what they have, so just hope you are right that they'll be better as they get more experience. I would hope next year will be much more stable in defense with several new DS joining. As for replacement for Megan, I am not sure at all. She'll be sorely missed next year. Well, we have her for rest of the season, so I'll enjoy watching rest of her career with PSU. If she keep up with her production, I just hope she gets recognized for all the things she brings to to game by getting the AA at the end of the season. |
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Post by cross5 on Sept 29, 2015 12:12:20 GMT -5
Heidi,Bryanna,Taylor,Kendall,Lainy,Wilma, and Keeton have not had the luxury of year(s) of 1st team reps (practice and match) day in and day out that Nia,Dom,Lacey and Micha had.
We have no choice to wait and watch their development, growth and (the big one) confidence. I like where this team is now an think they can be as good or better than last years come December.
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Post by fj11211 on Sept 29, 2015 12:19:03 GMT -5
I do feel that Megan could have been the Big10 player of the week for her performances last week (do not mean to short change Haleigh Washington- they have very different roles, and Haleigh certainly deserves her award as well).
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Post by cross5 on Sept 29, 2015 12:38:10 GMT -5
I do feel that Megan could have been the Big10 player of the week for her performances last week (do not mean to short change Haleigh Washington- they have very different roles, and Haleigh certainly deserves her award as well). In this line of thought I'm not sure I would ever take Megan off the floor. While her serve isn't terrific it seems good enough to put pressure on occasion and her defensive presence MORE than makes up for that. If you need a better serve somewhere, then use Lainy for Keeton on a consistant basis like they did on Wednesday against Wisconsin. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2015 18:19:15 GMT -5
Thanks. Good read. Where did you get the Coach Rose quotes from? I have media credentials for this season. So Nyline: Do you have to be at the post-game presser to ask, hear, the questions and answers, or can you participate online? I'm sure I speak for many when I thank you for the time and effort. I enjoy the insight. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2015 18:23:55 GMT -5
I do feel that Megan could have been the Big10 player of the week for her performances last week (do not mean to short change Haleigh Washington- they have very different roles, and Haleigh certainly deserves her award as well). In this line of thought I'm not sure I would ever take Megan off the floor. While her serve isn't terrific it seems good enough to put pressure on occasion and her defensive presence MORE than makes up for that. If you need a better serve somewhere, then use Lainy for Keeton on a consistant basis like they did on Wednesday against Wisconsin. Thanks for the tutorial on back row play. As with so many things, there's more than meets the eye. |
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Post by nyline on Sept 29, 2015 19:56:08 GMT -5
I have media credentials for this season. So Nyline: Do you have to be at the post-game presser to ask, hear, the questions and answers, or can you participate online? I'm sure I speak for many when I thank you for the time and effort. I enjoy the insight. You have to be there. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2015 21:23:23 GMT -5
So Nyline: Do you have to be at the post-game presser to ask, hear, the questions and answers, or can you participate online? I'm sure I speak for many when I thank you for the time and effort. I enjoy the insight. You have to be there. I sure hope you're not padding your travel expenses. I get the feeling DigNittany can't afford to be overly generous. |
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Post by nyline on Sept 30, 2015 5:38:05 GMT -5
Besides what's been said in many threads, I think the DS lineup is another liability for PSU. As the position states, they are supposed to be defensive specialists, but both Kendall, Lainey and Taylor all have not contributed to much to the defense. Megan is getting 50 plus attacks and in addition she has to be the main defender even though one of the DS are nearby is something I feel will hurt the team in a close games. If Keeton didn't emerged early, PSU would've been even in a deeper trouble. Taylor is the only DS in reality as she is set for who she goes in for, when she goes in and unchanging. Lainy has been used as a serving specialist. Wednesday it was for Keeton and then playing the 5 spot on defense and on Saturday it was for Megan playing the 6. Both are very different positions and vastly different in responsibility, with the 6 position being the most difficult by a large margin. Kendall has been used as a serving sub for 3 different players of late and the main sub for Ali, usually late in games. When that sub is made is never consistent as to when. It looks like Coach Rose is trying to make Ali into a consistent 6 rotation player if not for this year most certainly for next year when Megan leaves. However, on Saturday Kendall started for Ali in game 5 and played all the way through the match. She and Keeton had crucial digs that were the difference in the match. My point is that knowing a singular role is and when that is going to happen is a favorable position for anyone. As mention by many I think we will see this lineup begin to morph and solidify in the next two weeks, especially in these areas. If Kendall had become the Libero , who would have played for Ali and been able to play the 6 spot. Keeton? She has never played the 6 spot in her life and not sure the coaching staff had the time to teach her. The push/pull effect of chess pieces being moved is larger that many of us know and the backrow positions are a lot more complicated and demanding especially when it is a changing one . Here's a graphic of the serve-receive positions that cross5 is referring to:
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