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Post by wiscvball on Aug 17, 2006 11:29:04 GMT -5
How does Jessy Jones make it and Taylor Reineke doesn't??? Bizarre... not that Jones isn't worthy (potentially), but Reineke made it last year, so I don't know how you can leave her off a pre-season list.
2006 BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
1. Penn State 2. Wisconsin 3. Minnesota 4. Ohio State 5. Purdue 6. Northwestern 7. Michigan State 8. Michigan 9. Illinois 10. Iowa 11. Indiana
2006 PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Name School Yr. Position Hometown Katie Johnson Michigan State Jr. Outside Hitter Brooklyn, Mich. Kelly Bowman (2) Minnesota Sr. Setter Maple Grove, Minn. Jessy Jones Minnesota Jr. Middle Blocker Naperville, Ill. Meredith Nelson (2) Minnesota Sr. Middle Blocker St. Croix Falls, Wis. Marisa Main (2) Ohio State Sr. Setter Louisville, Ky. Danielle Meyer Ohio State Jr. Middle Blocker Cincinnati, Ohio Ami Stevens (2) Ohio State Jr. Outside Hitter Centerburg, Ohio NICOLE FAWCETT PENN STATE SO. OUTSIDE HITTER ZANESFIELD, OHIO CHRISTA HARMOTTO PENN STATE SO. MIDDLE BLOCKER LIQUIPPA, PA. Melissa Walbridge Penn State Jr. Middle Blocker Yardley, Pa. Stephanie Lynch Purdue So. Middle Blocker New Albany, Ind. Audra Jeffers Wisconsin So. Outside Hitter Hartland, Wis.
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Post by wiscvball on Aug 17, 2006 11:31:12 GMT -5
Here's the entire article:
Penn State Tabbed Preseason Favorite by Big Ten Volleyball Coaches Pair of Nittany Lion Sophomores Unanimously Selected to Preseason All-Conference Team
Aug. 17, 2006
PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Three-time defending Big Ten champion Penn State has been voted for the second-consecutive season by the conference coaches as the preseason favorite for the upcoming Big Ten volleyball season, it was announced Thursday by the conference office. Wisconsin, last year's Big Ten runner-up, was tabbed second, followed by Minnesota at the No. 3 position. The conference coaches also selected a 12-member Preseason All-Big Ten team, which is led in representation by the Nittany Lions, Golden Gophers and Ohio State with three selections each.
The Nittany Lions, ranked second in the CSTV/AVCA National Preseason Coaches Poll, are coming off a perfect 20-0 conference season and a 31-3 overall record. Penn State enters the 2006 season with experience in senior Cassy Salyer and junior Melissa Walbridge, as well as a solid young core in sophomore standouts Nicole Fawcett and Christa Harmotto. Fawcett, who was tabbed the conference's Freshman of the Year last season, and Harmotto, a member of the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team, are the lone unanimous preseason selections and are joined by Walbridge on the 12-member team.
Wisconsin, ranked ninth nationally after a 26-7 (15-5 Big Ten) season last year, boasts one Preseason All-Big Ten selection in sophomore outside hitter Audra Jeffers, but returns key components to the Badgers in senior Maria Calini and juniors Jackie Simpson, Jocelyn Wack and Taylor Reineke, a middle blocker tabbed All-Big Ten in 2005.
The Golden Gophers, selected third by the coaches, enter the season ranked 22nd after a 25-8 season, including a third-place finish with Ohio State at 14-6 in conference play. Minnesota seniors Kelly Bowman and Meredith Nelson each earned their second-straight selections to the Preseason All-Big Ten team, while first-time honoree Jessy Jones, a junior middle blocker, was also tabbed by the coaches.
Ohio State's Marisa Main and Ami Stevens also earned their second-straight preseason nod and welcomed fellow honoree and teammate Danielle Meyer, who along with Main was a member of the 2005 All-Big Ten team.
Rounding out the preseason squad is Michigan State junior outside hitter Katie Johnson and Purdue sophomore middle blocker Stephanie Lynch. Both Johnson and Lynch were honorable mention All-Big Ten selections in 2005, while Lynch was also named to the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team.
The 2006 season kicks off on August 25-26 with the AVCA College Volleyball Showcase in Madison, Wis. Three of the top-10 preseason teams, No. 3 Washington, No. 8 Texas and the ninth-ranked Badgers will be joined by No. 15 Ohio University at this year's event.
The complete 2006 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason Poll and Preseason All-Big Ten Team follows.
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Post by bomber on Aug 17, 2006 12:13:20 GMT -5
Here's the entire article: Penn State Tabbed Preseason Favorite by Big Ten Volleyball Coaches Pair of Nittany Lion Sophomores Unanimously Selected to Preseason All-Conference Team Aug. 17, 2006 PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Three-time defending Big Ten champion Penn State has been voted for the second-consecutive season by the conference coaches as the preseason favorite for the upcoming Big Ten volleyball season, it was announced Thursday by the conference office. Wisconsin, last year's Big Ten runner-up, was tabbed second, followed by Minnesota at the No. 3 position. The conference coaches also selected a 12-member Preseason All-Big Ten team, which is led in representation by the Nittany Lions, Golden Gophers and Ohio State with three selections each. The Nittany Lions, ranked second in the CSTV/AVCA National Preseason Coaches Poll, are coming off a perfect 20-0 conference season and a 31-3 overall record. Penn State enters the 2006 season with experience in senior Cassy Salyer and junior Melissa Walbridge, as well as a solid young core in sophomore standouts Nicole Fawcett and Christa Harmotto. Fawcett, who was tabbed the conference's Freshman of the Year last season, and Harmotto, a member of the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team, are the lone unanimous preseason selections and are joined by Walbridge on the 12-member team. Wisconsin, ranked ninth nationally after a 26-7 (15-5 Big Ten) season last year, boasts one Preseason All-Big Ten selection in sophomore outside hitter Audra Jeffers, but returns key components to the Badgers in senior Maria Calini and juniors Jackie Simpson, Jocelyn Wack and Taylor Reineke, a middle blocker tabbed All-Big Ten in 2005. The Golden Gophers, selected third by the coaches, enter the season ranked 22nd after a 25-8 season, including a third-place finish with Ohio State at 14-6 in conference play. Minnesota seniors Kelly Bowman and Meredith Nelson each earned their second-straight selections to the Preseason All-Big Ten team, while first-time honoree Jessy Jones, a junior middle blocker, was also tabbed by the coaches. Ohio State's Marisa Main and Ami Stevens also earned their second-straight preseason nod and welcomed fellow honoree and teammate Danielle Meyer, who along with Main was a member of the 2005 All-Big Ten team. Rounding out the preseason squad is Michigan State junior outside hitter Katie Johnson and Purdue sophomore middle blocker Stephanie Lynch. Both Johnson and Lynch were honorable mention All-Big Ten selections in 2005, while Lynch was also named to the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team. The 2006 season kicks off on August 25-26 with the AVCA College Volleyball Showcase in Madison, Wis. Three of the top-10 preseason teams, No. 3 Washington, No. 8 Texas and the ninth-ranked Badgers will be joined by No. 15 Ohio University at this year's event. The complete 2006 Big Ten Volleyball Preseason Poll and Preseason All-Big Ten Team follows. Leaving Reineke off is utterly ridiculous. But being on the post season All-Big Ten team is the only list that matters anyway.Maybe it's a good thing. It sure gives TR the motivation to prove them wrong.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2006 12:14:08 GMT -5
That's odd. There must have been seriously divided opinions.
Simpson looks to be the 2nd best setter in the Big10 this year (going into the season).
Jones could have a breakout year -- I sure hope so. But it's odd she's on the list for pre-season.
Peniata and Wack will be the best liberos this year, too.
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Post by The Bofa on the Sofa on Aug 17, 2006 12:18:50 GMT -5
Peniata and Wack will be the best liberos this year, too. It depends on who is playing L for Purdue. I think Mastandrea compares well with anyone in the league, and shouldn't be overlooked.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2006 12:27:31 GMT -5
Note that there were only two unanimous picks for All-Big10.
And I'll stick with Wack and Peniata.
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Post by rockstar on Aug 17, 2006 12:28:12 GMT -5
Jones on the preseason team is a stretch, but she is very talented. Reineke was robbed. Simpson had a difficult time holding down the starting spot on her team last year. I am sure that was considered. Whoever Purdue plays at libero will be very good. They have three great kids there. I was surprised with how low Michigan was picked.
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Post by Go Iowa on Aug 17, 2006 12:47:10 GMT -5
If Simpson is the 2nd best setter in the Big Ten this year, the Big Ten is WAY down in setters.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2006 12:48:21 GMT -5
Colaluca (that's the right name, right?) is also a good libero. She's back, verdad?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2006 12:49:32 GMT -5
If Simpson is the 2nd best setter in the Big Ten this year, the Big Ten is WAY down in setters. They are. That's part of it. They also have a bunch of frosh setting. I still think the Big10 is down, period.
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Post by Go Iowa on Aug 17, 2006 13:02:27 GMT -5
Big Ten is down... for sure. But I'm not even sure Simpson is the best setter on her team, let alone being the 2nd best in the Big Ten.
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Post by Wolfgang on Aug 17, 2006 13:07:51 GMT -5
I never liked pre-season polls and pre-season all-conference teams. I know and understand why they have them; I just don't like 'em!
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Post by st15 on Aug 17, 2006 13:10:14 GMT -5
Colaluca (that's the right name, right?) is also a good libero. She's back, verdad? Yep, she's back for her senior year. Both of MSU's seniors this year are transfers: Colaluca and Alison Ianni. I'm hoping MSU can surprise a few teams this year. At the very least, they should have a better season that last year.
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Post by The Bofa on the Sofa on Aug 17, 2006 13:12:24 GMT -5
Whoever Purdue plays at libero will be very good. They have three great kids there. I'd put those three up against any backcourt in the country. I haven't figured out what Purdue's lineup is going to be, yet, so I don't know if they will ever all three be in the back at the same time, but if Miller plays all around, they will be on the court at the same time. Lot's of possibilities with Purdue's lineup. It's not clear if they will be running 5-1 or 6-2 yet (I heard they did both in their scrimmage last Sunday). I guess a lot depends on how well Sam Gray adjusts (initial reports: she sweats profusely ) Jacques and Lynch will be middles, although Williams might come in if Jacques struggles. You'd also expect Mader and Merlau on the court, but who knows in which position. Whereas Mader was mostly right and Merlau was mostly left, they did switch on occasion. Moreover, it depends on whether Mel Ukovich will be able to come back and hit, which could free up Mader to play left. Then again, maybe one of the freshmen could step in (Pierce or Gurnell) to a hitting role? I think there are a lot of options there, and the question is finding the one that works the best. Knowing Dave, he will try an awful lot of them.
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Post by maninyellowhat on Aug 17, 2006 13:38:48 GMT -5
Does anyone wonder how good Fawcett and Harmotto will be without Tortorello??
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