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Post by snickers on Oct 28, 2006 12:41:30 GMT -5
Penn State's press release this week had quoted its coach as saying something like "it's nice to be able to have the opposing team guessing until the match begins as to whether we will be running a 5-1 or 6-2."
Well they ran a 5-1 last night, so I wonder if they will stick with that for tonight's match. I kind of hope so, because my guess is that is the lineup the Gophers were preparing for all week.
And of course the big question will be, "how will Penn State respond after getting humiliated last night."
My guess is that they will be very fired up, but will have some lingering doubts. Minnesota will have to come out serving very tough. If they can do that and get Penn State's passers tentative, we have a chance to take sole possesion of first place.
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Post by parent on Oct 28, 2006 13:11:13 GMT -5
I'm thinking a 5-1 also. I think you hit it on the head snickers. PSU will want to avenge last night's loss but their confidence has to be shaken.
Let's hope the Pavilion is full and student section on the end is crazy.
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Post by bucky415 on Oct 28, 2006 13:41:42 GMT -5
One good sign for the Gophers is that the Badgers were able to get PSU out of system by serving to spots on the court, much like Minnesota tries to do. That is really important, because Hodge and Fawcett are really tough to dig if you can't get touches against them. Also, Harmotto is very good on the slide; Glass can set that at a tempo that is quicker than I have seen thus far this season. My point is that you really need to keep PSU out of system, unless you plan on making about 38 great digs. I know Peniata is capable, but the Gophers need to help her out some. Offensively, the Gophers need to set the middles effectively. Penn State didn't have a good blocking night last night, and I am guessing the Lions will make that a point of emphasis tonight. Minnesota would be well advised to mix up their shots, in my opinion, as PSU was vulnerable to some offspeed hits last night. I think this will be a very interesting matchup, but I feel that the Lions will probably be fired up to play and find a way to win, unfortunately. At least there is a conference race in the second half of the season this year.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2006 13:44:47 GMT -5
I like the Gophers chances. They are playing really well and PSU is not. Maybe PSU hit bottom last night, but they'll need to play pretty well to win. Can they flip the switch like that?
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Post by Wolfgang on Oct 28, 2006 13:52:34 GMT -5
Is this really just "pre-game" or will it transform into "in-game", followed by "post-game"?
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Post by bomber on Oct 28, 2006 13:55:17 GMT -5
I like the Gophers chances. They are playing really well and PSU is not. Maybe PSU hit bottom last night, but they'll need to play pretty well to win. Can they flip the switch like that? I'm pulling for the Gophers, but I honestly can't see PSU losing two in a row this weekend. Though if Hodge turns in another performance like last night, anything can happen.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2006 13:58:57 GMT -5
You're pulling for the Gophers because they still have to go to Madison. But we'll take your support anyway we can get it. Yes, my initial reaction to UW's win was that it spelled bad news for tonight. But I dunno. Gophers are on a very nice roll.
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Post by snickers on Oct 28, 2006 14:03:32 GMT -5
I honesty thought Penn St. was a bit untouchable in the conference this year, having watched them a few times on TV. I figured they would sweep Wisc., since we handled them pretty easily. So who knows about tonight. I just hope it is good volleyball. Who would of thought we would be in the race for the conference title, especially after such a frustrating pre-season. The ladies are playing well and having fun....that's the best part of it all.
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Post by snickers on Oct 28, 2006 14:06:00 GMT -5
And let's hope Meghan gets her jump serve back consistently tonight. We'll need it.
I also think she will be a big key for us. She has been hitting very well (among other things) for the past six matches, and if she can keep it up against the Penn St. defense, we'll be OK.
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Post by snickers on Oct 28, 2006 14:07:49 GMT -5
Also, was our '07 Ohio recruit in the stands last night? Or was that someone else?
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Post by snickers on Oct 28, 2006 14:10:45 GMT -5
Oh, and I had a dream that Florian wanted to come back next year as a DS/Libero.......
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Post by parent on Oct 28, 2006 14:15:55 GMT -5
Did Cumpston play OH when Minnesota played at PSU 3 weeks ago?
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Post by snickers on Oct 28, 2006 14:23:39 GMT -5
Did Cumpston play OH when Minnesota played at PSU 3 weeks ago? No. Vatterodt started and played quite well. Meghan might have played through the front row on a few rotations, but it was mostly Katie.
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Post by Gorf on Oct 28, 2006 14:31:17 GMT -5
It just shows ta go ya that the road matches in the Big 10 aren't generally gimmies even for PSU.
I don't really know what to expect tonight, however, I'm at least hopeful for a Gopher victory over the Lions.
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Post by bomber on Oct 28, 2006 14:35:36 GMT -5
I honesty thought Penn St. was a bit untouchable in the conference this year, having watched them a few times on TV. I figured they would sweep Wisc., since we handled them pretty easily. I'm sure the easily handled Badgers very much look forward to the Gopher's upcoming visit to Madison.....
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