POY award???

[bigtenfred]

Besides pavan??? Fawcett?? Meriwether

[Keystonekid]

I think Fawcett isn't the first candidate from her team, not sure even second. Pavan's numbers are not exceptional although her contribution all the way around is. The candidates would be Pavan, Hodge, Morrison, Merriwether, Thompson, Barboza.

[huskerfan]

Why does everyone consider Pavan better than Larson? I think Pavan is a great player, but I think Larson is better. Part of this opinion is just from attending every match for the last 2 years and watching them play, but I think it is also backed up by these stats from Huskers.com:

Pavan averages 6.06 pts/game to Larson's 5.29. Ok, she gets more kills and blocks, but not by *that* much.

Pavan has 15 more service errors than Larson and is frequently sustituted for on the serve. When she does serve, she appears to be trying to just keep it in play. Larson goes at it aggressively every time, and often the team runs points on her serving.

Pavan averages 1.34 digs/game versus 3.59 for Larson. Both play all the way around.

Pavan averages 1.20 blocks/game to Larson's 0.66. However, Larson has 20 solo blocks to Pavan's 9.

To me it seems that Larson is stuck in Pavan's shadow, but that she is really the better overall player.

Other thoughts?

[Mix Breed-TEXAS,HI,LBSU]

Barboza's going to win it and a national title.

[standingroomonly1]

Other thoughts?[/quote]

You support your idea of Larson over Pavan well. For those of us who don't watch either of them, stats are impressive, however the award isn't based solely on stats, as we all know. A 6' 5" presence and mega hype since Pavan's first day as a confirmed recruit might just be her edge. Other thoughts?? Yes, someone from either the 2nd, 3rd or 4th ranked team at the end of conference play--or after the regionals. The award is decided upon just before the Final Four. Lots of time left for a strong "also ran" on a strong team to make up ground. Just following VT has me wondering about Merriwether. She 'sounds' impressive.
How about 2004 when co-winners were awarded? Nnamani and Gordon were neck and neck with several posters claiming victory for one or the other but neither of the two could really be denied when it came right down to--what the award is --Player of THE YEAR..

[ohcanada]

huskerfan said:

Why does everyone consider Pavan better than Larson? I think Pavan is a great player, but I think Larson is better. Part of this opinion is just from attending every match for the last 2 years and watching them play, but I think it is also backed up by these stats from Huskers.com:

Pavan averages 6.06 pts/game to Larson's 5.29. Ok, she gets more kills and blocks, but not by *that* much.

Pavan has 15 more service errors than Larson and is frequently sustituted for on the serve. When she does serve, she appears to be trying to just keep it in play. Larson goes at it aggressively every time, and often the team runs points on her serving.

Pavan averages 1.34 digs/game versus 3.59 for Larson. Both play all the way around.

Pavan averages 1.20 blocks/game to Larson's 0.66. However, Larson has 20 solo blocks to Pavan's 9.

To me it seems that Larson is stuck in Pavan's shadow, but that she is really the better overall player.

Other thoughts?

The one thing you cannot deny is that when Nebraska is faced with a pressure situation or whenever they are being challenged, they turn to Pavan. Only twice this year have the Huskers been seriously challenged and that ocurred against Minnesota and Texas. In both games Pavan came through. She continues to come through when the pressure is on and yes her numbers may not be eyepopping, but she continously does the job when it needs to be done. I will give Larson full credit though. The Huskers would not be where they are without Jordan, but I do not believe that they would be a top 10 team without Pavan this year.

As for hitting stats. Larson is always matched up with the opposing team's setter. Pavan is always matched up with the opposing teams best left side. Realistically, Larson's hitting stats should be better than Pavan's.

Solo blocks. Easier to get a solo block against the slide than it is against a high ball. A number of reasons for this. Ball is lower and faster giving the hitter less time to make a decision. Middles have trouble closing against a slide because of the speed, so when you get a block it is a solo block. The middles usually have no trouble closing on a left side attack, so the opportunity for solo blocks is far less.

As for serving and defense, no argument Larson has one of the best serves in the country and digs a lot of balls. But, don't try to mininmize Pavan's impact. She attacks well against the biggest block that the other team has and she blocks well. Remember Pavan was hitting against Hooker and Todd against Texas, not Moriarity and she still came away with 22 kills.

The best from Pavan is still to come. I believe that she will be a far better international player that she will a collegiate player. Her game is so well suited for international competition.

Pavan is Nebraska's best option for POY honors for no other reason that she deserves to be.

[bigtenfred]

PAC 10 player of the week again Meriwether watch out Pavan and Larson!

[miamiink]

Barboza is the front runner and should get POY. Stanford is good, and like the other outsides that Stanford attracts she changes the entire outlook of the Cardinal team this year. The others on her team are good, but she is the most consistent (front/back row) outside in the country.

[charger]

It's true that they turned to Pavan against Texas in the 5th game but had she played up to her potential the first 3 games there never would have been a game 5. She was hitting close to negative until the 5th game when she finally decided to play. It's easy to put up big numbers against teams that aren't rated. I would love to see a back to back POY from Nebraska but not quite sure that Pavan is all she is made out to be this year.

[Cubicle No More ...]

what about comparing these players' performances/stats against ranked opponents?

wasn't that one of the pivotal factors that clinched it for Houghtelling last year. while pavan won POY for the Big 12 based on conference play, Houghtelling's stats against both the Big 12 and against ranked teams that Neb faced in the preseason really elevated her chances at the award.

[bigtenfred]

Barbozza's #'s are not POY #'s

[ohcanada]

Maybe they won't have one this year because no one is totally deserving

[standingroomonly1]

The best from Pavan is still to come. I believe that she will be a far better international player that she will a collegiate player. Her game is so well suited for international competition.
[/quote]

Great. The sooner she gets on board with Team Canada the better.

[holidayhusker]

Nice points huskerfan. Just as I listened last year to the majority raving on and on about Barboza and Pavan here was Houghtelling doing the job and getting little credit from most of you. I view Larson much the same.. She is a better all around player that contibutes in every equasion of the game. Sorry pac-10 but I would take Jordan over Barboza. Better serve and better passing.

[pedro el leon]

^

Better serve? yeah.

Better passing? hell naw.