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Post by Chance on Dec 19, 2006 13:00:28 GMT -5
Nobody except possibly the other service academies has a tougher load than Air Force. The academy is extremely difficult academically, IIRC almost everybody there is taking 18 hours, and that's on top of military issues like formations. During the army navy game on CSTV they were interviewing the army coach and he was explaining the extent to which he had to cut back on practice to keep the girls fresh. A lot of the academy teams, the football team especially, tend to wear down as their seasons progress, so that is a big challenge for the coaches / athletes.
Apparently they played a huge number of freshman this year, so hopefully next year they will be more competitive.
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Post by silversurfer on Dec 19, 2006 13:06:48 GMT -5
I'm always wary of relying on freshmen to provide an instant offensive/blocking boost. It's a very rare freshman who can do that. Again - I saw Zoe Garrett play and she's certainly got skills but I'm not sure she'll be an offensive juggernaut in her first season. I'm not expecting an immediate star, I'm just hoping for someone who can make an impact and contribute in hitting and blocking. USC's MBs this season were such nonfactors. I'm really curious about Roleder. This past season USC had no one really to sub in if Copenhagen or Gysin struggled (which happened a lot). SC in 2007 should be improved. That being said, I think Stanford should be a level or two above everyone else in the Pac 10. The questions are 1. Will Washington frosh setter get the job done, and can Morrison and others fill the leadership void left by Thompson 2. Where will UCLA get its offense with the departure of Meriwether. 3. With Gysin a year more seasoned, plus senior campaigns by Copenhagen and others, will SC gel in time for a run? Hilgren to be libero. 4. Can Glass and other youngsters be poised enough to withstand rigors of NCAA tournament? 5. Can McGinnis, McCray, and Hampton finally fulfull the expectations that many proposed three years ago? 6. Do the Huskers roll now that the monkey is off their back?
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Post by baywatcher on Dec 19, 2006 13:29:03 GMT -5
Dunning has talked about having "utility" players, which Waller was in 2005. And this summer on tour Waller played left, where she ended 2005 replacing the injured Barboza. I imagine Okagbaa will fill the same role next year, training at all positions across the front row to play as needed, but not getting particularly excellent at any of them. Depending on how good Browne and Lichtman are, and Fishers health, Okagbaa could be first replacement at all the front row positions. agree her passing is not up to all six rotations, but as Stanford will stay in the 5-1 there would be plenty of subs. And personality wise she seemed like a good candidate to red-shirt this year; getting used to college and naturally somewhat subservient to the older players. But she has natural tools and showed flashes of talent that would overwhelm all but the highest program athletes. A classic candidate to bloom sophomore year. (I'm assuming Klineman will step right into the OH position, as other Stanford stars have done.)
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2006 14:01:28 GMT -5
Okagboo?
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Post by Wolfgang on Dec 19, 2006 14:11:35 GMT -5
Ahh, that takes me back to the Nagano Olympic Games in 1998 when Okagboo Street won the gold medal in the Super G. A silver in Lilliehammer for downhill, too!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2006 14:27:38 GMT -5
I think that was Ali G in the Lillyhammer Throw. I could be wrong.
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Post by northsideplyr on Dec 19, 2006 14:48:19 GMT -5
I don't think FL will make it to the F 4 even with a healthy line-up. Minnesota dismantled them in the regionals. I love Mary, and FL has the studs, just not the players.
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Post by Mix Breed-TEXAS,HI,LBSU on Dec 19, 2006 15:15:02 GMT -5
Penn St. will surprise us next season..............at least that's what I think.
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Post by uscyaaa on Dec 19, 2006 15:58:49 GMT -5
uscyaa, what the hell is your problem?!?!?!?! Every time Beachman makes a comment (positive, negative, rude, nice, or whatever), you immediately post a nasty comment about LBSU. Why the need to insult the Beach program/team/school? We're all aware that LBSU has not been as successful as in the past, so there is no need for you to disrespect the Beach players, coaches, and fans, with your negative remarks. If you have issues with Beachman's posts, than stick to the subject matter being discussed, and dispute whatever you don't agree with. Once again why the need to insult the players and the whole Long Beach community, trust me these kids are no different than the players at the school you support (just different uniform colors). Remember Beachman is just one person, and does not represent the entire Beach program anymore than you the USC program. And as far as his comment on this thread, what the hell is wrong with it? I'm sure the majority of the people on this board agrees with him, both SC and UCLA will not be as good as this past season. As for Long Beach, who knows, but I have a feeling that they will be much better next year. peace oh so it's okay for Beach to continue to harp on the USC program (note the usage of the dollar sign all the time) and the players and coaches, but it's not okay to return the favor?... get off your high horse, my friend...one good turn deserves another so if you want to have one fan try to disrespect one program on his own for every reason (go back and look at his threads about the location of USC)...then it's only fair that one fan can disrespect Long Beach State's program... war!
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Post by nodisrespect on Dec 19, 2006 16:11:03 GMT -5
How can you guys forget American? My top team to go to the Final Four. I'd like to see those tall chicks standing in decoration.
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Post by BearClause on Dec 19, 2006 16:32:48 GMT -5
How can you guys forget American? My top team to go to the Final Four. I'd like to see those tall chicks standing in decoration. What the heck. One more time......
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Post by hammer on Dec 19, 2006 21:05:16 GMT -5
There could be a sleeper cell out there. U$C got good real fast by importing talent from Poland. And don't forget Nebraska, they brought in the big Canadian and used Tracey Stalls (who clearly was more experienced than the average US born player) to win the NCAA championship. The point is that one or two key foreign recruits (or even US players that are more like foreign recruits) can pay huge dividends.
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Post by cdizzle on Dec 20, 2006 16:36:50 GMT -5
.....I think Stanford should be a level or two above everyone else in the Pac 10. Sort of like the 2003 USC ball-club. It is too bad Nebraska and Stanford can not hook up in the pre-season. Both teams will be awesome next year. What are the chances of Stanford and Nebraska both playing in the AVCA showcase again this year (like in 2005, after Stanford won the national championship)?
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Post by beachman on Dec 20, 2006 17:07:09 GMT -5
what a shocker....NO ONE has even thought about putting Long Beach State in any top five....you could probably extend that to 30 or so and maybe find one or two.... welcome to the D-list, Beach!.... USCYAA is just bitter because even in a $100 Million dollar arena, they still only draw 300 folks to a game! Waaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
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Post by doc on Dec 20, 2006 23:01:27 GMT -5
Penn St. will surprise us next season..............at least that's what I think. It shouldn't be a surprise. They have top 5 talent.
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