|
|
Post by doc on Sept 5, 2007 22:05:27 GMT -5
I'm going over to the Illinois Tournament this weekend. Looking forward to seeing Tennessee vs Illinois match on Saturday. I like Big 10 vs SEC. Any word on Stoyanova playing this weekend? She makes a huge difference for the Vols.
|
|
|
|
Post by Chance on Sept 6, 2007 0:21:17 GMT -5
You arnt going to find that out here. The Tennesse athletic department or program or whatever is pretty tight liped about any kind of injury / suspension type information, so we follow suit. That being said, her supporting cast has improved this year to the extent that she wasnt quiet as big a loss last weekend, and when she is back she should benifit from not having defenses able to focus on her to the same degree.
I'm afraid I dont know a great deal about Illinois, I dont remember them being on TV much last year. I see they played LSU close so i would figure they should be at least fairly good. And based on the stats Creighton played nebraska ok, so that should be an interesting match.
|
|
|
|
Post by James on Sept 6, 2007 0:59:45 GMT -5
Apparently Stoyanova actually got a little bit of playing time this past weekend against Belmont. Just a minute or two, but something I guess. She's out there digging and serving and spiking as hard as the rest of them during pregame warm-ups so hopefully they'll get her back in there soon if she is ready. EDIT - OK, maybe she didn't! The Belmont box score says she was in but the Tennessee box says she was not! I don't remember seeing her go in so I think the TN box is correct. |
|
|
|
Post by OU-OhYeah! on Sept 6, 2007 8:31:00 GMT -5
I'm afraid I dont know a great deal about Illinois, I dont remember them being on TV much last year. I see they played LSU close so i would figure they should be at least fairly good. Huff Hall will be rocking. Advantage Illinois, regardless of how strong they are. I remember seeing them playing USC in the Illini Classic a few years back. USC was two-time defending national champion and had an unbeaten streak of something like 56 matches. The match went to the limit, with Illinois winning, and I believe the crowd made the difference. You could definitely tell the USC players were affected by the noise. |
|
|
|
Post by doc on Sept 6, 2007 9:22:28 GMT -5
I doubt Illinois will have anything close to that type of crowd this weekend. I understand how they would pack it in for the Defending National Champions. Also, I apologize to Marquette and Creighton. I just found out the winners of Fridays matches play on Saturday. It's not a tournament where you play everyone. It should still be Tennessee vs Illinois on Saturday.
|
|
|
|
Post by Revbang on Sept 6, 2007 9:45:06 GMT -5
Doc, I will respectfully disagree about the expected crowd this coming weekend. Against USC in 2004 the crowd was sized at "nearly 3000". Last year against Illinois State there were 3129 in attendance at "Stuff Huff". What is most remarkable is that half of the crowd is students. Does any other game anywhere have 1600 in the student section? With all the anticipation towards this coming season, the crowd may be even larger. I cannot wait. Huff will be rocking.
|
|
|
|
Post by FreeBall on Sept 6, 2007 15:37:21 GMT -5
. . . I apologize to Marquette and Creighton. I just found out the winners of Fridays matches play on Saturday. It's not a tournament where you play everyone. It should still be Tennessee vs Illinois on Saturday. I don't know anything about Marquette's team, but you might be underestimating Creighton. BTW, what are the pairings for the 1st round matches? |
|
|
|
Post by chiwoj85 on Sept 6, 2007 15:52:58 GMT -5
Tennessee vs. Creighton followed by Illinois vs. Marquette
|
|
|
|
Post by smiley on Sept 6, 2007 16:14:39 GMT -5
The Spikers show up strong for every match when school's in session. Plus there's a big cook out for them before the match. They make a HUGE difference in the atmosphere. The poster about the USC match right about it being the deciding factor.
|
|
|
|
Post by vbfan1212 on Sept 6, 2007 19:28:22 GMT -5
After seeing the matches (and warmups) last weekend, I don't think Stoyanova's lack of time has anything to do with her knee. I think she just isn't able to crack the lineup, and you know what? They don't seem to miss her. The team as it is seems to be clicking on all cylinders, and I don't see the lineup changing.
|
|
|
|
Post by James on Sept 6, 2007 23:12:26 GMT -5
If she is healthy I don't see how she could not help. Yes the team is doing well, but there are still plenty of areas that could use a boost and, to be honest, the competition this past weekend was not too challenging. A two time All-American (honorable mention, I know!) player at 100% when we hit SEC play added to the fairly solid starters we have know would improve the team immensely I believe.
I'm thinking they don't want to risk any injuries or aggravations of past injuries before we get to conference play - at least that's my hope!
|
|
|
|
Post by Chance on Sept 7, 2007 0:01:25 GMT -5
After seeing the matches (and warmups) last weekend, I don't think Stoyanova's lack of time has anything to do with her knee. I think she just isn't able to crack the lineup, and you know what? They don't seem to miss her. The team as it is seems to be clicking on all cylinders, and I don't see the lineup changing. I feel like this team will be a lot better than last year, but not THAT much better. I very very seriously doubt a healthy Julia (2 time AVCA HM all american) is not good enough to play for us. Did she do something to piss you off? Apparently from your posting history you only post when you have an axe to grind. |
|
|
|
Post by bucky415 on Sept 7, 2007 1:24:58 GMT -5
I just hope that the Illini can defend the home court this weekend to make the conference look better. I am then hoping they get whupped in their home conference opener. It is good for volleyball to have good crowds in Huff, though. Last year, they had a crowd of 800 or so for a match, which made me sad. The students there do a good job of supporting their team; I have to give them props for that.
|
|
|
|
Post by vbfan1212 on Sept 7, 2007 10:08:58 GMT -5
No axes to grind here. Just seems that when you have a player that barely looks as if she wants to be there not starting, it wouldn't help a team that is clicking TOGETHER to add her to the lineup, regardless of talent. Talent and ability are not the only factors that contribute to playing time. The unit has to function as a TEAM, something that they seem to be doing this year that was missing last season. From what I saw on TV, they played better against Nebraska without her than they did with her.
|
|
|
|
Post by James on Sept 7, 2007 10:55:24 GMT -5
I don't know if you're grinding axes or not!  But Chance does have a point in that ALL your previous posts do have something negative about Tennessee in them! From what I saw on TV, they played better against Nebraska without her than they did with her. Which would also occur if she wasn't ready to return yet from the injury. Assuming she is back to 100%, I find it difficult to believe that a player who made honorable mention on the all-american list the last two years in a row would all of a sudden not be good enough to play on a team filled with sophomores and a freshman! I think we can all agree that it would be nice to know the actual reason she is not playing from the source! |
|
But Chance does have a point in that ALL your previous posts do have something negative about Tennessee in them!