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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 8, 2007 10:46:04 GMT -5
Another peeve I have is Shojis comment on this years offense that he wanted it to be basic. Why is that? Watching WSA with their double quicks, 3 sets, and inside slides was so intresting. They have more deversity for an unranked team. Hawaii's offense is so boring! Left, Left, Middle, and the occasional slide when we get a decent set. I dunno, Im just venting.. I just wish Shoji can mix things up with our offense, since the game is changing so rapidly, that all teams seem to be trying new things except for Hawaii. We rely too much on the left, it gets sooo predictable. YES!!! I've been complaining about this for years about volleyball in general and the Wahine in particular. I've seen so many "lesser" and "lesser known" teams utilize a diverse offense. I'm aware that the argument exists that perhaps these teams are "lesser" because of their diverse offense, that perhaps successful volleyball's bread-and-butter is the boring offense, OR they HAVE TO use the diverse offense because they have shorter and/or less powerful players. Perhaps when you're short, you have to incorporate a more diverse offense to keep your opponents off guard whereas if you've got the height and power, use it by banging away at the left 80% of the time and the middle 20% of the time (just to keep your middles happy).
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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 8, 2007 11:03:58 GMT -5
... Anyway, while driving out back, I heard Scott Robbs on the radio saying that he had never seen Hawaii play as well as they did in games 3, 4, and 5 this entire season. He went on to say that Hawaii fans should circle today's date on their calendars, and hopefully at the end of the season the fans can look back at that date and say that this was the night Hawaii pulled it together and started to make something of their season. I sincerely hope this is true. ... for now I think the Wahine have finally found their lineup: Brandt Houston & Otineru (with Ferrell as backup) Sanders & Kaufman (with Simmons as backup) Hittle (with Ferrell as backup) Ka'aihue Not so fast. It's still early in the season and the Wahine have plenty of opportunities to either screw up or find themselves. I wonder if the Santa Clara match will showcase a different Wahine lineup that "works" and whether this match will be the turning point of the season.
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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 8, 2007 11:30:52 GMT -5
... In my opinion, I think Gregory is too slow to hit the 1s Brandt likes to set, and she's not strong enough to power it through if it was set higher. Juliana kind of also, I mean, how can it be that she can't hit low ones and when she hits a high one she gets blocked?? Yep, these 2 are just too picky with how they want their ones!!! ... LOL! You make it sound like Gregory and Sanders are divas!
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 8, 2007 11:49:46 GMT -5
While I'm glad the Wahine were able to come from behind and take the match, I can't help but be annoyed by the fact that they put themselves 2 games down to begin with. Wichita State is a good team but it didn't have to be this hard for Hawai'i. I'm hopeful that this Hawai'i team will be a good team come mid season but it's still hard to watch them play at times.
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Post by bucky415 on Sept 8, 2007 12:09:00 GMT -5
I am glad that BiK brought proper perspective to this. I know Wichita State is solid, but Hawaii shouldn't be down 2-0 to them at home. If nothing else, this Hawaii team should have figured out by now that they can take nothing for granted and have to bring a solid effort every night. They will probably wind up winning the WAC, but I think their one time aura of invincibility has taken a major hit, so conference foes might actually come into the matches really thinking they can win, which I am not sure has always been the case.
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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 8, 2007 12:16:33 GMT -5
I think it'll be great for volleyball if Hawaii lost the WAC this season and I would even go so far as saying that Hawaii should finish 5th behind New Mexico State, San Jose State, Nevada, and Boise State. I know this'll never happen (especially Boise State) but it'll be good nonetheless. Good for WAC teams in recruiting, exposure, and confidence-building, and ultimately, good for Hawaii because, hopefully, as their WAC opponents get better, they'll provide better competition for the Wahine to increases their chances for future NCAA title runs.
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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 8, 2007 12:23:34 GMT -5
For some reason, I feel re-energized for this Wahine team. I think it's because of the Simmons-Kaufman emergence (more Kaufman than Simmons). I also like the fact that Hittle is hitting from different spots. It seems that if she hits exclusively on the left, her game goes in the tank. She needs to be moved around. She doesn't seem like the type who gets into a rhythm with her game. She seems to need outside help, and what better way than to get the coaches to move her around a bit. Now, if only the coaches can earn their salaries and figure out the best combination of outsides (and also, don't wait until game 3 to come up with a clever game plan, like with the short serving strategy).
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Post by sideoutnow on Sept 8, 2007 14:32:44 GMT -5
I agree with Scott Robbs. The Rainbows' performance in games 3 and 4 in this match is the best we've seen this season. And a lot of that success has to do with the new assignments. Hittle belongs on the the right. I'm glad Shoji finally succumbed to reality. And yes, Kaufman as the M2 made a huge impact. Tentatively, the starting line up should be as stated earlier.
Brandt Houston & Otineru (with Ferrell as backup) Sanders & Kaufman (with Simmons as backup) Hittle (with Ferrell as backup) Ka'aihue
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Post by pineapple on Sept 8, 2007 14:42:34 GMT -5
The best thing about Otineru so far is that her height. So much is placed on height and power, but for someone under 6' she plays with a big heart and hits freaken smart!!...but for someone under 6' she packs a punch...she had some kills that in the replay I only noticed it wasn't a full swing. I agree. While I had my doubts about her at first, now I'm very, very, very happy that she came back to play for Hawaii! . Next year, Hawaii will have another one lijke her in Kanani Herring, who is really savvy, or, as Jim M on TV say, has "high volleyball IQ." To me both are in the mold of Misty May, who is only 5'9".
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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 8, 2007 14:48:35 GMT -5
Someone asked in this thread who came up with the short serve strategy. It was Mike Sealy. starbulletin.com/2007/09/08/sports/story03.htmlFrom the article: The key may have been Hawaii's short serves over the last 90 minutes, a tactic suggested by UH associate coach Mike Sealy. It disrupted the Shockers' quick attack "and it disrupted their offense, bunched their attackers up, created a little doubt," Shoji said.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 8, 2007 14:49:14 GMT -5
I think it'll be great for volleyball if Hawaii lost the WAC this season and I would even go so far as saying that Hawaii should finish 5th behind New Mexico State, San Jose State, Nevada, and Boise State. I know this'll never happen (especially Boise State) but it'll be good nonetheless. Good for WAC teams in recruiting, exposure, and confidence-building, and ultimately, good for Hawaii because, hopefully, as their WAC opponents get better, they'll provide better competition for the Wahine to increases their chances for future NCAA title runs. I'm still not sold on the notion that playing in the WAC hurts Hawai'i during the NCAA tourney. I think a more glaring issue in regards to Wahine success in the tourney is travel. Hawai'i has faired well in the tourney in relation to most teams in the PAC 10, Big 10, and Big 12. Take for example Hawai'i vs Oregon last season. Oregon Coach Jim Moore was confident going into the first round tourney match vs Hawai'i because he felt his team was battle tested just coming out of the PAC 10 season. Hawai'i mopped the floor with Oregon and later went on to knock USC of the tourney in the regionals. In 2005, Hawai'i went to Austin and did what no other team, including Nebraska, could do that season...beat Texas in Gregory Gymnasium. The Wahine have made 9 consecutive regionals. The WAC competition argument holds little water.
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Post by pineapple on Sept 8, 2007 14:53:30 GMT -5
While I'm glad the Wahine were able to come from behind and take the match, I can't help but be annoyed by the fact that they put themselves 2 games down to begin with. Wichita State is a good team but it didn't have to be this hard for Hawai'i. I'm hopeful that this Hawai'i team will be a good team come mid season but it's still hard to watch them play at times. Their slow start is like a standard operating porcedure for them. The suspense is agonizing: Will they catch up? They start off in a dreamlike state. They have all the tools for a great, not just good, but great team. It's just like me, I have a lot of tools in my shed, but I don't know how to use them.
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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 8, 2007 14:55:14 GMT -5
I only buy the tools that I need and know how to use.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 8, 2007 15:03:09 GMT -5
Their slow start is like a standard operating porcedure for them. The suspense is agonizing: Will they catch up? They start off in a dreamlike state. Is this supposed to be poetic?
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Post by pineapple on Sept 8, 2007 15:06:49 GMT -5
I only buy the tools that I need and know how to use. I never buy tools, I got them from my son and my brother-in-law. Now my wife uses them. I just watch in awe.
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