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Post by pennstate7188 on Sept 21, 2009 11:55:19 GMT -5
If Blair Brown isn't back from the ankle injury she sustained on Saturday morning in the first set against St. Francis, I think Illinois has an excellent chance of beating Penn State. Prior to Saturday's matches Blair was second on the team behind Hodge in Attacks and Kills, and her superior blocking on the right side is a major part of the team's defense. Katie Kabbes is filling in for Blair on the right side but still hasn't been able to show that she can step up and be a factor when the team needs her. If Blair can't play this weekend and Katie doesn't step up and make a major contribution, Penn State is going to be in for a tough weekend Excellent chance? No way. They have to be playing some damn good ball to beat Penn State, with or without BB. And, if Katie would get some more damn chances at the ball, maybe she could so that she is a factor. Alisha doesn't seem to trust setting the ball to anyone other than Megan. If she diversifies the offense just a little more, no Big Ten team will have an "excellent" chance.
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Post by Keystonekid on Sept 21, 2009 11:59:32 GMT -5
If Blair doesn't play the challenge will be how Dorton performs in a tough road match vs a double block. Kabbes can hold her own blocking, but can't kill the ball, and Fatima is not someone who can carry an offensive load. Illinois can and will release block on Dorton in the 6-2 rotations. You will see an obscene amount of balls set to Hodge if Brown can't go. I agree PSU can beat Illinois without Brown, but it will take a great effort. Tough team to play on the road, and PSU goes from the frying pan (at best) to the fire, given the fact they have not been tested.
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Post by Keystonekid on Sept 21, 2009 12:00:36 GMT -5
"Alisha doesn't seem to trust setting the ball to anyone other than Megan." That's the point.
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Post by hammer on Sept 21, 2009 12:19:14 GMT -5
The day after realization: When PSU pounds The Illini (who some people say are the 2nd best team in the BIG-10) on their home floor, the rest of the BIG-10 teams will know that 2nd place is their best possible outcome.
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Post by pennstate7188 on Sept 21, 2009 12:28:06 GMT -5
"Alisha doesn't seem to trust setting the ball to anyone other than Megan." That's the point. And that combination alone is developed enough and strong enough to give the Illini more than it can handle. Adding Darcy, Fatima, Ari and Katie/BB into the mix just makes things worse for them. I don't think that Alisha-Megan, Alisha-Megan, Alisha-Megan is necessarily a good idea, a good plan, or a good way to do things, but it'll work nonetheless.
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Post by edburby on Sept 21, 2009 12:28:13 GMT -5
Good point about Dorton facing a strong blocking team .... with the preseason that PSU has had, did they really match up against anyone that can block like Illinois? Perhaps that will be enough to upset the rhythm just enough to for the Illini to have a shot. Still a long shot though.
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Post by Keystonekid on Sept 21, 2009 14:58:22 GMT -5
I don't disagree that you could damn near ride Hodge all they way. However it isn't a coincidence that Glass isnt feeding the ball to Fatima, or Kabbes when in. She is smart, and has a pretty good coach in her ear about the distribution of the ball. Dorton is great, no doubt about it. But Blairs presence at the opposite pin has a tremendous impact on what she is having to deal with.
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Post by pogoball on Sept 21, 2009 15:56:13 GMT -5
My prediction is that PSU will be very motivated for this match, their first real test of the season. As a result, they will bring their A game and will win.
I do think they will lose somewhere along the line when they play one of the other contenders and only bring their B-game.
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Post by po'okela on Sept 21, 2009 16:01:11 GMT -5
PSU over ILLINOIS in 3 games. illinois will not score more than 20 points
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Post by OverAndUnder on Sept 21, 2009 16:04:24 GMT -5
Forget about the team names for a few seconds and ask yourself this: If someone solicited a two hundred dollar bet from you as to who would win a match between an undefeated returning champion ranked #1 by their fellow coaches, and an inconsistent up-and-down program with one loss, which team would you put your money on?
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Post by mikegarrison on Sept 21, 2009 16:07:26 GMT -5
Forget about the team names for a few seconds and ask yourself this: If someone solicited a two hundred dollar bet from you as to who would win a match between an undefeated returning champion ranked #1 by their fellow coaches, and an inconsistent up-and-down program with one loss, which team would you put your money on? Depends on the odds being offered.
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Post by jagdpanther on Sept 21, 2009 16:20:46 GMT -5
This and the @ Minny match are the two most concerning, I think.
@ Illinois is a huge early-conference-schedule test. I think PSU might lose a set, but will take the match.
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Post by smiley on Sept 21, 2009 16:24:26 GMT -5
Illinois is an improved team over last year when they nearly took a set from what was IMO the best VB team ever. PSU while still probably the best team in the country isn't quite as strong. While not the toughest SOS in the country Illinois played some pretty good teams so far while PSU's SOS has been a major topic on how weak it's been. Illinois did break the USC record run (at the time) and this years team is better.
Who's the better team? PSU. Can they be beaten? We'll have to wait and see. If they come in with the same attitude that some of the posters here seem to have there'll be one less unbeaten team in the country. On the other hand PSU's TEAM seems to have very few off nights. I'm hoping for a good game from BOTH teams so we can see how good they both are.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 21, 2009 16:47:17 GMT -5
I'm not impressed with Illinois and would not be surpised if the Nittany Lions beat the Illini the same way they've been beating all the cupcakes they have played so far.
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Post by lovaza on Sept 21, 2009 17:10:09 GMT -5
no
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