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Post by OverAndUnder on Sept 21, 2009 17:12:52 GMT -5
Illinois did break the USC record run (at the time) and this years team is better. If I'm understanding you correctly, that's a rather bold claim. The 2004 Illini had some really great performances as a team during a time when the Big10 was a very tough conference at the top. I haven't seen this year's team play, so maybe the comparison is warranted.
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Post by fanofvolley on Sept 21, 2009 17:57:41 GMT -5
I have seen them play. LB is impressive. The rest of the team - not so much.
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Post by fanofvolley on Sept 21, 2009 18:01:33 GMT -5
Sorry, meant LD. oops
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Post by OverAndUnder on Sept 21, 2009 20:04:00 GMT -5
It just seems this thread = the threads anticipating Texas vs Baylor and ISU. Just because it has been a relatively crazy preseason so far doesn't mean all sense of order has disappeared. The few teams at the very top are still a great deal stronger than even the decent teams in the 11-30 range.
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Post by verybasicdad on Sept 21, 2009 20:30:28 GMT -5
i think there are way too many over optimistic and narrow minded PSU fans on this thread. Illinois has all the right talent in all the right positions to take PSU out and if the lions come in at all as confident as you posters are right now they will walk away with their 1st loss in quite some time...tiem to become an instant Illini fan!
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Post by starbrite on Sept 21, 2009 21:11:04 GMT -5
Seriously, do you think Alisha isn't doing what is best for her team. Come on. If Megan is going to get them the win then you set to Megan and don't you think Russ wouldn't have something to say about how the offense is being run if he didn't like it? Come on now we are talking about an All-American setter.
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Post by pennstate7188 on Sept 21, 2009 23:22:37 GMT -5
i think there are way too many over optimistic and narrow minded PSU fans on this thread. Illinois has all the right talent in all the right positions to take PSU out and if the lions come in at all as confident as you posters are right now they will walk away with their 1st loss in quite some time...tiem to become an instant Illini fan! Yes, they're talented, but compare that talent to Penn State. DeBruler = Hodge? Nooo way. Compare both starting lineups to each other and then tell me that you think they have all the "right talent in all the right positions" to beat PSU. Hodge is better than she was last season, as is Alisha, Blair, Alyssa, Ari and Cathy. I'm not trying to seem cocky, but an Illini win is not going to happen... 3-0 is my prediction.
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Post by pennstate7188 on Sept 21, 2009 23:28:31 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. I think that this and the Minnesota match won't be an issue, considering how Minnesota has been playing against ranked opponents recently. I think the bigger tests will be against Michigan at home, and possibly Michigan State at home. Michigan State is no team to underestimate... Natalie Emro is very similar to Ashley Engle, minus the 2 years of experience lol. I'm actually kind of surprised that the posters here don't see Michigan as a threat, as they are the second-highest Big Ten ranked team in the AVCA poll...
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Post by smiley on Sept 22, 2009 0:59:30 GMT -5
As a Illinois fan I believe PSU has a definite edge in talent. They've certainly been more successful in recent years. They deserve their ranking. But Illinois IS a top 20 team playing at home. There is such a thing as upsets. And Illinois beating PSU wouldn't even be in the top ten of upsets in the history of VB. PSU is the definite favorite but if the team comes in with the attitude they are unbeatable then things might get interesting.
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Post by pennstate7188 on Sept 22, 2009 1:47:35 GMT -5
Who said the team was going into the match thinking that they're unbeatable? Russ didn't say that...
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Post by smiley on Sept 22, 2009 3:20:47 GMT -5
If you read what I wrote I said IF they go in with that attitude. I don't believe I even mentioned Russ. I doubt if ANY coach, let alone someone as good as Russ, would claim their team was unbeatable. But PLAYERS do read and listen to their fans. PSU is the better team but the better team SOMETIMES loses. While not top 10 teams Illinois has beaten some pretty good teams.
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Post by jagdpanther on Sept 22, 2009 6:43:31 GMT -5
I think that this and the Minnesota match won't be an issue, considering how Minnesota has been playing against ranked opponents recently. I think the bigger tests will be against Michigan at home, and possibly Michigan State at home. Michigan State is no team to underestimate... Natalie Emro is very similar to Ashley Engle, minus the 2 years of experience lol. I'm actually kind of surprised that the posters here don't see Michigan as a threat, as they are the second-highest Big Ten ranked team in the AVCA poll... I'd put @michigan as the close third in terms of toughest matches remaining in the regular season.
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Post by BOTE on Sept 22, 2009 10:56:04 GMT -5
Does anybody really think that Russ will not have PSU prepared for Illinois and what a tough place to play it is. With the senior leadership of Glass and Hodge this team will win but not in 3 if Glass reverts to setting 75% to Hodge. If she runs the offense it will be PSU in 3.
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Post by edburby on Sept 22, 2009 11:08:19 GMT -5
Will PSU turn into the Ohio State 2004 team ? One-dimensional, but gets the wins. Can Hodge be as good as Stacey was ??
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Post by Keystonekid on Sept 22, 2009 11:11:26 GMT -5
There not going to be one dimensional with Blair Brown and Ari. Are they going to set a ton of balls to Hodge? Yes. One dimensional? no.
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