vbmom
Sophomore
Posts: 113
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Post by vbmom on Jan 22, 2003 2:39:28 GMT -5
Hey VBCruisin. I've noticed you lurkin' around here several times recently, but haven't seen a post. How's life? How's the boy & what's he up to? You still attending games by sea? If so, give the team a pep talk from me  |
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Post by VBCrusin on Jan 22, 2003 2:55:01 GMT -5
Hi VBMom, long time no see. I've posted several posts in the past, but I don't post for the sake of posting. When I have something to say, I'm there.
My son graduated from Pepperdine and has been hired at Calabasas...teaching and coaching the Boys Varsity team, maybe girls too. He did play a 6 man beach recently (with big George Romaine, et al). He'll be around at several matches I'm sure.
I love volleyball and I still attend matches all over. It'll be an interesting season...who do you think will prevail at the end of the season?
My top four are UCLA, Hawaii, BYU and UCI (not in any particular order) so far, but it's a long season. Catch me in March and I'll narrow it down. Later.
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Post by Roofan on Jan 24, 2003 20:48:02 GMT -5
VB Cruisin
Do my eyes decieve me, or are your beloved Waves absent from you top 4?
Thats OK...I know for a FACT that the Waves will make another run at a Title, but they will get their crown this year!
Fact is...they have the best 1-2 punch in the country in Keenan and Rooney and they WILL carry the Waves to the title this year!
Goooo Waves!!!
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Post by VBCrusin on Jan 25, 2003 1:53:46 GMT -5
Hi Roofan, I didn't place Pepperdine in the top 4 YET, because they have a little more work to do. I didn't say they were not in contention for this year's title, just that Hawaii, UCLA, UCI and BYU were better BALANCED teams at the moment. pep needs to have two more guys to step up before they can dominate again.
True, Pep enjoys a fantastic trio in Keenan, Rooney and Winters (simply awesome players), but since passing & setting are the key elements in maximizing these three threats, their entire team must enter into the mix. John Mayer seems to be progressing as setter, and we all know setting is essential to lead the attack. Hopefully Mayer will develop into the floor leader Pep needs.
Coat appears to be very capable Libero, and I have a feeling he'll be one of the best before the year's end. Hey...it's too early to tell who will be left standing at the Final Four. If Pepperdine can get it together, they will be there. Marv Dunphy and his excellent staff will make sure they are ready. The big question will be, will the other two players step up to the challenge (need another effective middle who can help dominate when "Keenan the Quiet Killer" isn't up there. I DON'T count out Pepperdine.
Incidentally, Pepperdine and BYU are MY teams. I'm their biggest fan, but I also enjoy seeing other teams as well, but that's what a volleyball fan is, isn't it?
Realistically, Pep has a way to go, but then again, EVERY team (including Hawaii) needs to have vacated positions reinforced with replacement players to step up.
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Post by mvbdad on Jan 25, 2003 2:36:26 GMT -5
Hey Cruisin , you missed a good game Thursday night , and if Gledhill can keep playing at the pace he did on Thursday , Pepp has found the other hitter they were missing . Agreed tho they do miss something when Keenan is out of the front row. Webb needs to get a little quicker to the block.
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Post by Psychopotamus on Jan 25, 2003 10:45:00 GMT -5
Pepperdine with the best one two punch? Costas and Delano have been looking pretty lethal this year, so I don't know about that.
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Post by VBCrusin on Jan 26, 2003 1:48:06 GMT -5
Sorry I missed the Thursday Pep match, mvbdad. I was up in Chico watching my other son play.
I hope Glenhill steps up. At 6'7" he has the height and being left-handed, he could be hard to stop when he hits. To "step up" would encompass hitting-passing-blocking...Pepperdine needs him to be tough at blocking and consistent in passing. He's starting to look good, but he needs to play on a much higher level. If he keeps progressing, he may be there by end of the season. I'm pulling for him.
Pepperdine is in desperate need of another DOMINATE blocker. Webb has a long way to go. I'd love to see senior Brian Wagner switch to middle to see what he could do. He's a good jumper and stronger hitter, but Marv Dunphy has done pretty good without my suggestions so far...I bow to his judgment.
NOTE to "Not Richee"...I won't take anything away from Costas/Thomas one-two combination as best in the country, because they are talented especially Costas. I'll have to see Delano this year to determine if he could be on the same level as Costas...However, Pepperdine has the best one-two-three PUNCH (2002 POY Keenan, 2002 FOY Rooney AND Canadian Fred Winters). Incidentally, Winters hits as hard as George Roumaine. Check him out at the next match...he's simply awesome...he's just quiet and never complains. He's the third member of the "Quiet Assassin Squad" (Keenan, Rooney, Winters) who play very low key, but will kill you silently.
Never count out Pepperdine...They might not be as strong as last year, but they may surprise people this year...maybe even at the Finals ; )
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Post by Psychopotamus on Jan 26, 2003 7:46:39 GMT -5
I have to say the same thing about Pepperdine. Thomas has been unreal this year and, in my opinion, actually overshadowing Costas. It's like the difference between Willoughby and Kahumoku. Costas has been outsmarting the blockers, Delano has just been going over and through them. As far as a three pronged attack , I don't know about that one either. Ching has been looking a whole lot better than last year, hitting harder shots, sharper angles and more consistently. Azena has been looking like the second coming of Katz. I guess we will have to wait until they play.
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Post by Roofan on Jan 26, 2003 22:56:50 GMT -5
VBCruisin
I was just giving you a little carp...nothing more!!! ;D
I would also agree with your 1-2-3 punch of Pepp as well. On many teams Winters would carry a huge hitting load...it just so happens he plays with 2 of the top 5 players in College in Keenan and Rooney.
As for the Thomas and Costas argument... Costas is definately the top player in the game, but Thomas has ALOT to prove before he can be considered one of the better middles in the game...much less a top player. Keenan is a 3 time All American, so his accomplishments are obvious. All Rooney did was lead Pepp in Kills and hit an almost unheard of .400 on the left..as a FRESHMAN. He is on the same 4 time All American track as Costas, Keenan, and Topple...etc. That's why I personally take the 1-2 of Keenan and Rooney over Costas and Thomas.
Later
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Post by VB4Me on Jan 27, 2003 17:02:41 GMT -5
Webb's quickness has improved greatly in recent months and will continue to evolve. In the mean time, his hitting accuracy and limited number of errors are a big plus. As for now, his stats compare very well with those of Van Reusen for 2002.
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Post by VBCrusin on Jan 27, 2003 17:36:28 GMT -5
To VB4Me...Nice to hear Webb's quickness is improving, and I never questioned his hitting accuracy. Pepperdine has many hitters, but what Pep needs now is a big BLOCKER. Webb is not the dominate blocker, but hopefully he'll improve.
As far as comparing Webb to Van Reusen stats, I would take big exception to that. Check out last year's NCCA stats and Van Reusen was 9th in blocking (Keenan was 2nd) and 18th in hitting percentage (in the nation). It also doesn't measure Van Reusen's dominate presence as a team leader which is sorely missed this year. Better let Webb get a couple of games under his belt before you start comparing him with anyone, especially when it comes to BLOCKING.
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Post by VB4Me on Jan 27, 2003 18:10:27 GMT -5
The season is indeed young and Webb is just a redshirt freshman moving from OH to a new position as a MB. Let's hope that he and the team keep improving and that the Waves are without injuries. As for now, here's to a big weekend in Long Beach and La Jolla!
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Post by Underdog on Jan 28, 2003 22:23:35 GMT -5
Azena has been looking like the second coming of Katz. I actually like this player, but, IMO, he needs to work on his blocking. |
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Post by Psychopotamus on Jan 29, 2003 1:02:23 GMT -5
The only reason I say that is because his athleticism is reminiscent of Katz. The only difference, I think, is that Katz was already a polished player when he arrived. In a year or two, Azena could be playing at that level.
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Post by VBCrusin on Jan 29, 2003 2:11:03 GMT -5
Hey Not Richee...it seems that you're expecting big things from Azena. Even though my son isn't playing any more, I thoroughly enjoy watching up-and-coming players with promise.
I especially like players who are more than "one dimensional players" (not just hitters or blockers). I am more impressed with the "all around" player who can do it all, hitting, blocking, passing, serving...the whole enchilada. I look around the league and I see many players who fit that criteria, and they are exciting to watch. I love seeing volleyball played at such a high level.
I'll follow Azena, like many others, to see how they develop. If he's as good as you say, Hawaii will indeed benefit the next few years with him, not they are hurting! If Hawaii stays healthy, they will be there at the end of the season, however, the season is still up for grabs. ENJOY!
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