|
Post by hammer on Aug 23, 2014 18:27:25 GMT -5
I would serve right at her most of any game. You do that......... akbar toking again? Or is he looking at the rest of Stanford's regular group of passers and choosing the one he perceives to be the weakest. What I saw last year at Maples were teams searching for someone having an off night, but about half the time they didn't find one.
|
|
|
Post by hammer on Aug 23, 2014 18:41:36 GMT -5
I am a fan of Morgan Boukather. I watched her during her club days. She was her TCA team's star go-to hitter and a six rotation right side. I saw her match after match carry her club team on her back to victory. She gets to Stanford and becomes just another player competing for playing time. As far as I know she has never complained about playing time. She looked very good in the scrimmage yesterday and I'd say she is underrated as a hitter. She can hit ones and twos on combo plays out of the middle very effectively also, but unfortunately Stanford doesn't run enough plays for her. Her arm swing and approach are technically very solid and her blocking is above average. Her weakness is defense, but she isn't that bad ... but certainly not as good as Williams last year.
|
|
|
Post by akbar on Aug 23, 2014 19:20:38 GMT -5
akbar toking again? Or is he looking at the rest of Stanford's regular group of passers and choosing the one he perceives to be the weakest. What I saw last year at Mxaples were teams searching for someone having an off night, but about half the time they didn't find one. Ok. Statistically she is the weakest and the one most served by teams last year and the one who gave up the most RE out of the 3 main passers. Without a doubt Burgess has improved her touch, as she should going into her Junior year but she would more importantly be the one who I would target as she means so much to this teams success. That is actually a compliment. It is clear she is the leader and I would burden her with as much of a load to carry that team as I could. It's a strategy that could backfire but we are talking about one of the most seasoned and complete team. So yes to beat an excellent Stanford team I would serve the heck out of their best player.
|
|
|
Post by bobbk on Aug 23, 2014 20:51:55 GMT -5
Lutz had a low ankle sprain. Shouldn't be out long.
Great scrimmage great BBQ and bay watcher nailed it.
An add or two Benji had several spectacular digs.
Brown has a very good jump serve. She'll be in for someone serving.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2014 21:08:17 GMT -5
Lutz had a low ankle sprain. Shouldn't be out long. I've seen "low ankle sprains" that took several months to fully recover.
|
|
|
Post by bobbk on Aug 23, 2014 21:17:19 GMT -5
I was talking about Lutz' sprain. Not in general. We shall see. BTW no bleachers or permentent seating at the Sand Courts. Lots of room to sit including a wall that surrounds the 4 courts at court level.
|
|
|
Post by volleylearner on Aug 23, 2014 23:32:07 GMT -5
I am a fan of Morgan Boukather. I watched her during her club days. She was her TCA team's star go-to hitter and a six rotation right side. I saw her match after match carry her club team on her back to victory. She gets to Stanford and becomes just another player competing for playing time. As far as I know she has never complained about playing time. She looked very good in the scrimmage yesterday and I'd say she is underrated as a hitter. She can hit ones and twos on combo plays out of the middle very effectively also, but unfortunately Stanford doesn't run enough plays for her. Her arm swing and approach are technically very solid and her blocking is above average. Her weakness is defense, but she isn't that bad ... but certainly not as good as Williams last year. Boukather is very good, but I was very impressed with Brown's hitting and quickness at the scrimmage. I hope they both get playing time in matches and battle for the position. Blocking is the big question mark. Boukather is tall with long arms but Williams was a much better blocker last year. Didn't see enough of Brown's blocking in the scrimmage to tell how she compares.
|
|
|
Post by tnp101 on Aug 24, 2014 7:18:39 GMT -5
What about the progress of Vanjak, Kennedy and Humphreys? Any report?
|
|
|
Post by volleylearner on Aug 24, 2014 9:58:41 GMT -5
What about the progress of Vanjak, Kennedy and Humphreys? Any report? I wasn't there the whole time but while I was there Vanjak played OH all the way around and Kennedy played only back row. Vanjak was comfortable hitting but did not put the ball away that often, and she seems less comfortable in the back row. I would not expect Vanjak to see the court against the stronger teams. Kennedy played well but i was impressed with Benjamin and would not be surprised to see her get DS time ahead of Kennedy (unless Benjamin were to redshirt). Humphreys setting was fine, a lot like last year. She connected well with Brown on the right. Humphreys only had a few points with the starters while I was there.
|
|
|
Post by baywatcher on Aug 24, 2014 11:31:21 GMT -5
I suspect Kennedy may have had soreness in the shoulder, as she played only backrow and subbed out for the Assistant male coach in the front row, no reason not to leave her in. Vanjak got a lot of swings from the left but is not as athletic as Burgess or Howard. Humphreys actually showed proficiency at setting Brown on the pipe stuff, lots of in synch attacks.
|
|
|
Post by bobbk on Aug 24, 2014 11:39:43 GMT -5
I thought Vanjak hit very hard and put a number of shots down and quick for points. But I was there the entire time, so saw all. Very imnpressive, she will start at some point. But not this year or next. Then Hodson comes. But she will be very good hitting. on't recall her much back row.
|
|
|
Post by cardcounter on Aug 24, 2014 11:47:52 GMT -5
I am surprised Kennedy is being considered for back row play. When she was playing club passing was not her strongest skill. As an OH she played six rotations half the time. Maybe Kennedy has shown improvement in her floor defense. Based only on watching club I would want Benjamin first in the back row, Brown second, and Kennedy third. That could easily change after watching a few of Stanford's matches. I am glad to see fans acknowledge the heat Brown can put on the ball. Brown improved dramatically as a hitter during this past club season. Part of the thanks can go to Timmons.
|
|
|
Post by hammer on Aug 24, 2014 13:14:28 GMT -5
Kennedy's passing and D were pretty solid in all the scrimmages I saw, so playing her primarily as a back row specialist seems to be where Stanford is heading. IMO JD will be trying out Benjamin, Kennedy, and Brown during the preseason matches to see what clicks. Benjamin could redshirt, but usually Stanford doesn't go that route. Vanjak has a very good float serve and at one point ran off several points against the A team, but most of her other skills are inconsistent.
|
|
|
Post by volleylearner on Aug 24, 2014 15:32:53 GMT -5
I am surprised Kennedy is being considered for back row play. When she was playing club passing was not her strongest skill. As an OH she played six rotations half the time. Maybe Kennedy has shown improvement in her floor defense. Based only on watching club I would want Benjamin first in the back row, Brown second, and Kennedy third. That could easily change after watching a few of Stanford's matches. I am glad to see fans acknowledge the heat Brown can put on the ball. Brown improved dramatically as a hitter during this past club season. Part of the thanks can go to Timmons. Your ordering (Benjamin, Brown, Kennedy) for back row play matches my impression from the scrimmage. I was particularly impressed with Benjamin's aggresiveness in going for loose balls. However, Humphreys had some nice D sets that Brown crushed for kills, and in my mind that would be a reason to have Brown in the back row instead of Benjamin.
|
|
|
Post by volleyballwatcher on Aug 24, 2014 17:19:34 GMT -5
I am surprised Kennedy is being considered for back row play. When she was playing club passing was not her strongest skill. As an OH she played six rotations half the time. Maybe Kennedy has shown improvement in her floor defense. Based only on watching club I would want Benjamin first in the back row, Brown second, and Kennedy third. That could easily change after watching a few of Stanford's matches. I am glad to see fans acknowledge the heat Brown can put on the ball. Brown improved dramatically as a hitter during this past club season. Part of the thanks can go to Timmons. Your ordering (Benjamin, Brown, Kennedy) for back row play matches my impression from the scrimmage. I was particularly impressed with Benjamin's aggresiveness in going for loose balls. However, Humphreys had some nice D sets that Brown crushed for kills, and in my mind that would be a reason to have Brown in the back row instead of Benjamin. So, it sounds like Benjamin is better at back row defense and passing than Brown. But Brown brings the ability to add some back row offense. My question is, is Brown better than Burgess or Howard who would otherwise be the back row offense option?
|
|