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Post by SportyBucky on Apr 11, 2014 10:01:50 GMT -5
Lol good one. The 2013 All-America teams were a joke, and Micha's role for the fall has yet to be determined. Great argument. A lot of them were a joke, but Carlini not being first team and hartong being first team weren't jokes. They were correct. You had every single penn state player that made AA on first team BESIDES the one that actually made first team (Ariel scott). I may be wrong at times, but I admit when I'm wrong. You sit on your high horse and just dodge around the subject when you're wrong By joke, I think he meant that there's no way Carlini isn't a better setter than Micha, even as a frosh. Of course that doesn't translate to equivalent AA accolades. In that regard, pelcj is correct.
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Post by Phillytom on Apr 11, 2014 10:39:24 GMT -5
I'm a total believer in Sheffield and Carlini, but they are going to miss Annamarie Hickey a lot. Chapman is terrific but I'm not totally sold on the rest of their front line. What made them a nightmare matchup for Texas was serving, setting and backcourt D, and their backcourt D probably will not be anything like that good this year. I could see them returning to the Final Four; I could also see them going about .600 in conference and not making it out of the regional final. I don't think Michigan is a guide but maybe Oregon is. They still had Lauren Plum but they were not the same team obviously. wisconsin #3?? hahahahahahahaha. i see people learned nothing from michigan's inflated ranking. But the biggest difference is Wisconsin reached the final, not just the Final Four, and beat the tournament's top seed. And they did it with a first-year coach and freshman setter.
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Post by bucky415 on Apr 11, 2014 11:51:09 GMT -5
If Morey defends the way she did against Minnesota on Sunday, I think she is capable of the hard task of replacing Hickey's production for the Badgers. That would still leave the potential for a hit to the back row play because they won't have the luxury of basically having two liberos on the floor for three rotations, as they did last year. I think Morales will continue to do a good job in the back row as well, but that still leaves one spot open where someone will have to emerge. My feeling is that Wisconsin will be good in the fall, but I do get the arguments why people would have them starting nearer the bottom of this list. One thing in their favor may be that I don't see any team without significant question marks here, as all the contenders lost key players. I agree that BYU looks to be in the mix, though. Adding a big impact player to a group that was good last season gives them the potential to make a big move up.
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Post by volleyvolleyfan on Apr 11, 2014 12:00:02 GMT -5
As teams are competing or finishing spring seasons and a handful of programs wearing sport bras in the sand, let me get the Volleytalker minds spinning about the '14 Fall Season. Here is a stab in the dark at a top 10: 1. Stanford 2. Penn State 3. Washington 4. Wisconsin 5. Texas 6. USC 7. Illinois 8. Nebraska 9. Florida 10. Purdue HM: Minnesota, BYU, Hawaii, Arizona State, Oklahoma, Florida State Much of this sampling is based on '13 results, but also on returning talent and the rare freshmen who might contribute. Basically agree with this Top Ten with the exception of Florida at #9.. I believe Florida State should be ahead of Florida. And I think Florida State is a valid 11-15. Granted Florida State loses MB, Neff and Right Side Hitter, Elise Walch but have replaced the right side with a 6'4' Serbian that played stellar strong in spring.. She will step right in to fill that void. Also assuming Vaughn, junior transfer from Tennessee will step quickly into the MB replacing Neff. Noles still have that senior leadership in key positions this fall with Libero, Mosher and Setter, Wickstrom. As well Junior OH, Nicole Walch and red shirt sophomore MB. Burrington. Noles finished 2013 ranked #11 after losing to Wisconsin in the Sweet Sixteen Remember---they beat Florida in round 2 to make it to regionals. Placing Florida ahead of Florida State... I don't think so...I was at the spring match when Noles took 4 of the 5 sets played vs. Gators. As well, I watched the spring match of Florida vs. UCF on ESPN3.com -- I get more and more disillusioned with Recek and again Mallete did not play. Joseph in the middle will get replaced once the 6'4 middle gets there.. and I continue to be more and more unimpressed with Unroe.. Yes she can jump serve but she looked slow getting to the ball and half the time her jump serves go into the net or are long. Florida does have Holston on the right who will be a force.. the setter spot too is in question. Soo Florida at #9-- not IMHO.
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Post by gogophers on Apr 11, 2014 12:11:35 GMT -5
If Morey defends the way she did against Minnesota on Sunday, I think she is capable of the hard task of replacing Hickey's production for the Badgers. That would still leave the potential for a hit to the back row play because they won't have the luxury of basically having two liberos on the floor for three rotations, as they did last year. I think Morales will continue to do a good job in the back row as well, but that still leaves one spot open where someone will have to emerge. My feeling is that Wisconsin will be good in the fall, but I do get the arguments why people would have them starting nearer the bottom of this list. One thing in their favor may be that I don't see any team without significant question marks here, as all the contenders lost key players. I agree that BYU looks to be in the mix, though. Adding a big impact player to a group that was good last season gives them the potential to make a big move up. Morey, as a libero, was ranked 31st in her class by Prepvb. That suggests that she is more than capable of replacing Hickey.
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Post by rainbowbadger on Apr 11, 2014 12:56:55 GMT -5
As teams are competing or finishing spring seasons and a handful of programs wearing sport bras in the sand, let me get the Volleytalker minds spinning about the '14 Fall Season. Here is a stab in the dark at a top 10: 1. Stanford 2. Penn State 3. Washington 4. Wisconsin 5. Texas 6. USC 7. Illinois 8. Nebraska 9. Florida 10. Purdue HM: Minnesota, BYU, Hawaii, Arizona State, Oklahoma, Florida State Much of this sampling is based on '13 results, but also on returning talent and the rare freshmen who might contribute. My call: 1. Stanford 2. Penn State 3. Washington 4. Texas 5. Nebraska 6. Wisconsin 7. USC 8. Illinois 9. Florida State 10. Purdue HM: Minnesota, BYU, Hawaii, Florida I agree with the logic of Florida State over Florida. I think that Nebraska will be able to make up for the loss of Robinson with the improvement of the Rolfzens, the coming of Maddie Haggarty, and Meghan Haggarty's increased level of effort this spring.
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Post by wishconsin on Apr 11, 2014 13:03:41 GMT -5
I was and still am concerned about the loss of Anne Marie Hickey, but watching the Wisconsin/Minny Spring game last weekend answered lots of questions for me, Morey is very good. While I don't usually expect much from the Spring games, the Gophers and Badgers both played hard. Most impressive for me was Deme, she was killing the ball and right on target. Overall, I see lots to like about the Badgers and I assure everyone the Badgers will compete with everyone this Fall.
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Post by SportyBucky on Apr 11, 2014 13:07:28 GMT -5
It's not like Meghan didn't try. Let's be serious. It's inconsistent MH setting. Sorry, but Mary wasn't as good a setter as everyone thought she was. Don't get me wrong, I think she was pretty good. I just scratched my head at her slides. In part, it's the difference between Lauren Cook and Mary.
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Post by WahineFan44 on Apr 11, 2014 13:09:50 GMT -5
A lot of them were a joke, but Carlini not being first team and hartong being first team weren't jokes. They were correct. You had every single penn state player that made AA on first team BESIDES the one that actually made first team (Ariel scott). I may be wrong at times, but I admit when I'm wrong. You sit on your high horse and just dodge around the subject when you're wrong By joke, I think he meant that there's no way Carlini isn't a better setter than Micha, even as a frosh. Of course that doesn't translate to equivalent AA accolades. In that regard, pelcj is correct. Pure setting wise, Carlini is ahead of micha. No one argued against that. But pelc claimed micha wasn't one of the best setters in the nation (not true). He claimed she would lose her spot to a freshman (not true unless this freshman somehow becomes Carlini level). Also I would argue micha is still a better setter, because I believe there is more to being a setter than just setting. But that's besides the point. Pelcj can claim I'm wrong all he wants, but at least I have a rational argument behind me claims and I don't think I'm the god of volleyball
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Post by WahineFan44 on Apr 11, 2014 13:11:25 GMT -5
I'm a total believer in Sheffield and Carlini, but they are going to miss Annamarie Hickey a lot. Chapman is terrific but I'm not totally sold on the rest of their front line. What made them a nightmare matchup for Texas was serving, setting and backcourt D, and their backcourt D probably will not be anything like that good this year. I could see them returning to the Final Four; I could also see them going about .600 in conference and not making it out of the regional final. I don't think Michigan is a guide but maybe Oregon is. They still had Lauren Plum but they were not the same team obviously. But the biggest difference is Wisconsin reached the final, not just the Final Four, and beat the tournament's top seed. And they did it with a first-year coach and freshman setter. In oregons defense, they practically lost plum. Her injury totally changed her and she never really played at the same level.
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Post by SportyBucky on Apr 11, 2014 13:20:20 GMT -5
By joke, I think he meant that there's no way Carlini isn't a better setter than Micha, even as a frosh. Of course that doesn't translate to equivalent AA accolades. In that regard, pelcj is correct. Pure setting wise, Carlini is ahead of micha. No one argued against that. But pelc claimed micha wasn't one of the best setters in the nation (not true). He claimed she would lose her spot to a freshman (not true unless this freshman somehow becomes Carlini level). Also I would argue micha is still a better setter, because I believe there is more to being a setter than just setting. But that's besides the point. Pelcj can claim I'm wrong all he wants, but at least I have a rational argument behind me claims and I don't think I'm the god of volleyball Lauren's blocking and defense are just as good if not better than Micha's. Micha benefits from blocking with a huge MH and gets 1/2 blocks as a result. Micha does have the serve. She also has the advantage of bigger, better hitters. Believe me, the precision you need to set a 5'7" hitter is much more than what you need for a 6'5" beast. I"m not sure why you think Micha is better all -around. Interested to actually hear you support it with information, data, facts. FYI LC: Digs: 2.82/set, Block: 0.79/set, Ace: 0.22 MH: Digs: 2.28/set, Block: 0.58/set, Ace: 0.65 Yes, stats don't tell the whole story, but I think it's better than conjecture and opinion most of the time.
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Post by WahineFan44 on Apr 11, 2014 13:38:01 GMT -5
Pure setting wise, Carlini is ahead of micha. No one argued against that. But pelc claimed micha wasn't one of the best setters in the nation (not true). He claimed she would lose her spot to a freshman (not true unless this freshman somehow becomes Carlini level). Also I would argue micha is still a better setter, because I believe there is more to being a setter than just setting. But that's besides the point. Pelcj can claim I'm wrong all he wants, but at least I have a rational argument behind me claims and I don't think I'm the god of volleyball Lauren's blocking and defense are just as good if not better than Micha's. Micha benefits from blocking with a huge MH and gets 1/2 blocks as a result. Micha does have the serve. She also has the advantage of bigger, better hitters. Believe me, the precision you need to set a 5'7" hitter is much more than what you need for a 6'5" beast. I"m not sure why you think Micha is better all -around. Interested to actually hear you support it with information, data, facts. FYI LC: Digs: 2.82/set, Block: 0.79/set, Ace: 0.22 MH: Digs: 2.28/set, Block: 0.58/set, Ace: 0.65 Yes, stats don't tell the whole story, but I think it's better than conjecture and opinion most of the time. Let's start off with digs. Digs is a meaningless stat IMO because you have to look at other factors. Penn state didn't have to dig that ball as much because they terminated so much better. That's why I never take a digs per set stat as who's the better defender or defensive team (someone's the stats do tell the truth, like natalie hagglunds case). I claimed on another thread that micha was a better blocker, but I will say they are tied now, only because micha like you said, benefits from the taller girls on her team. I also think micha is more versatile. She has a better dump and she can kill the ball very effectively. If I was going by pure setting wise, I would chose Carlini in a heartbeat, but honestly overall game, I would chose micha (as of now). But I respect the fact you can produce facts to defend your claims, unlike other people
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Post by SportyBucky on Apr 11, 2014 13:53:04 GMT -5
Lauren's blocking and defense are just as good if not better than Micha's. Micha benefits from blocking with a huge MH and gets 1/2 blocks as a result. Micha does have the serve. She also has the advantage of bigger, better hitters. Believe me, the precision you need to set a 5'7" hitter is much more than what you need for a 6'5" beast. I"m not sure why you think Micha is better all -around. Interested to actually hear you support it with information, data, facts. FYI LC: Digs: 2.82/set, Block: 0.79/set, Ace: 0.22 MH: Digs: 2.28/set, Block: 0.58/set, Ace: 0.65 Yes, stats don't tell the whole story, but I think it's better than conjecture and opinion most of the time. Let's start off with digs. Digs is a meaningless stat IMO because you have to look at other factors. Penn state didn't have to dig that ball as much because they terminated so much better. That's why I never take a digs per set stat as who's the better defender or defensive team (someone's the stats do tell the truth, like natalie hagglunds case). I claimed on another thread that micha was a better blocker, but I will say they are tied now, only because micha like you said, benefits from the taller girls on her team. I also think micha is more versatile. She has a better dump and she can kill the ball very effectively. If I was going by pure setting wise, I would chose Carlini in a heartbeat, but honestly overall game, I would chose micha (as of now). But I respect the fact you can produce facts to defend your claims, unlike other people Still waiting for your facts. Makes no sense that you think Micha's a better blocker despite the numbers, the team around her, etc...Is it technique? Better swing blocker? Footwork? Penetration? What is it? Micha rarely dumps, she swings. I agree she's better offensively. Stats support that as does the fact that Micha chooses the right times to go for it. Not so sure about Lauren's use of the dump yet. FYI, you are just as guilty of baseless asserted opinions as the next poster here. Nothing you say above is supported by anything other than opinion, which is fine. Just admit it. I believe technically, Lauren is a superior blocker. She is as good a jumper and penetrates more than Micha. She sets the block perfectly and we've stopped much bigger hitters in large part because she's up there touching a ton. Lauren is almost always in the right position defensively, although I think Micha is, too. FYI, digs is not meaningless, but it's not the only factor in determining a superior defensive player. Digs of opportune diggable balls is the stat we need but it's not reported by most teams. It's of the balls that come to you, how many do you dig and where do you dig them to.
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Post by WahineFan44 on Apr 11, 2014 14:12:55 GMT -5
Let's start off with digs. Digs is a meaningless stat IMO because you have to look at other factors. Penn state didn't have to dig that ball as much because they terminated so much better. That's why I never take a digs per set stat as who's the better defender or defensive team (someone's the stats do tell the truth, like natalie hagglunds case). I claimed on another thread that micha was a better blocker, but I will say they are tied now, only because micha like you said, benefits from the taller girls on her team. I also think micha is more versatile. She has a better dump and she can kill the ball very effectively. If I was going by pure setting wise, I would chose Carlini in a heartbeat, but honestly overall game, I would chose micha (as of now). But I respect the fact you can produce facts to defend your claims, unlike other people Still waiting for your facts. Makes no sense that you think Micha's a better blocker despite the numbers, the team around her, etc...Is it technique? Better swing blocker? Footwork? Penetration? What is it? Micha rarely dumps, she swings. I agree she's better offensively. Stats support that as does the fact that Micha chooses the right times to go for it. Not so sure about Lauren's use of the dump yet. FYI, you are just as guilty of baseless asserted opinions as the next poster here. Nothing you say above is supported by anything other than opinion, which is fine. Just admit it. I believe technically, Lauren is a superior blocker. She is as good a jumper and penetrates more than Micha. She sets the block perfectly and we've stopped much bigger hitters in large part because she's up there touching a ton. Lauren is almost always in the right position defensively, although I think Micha is, too. FYI, digs is not meaningless, but it's not the only factor in determining a superior defensive player. Digs of opportune diggable balls is the stat we need but it's not reported by most teams. It's of the balls that come to you, how many do you dig and where do you dig them to. I never said I had facts to support the claim that micha is a better setter, because that's all opinions. I even said the case could be made for Carlini as a better setter on a previous thread, but My opinion and who I would take on my team, I would chose micha. I said I had facts to support why she's one of the best setters in the nation or why byu would be good. I have no problem with ANYONE saying Carlini is a better setter, because certainly there is a case for it. I have a problem with saying micha isn't one of the best setters in the nation. Now let's go to blocking. You can make a case that Carlini is a better blocker, but you can also make a case that they are equally as good (which I claimed). Micha has one less block solo as carlini. Yes Carlini has more block assists, but it's not a huge disparity. But I would say that Carlini would be considered the better blocker. I'll admit to that. Attacking wise, you've stated that Carlini isn't as good as micha, but let's just give numbers. Carlini had 131 kills, .099 kps but hit only .219. Micha on the other hand had 129 kills, 1.02 kps and hit .331. Points per set goes to micha as well. She had 1.97 and Carlini had 1.63. You could make a case for Carlini because stats aren't always the best thing to judge by, but In my personal opinion, micha still has the upper hand. So let's see where they differ Carlini: better at setting, blocking. Micha better at: serving, attacking. Tied at digging. But who's the better team leader and who's a better game changer? You can't really use stats for this one, because it's all personal opinion. I would say micha is though. She single Handedly destroyed Washington with her serve in the final four, and she took over the team in the final match against Wisconsin. So again, stats are important, but chosing who you want on your team is a lot of just personal opinion. And I've admitted I made baseless claims. I admit when I'm wrong. But that separates me and the other poster I mentioned. I admit my faults. I admit I'm not even close to being as knowledgable as most of the people on this site, he doesn't.
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Post by SportyBucky on Apr 11, 2014 14:16:03 GMT -5
And there you go. I personally think Lauren led all season, is incredibly passionate and has the intangibles. The US national team coach agrees with me. I like my side better than yours. you can have Micha.
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