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Post by GatorVball on Dec 30, 2003 22:49:46 GMT -5
Uh, those numbers are just about the exact same as Lily Kahumoku's (except the aces), and she wasn't even a first-team AA. Lily's line went 4.52 kpg, .291 hitting, 3.48 dpg, 0.21 aces per game and 0.59 bpg. How can Cruz's numbers compare to Willoughby's if it's about the same as Lily's. But then again. Take a look at Ross' numbers. 3.65 kpg, .296 hitting, 3.15 dpg, 0.70 bpg, 0.52 aces per game. Also not impressive. Willoughby's, on the other hand, are 6.60 kpg, .373 hitting, 3.04 dpg, 0.62 aces per game, 0.57 bpg. Statistically, it isn't even near close. Then you can watch them all play in person and realize that the numbers don't lie. I did watch them all play just 2 weeks ago. April and Aury were both better than Kim and Lily. None played particularly well, but if I was a newcomer to the sport, there's no way I'd have believed Kim was the POY, not from that match. And if you can't perform against the best in clutch situations, what does that say? Kim's passing was not very good and she had way too many errors. Lily was shut down in game 4 by the Florida block(more Kanoe's fault than Lily, but she gets the stats). Defensively she played very well, but her offense got worse as the match went on. Again, what do you do when the game or match is on the line? Neither Kim nor Lily stepped it up, Aury did, she single handedly won game 1 for the Gators, scoring the final 4 points. Stats don't always tell the story. How a player plays in big matches is much more indicative of how good they are. I mean, if you play your worst in the biggest matches, does it really matter what you did against the other teams? Nope. And really, no Hawaii fan should be complaining about Lily not making 1st team or not on the CSTV team, when Kamana'o made 3rd team AA and the CSTV team and sorry, but she was not deserving.
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Post by kolohe on Dec 30, 2003 23:24:53 GMT -5
All I did was reply to your claim that Aury's numbers were pretty good. At that level, I'd say they weren't that great. Now, last time I checked, the awards were National Player of the YEAR and National Freshman of the YEAR. That's why they give all-NCAA Championships honors. For that weekend alone. Willoughby did one of the most amazing things this year. She was in the top five of the country in kills and in the top 15 in hitting. Check how often that happens.
Want to blame it on the WAC?? Her numbers were actually better in non-conference matches and I'd put UH's non-conference schedule up against almost anyone else's in the country. They played Kansas State, USC, Minnesota, Louisville, UCLA, Pacific, Stanford, Santa Clara, Arizona. Their only really weak competition was a couple of SEC teams (Kentucky and LSU) and a few others.
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Post by kolohekeiki on Dec 31, 2003 0:51:45 GMT -5
All I did was reply to your claim that Aury's numbers were pretty good. At that level, I'd say they weren't that great. Now, last time I checked, the awards were National Player of the YEAR and National Freshman of the YEAR. That's why they give all-NCAA Championships honors. For that weekend alone. Willoughby did one of the most amazing things this year. She was in the top five of the country in kills and in the top 15 in hitting. Check how often that happens. Want to blame it on the WAC?? Her numbers were actually better in non-conference matches and I'd put UH's non-conference schedule up against almost anyone else's in the country. They played Kansas State, USC, Minnesota, Louisville, UCLA, Pacific, Stanford, Santa Clara, Arizona. Their only really weak competition was a couple of SEC teams (Kentucky and LSU) and a few others. I have to agree with Kolohe on this one because that was only Kim's second bad match of the season. I think the other was against Weber State because she was sick. Other than that Kim wreaked havoc on every other team this year. She did an excellent job against the other top teams like Kolohe mentioned. But GatorVball I totall agree with you that Aury Cruz is one of the best players along with Kim and April and the others nominated for this award. I agree that Aury should have been in there. But I don't agree with you that April Ross is better than Lily and Kim. April Ross is a great all-around player, but she isn't dominate in one possition like Lily and Kim are. And I'm definitely not arguing about Lily not making first team. Because I definitely think she didn't play as well as she could've. Especially before the season started when Dave was hyping Lily up on the news saying how much more power and better she got during the off-season. I didn't see anything different except in her defense. She really improved in her defense, but her offense IMO didn't improve. But I truly believe that Kanoe deserved her all-American honors. I know she had all-American hitters to go to, but I'm not sure that I know any freshman that can handle all the pressure that she was put through. I didn't even see her play like a freshman or see the nerves at all until the ending of their final four match with Florida. I know people say that she had an easy job setting two all-American's on the outside, but just think how much pressure that is putting up decent sets night in and night out for two all-American hitters. And you also blame Kanoe for lots of Lily's bad sets. Remember the passing wasn't that great all night. So it was partly the passers fault as well. If Kanoe had better passes, I guarantee you that the sets would have been better. But getting back to the topic all the players are deserving but I truly believe that Aury Cruz does belong on the finalists list.
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Post by Jalap on Dec 31, 2003 1:35:37 GMT -5
I too am very surprised Aury Cruz was not on the list. Aury is a better all-around player than Nnamani and just as dominant.
Also I agree with Kolohekeiki about his assesment of Lily. I have to admit it was a bit of a letdown watching Lily play after Dave built her up to be this unstoppable machine. She still played amazingly great, especially on defense, and she did improve in other areas.
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Post by Psychopotamus on Dec 31, 2003 1:39:06 GMT -5
Whatsa kolohe?
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Post by kolohekeiki on Dec 31, 2003 2:54:28 GMT -5
Are you seriously asking or are you just joking?
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Post by roofed! on Dec 31, 2003 14:10:12 GMT -5
But I don't agree with you that April Ross is better than Lily and Kim. April Ross is a great all-around player, but she isn't dominate in one possition like Lily and Kim are. And I'm definitely not arguing about Lily not making first team. Because I definitely think she didn't play as well as she could've. Especially before the season started when Dave was hyping Lily up on the news saying how much more power and better she got during the off-season. I didn't see anything different except in her defense. She really improved in her defense, but her offense IMO didn't improve. I was expecting greater things from Lily this season, especially after reading how Dave was raving on her improved hitting, to the extent that she was able to consistently hit over the Hawaiian blocks and demoralizing the Hawaiian MBs (looking back, Hawaiian blocks were not big, anyway). And as such, I was surprised at how easily Lily was blocked out of the court by USC at the NACWAA, despite her early looks at the USC blocks at the spring match. Between Lily and Kim, Lily was easier to block because she tends to go for seam shots and hit a lower ball than Kim. Having said that, and watching the Florida/Hawaii tape, I must say that Mary Wise did a great job scouting Hawaii and preparing her team to neutralize both Kim and Lily. Her defenders, both blockers and back row, were ever ready for one of those monster hits coming across the net. I must say that I really like Florida approach whereby they practice all year like they were destined to meet USC and thus trying to put up bigger blocks (which worked to dampen Hawaiian attacks). Certainly, that all-business approach is reflected in their NCAA consecutive games won streak. On the other hand, I can see that Hawaii was still taking a relax-easy attitude. Even after a mistake, Melissa Villaroman was still smiling; maybe that is her way to encourage her teammates but to me, it showed lack of mental focus (on the other hand, the USC team has been criticized for too workman-like on-court attitude) and sense of accountability for your mistakes -- like, it's okay, we will try to do better on the next play. Anyway, back to the main topic, I don't think that Lily is better than April Ross. Ross is definitely a better server and blocker. She also has all the shots in the books, and able to use them wisely (Lily has the tendency to keep hitting into the blocks without making sufficient adjustment). And Ross played great backrow defense as well.
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Post by roy on Dec 31, 2003 14:17:24 GMT -5
On the other hand, I can see that Hawaii was still taking a relax-easy attitude. Even after a mistake, Melissa Villaroman was still smiling; maybe that is her way to encourage her teammates but to me, it showed lack of mental focus (on the other hand, the USC team has been criticized for too workman-like on-court attitude) and sense of accountability for your mistakes -- like, it's okay, we will try to do better on the next play. I agree with everything you said in the above. But I would just like to clarify on this part of your statement. Hawaii has tried to take a relax attitude because of all the pressure that is placed of them. Hawaii teams of the past have taken a too serious approach toward losing a game and they have cracked because of that. Examples such as 1995 against Michigan State and 1999 against Texas A&M. Those teams were too tight when they started to lose and couldn't regain their composure. I was happy that this team didn't take a too serious approach to their games and that they could laugh off a mistake and know that it was only one mistake and there will still be a number of plays they can make.
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Post by Jalap on Dec 31, 2003 16:11:41 GMT -5
I agree. I liked seeing them smile after mistakes, because to me it showed that they weren't cracking and were still playing to win. If anything I think it certainly calms the fans down to see the players smiling during a match, especially if it is a close, tense one.
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Post by Psychopotamus on Dec 31, 2003 16:54:24 GMT -5
Are you seriously asking or are you just joking? The curly thing at the end of the sentence indicates a question; I was seriously asking. You know, you could have answered me instead of asking if I really wanted to know. Conserve space on the board, otherwise we might spill over into another forum. I would hate to get off the subject of volleyball here.
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Post by kolohe on Dec 31, 2003 17:18:52 GMT -5
kolohe means rascal in hawaiian.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Dec 31, 2003 17:19:17 GMT -5
Kolohe is a Hawaiian term for someone who is naughty or rascal.
Oops sorry "Kolohe". I'm too slow I guess.
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Post by Psychopotamus on Jan 1, 2004 0:18:58 GMT -5
kolohe means rascal in hawaiian. I feel stupid now, because I know I've asked you that before.
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Post by beachman on Jan 2, 2004 15:49:04 GMT -5
Is it possible that some of Kim's "off the court" problems will prevent her from getting this award?
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Post by kolohe on Jan 2, 2004 15:58:27 GMT -5
What "off the court problems" are you speaking of? Because as far as I know, none of these issues you speak of went public. Therefore, how would the Honda committee know about them?
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