trojansc
Legend
All-VolleyTalk 1st Team (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017), All-VolleyTalk 2nd Team (2016), 2021, 2019 Fantasy League Champion, 2020 Fantasy League Runner Up, 2022 2nd Runner Up
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Post by trojansc on Sept 7, 2014 5:30:45 GMT -5
The Lions are 6-0 for the first time in over a decade. They've only dropped one set along the way (23-25 to Fresno State). They swept UCSB & UCLA.
Dewitt is playing much better this season as she seems to be fully recovered from an injury last year. Freshmen OH Sponcil and Libero Castellanos have been impressive. Senior Litara Keil will lead with DeWitt.
The Lions play Long Beach State next, and i think LMU will come out on top. They also face Wazzu to close out non conference play. I see them being undefeated going into WCC.
I think this is the beginning of a successful career for Tom Black..
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Post by bighitter on Sept 7, 2014 10:16:49 GMT -5
The thing I find most impressive about Sponcil is that she is 5'10 and touches 9'11 but she is hitting .346 through 19 sets played. She must have some great vision to see the block and hit where it isn't. I know LMU is running a fast offense so that helps to split the block but still......., very impressive. Not to mention her defense!
Maybe Tom is starting a new system. Recruit super fast, high IQ beach players and run a fast offense. Relying on first ball sideouts and digging a few attacks along the way to get the slight edge.
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Post by BeachbytheBay on Sept 7, 2014 10:33:30 GMT -5
Long Beach had probably their best game last year @ LMU, and will be facing a lot of the same players. Obviously LMU is clicking. Long Beach's block is pretty good, so this should be an outstanding test for both teams. LB will need to have their serving going.
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Post by bayarea on Sept 7, 2014 20:33:24 GMT -5
The thing I find most impressive about Sponcil is that she is 5'9 (listed at 5'10) and touches 9'6 or9'7 but she is hitting .346 through 19 sets played. She must have some great vision to see the block and hit where it isn't. I know LMU is running a fast offense so that helps to split the block but still......., very impressive. Not to mention her defense! Maybe Tom is starting a new system. Recruit super fast, high IQ beach players and run a fast offense. Relying on first ball sideouts and digging a few attacks along the way to get the slight edge. Sponcil looked like she got out to kind of a slow start but has been putting up amazing numbers for someone her size, especially someone who has not been primarily a hitter up til now. In addition to her high level beach experience, she has been playing on club volleyball teams going to Junior Nationals since she was 8 years old, and seems to have eyes in the back of her head, as far as court awareness goes...just a very smart, savvy player.
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trojansc
Legend
All-VolleyTalk 1st Team (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017), All-VolleyTalk 2nd Team (2016), 2021, 2019 Fantasy League Champion, 2020 Fantasy League Runner Up, 2022 2nd Runner Up
Posts: 27,902
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Post by trojansc on Sept 19, 2014 3:17:11 GMT -5
LMU is 10-0...
Two games vs. Idaho and Washington State tonight on the Palouse..
They should beat the Vandals but the Cougs aren't fun in Pullman.... USC lost to only four teams last year and Wazzu is one of them ! (UW, San Diego, Arizona, and Washington State) The Cougs are not a walk over. I'm expecting a good battle. Live stream will be available..
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trojansc
Legend
All-VolleyTalk 1st Team (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017), All-VolleyTalk 2nd Team (2016), 2021, 2019 Fantasy League Champion, 2020 Fantasy League Runner Up, 2022 2nd Runner Up
Posts: 27,902
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Post by trojansc on Sept 19, 2014 22:55:00 GMT -5
LMU moves to 12-0 with two wins today..
They beat Idaho 3-0 and Washington State (on the Palouse) 3-1...
The Lions have two players in their lineup that are 6'1 -- those are the tallest LMU starters. Crazy...
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Post by bigfan on Sept 20, 2014 12:35:37 GMT -5
Best LMU team since 1994. Mardell Wrensch, Sarah Noeriega etc.
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Post by OptimusPrime on Sept 20, 2014 12:37:52 GMT -5
This year's Cinderella team!
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Post by GoUCLA on Sept 20, 2014 12:44:46 GMT -5
Am I wrong in saying that the sand program may have something to do with their success? Does anyone else think this?
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Post by chipNdink on Sept 20, 2014 16:43:36 GMT -5
Sand experience makes the indoor game seem easier.
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Post by network155 on Sept 20, 2014 18:42:46 GMT -5
Best LMU team since 1994. Mardell Wrensch, Sarah Noeriega etc. and I remember that team, Sarah Noriega was just a freshman. The 1995 LMU team was my favorite though.
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Post by bighitter on Sept 21, 2014 10:23:34 GMT -5
I went over to Pullman and watched the match. What really stood out to me were two things, the speed of the offense and the attacks the back row could absorb. I knew LMU was running a fast offense but sitting on the floor and seeing it live was impressive. I live near Seattle so I'm use to seeing Husky games live and get to see lots of Pac 12 offenses. I have to say (or write), LMU is running it perhaps one gear higher than most.
Even more impressive than that is how the two freshman, Sponcile and Castellanos play defense. Those two dug up blast after blast from WSU. Sponcil is fearless, the way she sits in and takes line shots is amazing for her age. I was the only LMU fan in the stands and wasn't the only one impressed. Lots of, "how the hell's?" were said. And a big shout out to Dewitt, that girl can thump the ball with the best.
The thing that concern's me is the bench, it's young. So if Dewitt or Sponcil came out due to injury, they'd have to shift Keil to OH. But that would leave a huge hole in the middle and drop the defense down a notch. It's a long season for 8 players to carry it all on their shoulders.
But my prediction for sand this year with Metter and Scioscia coming back is LMU with at least the top pair in the country and perhaps a National team Championship for LMU.
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Post by bigfan on Sept 21, 2014 17:52:04 GMT -5
Best LMU team since 1994. Mardell Wrensch, Sarah Noeriega etc. and I remember that team, Sarah Noriega was just a freshman. The 1995 LMU team was my favorite though. 1994 was the breakout season, This current club maybe as good as them. 1995 club took it a different level and this ball club is not there yet.
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Post by kidfree on Sept 22, 2014 9:42:41 GMT -5
I saw LMU play and the libero was very good. Sponcil doesn't crush the ball but she knows where to put it. As "hitter" said they seem to have a very shallow bench. The roster shows 14 but only 13 have played and 9 players tend to do the vast majority of the work. Injuries could drop them quickly.
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trojansc
Legend
All-VolleyTalk 1st Team (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017), All-VolleyTalk 2nd Team (2016), 2021, 2019 Fantasy League Champion, 2020 Fantasy League Runner Up, 2022 2nd Runner Up
Posts: 27,902
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Post by trojansc on Sept 25, 2014 0:50:15 GMT -5
Avery Bush is not known well, but she is a very good server and plays well in the back. LMU has a tough match at Pacific tomorrow night.. Hope they pull it off.. Then a match with a weaker St. Mary's on Saturday..
I haven't seen LMU in person yet this season, only online, but Last year their offense did seem even faster in person.
Still little respect from the AVCA but if the Lions sweep they should probably be ahead of UCLA & USC, but they will probably still be behind both.
If LMU wants a seed they probably can't drop more than 3 WCC games..
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