|
Post by chisovnik on Sept 18, 2014 23:10:08 GMT -5
I'm really pulling for Wisconsin to go all the way this year. They may not have all the most talented athletes like USC, Penn State, Texas, and Nebraska do, but they look like the best TEAM. So fun to watch. I'll pass. I'd prefer Washington or Stanford. but Wisconsin is a fun volleyball team to watch. They remind me of a more offensively diversified Hawaii team. Obviously, Carlini being the difference maker. Of course you would.
|
|
|
Post by chisovnik on Sept 18, 2014 23:11:54 GMT -5
I really love Deme, and I think she can hit the percentages that Bates is hitting. Though she may not have as much upside, she has a larger repertoire of shots and can play the blocks better. She was just plagued by hitting errors early on this year, so now she is basically just DS-ing. I have seen Lauren setting her from the back row a couple of times, but I doubt that will be a real option very often. SBB I've never seen Bates, but judging solely by her recent stats, I think she's a much better hitter than Morales.
|
|
|
Post by Boof1224 on Sept 18, 2014 23:37:05 GMT -5
I'm really pulling for Wisconsin to go all the way this year. They may not have all the most talented athletes like USC, Penn State, Texas, and Nebraska do, but they look like the best TEAM. So fun to watch. We will see if they can get by psu in there own conference first. That's first conference game. If they don't best psu at home there don't think they will do it in tourney.
|
|
|
Post by badgerbreath on Sept 18, 2014 23:48:09 GMT -5
I really love Deme, and I think she can hit the percentages that Bates is hitting. Though she may not have as much upside, she has a larger repertoire of shots and can play the blocks better. She was just plagued by hitting errors early on this year, so now she is basically just DS-ing. I have seen Lauren setting her from the back row a couple of times, but I doubt that will be a real option very often. SBB I've never seen Bates, but judging solely by her recent stats, I think she's a much better hitter than Morales. With regard to recent stats, you're right. But last year Deme hit 0.182, which is still a little less than Bates this year at 0.197, but not by much, and she was able to maintain that through the B1G season, which Bates has yet to do. Deme has just been error plagued this preseason, and justifiably lost the job because of that. I still miss her spirit on the floor nonetheless.
|
|
|
Post by bucky415 on Sept 18, 2014 23:57:15 GMT -5
I am really happy that the Badgers were able to overcome what looked like a poor night in the serve/pass game, which they have normally won by a clear margin this season, and still rally to get the win. Obviously, Bricio can really stress you there, as she did, but the Badgers had more errors than they typically have had this season. Again, they didn't have too many blocks, but they are also a team that hasn't been getting blocked a lot either, which is a credit to the ball control and Carlini getting people in good situations.
|
|
|
Post by wishconsin on Sept 19, 2014 0:43:13 GMT -5
I would like to see Deme shine this year too, but this is another year and she may have a different role this season. She played in all four games tonight and had 8 digs. She also had a very important out of system attack from the back row and it was a huge play. So she was one-for-one in hitting. I just hope she buys into the new role, it's a long season and she will have plenty of opportunities to be a star and shine. Coach Sheffield will keep her motivated because the team needs her.
|
|
|
Post by mikegarrison on Sept 19, 2014 0:55:19 GMT -5
For a while, I thought USC was going to pull it out, but sakes alive do they miss Hagglund! And Shaw, too.
Bricio looked pretty good out there, especially serving. That is, until she got her foot fault. After that the serves were noticeably less aggressive and effective. (Oh, and to my eyes she is finally starting to look old enough to be a college student!)
Wisconsin looked pretty solid. If they play the way they did tonight, and the Huskies play the way they did tonight, it could be a pretty easy match for the Badgers. (I hope that's not the case, though!)
USC should be able to break their losing streak against Maryland.
|
|
|
Post by chisovnik on Sept 19, 2014 4:24:32 GMT -5
I've never seen Bates, but judging solely by her recent stats, I think she's a much better hitter than Morales. With regard to recent stats, you're right. But last year Deme hit 0.182, which is still a little less than Bates this year at 0.197, but not by much, and she was able to maintain that through the B1G season, which Bates has yet to do. Deme has just been error plagued this preseason, and justifiably lost the job because of that. I still miss her spirit on the floor nonetheless. Deme has always been error plagued. Sorry. I think what she did last year was great but at this point, Bates seems like the better player.
|
|
|
Post by volleytology on Sept 19, 2014 6:51:58 GMT -5
Bates is better; she looks very good. Wisconsin's going to be very tough to beat this year--they believe they are good and their chemistry is off the charts. USC stunningly doesn't have good enough players, especially at setter and libero and have a real hard time killing the ball; young team and they play like it.
|
|
|
Post by Wiswell on Sept 19, 2014 8:03:48 GMT -5
With regard to recent stats, you're right. But last year Deme hit 0.182, which is still a little less than Bates this year at 0.197, but not by much, and she was able to maintain that through the B1G season, which Bates has yet to do. Deme has just been error plagued this preseason, and justifiably lost the job because of that. I still miss her spirit on the floor nonetheless. Deme has always been error plagued. Sorry. I think what she did last year was great but at this point, Bates seems like the better player. The ongoing question is if Kriskova comes back at full strength, who sits? Defensively, Bates and Morales are about equal at this point. Although from my experience, the only person who has come back more or less at full strength after a surgical injury has been Thompson. Ok, and Audra Jeffers (although I am not sure she actually had surgery). I didn't see this game but looking at stats. UW had 88 digs in this match. 22 per set, 29 by Morey. Hit well over .300 while USC hit well under .200. I'm actually surprised and disturbed the match was so close looking at those. A six differential in service aces/errors maybe does that. As for USC looking bad...you have to be careful drawing judgements. Our whole game is based around pressuring the other team into mistakes. If we don't make the other team look bad, we do not usually win. I for one hope USC starts looking like a top 10 team!
|
|
|
Post by baywatcher on Sept 19, 2014 8:23:59 GMT -5
Not many tears in the PAC if SC goes in the tank. Universally abhorred. Haven't seen any matches, I assume the passing is an issue. Back in the Carico days SC imploded and really never came out of it, but of course they are losing to good teams now.
|
|
|
Post by rainbowbadger on Sept 19, 2014 9:00:53 GMT -5
Here are the write-ups. Southern Cal: www.usctrojans.com/sports/w-volley/recaps/091814aaa.htmlWisconsin: www.uwbadgers.com/sports/w-volley/recaps/091814aaa.htmlCourt, Dom, and Haleigh had especially big nights last night. I am really proud of them, especially of Haleigh & Court for all the work they put in this past off-season to grow their game. As Sheffield said in the articles about them, Court is just our go-to gal, our game changer, and probably the best all-around player on the court. And Haleigh went from someone that you never set in clutch situations to someone that you definitely set in clutch situations. Dom, of course, is killer on the slide. Also good to see them running more quicks in the middle. I really hope that the Huskies don't have an answer for her. I love how LC has our offense humming. And Tay with 29 digs. WOW. I do have to speak up for Deme: I don't think we *need* her to buy in to what Sheff is asking of her this year. She *has* bought in. She's going to contribute to the team however the team needs her. End of story. As for USC: I agree that Ebony is definitely still not full strength, but even if she were, they'd need better passing to be able to use her. Bricio's serve is a weapon, though Rainbowspouse started shouting about foot faults about halfway through the first set. Sheff said that her serve had the Badgers scared on serve receive, and he was right. It seems like eventually they figured out how to side her out, though. Also, where did they get those refs? SMH.
|
|
|
Post by wiscvball on Sept 19, 2014 9:18:09 GMT -5
I agree that the step up that Haleigh and Courtney have taken this year is impressive. Coming into the season, I was nervous for Thomas to be able to keep her front row spot, but man has she developed into a sensational player this year. Haleigh just seems so much more zoned in during matches this year - she has an intimidating presence physically at the net, and now her attacking is backing that up.
It was also really good to see the team succeed on a night when our usual strengths (serve/pass) were really not there and other aspects of the game picked up to still get the win. The Badgers may have the best transition offense in the country this year. Not many blocks, but solid touches and funnels to a sensational backrow who then gets the benefit of having Carlini spread it around. The step up in hitting percentages across the board is really notable - and the sample size & competition is legitimate enough to think it might continue for the rest of the year.
Lastly, I thought Bates bounced back from a really iffy start to the match in a big way. She was well off on her first two attacks (both errors) and missed her first serve attempt. I was worried that she might finally start looking like a freshman in a big match, but she really came on strong for the rest of the day. Some of her attacks were just sick - and she had some nice finesse moments with a couple tips and roll shots.
Tonight's match will be tough, but I'm definitely more confident after watching them struggle on serve receive and still pull out a win.
|
|
|
Post by badgerbreath on Sept 19, 2014 9:27:27 GMT -5
I do have to speak up for Deme: I don't think we *need* her to buy in to what Sheff is asking of her this year. She *has* bought in. She's going to contribute to the team however the team needs her. End of story. I agree with this. She seems completely "bought in."
|
|
|
Post by Wiswell on Sept 19, 2014 9:42:16 GMT -5
Am I the only one having a little trouble telling Bates and Chapman apart on the court? Yes, I know there is a 5 inch difference, and they wear different numbers. But when the match is fast moving and they are partially obstructed, I don't know right away.
Similiar build, both blonde pony tails, and both wear wide headbands.
If you look at the Pike Place vimeo I thought it was pretty tough at first to determine Bates vs. Chapman. Last year Chapman's hair was a little darker.
I think Arias last night was having the same problem.
Ask Penn State players whose roles change (or spend all 4 years on the pine): if you are winning under that formula, it doesn't take much to buy in.
|
|