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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2014 17:10:10 GMT -5
My gripes were that I've seen the Gophers play in person at every match they've played this year at home, as well as every away match that's had any sort of live video available, and this was by far the worst I'd seen them play all season, for the first couple sets. I think overall the level of play seemed to improve over the course of the match, the first few points of each set notwithstanding. Luckily the Gophers figured out how to slow down Sekinger a bit, but then Mitchell came alive. A "bit"? Sure she had 21 kills, but she had SEVENTEEN errors, a lot of those blocks. I'd say they slowed her down. I could be wrong, but I think she was just not comfortable with the sets. I don't think her armswing speeds was the issue. I do think she needs to be more aggressive. She and Daly could probably meet somewhere in the middle, although I kind of like how Daly goes after it. You have to give some credit to OSU, however. They are a good team. I don't know if they're better than ISU, but they are no pushover. I would have liked to see the Gophers run over them, too, but I'm not surprised they didn't. First B1G match probably had something to do with it. I just don't know what to think about the setting. The passing wasn't great, but I think it could have been a lot better. G4 was a mess. The end. It was all about who was playing worse. But I agree Minnesota showed some fortitude at the end. Anyhow, I'm not picking on you or anyone else. It's the cumulative posts that bother me a little. This team is 11-1 and improving. There ARE positives.
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Post by gogophers on Sept 25, 2014 17:42:53 GMT -5
My gripes were that I've seen the Gophers play in person at every match they've played this year at home, as well as every away match that's had any sort of live video available, and this was by far the worst I'd seen them play all season, for the first couple sets. "By far the worst"? And for the second set as well? The first set, I grant you, was an error fest, relieved only by some good blocking, but in the second set Minn had 16 kills, hit .344, and won. And even the first set, ugly as it was, surely wasn't the low point of the season. You must not have seen the B.C. match, where the Gophers hit below .000 for the first two sets combined and lost 25-12 in the first set to a team picked to finish 53rd or so in a mid-level conference. (I exaggerate of course, but not by much). And having to go extra innings to win the first two sets against lowly Notre Dame . . . well, if that isn't "winning ugly," I don't know what is. The fourth set was more frustrating than the first. What was it, five match points at the end, none won? Might have been four. Or six. I lost count. The serves were so lollypoppish that the Gopher servers might as well have sent the ball to Ohio State's setter certified mail, to be signed for personally. If the level of play yesterday angers you, my guess is that you're going to be angry a lot this year. The team is going to have good matches and bad, and even more so, good sets and bad. What you saw yesterday is what they got for better (blocking, wow) or worse (serving, except Santana).
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Post by gogophers on Sept 25, 2014 17:46:54 GMT -5
I'm wondering whether the team is better this year at covering tips than last year. My impression is "yes," but I don't know why. I was waiting for tOSU to tip more, after getting the snot blocked out of them, but guess it wasn't part of their repertoire.
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Post by mnsports255 on Sept 25, 2014 17:58:15 GMT -5
If the Gophers passing and court coverage was anywhere near the level of blocking, we'd be a top 3 big ten team this year. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
Is it too much to ask for the back row players to save the occasional ball that gets past the block with some pace on it? It's seems like, if the ball isn't hit right exactly at our passers, the attack ends up as a kill. Even balls hit hard right AT our passers get shanked far too often.
Good thing our blocking is so good! Paige and Hannah close the block so quickly and really get established above the net. Let's put it this way: things could be alot worse right now.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2014 18:45:33 GMT -5
Swing blocking makes it tougher to dig. It can get you more blocks (maybe), but it's difficult to dig behind it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2014 21:33:09 GMT -5
Do they publish attendance for last nights match anyplace?
Anybody have attendance figures from OSU match?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2014 21:54:23 GMT -5
My gripes were that I've seen the Gophers play in person at every match they've played this year at home, as well as every away match that's had any sort of live video available, and this was by far the worst I'd seen them play all season, for the first couple sets. I think overall the level of play seemed to improve over the course of the match, the first few points of each set notwithstanding. Luckily the Gophers figured out how to slow down Sekinger a bit, but then Mitchell came alive. A "bit"? Sure she had 21 kills, but she had SEVENTEEN errors, a lot of those blocks. I'd say they slowed her down. Yes, but it took a while - after two sets she Sekinger had more kills than everyone else on her team combined. She was averaging 6kps. Mitchell didn't come alive until later in the match, it seemed. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with how the Gophers are doing overall. I just thought the actual level of play from both teams was below where it could have been in this particular match based on what we've seen this season from BOTH teams. Ohio State is missing its go to player, a lucky break for the Gophers last night.
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Post by spartysgirl on Sept 25, 2014 22:45:36 GMT -5
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Post by mplssetter on Sept 26, 2014 23:19:12 GMT -5
I wish people would stop making excuses for this team. It's almost October! Dolly is a JR, Tapps are SO, Nora is a SR, setters are SO, Wilhite is a SO. Not exactly a team of freshmen. Just sayin. They are getting better. I don't see how you can not see that. I don't know how you could have watched this match and come away thinking "MN is getting better". This was a bad match on both sides.
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Post by MTC on Sept 26, 2014 23:52:29 GMT -5
I think Minnesota was just overlooking Ohio State due to Penn State coming in on Saturday. I expect them to give the Lions a stern test. This is the perfect time to catch the Lions after their win at Wisconsin.
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Post by mplssetter on Sept 26, 2014 23:58:14 GMT -5
PSU sweeps, -14, -20, -16.
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Post by permagrin on Sept 27, 2014 8:20:24 GMT -5
you still havent told us what your expectations were for this season since you are so disappointed in the team. fill us in please
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2014 8:59:29 GMT -5
They are getting better. I don't see how you can not see that. I don't know how you could have watched this match and come away thinking "MN is getting better". This was a bad match on both sides. Well, for starters, I am not basing this opinion on one match, nor did I suggest anyone else should. Even so, there were elements in this match that contribute to this opinion, most notably the play of the Tapps and the team's ability to battle through the muck and win in g5.
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Post by mplssetter on Sept 27, 2014 9:01:04 GMT -5
Are u talking to me? My expectations are the same every year. They should be competing for the conference title and a national championship. Not sure why you guys are trying to make me out to be a bad guy here.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2014 9:06:49 GMT -5
No one's making you out to be a bad "guy." I do think, given the circumstances (the youth of the team, the talent on the team, and, most importantly, the existence of Penn State), that it is not a reasonable expectation.
That's basically my point, anyhow. You're going to miss out on the potential to enjoy this team if you expect them to be something they are not. I can understand being disappointed big-picture wise. I am, too. But it's a little like wishing your Springer Spaniel was a Great Dane -- and being upset that it is not. I don't see the point. You (we) have what we have.
This is going to be a fun team and one worth rooting for. That's my opinion anyhow.
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