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Post by volleylover26 on Sept 24, 2014 9:11:22 GMT -5
I think all 3 defensive players for UCLA (libero plus the 2 DS's) were individually better than anyone USC had on defense. Mick seems to have dropped the ball recruiting players who can play defense...and not just the libero. And those same 3 for UCLA were much better in serve receive as well. Personally I got a little tired of Hagglund last year as her play seemed to cross the line from confident to arrogant, which is a turnoff for me, but clearly it worked for that team. She and Olgard provided the 'swag' for the team. Shaw was great because she did her job without being arrogant/cocky about it...very steady. Now USC doesn't seem to have any leadership at all, and no swag either! It seems like someone would have stepped up by now to provide some leadership. That's what strikes me as concerning at this point. Hopefully they get it together quickly as time is surely running short for this year.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 9:32:48 GMT -5
I just don't think Nwanebu is good enough to be relied on so much right now. She doesn't look happy. She always looks defeated. That mentality can affect your game a lot.
What's up with Abercrombie? Why didn't she play more?
I stopped watching as closely toward the end of the match (every play felt the same - Nwanebu hits from the right, UCLA digs, Lowe kills from the right. Throw in an occasional Gums doing the head bobble for five minutes after a kill, and a Strantzali kill here and there, and that's the match summary.)
When Bricio's serve isn't on, USC struggles. I think they've grown to rely on that a bit more than they should.
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Post by tomclen on Sept 24, 2014 9:38:25 GMT -5
What's this match mean for Monday's AVCA poll?
Coaches had USC #9 and UCLA #20.
Will UCLA move to #8? (Doubt it.) Does USC drop out of top 20? (Seems like a huge drop.) Or do they both get shuffled somewhere in the middle? (UCLA #11; USC #15)
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Post by bballnut90 on Sept 24, 2014 9:53:03 GMT -5
USC doesn't have consistent passing and neither of their setters can put up a good set unless the pass is great. No one on USC is having a great season thus far. None of the middles are consistent blockers, nor are they close to being the offensive option that Olgard was. Gillis has had a difficult time adjusting to the college game, Bricio has been consistent but can't carry the team, Nwanebu isn't healthy, and the other RS position changes every day between Young/Abercrombie. Mick needs Ruddins/Nwanebu to get healthy and to pick Abercrombie or Young (although everyone here seems to agree that Abercrombie is a better option than Young.) USC still has potential to be a top 5 team with so much talent, but right now they don't have a terminal hitter on either pin and the floor defense is just bad.
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Post by downtheline on Sept 24, 2014 9:54:04 GMT -5
Without a top flight setter and holes in the back court USC will continue to struggle.
Not a lot of speed on the floor either.
The best two setters at the school play on the sand team.
Coaches like Tom Black get it that you can utilize crossover athletes both indoor & sand and still field better teams for both venues.
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Post by mikegarrison on Sept 24, 2014 11:13:51 GMT -5
What's this match mean for Monday's AVCA poll? Coaches had USC #9 and UCLA #20. Will UCLA move to #8? (Doubt it.) Does USC drop out of top 20? (Seems like a huge drop.) Or do they both get shuffled somewhere in the middle? (UCLA #11; USC #15) Wait until after the ASU/USC match to ask these questions.
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Post by onfiya on Sept 24, 2014 12:20:45 GMT -5
Talent and skill balance wins volleyball matches. This USC team is a combination of overrated recruits and a poor mix of players with holes in their game, that aren't being filled by other players when they are on the floor together. Results are that USC is simply not THAT good. How in the world does this happen? The coaching staff ought to be able to get any kid in the country to play at SC. Great tradition, great school, great weather. In my opinion, there's no better option in the nation for a student-athlete, except maybe Stanford, if they have the academic aptitude. If USC didn't have that rich tradition and those 3 letters across the chest, they wouldn't be a top 25 team right now. Come on Mick, what are you doing to Trojan volleyball?!
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Post by bigfan on Sept 24, 2014 12:34:01 GMT -5
They really, really, really miss Natalie Hagglund. They just won't be as good as a team without her. I think they may be missing Shaw just as much. Sara Shaw was so under-rated as a team player..................totally great player. Keao Burdine the same deal but you when have Nicole Davis, Bibi Candelas and April Ross as team mates pretty easy to miss her. Shaw was the glue on the recent Southern Cal teams. She was started mid seaonn as freshman and never left the line up Loved to watch her and Natalie play.
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Post by bigfan on Sept 24, 2014 12:36:10 GMT -5
USC will have their hands full with ASU this friday. With their current form, will not be surprised with a fourth straight home loss You are already calling your shot that UCLA wins tonight at the Galen?
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Post by bigfan on Sept 24, 2014 12:40:13 GMT -5
[The problem for 2012 and 2013 was that USC didn't replace Jupiter quick enough while they still had Shaw and Hagglund to win a national championship, but they came pretty close. Mick did not count on Falyn F flaming out. If she had stayed for 4 years and been great team mate and player..............Southern Cal may have won another National Championship
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Post by hammer on Sept 24, 2014 12:40:57 GMT -5
Frankly, I don't see how USC can turn it around this season. All the pieces to the puzzle just aren't there. It is so bad that lollipop free balls are often not passed anywhere near the accuracy needed to exploit the opposing block and back row D. This is volleyball 101 and USC is failing the course. Mick needs to forget about hitting drills and go back to basic lob drills to get free balls passed properly, then work up to faster paced balls. Is it too late to add someone to the roster? If I were Mick I'd be scouring the campus looking for passers and back row defenders.
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Post by mikegarrison on Sept 24, 2014 12:41:36 GMT -5
USC will have their hands full with ASU this friday. With their current form, will not be surprised with a fourth straight home loss You are already calling your shot that UCLA wins tonight at the Galen? Uh ... what? Didn't you know they already played last night?
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Post by bigfan on Sept 24, 2014 12:43:21 GMT -5
Results are that USC is simply not THAT good. This is why this season is going to be so great to watch. Mick is a brilliant coach and we'll see what he can do with this team
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Post by bigfan on Sept 24, 2014 12:46:18 GMT -5
You are already calling your shot that UCLA wins tonight at the Galen? Uh ... what? Didn't you know they already played last night? I thought it was tonight. I get season tickets but only get to see them when work permits. Who won?
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Post by mikegarrison on Sept 24, 2014 12:51:18 GMT -5
Uh ... what? Didn't you know they already played last night? I thought it was tonight. I get season tickets but only get to see them when work permits. Who won? UCLA swept.
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