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Post by logcabincoach on Sept 28, 2014 14:16:20 GMT -5
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I'm interested in following other U of A Wildcat posts so i can keep up with the latest on the team. I thought this might be a thread i can do that. welcome any comments from players, parents and plain old fans like me. BEAR DOWN
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Post by logcabincoach on Sept 29, 2014 16:51:24 GMT -5
Nice to see the team move up in the AVCA polls to a #14 ranking... kudos to the team & coaches for the accomplishment. A special shout out to the BIG Mac (M Jacobson) for receiving the Defensive Player of the Week in the Pac 12. Pac-12 teams are now looking to make a name for themselves because of your success... KEEP PUSHING THOSE BOARDS!
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Post by arizonafan on Oct 1, 2014 11:26:45 GMT -5
I'm excited from what I've seen from this club so far. We have had so many "new looks" already this year, because of seasoning, injuries, etc., but the one major thing I've seen from that is an obvious increase in team depth. McKenzie became a "player" because of an injury to Rachael, and we saw for the 1st time what a front line of Ashley and McKenzie can do - I expect that duo to only get better, and become even a more daunting defensive obstacle. All teams hope for depth, but as I look at this squad, I see 8 to 10 players that could be pretty much interchangeable in starting, with another 2 or 3 that can certainly earn their keep with specialization. However, always difficult to ensure all can maintain their sharpness, by getting opportunity for adequate floor time. Rachael, out for a time with concussion, is such a super part of this squad, and when she is again manning a position regularly, I anticipate even greater performances by the Cats, with regular rotations continuing to give Ashley/McKenzie duo major offensive AND defensive work. EXCITING anticipation to see all of these young ladies in & out, and performing at a level I am now coming to expect. I know Dave will figure out how to best use all this talent he has.
Just to bring all Arizona BEAR DOWN fans up-to-date on where "we" are presently - 13-1 overall, and just coming off 2 super wins with ASU (ALWAYS exciting) and UCLA, our first 2 conference matches. We play Utah (10-3 overall, 0-2 in conference, with losses to Colo & O. State) there, tomorrow, and Colorado (9-5 overall, 1-1 conference, with a loss to Oregon, and a W over Utah) there Sunday. We have just moved from #18 to #14 in national poll - presently 7 PAC 12 teams in top 25. Neither Utah nor Colorado have made either top 25 or "also mentioned" yet, BUT enjoy the immediate poll pride, swallow hard, and quickly realize that a nice ranking AND a poor outing can still equal an "L" in the win/loss column. I take early polling with the proverbial "grain of salt", and will REALLY get excited when we get through conference play and are still hanging in or close to top 10. Until then, polls are fun to watch, but don't go ballistic yet. Oh yeah, our one loss was against #2 Texas, and I REALLY would like to have another shot at those young ladies - maybe come tourney time?
In looking at overall stats, the KILL % is certainly exciting so far - .284. Think I overheard our coach, Dave Rubio say one time that anything at or over .275 will usually reflect a "W". So far we are being extremely accurate on the front line. Front line defense has been, at times, has been as good as one could want. That, as hitting %, must be consistent from match to match, as does back line defense/passing, to ensure wins.
Looking forward to wins against Utah & Colorado, and will be watching. This is fast becoming a year for the Wildcats, that I believe could be a great one - BEAR DOWN!
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Post by arizonafan on Oct 1, 2014 11:30:12 GMT -5
I erroneously said we play Utah tomorrow (IT'S FRIDAY - and, as our players do, MY BAD, and slapping my chest at this moment).
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Post by logcabincoach on Oct 1, 2014 14:24:04 GMT -5
arizonafan thanks for the post. it's exactly the type of input i was hoping for. Friday can't get here quick enough for me. i watched BYU vs Pepp and Mich vs Mich St last night and neither of those matches compared to seeing the Ladycats play.
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Post by tomclen on Oct 1, 2014 17:57:41 GMT -5
UA has been very impressive so far, could be the surprise of the conference.
It would be great to see Rubio have a team that could compete for the conference title and go deep in the tournament.
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Post by crawdaddy on Oct 1, 2014 18:00:38 GMT -5
UA has been very impressive so far, could be the surprise of the conference. It would be great to see Rubio have a team that could compete for the conference title and go deep in the tournament. Agree. Watched them against UCLA and they were very impressive. Snuka may be my favorite setter in the Pac 12. Kid can play.
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Post by logcabincoach on Oct 3, 2014 12:37:10 GMT -5
countdown is on for U of A vs Utah tonight. It looks like it could be a close contest after reading about the Utes. They are a senior laden team with several frosh playing key roles. i think the Cats should have a blocking advantage, so come on BIGS. i guess i'll be watching the match on the PAC-12 Network and following the stats online. i think the match is scheduled on mnt time so the start time won't be as late as the UCLA contest. Anyone know anything more about Utah and the matchup? i would be interested in your input/comments about the game.
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Post by c4ndlelight on Oct 3, 2014 12:42:51 GMT -5
countdown is on for U of A vs Utah tonight. It looks like it could be a close contest after reading about the Utes. They are a senior laden team with several frosh playing key roles. i think the Cats should have a blocking advantage, so come on BIGS. i guess i'll be watching the match on the PAC-12 Network and following the stats online. i think the match is scheduled on mnt time so the start time won't be as late as the UCLA contest. Anyone know anything more about Utah and the matchup? i would be interested in your input/comments about the game. Utah has a big strong block that can help them snipe a set here or there. They've got a good front line but passing, floor defense, and setting are below average for a PAC-12 team. Dalton has become a 6-rotation outside and it's really hurt her efficiency; though Schofield is one of the more well-rounded L2s in the conference. Arizona takes it in 3, or maybe 4, winning serve and pass with Kingdon tipping and tooling her way to key points whenever it gets tight.
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Post by arizonafan on Oct 3, 2014 14:32:44 GMT -5
Utah is presently 10-3, 0-2 in conference, but their 2 conf. losses were both 5 set depressors, against Colo & Oregon St. Since they have been in the league, Arizona has a 5-1 edge over them. While I think we will win, in this conference going into ANY match with a "this should be a walkover" attitude, will often lead to a long ride home. IF we play the way of which we are certainly capable, I think we should win it in 3, but will predict at least a 3-1 victory. But not too many "easys" in the PAC this year. Sunday match against Colorado could be testy - while they are only 9-5, 1-1 in conference, their conference loss was to #13 Oregon, in what looked like a tough, tough 4 set loss, while beating Utah in 5. My same qualifications listed above for Utah match, pretty much applies here - think we will win, hopefully by sweep, but predicting 3-1. If play to our capability, we win. GO CATS!
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Post by arizonafan on Oct 3, 2014 23:19:38 GMT -5
Another good win, Cat fans, but it wasn't easy. Cats win over Utah 3-0, and had to fight for each set, but held on at the end of each to get the "W". Scores: 25-21, 25-23, and 25-23. In set 1, we took a 3-4 point lead, carried it all the way to the end, but in 2nd & 3rd sets, while we built a 4-5 point lead mid way thru each set, Utah refused to back off, caught us and pressed right to the end of both sets. Wasn't our cleanest match, and Utah actually out hit the Cats .193 to .181, neither stellar numbers, but the "W" in all 3 sets went to the Cats, AND that's what counts. What pleased me the most tonight, and in our past several matches, was that even when not having our best night, we refused to back off, and we are FINISHED SETS, something we have had some difficulty with in past years. The young ladies JUST DON'T QUIT! While Madi K. led the team with 18 kills, McKenzie J. had 7, and had a team leading hitting % of .600. Taylor A. chipped in with 6 and Rachael R. (glad to have her back) had 4. Haven't seen the full stats yet but I'm thinking we might have been out blocked. What was most important (other than I saw no indication of further injuries) was that we go into Colorado Sunday with another victory under the belt. Nice win, ladies - let's take Colorado. GO CATS!
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Post by logcabincoach on Oct 4, 2014 1:59:58 GMT -5
LUGY, YLUG, Glyu... almost any way you look at it, it was Ugly. However, i find myself repeating the mantra "a win is a win" and i will gladly take it on an off night like this evening. This team is quietly laying the foundation for a successful season and imo it starts out with heart and good team chemistry... both attributes this squad appears to have. These girls look like they are having fun... even on gylu nights.
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Post by arizonafan on Oct 4, 2014 10:20:02 GMT -5
Saw full, revised stats this morn, and am scratching my head, trying to figure how we actually pulled that out in 3. Ragged, and were topped in almost all stats. Utah's hitting % was changed from .193 to .183, so BOTH teams hit about the same, and less than great. We were out blocked 11.5 to 3 - a stat I still don't quite understand. After our last couple of matches, really thought it would be an odd night when we came up short in that area - maybe THIS was "that odd night" (hopefully), and we will rebound tomorrow. They also out dug us, 65-58, but not sure how telling that particular stat really is. As to the HOW, for the "W"? Utah hurt themselves badly, especially in such close sets, by doubling "our" service errors, 10 to 5. Giving away 5 more points in such close sets, is never good. BUT, as I indicated in previous post, we have a certain toughness and togetherness that has been lacking at times in previous years. There is NO QUIT in these ladies (sort of like MY Cardinals last night - another story with a GREAT ending, as a CARD fan/nut). They "could have" folded in sets 2 & 3, after giving up substantial leads, moving into the 20s, but DIDN'T. We, as all clubs. are going to have that not perfect night, and it falls to what you do about it - I was very proud of our young ladies last night, and anxiously await tomorrows match, against a tough Colorado club.
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Post by logcabincoach on Oct 5, 2014 13:06:47 GMT -5
Watching the Colts/Ravens game waiting for the Arizona/Buffs game. Hurry up clock and let's go Cats. Another road win today and the ladies set a new mark for the program.
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Post by logcabincoach on Oct 5, 2014 15:18:00 GMT -5
Colts win but U of A is struggling in the first set right now. 8-1 run for the Buffs after a 3-1 lead for the Wildcats.
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