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Post by hammer on Oct 1, 2014 17:21:32 GMT -5
Ok, it's about time to start discussing this match. Both teams are undefeated so one will go away with their 1st loss of the season. Stanford, of course, will be favored playing at Maples, but if Oregon can pull the upset or score a moral victory by perhaps losing 3-2 and/or keeping set scores very close, then their street cred goes way up (and perhaps their ranking).
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Post by FOBRA on Oct 1, 2014 17:32:59 GMT -5
Curious to see how Lutz holds up against Oregon's speed to the pins.
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Post by SakiBomb25 on Oct 1, 2014 17:50:11 GMT -5
Curious to see how Lutz holds up against Oregon's speed to the pins. Lutz may end up being one of those great offensive middles who lack a strong defensive presence. She's only a (redshirt) freshman, so she's got time to improve her blocking though. She has impressed with her hitting. |
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Post by c4ndlelight on Oct 1, 2014 17:54:14 GMT -5
I can see a path to victory for Oregon, but it requires keeping the ball away from Inky and blocking/digging the hell out of the pins. Certainly possible, however, I'm not sure the Ducks serve well enough for that to happen.
In system, Oregon can score, even against a great defensive team like Stanford--should side out decently (though it can look quite average out of system).
Stanford is very, very good though. I went with the Cardinal in PTW. Prove me wrong, Ducks!
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Post by paloalto on Oct 1, 2014 18:22:24 GMT -5
Stanford has a week to prepare for the ducks. Will that make a difference? I don’t know. There is a randomness to how well Stanford plays that no one can predict. I think it is all about passing. When Stanford passes well, things tend to work out. I suppose that's true about most teams.
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Post by volleyfan24 on Oct 1, 2014 18:33:00 GMT -5
Oregon has one of the most balanced attacking front lines in the country. If they can keep Stanford guessing where the ball is going they could make it interesting but after watching Oregon they aren't on the same level as Stanford I think the Cardinal should take it in 3 but maybe 4. This is Oregon's chance to prove me wrong but I don't think Oregon serves strong enough to take Stanford out of system and an in system Stanford allows them to run the middle which are arguably the best in the country. Both hitting over .500 and good blockers.
The highlight of this match up maybe at the libero position as Benson and Gilbert will square off. Both are fantastic back row defenders.
I think the edge also lies in Stanford's defense they are a better blocking and in my opinion have the best floor defense in the country.
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Post by SakiBomb25 on Oct 1, 2014 18:55:41 GMT -5
It is surprising how much Burgess and Howard have regressed in all facets. Hitting, digging, etc... Anyone have any reason as to why this may be? If you look at their stats, they are down from last year.
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Post by Sbilo on Oct 1, 2014 19:11:54 GMT -5
I'm just waiting for the Stanford OHs to join the party... If they do, Stanford will be hard to beat.
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Post by hammer on Oct 1, 2014 19:57:55 GMT -5
It is surprising how much Burgess and Howard have regressed in all facets. Hitting, digging, etc... Anyone have any reason as to why this may be? If you look at their stats, they are down from last year. Are we talking eye test or stats? Eye test is more important to me because I'm there in the building observing subtle things that affect stats. For example, Carly Wopat replaced by Merete Lutz on the block means diggers are more confused about where balls will be funneled. |
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Post by FTLOG on Oct 1, 2014 20:35:05 GMT -5
It is surprising how much Burgess and Howard have regressed in all facets. Hitting, digging, etc... Anyone have any reason as to why this may be? If you look at their stats, they are down from last year. Are we talking eye test or stats? Eye test is more important to me because I'm there in the building observing subtle things that affect stats. For example, Carly Wopat replaced by Merete Lutz on the block means diggers are more confused about where balls will be funneled. Was about to say the exact same thing. Just watched set 4 of Penn State-Stanford from last year. Wopat's offense wasn't great but her blocking was what helped them take a big lead and finally win that set. Very happy for Lutz's performance so far this year, but Stanford's backrow probably misses Wopat in just the way hammer describes. Also, fwiw--which I admit isn't much--I think Burgess's backrow play + all rotation passing is just fine. Can't think of another 6-rotation hitter in the country that's better than her at those skillz. Howard, otoh.... |
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Post by hammer on Oct 1, 2014 20:56:06 GMT -5
Are we talking eye test or stats? Eye test is more important to me because I'm there in the building observing subtle things that affect stats. For example, Carly Wopat replaced by Merete Lutz on the block means diggers are more confused about where balls will be funneled. Was about to say the exact same thing. Just watched set 4 of Penn State-Stanford from last year. Wopat's offense wasn't great but her blocking was what helped them take a big lead and finally win that set. Very happy for Lutz's performance so far this year, but Stanford's backrow probably misses Wopat in just the way hammer describes. Also, fwiw--which I admit isn't much--I think Burgess's backrow play + all rotation passing is just fine. Can't think of another 6-rotation hitter in the country that's better than her at those skillz. Howard, otoh.... I really don't see much difference in Burgess' overall play this year from late last year. She might be passing a little better, hitting slightly worse, blocking about the same, but statistically the strength of opponents might be better at to this point in the season. Howard I would say has been passing and hitting worse than last year, buy maybe some of that is burn out from China trip, then going with her family to Hawaii and not playing for a few weeks. So maybe she started out preseason a little out of shape and not mentally focused. In her first Pac-12 match against Cal she did look better IMO. |
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Post by chisovnik on Oct 1, 2014 21:25:45 GMT -5
If Stanford can get the ball to their middles, they'll take this match easily. If not, Oregon has a shot. Simple as that.
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Post by c4ndlelight on Oct 1, 2014 23:09:27 GMT -5
JFYI, Stanford leads the series 57-4.
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Post by hammer on Oct 1, 2014 23:13:19 GMT -5
If Stanford can get the ball to their middles, they'll take this match easily. If not, Oregon has a shot. Simple as that. It's sort of like the 3 point shot in basketball ... when your middles are hitting collectively above .500 even if the opposing team's outsides are hitting .300, you can still win. |
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Post by blastingsand on Oct 2, 2014 0:01:46 GMT -5
Oregon just loves playing #1 teams the past few years...
But last time Oregon beat Stanford, Brenner was unstoppable and Haley Jacob was digging everything up. Don't know if we will see something similar this time around.
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