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Post by sulo on Oct 23, 2014 13:45:06 GMT -5
Let me say it. this was a BAD loss. Not necessarily that they lost to Nebraska, but rather how it happened. I'm not sure I've ever seen a Nebraska team look so awful for 21/2 games. Tney were slow, lethargic had no intensity and making lots and lots of unforced errors (Both hitting and serving). That was a Nebraska team that looked like they didn't want to be there and was quite ripe for the taking. Cook knew it It looked as though he was going to have an anuerysm at any moment. I'm not sure HE believed what he was witnessing. I must say to be fair, that part of that was certainly because the Gophers did play well the first 21/2 games. But as we have seen so often with this squuad they coudn't finish points/rallies; couldn't finish games and ultimately coudn't finish the match. Its a shame they lost. I just hope this bad loss doesn't turn into a devastating loss.
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Post by GoNdoit on Oct 23, 2014 14:06:52 GMT -5
I agree… it seems that when Schau is front row, the opponent hits line and scores all day long. She is tooled or is hit like there is virtually no block up. I think Handley could be a major asset and a game changer.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 14:47:07 GMT -5
I would like to see a set or two where they run a 5-2 with Handley in front and Schau in back. Not an ideal formation, but with this personnel it may work. (And actually not because of blocking, from my thoughts - more that I think Handley is a capable setter, but Schau's defense is good, and Schau often tapers off toward the end of matches, I think. This would give her a chance to stay more even throughout a match.)
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pass
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Post by pass on Oct 23, 2014 14:51:40 GMT -5
I have to agree. This was a bad loss for the Gophers. They had so much confidence and energy in the first two sets, and seemed unsure of themselves the last 3. I can't give much credit to Nebraska, except that they hung on long enough to play a bit more consistently the last 3 games. The Rolfzens have been uninspiring, almost unapologetic, in their play. I'm a fan of both programs, but really didn't like to see the Gophers lose this one because of the poor quality and lack of enthusiasm displayed by Nebraska the entire match...Ugh, tough loss.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 15:40:23 GMT -5
I have to agree. This was a bad loss for the Gophers. They had so much confidence and energy in the first two sets, and seemed unsure of themselves the last 3. I can't give much credit to Nebraska, except that they hung on long enough to play a bit more consistently the last 3 games. The Rolfzens have been uninspiring, almost unapologetic, in their play. I'm a fan of both programs, but really didn't like to see the Gophers lose this one because of the poor quality and lack of enthusiasm displayed by Nebraska the entire match...Ugh, tough loss. Lack of enthusiasm? I guess you forgot Kelsey Fien coming off the bench (where she was parked for almost a month) to chip in 14 kills in 2 1/2 sets.
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pass
Sophomore
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Post by pass on Oct 23, 2014 15:56:27 GMT -5
I'd have enthusiasm too if I had to watch the Rolfzens play before me....just sayin'
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Post by ggopher on Oct 23, 2014 16:22:27 GMT -5
I agree, think we found our Libero in Rosado! First Libero I liked in several years. Disappointing, especially with how lackluster NEB looked, but they are Nebraska and I did not expect to win this one, and without Fein they would have been beaten. The Wisconsin losses were a lot harder to watch IMO. Big fan of the Tapps, now if only we could get some consistant outside hitters. I still have hope for Wilhite, but right now the consistancy is not there. Very tough to win without your outside hitters hitting about .300. The rest was pretty good.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 16:52:44 GMT -5
I agree… it seems that when Schau is front row, the opponent hits line and scores all day long. She is tooled or is hit like there is virtually no block up. I think Handley could be a major asset and a game changer. This would not be such a huge issue if they sided out better. Game 2 they were over 80%. That works. The point is that a setter's block should not be the determining factor on whether she's playing or playing in the front row. I do agree about her block yesterday. She was having a tough time.
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Post by FreeBall on Oct 23, 2014 16:52:51 GMT -5
Very tough to win without your outside hitters hitting about .300. Outsides hitting .300 or above are generally playing at a very high level - think 1st or 2nd team AA. A more realistic number for a serviceable outside hitter is something like .250.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 16:56:24 GMT -5
Very tough to win without your outside hitters hitting about .300. Outsides hitting .300 or above are generally playing at a very high level - think 1st or 2nd team AA. A more realistic number for a serviceable outside hitter is something like .250. If that. But your outsides do need to stress the opposition. Not much of that last night, including the opposite. Not too surprising given the health of Santana and Nora. I wonder if they could afford to give Santana the match off against Iowa? mnsports could get his wish. I've heard Handley's not 100% either.
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Post by eagle512 on Oct 23, 2014 17:42:45 GMT -5
Santana or not, Minnesota is going to have a tough time with Iowa. It wouldn't surprise me if Iowa won this match.
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nik12
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Post by nik12 on Oct 23, 2014 18:06:40 GMT -5
Very tough to win without your outside hitters hitting about .300. Outsides hitting .300 or above are generally playing at a very high level - think 1st or 2nd team AA. A more realistic number for a serviceable outside hitter is something like .250. Agreed. Santana and Wilhite hit .026 and .096, respectively, with over 56% of Minnesota's total attempts last night. That's tough to win with. Personally, it was really hard to watch them struggle to terminate. I guess Minnesota doesn't have many other options.
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Post by pepperbrooks on Oct 23, 2014 18:14:18 GMT -5
I know what you said and meant and I stand by my response. She got stuffed. Then she started tipping. Then she got stuffed some more. Nebraska also dug her. This is a problem. Again, she is/was capable of hitting over the Nebraska block, so the point is, set to the hitter's preference, not the system. If Wilhite can hit over the Husker block, she certainly didn't do it last night.
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Post by FrancisFrogg on Oct 23, 2014 18:59:20 GMT -5
I'm not sure what any of you mean about not having energy when it comes to Minnesota, Santana although injured is always fired up and Nora on the right side is a beast. The Tap sisters are doing great in the middle. Nebraska looks a mess again. I don't know that I'd blame the setter for this one it looks to me to be a serious chemistry issue. Amber gives the look of disgust any time a team member makes an error. They tipped over her block last set and if looks could kill. Wow. I think Amber has that look of disgust on her face because she is looking at her own errors!
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Post by FrancisFrogg on Oct 23, 2014 19:24:06 GMT -5
It absolutely is. These performances have manifested due to a lack of consistency at the setter spot which has infected the attitude of the team. The hitters flat out don't trust Mary's placement or tempo will be there and that means they can't get into a flow. When you don't feel in rhythm all parts of your game breaks down. Why is everyone so afraid to say it? Cook made a huge mistake and sacrificed this whole season just to save Hunter's eligibility. Thank you Mr Rolfzen. I can't serve because we have a bad setter. I can't dig a ball because we have a bad setter. I just watched Amber hit a ball from middle on a good set out and then a RS lineshot out one on one. I am sorry Polmiller is not a Nebraska kid and making the home growns look bad. Good players overcome adversity don't whine about it. Mary is not Lauren Cook, but Mary is not the problem. I could add to your observations: I shanked that float serve receive because the setter made me do it....... My kill shot went into the ceiling because the setter made me do it,,,,,,I thought for a while I was playing basket ball. One thing is obvious,,,,,the twins can not build a fire under this team. We miss Robo's playing skill but not having her enthusiasm on the court is hurting this team just as much. The driving power will come from another team player.
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