Penn State at Ohio State - Match Thread (no-hate edition)

[Deleted]

When: 7:00 p.m. ET

GameTracker: www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/gametracker/launch/gt_wvolley.html?event=1344107&school=osu&sport=wvolley&camefrom=&startschool=&

BTN Plus ($): www.btn2go.com/game/penn-statencaa-at-ohio-statencaa-on-20141031

This new “Travel Partner Back-to-Back” schedule introduced by the B1G this season scares us -- more than those MacBeth witches with their "Double, double, toil and trouble" mumbo jumbo (was that the first "double-double"?). It’s tough enough to beat a team once in the B1G. Twice is, well, even tougher.

(Of course, in a January 3, 2010 article in bleacherreport.com, the author pointed out that since the NFL merger in 1970, the team that won the previous two meetings against its divisional rival has a 12-7 record. But this is (thankfully) not the NFL.)

In any event, the AVCA #6 Nittany Lions (21-3, 9-2) face travel partner AVCA #17 Ohio State (16-7, 7-4) tonight for the second straight match, having swept the Buckeyes in Round 1 on Tuesday (25-15, 25-22, 25-12). Penn State looked solid in that match, hitting .372 as a team, with only 7 attack errors, and holding Ohio State to .109 hitting.

But that was home and this is away. We think the Nittany Lions are starting to round into form with their new lineup of 6-4 RS Jr. Aiyana Whitney at RS/Opp, 6-3 Fr. Haleigh Washington at MH, and 6-2 Jr. Megan Courtney (who started the season at RS/Opp) at OH, along with 6-1 Fr. Ali Frantti. We’ll see (a live stream of the match will be available on BTN Plus with a paid subscription.)

For those who are interested, we've posted a Stat Joust on DigNittanyVolleyball, comparing selected team and individual stats for the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes, along with assorted media links.

Here's the link: www.dignittanyvolleyball.com/double-double-toil-and-trouble-ohio-state-round-2-halloween-special/

[rampageripster]

I'm gonna be a homer, Buck in 4. Come out fired up and the young PSU team comes in cocky.

And I'll spread my hate wherever I want mister!

I hate Penn State more than the Mighty Ducks hated the Hawks

[hammer]

Calling all good witches -- tOSU might need a little help tonight ...

[Deleted]

Oct 31, 2014 12:25:07 GMT -5 rampageripster said:

I'm gonna be a homer, Buck in 4. Come out fired up and the young PSU team comes in cocky.

And I'll spread my hate wherever I want mister!

I hate Penn State more than the Mighty Ducks hated the Hawks

At least you called me "Mister." I've heard worse

[tclenpsu1]

Based on history, OSU has 31% chance of winning in Columbus.

[rampageripster]

Oct 31, 2014 13:12:57 GMT -5 tclenpsu1 said:

Based on history, OSU has 31% chance of winning in Columbus.

Based on history I have 74% chance of getting bourbon drunk tonight...

I hate Penn State more than the morning after dollar martini nights

[mnsports255]

Go Bucks!

[gnu2vball]

Appreciate your effort to "Stop the Hate!" nyline. Such a shame when people use their First Amendment rights to be hurtful. I'm going to go sulk until gametime.

[rampageripster]

Oct 31, 2014 14:29:07 GMT -5 gnu2vball said:

Appreciate your effort to "Stop the Hate!" nyline. Such a shame when people use their First Amendment rights to be hurtful. I'm going to go sulk until gametime.

.....not sure if serious

I hate Penn State more than steroids hate sperm count

[akbar]

Gotta wonder if Mitchell will be ready to go. She is a much better and effective hitter.

I'll take PSU in 3 but like the Purdue match against Wisconsin, if OSU manages to take that first game it could be very interesting. Hopefully, for PSU they don't.

[Deleted]

Oct 31, 2014 14:59:38 GMT -5 akbar said:

Gotta wonder if Mitchell will be ready to go. She is a much better and effective hitter.

I'll take PSU in 3 but like the Purdue match against Wisconsin, if OSU manages to take that first game it could be very interesting. Hopefully, for PSU they don't.

Well, Club Coach agrees with you in our Pre-Match Q&A. Here's a link: Pre- Penn State vs. OSU - Q&A w/ Club Coach

Here are two excerpts:

Ohio State is an odd team, in that there is a pretty huge range in terms of their level of play. The fact they have beaten two teams PSU has lost to, says something, but their performance on Tuesday shows they have some real challenges. I thought they really laid down vs PSU earlier in the week, and it will be interesting to see if they are motivated by that performance to do better, or whether they just don’t see themselves at the level PSU is at. In my opinion, PSU has a decided advantage at every position, and will win again in three.

And, about the new lineup:

DigNittany: It’s hard to say how much of an impact the new lineup had on the outcome of the Illinois match (if any). Coach Rose obviously made the changes because he wasn’t totally satisfied with the way the team had been playing since its terrific 3-0 win over Wisconsin on September 24th — including the 3-1 loss to Nebraska in Lincoln on October 3rd (which Penn State lost after taking the first set 25-12). But it does appear that Whitney, Washington Courtney Frantti Gonzalez and Fuller are getting more comfortable playing in this new lineup.

We have two questions: 1) what do you think Coach Rose was seeing before the changes that led him to make the changes, and 2) how do you think the changes are working out from an attack, blocking and backrow defense perspective?

Club Coach: I think the decision was two-fold: First, it was as much about getting Haleigh Washington on the court more than it was moving Whitney and Megan. Washington was a player they’ve wanted to have on the floor since camp, but her health prevented that from happening. This line-up allows them to put their best players on the floor. Instead of moving Washington in and putting one of two AA-level players on the bench (Grant or Whitney) Coach Rose moved Whitney and Courtney to positions they were both comfortable in. The thinking is that this line-up allows Coach Rose to puts his best player on the floor. The move also gives Penn State more firepower behind the setter, and allows Courtney to be in a more “all-around” player role, which of course is her strength. I think the players have looked progressively more comfortable and better in this lineup with each match.

[akbar]

If lacy fuller is playing like that....look out.

[tclenpsu1]

PSU 25-13 set 1

[akbar]

PSU wins 25-13 it was the Fuller/Pierce/Washington show for the last 8 points.

Nice size crowd.

[rampageripster]

9-0 run to finish the set for PSU... What a joke

I hate Penn State more than Batman hates Father's Day