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Post by Mocha on Nov 23, 2014 22:06:41 GMT -5
I'm going to miss heckling Mary Ellen Luck the most, for the past four years I would yell at the Stanford bench and tell her she only got the scholarship because of her brother. She had a scholarship? I always assumed that she was an invited walk-on. I guess the joke was on me.
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Post by sportsfun on Nov 23, 2014 22:38:06 GMT -5
I'm not really sure Howard has much of an A game offensively this season. She has hit below .200 in nine conference matches and has hit .250 or above in four conference matches, 2x Oregon State, 1x ASU, and the recent very impressive showing against UCLA. Howard brings a very solid block and backcourt defense but if you're hoping for a strong offensive showing it would be a bit of an anomaly this season. One of Boukather's many strengths is that she rarely caves under pressure and has often produced a kill(s) at crucial moments. I'm looking for her to continue the trend and for Burgess to come on strong. Unless Washington has an off night from the service line Stanford is going to have to deviate from their season pattern and two pin hitters are going to have to be on. Stanford can't be at the mercy of getting the ball to their middles against such a strong serving team. Give it a break, Cardinal "fans." The aphorism "a chain is only as strong as its weakest link" is so silly in VB context, as in so many other, as it does not take into account anything other than physical properties, such as those that involve the mental processes. There are many good reasons BH has been starting every match and will continue to do so. Success is not determined or measured by individual statistics but is much more correlated with team statistics. BH is crucial to the team's efforts and in so many ways is undervalued by fans and observers, but not by teammates or coaches (ours and theirs). I clearly stated that Howard would contribute with her blocking and backcourt defense but historically she has not been a big offensive weapon. When an A game is mentioned in regards to a hitter I assume they mean they're hoping she will be more of an offensive threat. That does not appear to be Howard's contribution this season. I think she's great on defense and that will be needed against Washington but unless she turns in a UCLA type performance, kills are going to be coming from other players.
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Post by Pirate VB Fan on Nov 23, 2014 23:12:49 GMT -5
According to an anonymous poster on VolleyBlog Seattle, the ticket office told them that the entire lower bowl is sold out and only 200-300 GA tickets remain. Again, an anonymous poster, so it would be interesting to call the UW ticket office and double check. I would be beyond shocked if they really had sold 10K+ tickets.
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Post by beaaaaast on Nov 24, 2014 0:38:02 GMT -5
Bruh, the match is in 3 days and it already has 4 pages. I can imagine this page during the match. "Strickland with a pass" "Bugg with a set." "Inky with a hit." LOL, probs gonna be updated every 2 seconds
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Post by beaaaaast on Nov 24, 2014 0:50:00 GMT -5
Why Stanford Will Sweep UW on WednesdayBall control is the key: Stanford relies on the triumvirate of Burgess, Gilbert, and Howard to receive serve. Everything starts here. The difference between Stanford’s passing and UW’s passing is that Stanford is a little more consistent in avoiding really bad passes or outright shanks, and Stanford is significantly better at putting passes right on the money. Right on the money means that Madi Bugg has free rein and that means trouble for UW. Bugg is simply too good and too deceptive, with too many options, when she gets a good pass. I haven’t seen a lot of Stanford’s matches this year, but they appear to be one of the best, if not the best, passing team in the country. Stanford’s middles are superior: When the Cardinal gets good passing, whether in serve receive or transition D, there is no better middle tandem in the country than Inky and Lutz. They are the #3 (Lutz) and #5 (Ajanaku) hitters in the country by percentage. Bugg has a great connection with both and it’s scary to think about how good Lutz is going to be in the next three years. Inky is simply the quickest, most athletic middle in the college game. Stanford should go to their middle attack early and often. Here’s an interesting stat from the Pac 12 website as of today: Inky and Lutz have 1101 total attempts for the season; Wade and Sybeldon have 633. This is a gigantic disparity and reflects both superior passing and a superior middle attack. Team defense will keep rallies going: With the Cardinal, it’s all about passing and defense. Gilbert is outstanding in transition D (see Arizona at Maples) and will be able to absorb hit after hit from Vansant. Burgess and Howard are two of the best defensive six-rotation outsides you will find. The quality of Stanford’s digging machine will be tested by the Huskies but the longer the Cardinal can extend rallies, the more likely they will be to win points. Eventually, Bugg (or Inky!) will set one of those good digs for a kill. Madi Bugg: Bugg is easily the best setter in the Pac 12. She’s smooth, has great hands, and usually makes good decisions. She can set many types of balls, wins jousts, dumps at the right time, and is very deceptive. The Cardinal enjoys a big advantage at the setter position in this match. Stanford owns crunch time: The Cardinal have had their share of scares this year but, interestingly, those five-setters haven’t been all that close in the fifth set. Whether it’s the fifth set against Arizona or ASU, or down late in a close set at USC, Stanford does not seem to crack. Burgess can be the inspirational, clutch player they need when the going gets tough and she’s been playing her best volleyball of the season these last few weeks. Stanford just needs the slightest opening from the other team, and then their quality and balance shines through. Very good points. But why I sort of fear for Stanford this Wednesday The Washington Block. Washington is a better blocking team than Stanford and once they get going on their block, boy, they seem unstoppable. Madi set poorly in the last high-profile match (Penn State vs Stanford). She just has to not do that again. Everybody needs to bring their A-game. Enough of this one person shines each match type of deal (Inky then Lutz then Burgess). But of course, they already know this and are probably working on it at practice
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Post by Cruz'n on Nov 24, 2014 1:24:17 GMT -5
Sportsfun: There is an expression in the English language "bring your A-game." It just means to play at your highest level. It doesn't mean that you are first team All American, All-Pac-12, or anything else. It just means to be playing your best. Thus, EVERYONE has an A-game.
And Publius, don't start crying and getting mad so easy. Regardless of what I think, I didn't mention that Brittany shouldn't start, or that she doesn't contribute, or that she is playing poorly. I merely mentioned that t is my hope that she will be swinging away, rather than dinking away. Stanford could win or lose regardless. You are right, volleyball is not a sport where the team is only as good as it's weak link. It is simply easier for me to get behind Brittany when she is swinging away. I like her, and feel she contributes a lot. It's going to be a fun match to watch, especially if EVERYONE is swinging away, giving it all they got.
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Post by FTLOG on Nov 24, 2014 1:27:38 GMT -5
Bruh, the match is in 3 days and it already has 4 pages. I can imagine this page during the match. "Strickland with a pass" "Bugg with a set." "Inky with a hit." LOL, probs gonna be updated every 2 seconds This would be amazing if Strickland kept passing to Bugg. :-p
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Post by baywatcher on Nov 24, 2014 4:42:00 GMT -5
I like Stanford's chances if Strickland passes to Bugg.
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Post by tomclen on Nov 24, 2014 12:58:46 GMT -5
Here's an interesting, and totally meaningless statistic: 13 Sets.
Stanford and Washington have both lost 13 sets in conference play this year.
The difference, of course, is Washington has 2 losses while winning 52 sets...Stanford is undefeated having won 54 sets.
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Post by Mocha on Nov 24, 2014 13:26:57 GMT -5
Does a Stanford win guarantee they stay in the West coast through the tournament?
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Post by mikegarrison on Nov 24, 2014 13:31:59 GMT -5
Does a Stanford win guarantee they stay in the West coast through the tournament? No.
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Post by jgrout on Nov 24, 2014 14:39:24 GMT -5
Does a Stanford win guarantee they stay in the West coast through the tournament? On the contrary... it would guarantee that they would be sent to the Ames regional with teams like Florida in the draw. The Seattle regional could end up as the toughest in years... great for neutrals but tough on Huskies fans.
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Post by ay2013 on Nov 24, 2014 14:43:08 GMT -5
Does a Stanford win guarantee they stay in the West coast through the tournament? On the contrary... it would guarantee that they would be sent to Ames with teams like Florida in the draw. Let the Huskies and Nittany Lions or Badgers or similar duke it out. Perhaps. Right now I have PSU NOT in the 8 spot which would be in Stanford's bracket (which they are getting the #1 seed REGARDLESS of this match, IMO). PSU could be bumped back to the 8 spot, if Florida wins @ Texas.
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Post by ay2013 on Nov 24, 2014 14:48:19 GMT -5
Does a Stanford win guarantee they stay in the West coast through the tournament? a 3 loss Washington program as the #8 seeds who will still have more top 25 wins than Wisconsin (and a head to head over them) and North Carolina and almost Twice as many top 25 wins than Florida, and PSU? yeah, I don't see that happening. Now, if Washington loses to Stanford AND Washington State, then lets talk.
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Post by mikegarrison on Nov 24, 2014 14:51:59 GMT -5
Does a Stanford win guarantee they stay in the West coast through the tournament? On the contrary... it would guarantee that they would be sent to the Ames regional with teams like Florida in the draw. The Seattle regional could end up as the toughest in years... great for neutrals but tough on Huskies fans. IMO, tough on the Huskies themselves, but it's great for fans to see really high-stakes volleyball.
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