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Post by hammer on Nov 28, 2014 13:33:30 GMT -5
Hey, jgrout, chill out! Your Cardinal team is a great team that ran into a buzz saw last night with a big home court advantage. There is no question in my mind that Stanford had the best season of any team out there and should be the #1 seed in the tournament. You are absolutely correct that the serve receive and passing killed them last night (along with a lot of offensive firepower by the Huskies). But that's the way some matches go; it's hard to stop momentum once it builds. Ask the Huskies about the mountains road trip. Gilbert had a tough night but she's had a great season, bailing the Cardinal out in the Arizona five-setter. I'm betting she bounces back and has a great tournament. I don't know that he needs to chill out because if I'm not mistaken a much larger point than last night's performance is being addressed and one that many Stanford fans are finding increasingly concerning. With the exception of the 2011 team, Stanford has had the talent to go very far in the tournament, if not win it all and yet, they have not even made it to the FF since 2008. This would not be an issue for most Div. I teams but with the shear amount of talent Stanford draws simply by being Stanford, it's becoming an increasingly concerning issue. They have consistently performed well throughout the regular season and then come crunch time they have not been able to pull through. Personally, I am only moderately concerned at this point and I won't become outright upset unless this Stanford team and the 2015 team misses the FF. It would be reasonable to expect that barring significant injury that both teams should make it to the NC. They don't have to win it because who knows what other dominant teams will produce but I wouldn't blame Stanford fans for losing some faith if they're not playing in the NC at least in 2015. The match last night is a flashback to several tournament matches where a dominant Stanford team caves, adjustments during problematic matches aren't made, and fans are left wondering what could have been had something other than the status quo game plan been tried. It would be silly to come unhinged over the only loss of the season occurring on a very strong Washington team's home court to a record breaking crowd but that is not the issue and a much larger, far more concerning one is at play. I'm still holding out hope but the lack of adjustments once again has become a concerning recipe for losing when it matters. I'm not clear on whether the OP is putting the loss on the players or the coach but with the fact that Stanford has had the personnel to go much further in the tournament with a few different teams, personally, I put a bulk of the burden on the head coach if they don't go far this season and next. Your comment that this is just the way some matches go is a motto Stanford fans have started to grow weary of hearing and it just doesn't cut it when looking at the bigger picture. I suspect you're thinking of just this one match while many others are showing frustration over the fact that they've seen this all too many times before. I still genuinely believe Stanford can have a different outcome this year and next and only time will tell if I'm foolish in that belief or not. IMO the only Stanford team that probably should have made the FF is the the 2010 team that barely lost to USC in the regional final 3-2. All others either weren't talented enough, too young, or faced a better team in the Regional Final. If Stanford gets a decent draw (i.e., avoids PSU in a regional), but doesn't make the FF, then 2014 will end up being a disappointment in the minds of some Stanford fans. However, you always have to keep in mind one-and-done. That is, winning the Pac-12 is in many ways a more important achievement because it is pool play -- everyone play everyone home and home (mostly).
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Post by alwayslearning on Nov 28, 2014 13:45:58 GMT -5
A quote from the recent post on the always reliable and entertaining Volleyblog:
"This week, Strickland texted Olympian and legendary Washington All-American Courtney Thompson for advice on that mental issue. Thompson, whose club team, Volero Zurich, is in Russia for a Champions League match, was happy to help. “Courtney said, just have the same thoughts in games that you have in practice. Get into a routine.”
And did it help? “I tightened up my thoughts in the game,” Strickland said. “Courtney helped me a lot just to focus.”
Is this team a reflection of its coach, or what?
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Post by dawgnerd on Nov 28, 2014 13:50:27 GMT -5
A quote from the recent post on the always reliable and entertaining Volleyblog: "This week, Strickland texted Olympian and legendary Washington All-American Courtney Thompson for advice on that mental issue. Thompson, whose club team, Volero Zurich, is in Russia for a Champions League match, was happy to help. “Courtney said, just have the same thoughts in games that you have in practice. Get into a routine.” And did it help? “I tightened up my thoughts in the game,” Strickland said. “Courtney helped me a lot just to focus.” Is this team a reflection of its coach, or what? This team, including its alumni. Clearly the messages are retained and applied beyond their years here, including sharing with teammates (even across the years).
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Post by redbeard2008 on Nov 28, 2014 13:58:53 GMT -5
Are you just assuming that because her high school was across the street that she wanted to attend Stanford and was either not admitted due to grades or that Dunning wasn't interested in her or do you know that is truly the case? Considering that she's the same year of Ajanaku and McGehee, it's reasonable that he passed but it's also more than reasonable to assume that Washington was Wade's first choice. I talked to a top recruit a few years ago that didn't end up choosing Washington but stated that had the choice been based on the head coach, the friendliness of the athletic department as a whole, and the campus she would have chosen Washington. She went with a more academically prestigious school with better weather (a definite factor) but wrestled for a long time before making the decision because she and her family were very impressed with Jim's recruitment efforts and she stated that he was by far the best recruiter of the various coaches she met with. Yeah, Stanford had their middle. So much of volleyball recruiting is based on need. At UW, she stepped in as a starter. She's maintaining a 3.77 grade average, majoring in Psychology. Washington is not an un-prestigious school. USNews ranks UW as tied with Penn State and Florida as the #14 public university nationally.
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Post by redbeard2008 on Nov 28, 2014 14:04:05 GMT -5
A quote from the recent post on the always reliable and entertaining Volleyblog: "This week, Strickland texted Olympian and legendary Washington All-American Courtney Thompson for advice on that mental issue. Thompson, whose club team, Volero Zurich, is in Russia for a Champions League match, was happy to help. “Courtney said, just have the same thoughts in games that you have in practice. Get into a routine.” And did it help? “I tightened up my thoughts in the game,” Strickland said. “Courtney helped me a lot just to focus.” Is this team a reflection of its coach, or what? This team, including its alumni. Clearly the messages are retained and applied beyond their years here, including sharing with teammates (even across the years). Actually, doing in matches what you do every day in practice is also a US Team mantra.
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Post by beaaaaast on Nov 28, 2014 14:05:05 GMT -5
Hey, jgrout, chill out! Your Cardinal team is a great team that ran into a buzz saw last night with a big home court advantage. There is no question in my mind that Stanford had the best season of any team out there and should be the #1 seed in the tournament. You are absolutely correct that the serve receive and passing killed them last night (along with a lot of offensive firepower by the Huskies). But that's the way some matches go; it's hard to stop momentum once it builds. Ask the Huskies about the mountains road trip. Gilbert had a tough night but she's had a great season, bailing the Cardinal out in the Arizona five-setter. I'm betting she bounces back and has a great tournament. I don't know that he needs to chill out because if I'm not mistaken a much larger point than last night's performance is being addressed and one that many Stanford fans are finding increasingly concerning. With the exception of the 2011 team, Stanford has had the talent to go very far in the tournament, if not win it all and yet, they have not even made it to the FF since 2008. This would not be an issue for most Div. I teams but with the shear amount of talent Stanford draws simply by being Stanford, it's becoming an increasingly concerning issue. They have consistently performed well throughout the regular season and then come crunch time they have not been able to pull through. Personally, I am only moderately concerned at this point and I won't become outright upset unless this Stanford team and the 2015 team misses the FF. It would be reasonable to expect that barring significant injury that both teams should make it to the NC. They don't have to win it because who knows what other dominant teams will produce but I wouldn't blame Stanford fans for losing some faith if they're not playing in the NC at least in 2015. The match last night is a flashback to several tournament matches where a dominant Stanford team caves, adjustments during problematic matches aren't made, and fans are left wondering what could have been had something other than the status quo game plan been tried. It would be silly to come unhinged over the only loss of the season occurring on a very strong Washington team's home court to a record breaking crowd but that is not the issue and a much larger, far more concerning one is at play. I'm still holding out hope but the lack of adjustments once again has become a concerning recipe for losing when it matters. I'm not clear on whether the OP is putting the loss on the players or the coach but with the fact that Stanford has had the personnel to go much further in the tournament with a few different teams, personally, I put a bulk of the burden on the head coach if they don't go far this season and next. Your comment that this is just the way some matches go is a motto Stanford fans have started to grow weary of hearing and it just doesn't cut it when looking at the bigger picture. I suspect you're thinking of just this one match while many others are showing frustration over the fact that they've seen this all too many times before. I still genuinely believe Stanford can have a different outcome this year and next and only time will tell if I'm foolish in that belief or not. I totally agree. It's not as if Stanford doesn't have the talent. Jordan Burgess, Inky Ajanaku, and so forth were all top 5 recruits. At this point I have to start to question John Dunning's coaching approach. Yes, I get it he's been in the game for a long time and is as legendary as Russ Rose, but I am suspicious to why a team that has consistently brought in talent throughout the last six years has not made it to at least the FF let alone taken a NC.
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Post by redbeard2008 on Nov 28, 2014 14:45:00 GMT -5
Well, Washington hadn't been to a Final Four in seven years (2006).
Stanford certainly has a talent-edge when it comes to getting to the FF, but they don't have a birthright. A lot of it comes down to the Regional match-ups, which can be very unbalanced. I thought both Stanford and USC were FF-quality teams last year, but ran into PSU and Washington in the Regional finals. Texas and Wisconsin, on the other hand, had relatively easy roads.
This year, the #1 seed (which should be Stanford) could win the door prize - a #8 seeded PSU. Hopefully, however, the Committee will seed PSU closer to their real strength.
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Post by volleyfan24 on Nov 28, 2014 14:48:35 GMT -5
This team, including its alumni. Clearly the messages are retained and applied beyond their years here, including sharing with teammates (even across the years). Actually, doing in matches what you do every day in practice is also a US Team mantra. Isn't this also common sense. Not to take anything away from advice and sometimes you just need to hear what you already know but this doesn't sound like some new grand scheme to relax and play your best.
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Post by chipNdink on Nov 28, 2014 14:53:28 GMT -5
Yes, which top 4 seed will get screwed with Penn State in their regional? Since Washington gets to host their own regional, I actually hope Washington gets "screwed" with Penn State being sent to Seattle. Winning the Championship would probably require beating Penn State anyway; I'd much rather have to play Penn State in Seattle, than at the Final Four.
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Post by volleyfan24 on Nov 28, 2014 14:57:19 GMT -5
Well, Washington hadn't been to a Final Four in seven years (2006). Stanford certainly has a talent-edge when it comes to getting to the FF, but they don't have a birthright. A lot of it comes down to the Regional match-ups, which can be very unbalanced. I thought both Stanford and USC were FF-quality teams last year, but ran into PSU and Washington in the Regional finals. Texas and Wisconsin, on the other hand, had relatively easy roads. This year, the #1 seed (which should be Stanford) could win the door prize - a #8 seeded PSU. Hopefully, however, the Committee will seed PSU closer to their real strength. I agree with your first assessment also the talent has been more evenly spread around the country so its good for the sport. The last time Stanford didn't make the Final Four and absolutely should have was the year they ran into SC in the regional final with Falyn, Jupiter and Bateman and they lost in 5 after that it was lots of rebuilding they had good teams but they were young. Now this years team if they don't make it something needs to change but I have them there and a favorite to win it all. One loss is nothing to be ashamed of especially to Washington at Washington. As for last years regionals being unbalanced I disagree. Stanford is the only team who challenged eventual National Champ Penn State, but Texas didn't have a walk to the Final Four I believe they played in the regional all teams wanted to play in the least at Nebraska. Texas played the best match of their season and dismissed the team Nebraska in a sweep at home for the Huskers many people had the Huskers favored at home they did take second in the B1G last year . It does come down to draw but to suggest Stanford or SC would have made the Final Four could be true but it would have only been more likely of they got thrown in the regional where Mizzou was a top seed.
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Post by Boof1224 on Nov 28, 2014 14:57:43 GMT -5
Meaningless or not, and it certainly means nothing in standings, it's impressive that both teams have made it to the final match of the season and have lost only 14 and 16 sets. I'm not even going to bring up how Stanford received the luck-of-the-scheduling-draw and was given the gift of only playing UW once this season! Wait a second I'm not even Stanford fan I'm psu but to Stanford's defense isn't that a little one sided and unfair. Yes Stanford got the gift of only playing Washington once but Washington got the same gift and got it on their home floor
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Post by trydelt10 on Nov 28, 2014 15:01:15 GMT -5
I don't know that he needs to chill out because if I'm not mistaken a much larger point than last night's performance is being addressed and one that many Stanford fans are finding increasingly concerning. With the exception of the 2011 team, Stanford has had the talent to go very far in the tournament, if not win it all and yet, they have not even made it to the FF since 2008. This would not be an issue for most Div. I teams but with the shear amount of talent Stanford draws simply by being Stanford, it's becoming an increasingly concerning issue. They have consistently performed well throughout the regular season and then come crunch time they have not been able to pull through. Personally, I am only moderately concerned at this point and I won't become outright upset unless this Stanford team and the 2015 team misses the FF. It would be reasonable to expect that barring significant injury that both teams should make it to the NC. They don't have to win it because who knows what other dominant teams will produce but I wouldn't blame Stanford fans for losing some faith if they're not playing in the NC at least in 2015. The match last night is a flashback to several tournament matches where a dominant Stanford team caves, adjustments during problematic matches aren't made, and fans are left wondering what could have been had something other than the status quo game plan been tried. It would be silly to come unhinged over the only loss of the season occurring on a very strong Washington team's home court to a record breaking crowd but that is not the issue and a much larger, far more concerning one is at play. I'm still holding out hope but the lack of adjustments once again has become a concerning recipe for losing when it matters. I'm not clear on whether the OP is putting the loss on the players or the coach but with the fact that Stanford has had the personnel to go much further in the tournament with a few different teams, personally, I put a bulk of the burden on the head coach if they don't go far this season and next. Your comment that this is just the way some matches go is a motto Stanford fans have started to grow weary of hearing and it just doesn't cut it when looking at the bigger picture. I suspect you're thinking of just this one match while many others are showing frustration over the fact that they've seen this all too many times before. I still genuinely believe Stanford can have a different outcome this year and next and only time will tell if I'm foolish in that belief or not. I totally agree. It's not as if Stanford doesn't have the talent. Jordan Burgess, Inky Ajanaku, and so forth were all top 5 recruits. At this point I have to start to question John Dunning's coaching approach. Yes, I get it he's been in the game for a long time and is as legendary as Russ Rose, but I am suspicious to why a team that has consistently brought in talent throughout the last six years has not made it to at least the FF let alone taken a NC. I'd think the sub rule and quantity of specialized players a given team has is more a factor than Dunning's ability to coach.
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Post by Boof1224 on Nov 28, 2014 15:02:18 GMT -5
Yes, which top 4 seed will get screwed with Penn State in their regional? Since Washington gets to host their own regional, I actually hope Washington gets "screwed" with Penn State being sent to Seattle. Winning the Championship would probably require beating Penn State anyway; I'd much rather have to play Penn State in Seattle, than at the Final Four. Wouldn't get ahead of yourself just yet still game left. If psu wins and Wisconsin loses it a co conference champion and having psu sweeping badgers earlier this year in Wisconsin psu would get one seed
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Post by redbeard2008 on Nov 28, 2014 15:15:22 GMT -5
Yes, which top 4 seed will get screwed with Penn State in their regional? Since Washington gets to host their own regional, I actually hope Washington gets "screwed" with Penn State being sent to Seattle. Winning the Championship would probably require beating Penn State anyway; I'd much rather have to play Penn State in Seattle, than at the Final Four. Yeah, Penn St was sent to the Seattle Regional in 2004 and 2006 (as the #2 and #3 overall seed), losing to UCLA (#15) in the semi-final and to Washington (#6) in the final. From a fan perspective, a UW-PSU match-up (with 9,000 fans stacked to the rafters) would be a real treat. That 2006 PSU team was stacked with talent (Glass, Hodge, Fawcett, Harmotto), but was young, not unlike this season's PSU squad.
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Post by Pirate VB Fan on Nov 28, 2014 16:21:11 GMT -5
Wouldn't get ahead of yourself just yet still game left. If psu wins and Wisconsin loses it a co conference champion and having psu sweeping badgers earlier this year in Wisconsin psu would get one seed Not unless the committee suddenly decides to ignore RPI. Right now they would have a #3 seed (as in 9th to 12th) based on RPI. It would probably be impossible for them to get up anywhere near the top 4 in RPI at this point.
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