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Post by SportyBucky on Nov 20, 2014 11:32:35 GMT -5
I'd agree Illinois didn't give the match away, would be unfair to UW to suggest that. But they gave a game away, which sure changed the match. While I am sure Wisconsin played amazing during their comeback from 23-16, the outcome in that game says more about Illinois play. At that level, it is very hard to lose a match with that lead, it requires a meltdown when you have the talent Illinois does. It's a crazy game for sure. I will have to watch again, but it didn't feel like IL collapsed in any usual meaning of the word. IL did not seem to play particularly badly - passing seemed OK, they were getting good attacks. They just couldn't get a kill because of same pretty good digs and passes off those digs led to kills. Their mistakes (a BHE I recall) came as a direct result of UW attacks that started the ball pinging around. There was one blocking error that was called, but DOM had got the kill anyway. Also, UW stopped giving away points like they did early in the set. IL may have started playing a bit conservatively, I'll grant. That's a natural reaction to having a set "under control." Sorry, but a team has that many opportunities to put a ball away and you don't, it gets in their heads. Birks was slamming the ball most of that match and suddenly couldn't find a high hand, split block or open space on the court? Kudos to WI for taking advantage of their chances, but IL most certainly failed to take advantage of theirs.
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Post by bucky415 on Nov 20, 2014 12:12:59 GMT -5
In some of his other comments, Sheff mentions the mental toughness of the team, and how pleased he is by it. He especially mentioned how they responded to the three service errors at the beginning of set 3, which came after he challenged them to come out serving aggressively in the third set (as he thought the serving in the 2nd set lacked aggression and let Illinois back in). The mental fortitude to put that frustration aside and gather yourself for a run like we saw was especially impressive to him. The team has real in-game resilience, and that is the thing that gives me most hope and brings me most pride. Love the "big girl pants on" comment from Courtney about Bates. I don't really think of her as a freshman anymore at all. Interesting that Illinois took that approach -- serving to the Bates almost solely hoping she would eventually just break or wear down mentally. I'm gonna take that as a good sign -- i.e., there are no other real options to target in service. You would think based on Thomas' recent struggles that they might go after her though. The Badgers were shielding Thomas in serve receive last night as part of their different lineup. When she was in the passing rotation a couple of times, the Illini served her, but she had good passes then.
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Post by tomclen on Nov 20, 2014 12:42:06 GMT -5
Illinois was up 21-14 in set 1 and lost? Illinois was up 23-16 set 3 and lost?
One meltdown per match is tough...but two?!?
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Post by WI FIB on Nov 20, 2014 13:03:42 GMT -5
Illinois was up 21-14 in set 1 and lost? Illinois lost the first set 25-13, so that's totally incorrect.
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Post by badgerbill on Nov 20, 2014 13:11:48 GMT -5
McMahon has to be one of the most overrated players in recent years (#3 Senior Ace). At 6'6 she is incapable of putting a ball to the floor, she is slow and barely jumps. I love big physical players, but when you have a 5'10 blocker in front of you and you can't find the floor, overrated screams at me.
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Post by tomclen on Nov 20, 2014 13:27:23 GMT -5
Illinois was up 21-14 in set 1 and lost? Illinois lost the first set 25-13, so that's totally incorrect. Oops. You are correct. I mis-read a post on the Badger twitter feed. My bad. Thanks for pointing that out.
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Post by SportyBucky on Nov 20, 2014 14:15:18 GMT -5
Illinois lost the first set 25-13, so that's totally incorrect. Oops. You are correct. I mis-read a post on the Badger twitter feed. My bad. Thanks for pointing that out. So just one meltdown
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Post by tomclen on Nov 20, 2014 14:17:25 GMT -5
Oops. You are correct. I mis-read a post on the Badger twitter feed. My bad. Thanks for pointing that out. So just one meltdown Yes, that, combined with a great Badger comeback. And here's the Twitter post that I misread, so it was also a great comeback against Purdue, earlier.
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Post by dorothymantooth on Nov 20, 2014 14:32:06 GMT -5
I will have to watch again, but it didn't feel like IL collapsed in any usual meaning of the word. IL did not seem to play particularly badly - passing seemed OK, they were getting good attacks. They just couldn't get a kill because of same pretty good digs and passes off those digs led to kills. Their mistakes (a BHE I recall) came as a direct result of UW attacks that started the ball pinging around. There was one blocking error that was called, but DOM had got the kill anyway. Also, UW stopped giving away points like they did early in the set. IL may have started playing a bit conservatively, I'll grant. That's a natural reaction to having a set "under control." Sorry, but a team has that many opportunities to put a ball away and you don't, it gets in their heads. Birks was slamming the ball most of that match and suddenly couldn't find a high hand, split block or open space on the court? Kudos to WI for taking advantage of their chances, but IL most certainly failed to take advantage of theirs. Yup, at that level, and with as many good arms as Illinois has, to not find a kill is hard to do. As you said, kudos to UW for being able to play error free, because that could have given Illinois the game as well.
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Post by tclenpsu1 on Nov 20, 2014 15:25:04 GMT -5
Well PSU lost to Illinois up 19-8 set 1 and lost the match 3-1
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Post by canda on Nov 20, 2014 16:13:35 GMT -5
Does anyone doubt UW will be the sole Big 10 champion. This was the last, best hope PSU had to see them lose. Amazing defense, and Carlini was incredible, able to set passes from different parts of the court.
How great would it have been if the schedule makers had PSU and Wisconsin playing the last game of the season? Considering they were in the Championship game last year, and you have your own network, why wouldn't you have made that a priority?
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Post by rainbowbadger on Nov 20, 2014 17:25:57 GMT -5
They could still be taken down by tOSU or Purdue. I like our chances, but am not ruling out sudden implosion.
And the schedule is what it is. I think BTN has proven it can't be trusted to design a sports schedule that treats volleyball with the respect it deserves.
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Post by badgerbreath on Nov 20, 2014 17:44:51 GMT -5
That's my feeling as well. Optimistic, but cautiously so. Lot's can go wrong. For example, the OSU match has a short turn around. Buckeyes just have to wait at home, but we lose prep time due to travel etc. That could be important.
If we get past OSU we are almost sure to get a share of the title unless something truly amazing happens in New Brunswick.
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Post by Wiswell on Nov 21, 2014 9:04:04 GMT -5
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Post by badgerbreath on Nov 21, 2014 10:02:19 GMT -5
I love the photos this guy takes, especially were we get a reaction on the face as something is happening.
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