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Post by beachbomb on Dec 15, 2014 3:00:36 GMT -5
Stanford 2010 nike challenge Penn State was dominated but i totally agree... it's like UConn womens basketball... They're always just solid and complete.....
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Post by Boof1224 on Dec 15, 2014 3:09:22 GMT -5
If Stanford's smart I think they gear towards the freshman meaning franti / lee. Grant is a pillar of consistency. She's prob been there most consistant all year and from what I've seen since she came on scene I'd say Washington is gonna get hers. Whitney has been pretty good all year. Hancock will do what Hancock does. Think Stanford needs to shutdown franti/lee combo. I think Courtney is the mystery piece for psu to the result. Which Courtney are we gonna get thur night. When she's on psu is very difficult to beat, when not well things get interesting. That's my take as a psu fan
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Post by Boof1224 on Dec 15, 2014 3:10:43 GMT -5
Stanford 2010 nike challenge Penn State was dominated but i totally agree... it's like UConn womens basketball... They're always just solid and complete..... This isn't first couple weeks of season tournament play completely different then a beginning of season match. Should be a war
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Post by southie on Dec 15, 2014 8:43:56 GMT -5
Looking forward to the nightcap. I think it's a very evenly matched if both teams play to their potential. My key factors:
1. PSU players have much more experience playing in a Final Four, and the coaches have much more recent experience than Stanford
2. PSU pin hitters are more terminal than Stanford's pin hitters, and has more depth if one of the starters is struggling
3. Stanford has slightly better middles, but the advantage goes to whichever team wins the serve-receive battle
4. Not really sure who the pressure is on, but with Stanford being the #1 overall seed, and already having beaten PSU earlier in the season, I'd guess that more pressure is on the Cardinal
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Post by Boof1224 on Dec 15, 2014 10:38:04 GMT -5
Looking forward to the nightcap. I think it's a very evenly matched if both teams play to their potential. My key factors: 1. PSU players have much more experience playing in a Final Four, and the coaches have much more recent experience than Stanford 2. PSU pin hitters are more terminal than Stanford's pin hitters, and has more depth if one of the starters is struggling 3. Stanford has slightly better middles, but the advantage goes to whichever team wins the serve-receive battle 4. Not really sure who the pressure is on, but with Stanford being the #1 overall seed, and already having beaten PSU earlier in the season, I'd guess that more pressure is on the Cardinal That and the fact that Stanford's highly touted freshman class is juniors and running out of chances. Think more pressure on Stanford.
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Post by VolleyTX on Dec 15, 2014 10:50:48 GMT -5
I'm picking Stanford for the following reasons:
1. Better overall ball control 2. They have mastered their system.... running the same players at the same positions pretty much all season long. 3. They have a simpler system (Running more by FIVB rules with all players but the middle playing all 6 rotations). Penn State has more "spokes in the wheel" that can lead to a breakdown in their effectiveness should any "spoke" not perform well.
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Post by jsn112 on Dec 15, 2014 11:02:24 GMT -5
I'm picking Stanford for the following reasons: 1. Better overall ball control 2. They have mastered their system.... running the same players at the same positions pretty much all season long. 3. They have a simpler system (Running more by FIVB rules with all players but the middle playing all 6 rotations). Penn State has more "spokes in the wheel" that can lead to a breakdown in their effectiveness should any "spoke" not perform well. Right now, I would pick Penn State to favor. But if the blocking picks up, I am definitely picking Penn State. I am not too impressed with any of the Stanford's pin hitters not named Boukather (even she has cooled down since the beginning of the season). I think the match vs. Florida was an exception and not the norm for them. Of course, they could have another one vs. Penn State though, if the blocking is not up to par.
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Post by vbkid111 on Dec 15, 2014 11:25:30 GMT -5
Stanford 2010 nike challenge Penn State was dominated ..... ...and then won their 4th straight National Championship at the end of that year.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2014 4:55:17 GMT -5
We've posted a Q&A with Club Coach and Talking Head on the Penn State vs. Stanford match. For those who are interested, here's the link: Q&A with Club Coach and Talking Head www.dignittanyvolleyball.com/penn-state-vs-stanford-qa-with-club-coach-and-talking-head-who-do-they-pick-to-move-on-to-the-finals/And here's an excerpt: DigNittany: Ever since Penn State’s 5th-set comeback over Stanford in the 2013 Lexington Regional Final, many fans have been looking forward to an NCAA Tournament rematch. (Here’s a link for video highlights of that match: pac-12.com/article/2013/12/14/video-stanford-womens-volleyball-penn-state-ncaa-regional-finals). We got a taste of that when Stanford downed the Nittany Lions in 5 sets on September 6th at Maples Pavilion, (25-18, 23-25, 22-25, 25-16, 10-15). But exciting as the match was, and as gratifying as the win was for Stanford fans, an early-season win on your home court isn’t the same as a NCAA Final Four victory. Stanford and Penn State fans will get their wish on Thursday, December 18th, when the Cardinal and the Nittany Lions face off in an NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament Semifinal match in Oklahoma City. We’re talking today with Club Coach and Talking Head, both of whom have played the game at the collegiate level and have long and successful coaching careers. Comparing the MiddlesDigNittany: Many observers (certainly most Stanford fans) think that Stanford’s middles – AVCA 1st-Team All American 6-3 Jr. Inky Ajanaku and 6-8 RS Fr. MB Merete Lutz – are better than Penn State’s – 6-2 Sr. Nia Grant and 6-3 Fr. Haleigh Washington. In Stanford’s win in September, Inky Ajanaku registered 14 kills (.385 attack %) and 4 blocks, while Lutz was a force in the middle, totaling four blocks. Lutz’s offense has been developing quickly – she’s much more effective now than she was in September. Of course, Penn State’s middles have developed as well. 6-2 Sr. MB Nia Grant totaled 9 kills (.316 attack %) with 5 digs and 2 blocks in that match, but she’s hitting .442 for the season, with 2.34 kills/set, and was a unanimous All B1G selection. She’s no slouch. And Haleigh Washington didn’t play in the first match. All she’s done is hit .487 for the season, with 2.76 kills/set, and win B1G Freshman of the Year. So she’s pretty good too. Your thoughts on how Penn State’s middles stack up against Stanford’s? Club Coach: I think this match features the two best middle units in the country, but the one thing that sets the Stanford middles slightly ahead is blocking. Although both Nia Grant and Haleigh Washington are unreal attackers, I believe Stanford’s middles have the edge in blocking. A big question — and a key to the match — is can Penn State’s serve minimize the touches Stanford’s middles get. I don’t think either set of middles can stop the other, but I think Stanford may be able to manage Penn State’s a little more effectively. Talking Head: First off, let me say that it is a pleasure to be discussing such high level players from such classy programs. The young women are so exciting to watch and I am confident we are all going to see a great match. The match-up of the middles is going to be so interesting and should produce many dynamic plays. I think straight-up in system, I would give Stanford the edge here, and if Penn State serves like Florida did in their Regional Final, or (to give credit to Stanford) if Stanford passes like it did in the Regional Final, Penn State could find itself in a world of trouble. But with that being said, Penn State is not Florida, nor Oregon State, nor Michigan State. Not only have the Nittany Lions been serving tough, but their errors have gone way down. Keeping Stanford even slightly out of system might be enough to negate any advantage Stanford has at middle hitter. I also expect Haleigh Washington to run that slide and go high hands and down the line over both Stanford’s OHs.
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Post by dorothymantooth on Dec 16, 2014 6:55:36 GMT -5
If Stanford's smart I think they gear towards the freshman meaning franti / lee. Grant is a pillar of consistency. She's prob been there most consistant all year and from what I've seen since she came on scene I'd say Washington is gonna get hers. Whitney has been pretty good all year. Hancock will do what Hancock does. Think Stanford needs to shutdown franti/lee combo. I think Courtney is the mystery piece for psu to the result. Which Courtney are we gonna get thur night. When she's on psu is very difficult to beat, when not well things get interesting. That's my take as a psu fan Frantti ripped Stanford in her third week as a collegiate player.
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Post by dorothymantooth on Dec 16, 2014 7:04:22 GMT -5
I'm picking Stanford for the following reasons: 1. Better overall ball control 2. They have mastered their system.... running the same players at the same positions pretty much all season long. 3. They have a simpler system (Running more by FIVB rules with all players but the middle playing all 6 rotations). Penn State has more "spokes in the wheel" that can lead to a breakdown in their effectiveness should any "spoke" not perform well. I don't think any team has "mastered their system", and would suggest that the subs playing backrow for their big net players are better defenders than a couple of the Stanford pin players who are playing 6 rotations. I think you are suggesting there is a higher level of continuity, but after 30 some matches of using that sub pattern, I think PSU has the same level of continuity. I also think that should any player not play well (that would be a pin player and not either teams middles or setters) PSU has a superior sub coming off the bench in Lee than Stanford has. PSU had a spoke not perform well in the regional final , and was able to replace that spoke with a player who really turned the Wisconsin match around. For what it's worth I think this match is a coin toss, if there is an advantage, I think PSU may have a slightly higher compete level.
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Post by Garand on Dec 16, 2014 7:41:57 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to this one as a matchup between two great setters. I know Carlini gets - and deserves - huge attention, but I see Bugg as an amazing setter who quietly goes about her business running what I view as the best offense in the country. As has been mentioned, Stanford's serve receive will largely nullify Hancock's serve, so I give Stanford the edge in pure setting. Madi Bugg has played brilliantly of late, and I can't wait to see her play Thursday. And no, I'm not her Dad. It's been a treat to see these talented setters playing against each other in the tournament. Like most, I would list Carlini, Bugg, and Hancock as the three best setters in college, but let's not ignore the others. Who would get your vote for the next three spots?
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Post by dorothymantooth on Dec 16, 2014 8:09:47 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to this one as a matchup between two great setters. I know Carlini gets - and deserves - huge attention, but I see Bugg as an amazing setter who quietly goes about her business running what I view as the best offense in the country. As has been mentioned, Stanford's serve receive will largely nullify Hancock's serve, so I give Stanford the edge in pure setting. Madi Bugg has played brilliantly of late, and I can't wait to see her play Thursday. And no, I'm not her Dad. It's been a treat to see these talented setters playing against each other in the tournament. Like most, I would list Carlini, Bugg, and Hancock as the three best setters in college, but let's not ignore the others. Who would get your vote for the next three spots? Not sure who the next three are, but the gap between these three and the next is significant. Bugg deserves to be in the conversation along with Micha and Carlini, but she doesn't have the "rockstar" appeal they have.
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Post by zenyada on Dec 16, 2014 8:48:15 GMT -5
My thinking is the two xfactors will be Micha's serve, and Boukather's defense.
The top spin is easily returned when not ripped, and if Penn St gets behind there may be added pressure for her to score with it, increasing the risk for error. So will it be "on" when needed? Hancock is a gamer, and absolutely nailed it in last years final, but you can't always dial it up.
Boukather is a terrific hitter, but I think she's out there in six rotations because Stanford doesn't have a DS that's better, not because she's a great defender...or Dunning is looking for continuity. On the other side Fuller has been terrific is the DS role.
Pulling for the Cardinal, but Penn State's floor defense has looked awfully good lately. I'm not confident.
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Post by akbar on Dec 16, 2014 9:22:13 GMT -5
My thinking is the two xfactors will be Micha's serve, and Boukather's defense. The top spin is easily returned when not ripped, and if Penn St gets behind there may be added pressure for her to score with it, increasing the risk for error. So will it be "on" when needed? Hancock is a gamer, and absolutely nailed it in last years final, but you can't always dial it up. Boukather is a terrific hitter, but I think she's out there in six rotations because Stanford doesn't have a DS that's better, not because she's a great defender...or Dunning is looking for continuity. On the other side Fuller has been terrific is the DS role. Pulling for the Cardinal, but Penn State's floor defense has looked awfully good lately. I'm not confident. Actually Hancock has taken a bit off a few serves and adied some more side spin and those were the ones that got Nebraska in trouble. She has not nailed that 5 to 1 shot down the line in a while so that nugget is still in her bag of tricks. Solid vs explosive.....I will take explosive in a Final 4 venue , especially considering the experience that PSU brings to the table.
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