Other Scores: 09/18/2004

[Gorf]

www.richkern.com/vb/GameScores/date.asp?Div=DI&Date1=9%2F18%2F2004&Date2=0&Sort=date

Ohio def. Pepperdine, 3-1
(30-13, 34-36, 30-20, 30-25)

Ball State def. Arkansas, 3-0
(30-25, 30-25, 30-28)

EWU def. Chicago State, 3-0
(30-12, 30-24, 30-28)

Georgia Tech def. Middle Tennessee, 3-0
(30-27, 30-19, 30-22)

Northern Iowa def. Northern Illinois, 3-0
(30-24, 30-28, 30-20)

[Gorf]

Pepperdine falls to 2-5 on the season.

I wonder if that will drop them out of the AVCA top 25 on Monday?

[GatorVball]

Pepperdine will fall out, there's no way anyone can vote to keep them in the top 25.

Ohio's a pretty good team. Their losses are to Michigan State in 3 and Colorado State in 4. They beat FAMU in 3, although FAMU was without a few players, but that might end up being their best win, as Pepperdine continues to struggle.

[Deleted]

With 5 losses in its last 6 outings--the latest being almost swept by a good but unranked Ohio team--Pepperdine has to be out of the top 25 (unless Nina is already working the phones). Long faces in Malibu.

[TheSantaBarbarian]

You're wondering? There's not a chance they stay ranked. The real question is, what happened to them.

[Gorf]

I'm not ready to write them off completely for the season yet.

I recall a team last year that started out poorly after a high pre-season ranking and was able to turn things around rather nicely before their season finally came to an end in Dallas.

[Island]

As I said previously, they are young. They have a senior hitter in Shultz, a junior hitter in Daly and a junior setter in Mellhorn but their firepower and blocking power are anchored by two sophomores(McClune and Milo) and a freshman(Lecca Roberts). They are getting outblocked, outhit and only slightly outdug. They are being outblocked almost two to one. Considering they are a physical team (6-4, 6-5, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0, 5-9) it either means they are not getting there, their offensive sputter is distracting them or that they are just not closing the seams well enough in their system. Since I don't think Nina has done any changes to a traditionally well blocking team, I would guess it has to be experience. Yes, I know Milo hit very well last year. But that doesn't mean they are showing her different looks that take her off the game. I think this team will grow into a tough team if they just keep at it. I was surprised by their high ranking so early in the season so it was maybe too much for them to hold such a coveted spot. they will recuperate as long they smooth out their troubles in the middle(.200 is not a good percentage) and get a few more blocks here and there. Consistent blocking is a key because teams will smell blood when such a big team is not pressing well.

[Deleted]

Who is hurt for Pep? They kept talking about a bunch of injuries on both the TV broadcasts I've watched, but who is it that's out?

[Deleted]

Speaking of Pep, could their run of championships in the West Coast be in jeopardy?

San Diego? St. Mary's?

[IdahoBoy]

Rice knocked off LMU in 3? Dang.

[slider]

Earlier today, Virginia beat Cincinatti 3-1. Just now Virginia knocked off Marshall 3-1, but scores were pretty close. Right now, Wisconsin is about to play Cincinatti.

[Deleted]

My memory device for spelling Cincinnati.

One N, two Ns. Easy as pi.

[Barefoot In Kailua]

TheDreadBarbarianSanta said:

You're wondering? There's not a chance they stay ranked. The real question is, what happened to them.

They get smoked twice by Hawai'i next week.

[Island]

slider said:

Earlier today, Virginia beat Cincinatti 3-1. Just now Virginia knocked off Marshall 3-1, but scores were pretty close. Right now, Wisconsin is about to play Cincinatti.

Interesting, could that mean that Virginia is the real deal this year for the ACC. I bet Kirkwood was their leading hitter for the Cavaliers again.

[Gorf]

In a battle of the nell's Corn swept Buck 27-27-24.