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Post by skiumah on Dec 19, 2014 17:38:03 GMT -5
I would like to see BYU win, and I root for Minnesota and generally follow the BIG. No doubt PSU's success deserves utmost deference.
Bottom line, PSU has beaten 2 consecutive opponents that I believe would beat BYU 5 or 6 out of 7 matches: Wisconsin and Stanford. It's too bad Carlini wasn't herself - if she was healthy, at the very least PSU would have been pushed to 5.
BYU was pretty close to going 5 games with UT who had a gift wrapped bracket. Had UT been more challenged before BYU, Cinderella goes home & I frankly don't like UT, so I'm happy they lost. I don't think UT would beat Stanford, Wisconsin or PSU as well. They're success generally comes early season, but their conference slate doesn't do enough for them come tourney time.
I hope we have a 5 set match, but something tells me this one is going in 3 for PSU, 4 at most. Of course if I'm wrong, not an ounce of hard feelings, underdog wins & a great story prevails - really respect and appreciate what the BYU gals and their coach has done.
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Post by azvb on Dec 19, 2014 18:29:52 GMT -5
Does anyone know which OKC bar the BYU celebration party will be at? Is there an A&W in town? Or Sonic?
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Post by tomclen on Dec 19, 2014 19:05:14 GMT -5
Hey , perché non si chiama il tocco
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2014 21:06:55 GMT -5
For those who are interested, we've posted a Q&A with Club Coach and Talking Head, both of whom played the sport at the collegiate level and both of whom have enjoyed successful careers in coaching, as well as a Stat Joust of three sortable tables comparing the attack, serving, and blocking/points for Penn State and BYU. Here's the link: www.dignittanyvolleyball.com/penn-state-vs-byu-q-and-a-with-club-coach-and-talking-head-and-stat-joust/ And here's an excerpt: About the Stanford MatchBefore we get to BYU, two quick questions about Thursday night’s match against Stanford: 1) were you surprised how tough it was for Penn State’s middles offensively (6-2 Sr. MH Nia Grant had 5 kills, 4 errors and hit .059 and 6-3 Fr. MH Haleigh Washington had 6 kills, 2 errors, and hit .190)? and 2) were you surprised at how effective the Nittany Lions were at keeping Stanford’s 6-3 Jr. MB Inky Ajanaku in check (9 kills, 7 errors, .091 attack %)? Club Coach: While I would have anticipated that all of those players would have put up better numbers, I wouldn’t say I am surprised. In the end, it was pretty clear that both teams were committed to expending energy slowing down the other team’s most efficient point scorers. The problem for Stanford was that Penn State’s other players were simply better than Stanford’s. It isn’t uncommon at all in big matches in any sport, for the star to be someone other than the big names. Talking Head: I think many of us thought that both sets of middles would be more effective than they were, but ultimately they seemed to cancel each other out. However, in the long run, Grant was able to step up and take control late in game 4 to make an impact. Inky is a phenomenal athlete, but didn’t seem to be able to adjust at the last minute to find ways to score. On the BYU BlockDigNittany: Stanford’s middles were both very good blockers, but Penn State still enjoyed great success with 6-2 Jr. OH Megan Courtney (a career-high 23 kills on .321 hitting) and 6-1 Fr. OH Ali Frantti (16 kills, .375 attack %) hitting line instead of cross-court. Statistically, at least, BYU is even better than Stanford – much better. After last night’s win over Texas, the Cougars are averaging 3.89 blocks/set (Penn State averages 2.67 blocks/set), with 6-0 So. MB Whitney Young averaging 1.92, 6-4 So. MB Amy Boswell averaging 1.69, and 6-7 Sr. Opp/RS Jennifer Hamson averaging 1.31 blocks/set respectively. Those are fearsome numbers. All three are obviously very good players. Do Young, Boswell and Hamson pose different problems for Penn State than Stanford’s blockers did, and if so, what will the Nittany Lions need to do differently to be effective against the Cougar’s block? Club Coach: Well certainly Hamson poses a bigger problem, figuratively and literally. BYU is an exceptional blocking team — especially when they dictate the point of attack to the opponent. Passing is the way you neutralize BYU’s block.
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Post by kidfree on Dec 19, 2014 21:49:07 GMT -5
I think PSU will win but BYU could steal it if their block can cause the PSU players to start thinking too much. Hitters thinking about getting around the block. Passers and setters also thinking too much about it.
When it comes to the man in the blue glasses (Giuseppe Vinci), he will definitely be a factor. He is one of the cofounders of a company called VolleyMetrics that has an enormous amount of stats and data on every team and is used by many of the teams out there. Think Moneyball for volleyball. Wouldn't surprise me if he came up with a little nugget.
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Post by Mocha on Dec 19, 2014 22:29:27 GMT -5
Giuseppe was also on the staff of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team under Hugh.
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Post by ja on Dec 19, 2014 22:55:26 GMT -5
To me PSU is a 5 point per set favorite. PSU in 3. Don't forget that BYU had nothing to loose! They already jumped over everybody and the only one team they have to beat left! I can see them stilling first set. Two punch attack is not nearly enough to stop PSU offense. Regardless, I can see this match actually a little bit closer, as long as BYU will continue play with minimum own mistakes. BYU block will be a key for them to stay competitive and force PSU to make unforced error and try to capitalize on this. For PSU number of service errors will be a crucial stat in win.
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Post by Mocha on Dec 19, 2014 23:12:50 GMT -5
Other than the last two matches Penn State has no film of BYU with Robins-Hardy playing setter.
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Post by akbar on Dec 19, 2014 23:29:31 GMT -5
Other than the last two matches Penn State has no film of BYU with Robins-Hardy playing setter. This setter has location issues. Great potential but this aspect is something that will help PSU.
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Post by c4ndlelight on Dec 19, 2014 23:35:27 GMT -5
Other than the last two matches Penn State has no film of BYU with Robins-Hardy playing setter. Does it really matter? Penn St. is gonna serve BYU to death.
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Post by PukaPants on Dec 20, 2014 1:14:52 GMT -5
BYU's passing has to be on point if they want to win. PSU's passing against Stanford was way better than BYU's vs. Texas. Alohi's had location and tempo issues vs. Texas because the passing wasn't consistent. They were lucky Texas' passing was even worse.
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Post by volleyfan24 on Dec 20, 2014 1:32:36 GMT -5
If BYU is going to win this game its going to be with their block, its the only area they really are better than the Lions. Sure they have Hamson and Gray but Whitney and Frantti aren't far behind them in overall skill. The thing with the BYU block is it really gives them tons of confidence. Blocks really are momentum builders. I don't think there is a better way to score in volleyball.
I will be rooting for the Cougars but the Lions have a complete team. If BYU can't pass the Penn State serve they will be in tons of trouble.
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Post by badgerbreath on Dec 20, 2014 1:42:02 GMT -5
I don't think it's a foregone conclusion. PSU's hitters are generally young and inexperienced. They tend to be successful because the passing allows them the faster offense. If they get slowed down with mediocre passing, that BYU block would dominate the match. Honestly, I think Frantti is going to struggle all match. BYU has to serve aggressively. The badgers managed 14 blocks against PSU in 4 games by doing so, so you'd think BYU could do better. However, the badgers suffered 14 service errors -- the ball was just floating long all night -- so there is a real risk in that approach. But to win, BYU has to keep PSU off balance enough that their block limits options and allows them reasonable transition opportunities with Gray and Hamson. They have to hope they can execute a little better than the badgers did.
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Post by tomclen on Dec 20, 2014 3:19:51 GMT -5
Okay, BYU. They are not going to beat FSU. Well, okay. Never mind. But they sure won't be beating Nebraska. Look what Nebraska did to Washington. Okay, so, yeah. Sweep. Right. But now it's the pressure of the Final Four. Plus, Lord, Texas. Man. No way. Okay, but you know, Elliott coaching and all. But now, we know what we're talking about. No way, they beat Penn State. This time for reals.
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Post by poidog on Dec 20, 2014 3:25:18 GMT -5
Does anyone know which OKC bar the BYU celebration party will be at? Is there an A&W in town? Or Sonic? Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy....really good cheap ice cream.
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