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Post by skeleton on Dec 2, 2015 12:29:16 GMT -5
Don't think you want to kiss that M.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Dec 2, 2015 13:35:28 GMT -5
Fully loaded Wahine head to Texas tourney By Cindy Luis Posted December 01, 2015
“Aloha” meets “Howdy” beginning Wednesday when seventh-ranked but unseeded Hawaii arrives at College Station, Texas, to open the NCAA tournament. It is the second straight year that the Rainbow Wahine (26-1) are on the road for a first-round match, the 10th time in 12 seasons.
But the deja vu goes beyond the most-traveled team in NCAA volleyball to be traveling again.
“It feels like an old WAC kind of travel,” Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said of the Western Athletic Conference. “We fly all night to Texas and get on a bus. It’s like going to Louisiana Tech.”
It will be a much shorter drive than the five-hour one the Rainbow Wahine used to make to Ruston, La. This time it’s about 90 minutes to the host Aggies’ campus, but it will be deja vu all over again when Hawaii sees former WAC opponent TCU across the net in Friday’s first match.
The Horned Frogs (19-9), an at-large selection out of the Big 12, have made first-year coach Jill Pape Kramer’s homecoming a very successful one; Kramer played for TCU (1996-99), where she was the program’s first scholarship player.
TCU’s signature win was a sweep over then-No. 2 Texas in the overflow 2,000-seat University Recreation Center on Oct. 28, the program’s first victory over the Longhorns.
“They look good on film,” Shoji said. “We’ll have our work cut out for us.”
Hawaii will do its game preparation with its entire 15-player roster on the trip for the first time this season. That includes redshirt middle Natasha Burns as well as junior middle Annie Mitchem, who hasn’t played — or traveled — since fracturing her right pinkie finger in the Oct. 17 home match.
Some six weeks later, Mitchem was finally cleared to practice Tuesday and took a few reps.
As happy as she was about that, she was even happier that she’ll be about two hours northwest of her hometown of Friendswood on Wednesday.
“I am really excited to go home, see some family and eat the food in Texas,” said Mitchem, the reigning two-time two-year-college national player of the year. “(The finger) is still pretty sore, so I’m not too sure when (she’ll be cleared to play). Hitting and blocking could be difficult.”
While Mitchem isn’t expecting a lot of family and friends to make the drive, one friend will already be there. TCU starting junior outside hitter Jillian Bergeson, who transferred from Pepperdine after two seasons, was Mitchem’s high school and club teammate.
One other Hawaii connection will be starting for host Texas A&M. Sophomore middle Jazzmin Babers is the daughter of former Rainbow Warrior Dino Babers, current head football coach at Bowling Green, and Sue Hemenway Babers, who played for the Rainbow Wahine in 1981.
The 6-foot-2 Jazzmin Babers, an honorable mention All-American last season, leads the Aggies in kills (3.20 kps) and blocks (1.41 bps). She was named the national player of the week on Nov. 24 after leading Texas A&M to a sweep of No. 19 Kentucky and a five-set victory over No. 14 Florida, and has started every match during her three-year career.
“I was excited when I saw Hawaii was coming here,” Jazzmin Babers said in a phone call with the Star-Advertiser on Tuesday. “UH always has a great team, and having that connection with both my parents is cool. It would be really cool if we were to meet.
“Mom isn’t sure if she’s coming, but she has talked about what a great coach (Shoji) is and that she loved him to death.”
The Aggies are coached by Laurie Corbelli, whose husband John, is the associate head coach and a 1974 Punahou graduate.
The last time Hawaii and Texas A&M met was in 1999 in an NCAA regional semifinal at the Stan Sheriff Center. It was also the last time that Hawaii hosted the final four.
“They came in and upset us,” Shoji said of the four-set loss. “They are well coached and will be a great challenge to us if we see them.
“We’ve never played there, but I’ve heard they have a tremendous atmosphere at home and great student support.
“It should be a fun match. But first we have to get there.”
To ensure a good home crowd, the 12th Man Foundation is paying for all TAMU students who wish to attend on both Friday and Saturday. The normal student ticket is $3. Reed Arena seats 12,989.
NCAA VOLLEYBALL
At Reed Arena (12,989 capacity), College Station, Texas
FIRST ROUND
>> Hawaii (26-1) vs. TCU (19-9), 12:30 p.m., Friday
>> Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (31-1) at Texas A&M (23-6), 30 minutes after end of first match
SECOND ROUND
>> Friday’s winners, 2:30 p.m., Saturday (Winner advances to third round, Des Moines, Iowa)
Radio: 1420-AM (Hawaii matches only)
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Post by vbprisoner on Dec 2, 2015 14:25:11 GMT -5
That is really cool that the 12th Man Foundation is paying for any TAMU student who wants to attend to make sure they get the maximum support.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Dec 2, 2015 15:02:14 GMT -5
TCU Volleyball hungry for more than just a tournament bid
By Adam Kelley The TCU Volleyball team earned its second NCAA tournament appearance in program history Sunday, but head coach Jill Kramer said she isn’t satisfied with just making the tournament. “If this is our starting point, then I like that,” Kramer said. “But my goal is for TCU volleyball to hold national championships.” Kramer credited people like head football coach Gary Patterson and head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle for bringing national prominence to TCU athletics. Kramer said she wants that attention for volleyball as well. “We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the athletes,” Kramer said. “But they have to be the best team.” TCU will head to College Station on Friday to take on the University of Hawaii in the first round of the tournament. When asked about her opponent, Kramer said that team is very different from TCU. Kramer said Hawaii is “a little more one dimensional” as most of their points come through one player, while she said that TCU likes to “spread things out.” “I’m not really worried about what’s going on on the other side of the net so much,” Kramer said. “I’m more focused on how we’re practicing every day.” If TCU wins Friday they will play the winner of the Texas A&M and Texas A&M Corpus Christi match, which will be played later that same night. Kramer said she was really proud of her team, but doesn’t think that she’s gotten the most out of them yet. “There are a lot of things I feel we can be a lot better at, but I don’t feel like the season’s anywhere near over,” Kramer said. “I don’t think I can stop and feel like ‘oh wow we made it’ ever. I don’t think I’m ever going to get there. If I do I should probably stop coaching.” www.tcu360.com/2015/12/1201jillkramer/
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Post by volleyfan24 on Dec 2, 2015 15:13:50 GMT -5
Super cool that the A&M boosters are paying for students to attend. But A&M charges students 3 dollars to go to games. Geez no wonder no one goes I am a volleyball fan but convincing friends or family to attend a game is a challenge when they don't understand let alone a student at the University who is broke. I would think student tickets for games would be free.
Go Hawaii I want you to advance out of this sub.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Dec 2, 2015 15:17:52 GMT -5
Kramer said Hawaii is “a little more one dimensional” as most of their points come through one player, while she said that TCU likes to “spread things out.”
“I’m not really worried about what’s going on on the other side of the net so much,” Kramer said. “I’m more focused on how we’re practicing every day.”
If Kramer thinks Hawai'i is one-dimensional, she will be in for a rude awakening on Friday. Yes, Nikki scores about 4 points per set but that doesn't mean Hawai'i doesn't spread the ball around. Hawaii's middles and outsides are still very active. Total attack stats confirm that Hawai'i spreads the ball around as much as the Horned Frogs do but Hawaii's hitters have more kills per set than TCU.
Listening to Shoji and the Wahine, they sound complimentary towards TCU whereas TCU seems pretty cocky. I like the attitude Hawai'i is taking into this match, and because of it (and the talent they have on the team), they'll win big.
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Post by Wolfgang on Dec 2, 2015 15:21:46 GMT -5
I don't think Kramer really believes Hawaii is one-dimensional. This 2015 Hawaii team is one of the most multi-dimensional teams I've ever seen among all the Hawaii teams. Of course, Kramer may just be saying that because she doesn't want to show her hand. If she truly believes it, however, then she's not a good film study.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 15:29:38 GMT -5
I didn't want to say anything about that quote but since you brought it up... after reading that article, I felt like Hawaii's chances got better.
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Post by nakedcrayon on Dec 2, 2015 15:36:41 GMT -5
Casey Richardson and Chelsea Reber calling the match. Who are they? Former college volleyball players? casey is a former high school coach who i think left the coaching ranks when she started a family. Chelsea Reber is a former player at Blinn College who i coached in club her 8th and 9th grade year. And she coached a couple of years for me and other locals clubs as well. They have done some SEC matcvhes for the SEC network this past year. Solid crew, not the huge names but wont be ones that people complain about and Chelsea does a good job being professional as someone who works for the local radio station It should be fun sub regional Open practices begin Thursday at noon CST with Hawaii followed by TCU then TAMU and finally TAMU-CC closed are friday morning Any hawaii fans making the trip let me know if you want recommendations for dining
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Post by roy on Dec 2, 2015 15:41:12 GMT -5
Kramer said Hawaii is “a little more one dimensional” as most of their points come through one player, while she said that TCU likes to “spread things out.” “I’m not really worried about what’s going on on the other side of the net so much,” Kramer said. “I’m more focused on how we’re practicing every day.” If Kramer thinks Hawai'i is one-dimensional, she will be in for a rude awakening on Friday. Yes, Nikki scores about 4 points per set but that doesn't mean Hawai'i doesn't spread the ball around. Hawaii's middles and outsides are still very active. Total attack stats confirm that Hawai'i spreads the ball around as much as the Horned Frogs do but Hawaii's hitters have more kills per set than TCU. Listening to Shoji and the Wahine, they sound complimentary towards TCU whereas TCU seems pretty cocky. I like the attitude Hawai'i is taking into this match, and because of it (and the talent they have on the team), they'll win big. I kind of thought that at first, but then I reread the article. I think it's more the article filling in information between the quotes than the coach. Her quote sounds like it's a single sentence (i.e. how does your team differ from Hawaii? They are a little more one dimensional and we spread things out). The second quote is just coach speak. Frankly, the article (and possibly the interview) was more about getting into the tournament and being a platform for growth than an "Xs and Os" about the match.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Dec 2, 2015 15:45:40 GMT -5
Shoji: “They look good on film, we’ll have our work cut out for us.”
Kramer: “We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the athletes,” “I’m not really worried about what’s going on on the other side of the net so much.”
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Post by Longhorn20 on Dec 2, 2015 16:23:09 GMT -5
Shoji:“They look good on film, we’ll have our work cut out for us.” Kramer:“We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the athletes,” “I’m not really worried about what’s going on on the other side of the net so much.” That first quote was taken out of context. Was not talking about the game against Hawaii. Secondly, I think it is definitely a good idea to focus more on your side of the net than the opponents side. I'm sure she will focus on where Hawaii goes in what rotations and such but probably more focused on cutting down errors and getting good passes. I think y'all are just looking for a fight
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Post by nakedcrayon on Dec 2, 2015 16:37:50 GMT -5
Super cool that the A&M boosters are paying for students to attend. But A&M charges students 3 dollars to go to games. Geez no wonder no one goes I am a volleyball fan but convincing friends or family to attend a game is a challenge when they don't understand let alone a student at the University who is broke. I would think student tickets for games would be free. Go Hawaii I want you to advance out of this sub. Texas A&M offers students a all sports pass, and football only pass (which are very cheap FYI for what you get) at the beginning of the year. If you get the all sports pass all entries to events are free outside of NCAA things like this sub regional. If you dont get the all sports pass option it is $3. Most students dont fully utilize the all sports pass but most get it if they are into sports besides football.
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Post by hapaguy on Dec 2, 2015 17:49:16 GMT -5
Ever been to a UH home match and get scolded by elderly Hawaii fans because you're cheering too loud? How would u handle the situation? I actually had that happen to me at a UH Wahine Basketball game last year in the Booster Club section. This elderly lady (and her mother!) sitting in the row in front of me turned around and yelled at me to "cut it out!". I thought she was joking so I started laughing and she yelled at me "i'm serious!Your shaking my seat and it's annoying me". I guess because of all my clapping, etc....I looked over at Dave & Mary who were seated across the aisle from me and they were shaking their heads in disbelief. So I told her politely that she should watch the game at home on tv if she doesn't want to be disturbed. So her and her mother moved down two rows! I see her at the SSC from time to time and she gives me stink eye every time!...lol
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Dec 2, 2015 18:44:37 GMT -5
Horned Frogs face Hawaii in NCAA Tournament matchup By Kevin Peters-TCU 360
The TCU Volleyball team is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history, following up TCU’s 2009 tourney berth. The Frogs drew the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine in the first round of the College Station regionals. They will play at 4:30 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 4. This matchup pits the Big West conference champions against the fourth place Big 12 team. I liked the comparison in the article of how far the teams have to travel. The Horned Frogs:The Frogs don’t have to travel very far from home. The distance between Fort Worth and College Station is only 173 miles.The Rainbow Wahine:The Rainbow Wahine are going to be a long way from home. The distance from Honolulu to College Station is 3,828 miles.
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