USC vs Alumni

[roofed!]

The alumni team (with Ross, Lantz, Anderson, Killian, Mariani and several players from the 90s' teams) won game 1. Ross, Lantz and Killian at the were showing the young 'uns how to do it -- killing and blocking. Killian especially looked superb. She was giving a clinic on blocking! On the USC side, the problems that I saw at Fort Collins were still there -- bad passing, inconsistent setting, and hitting errors.

In game 2, Haley went with the reserves -- Nena, Bishop at MB (instead of Adams), Montgomery at libero, and Florian at outside with Copenhagen as the starting Opposite and Dunphy and Venski coming in for the double-sub. The dynamics of the team changed dramatically. First Nena set a very good game. She was connecting well with her hitters, and especially with the MBs, thus allowing the team to run a more varied offense. She also has better court awareness (than Dillon and Freeburg) and able to get better matchups for the hitters who were able to go 1-on-1 and through the seams. You could see the difference in her setting the 1s and 3s, allowing Candelas and Adams to slam the balls down rather than tipping. Florian was also superb. She showed why she deserves to be the starting OH instead of Robinson. Her passing, her defense and her hitting were better than Robinson. In games 2, 3 and 4, Florian played as the OH and Robinson came in as part of the double-sub (where I think she is better suited). Florian also brings in physicality and aggressiveness to the team. With her on the court, the team's demeanor was different (for the better) -- more aggressive, more stable, more in-rhythm and more capable of dominating opponents.

Given the experimentation of game 1 and 2, and looking at the players on court on game 3 and 4, I think below will be the new starting line-up:

OH: Burdine and Florian
MB: Candelas and Adams
Opp: Venski
S: Siljegovic
L: Seilhammer

6-2 subs: Freeburg/Dillon and Robinson/Copenhagen.

With this new line-up, I think the team will be at least 50% better than what it was at Fort Collins.

[mossv2]

I was dying to go to this game. I needed a USC Volleyball fix because the next game at the Lyon Center isn't going to be until sometime late in September, but extenuating circumstances prevented it.

That being said, I have a question for you Roofed... how did Venski and the other setters do? Nena got the rave reviews but it would be nice to see Freeburg or Dillon make some strides too, and I really and truly feel that if Staci establishes herself as a force on the opposite it will make for a scary front line of Keao, Bibiana, and herself.

Side note: I might be covering the Women of Troy for the DT, so here's hoping that comes through!

[roofed!]

USC will be playing this friday against the Univ. of British Columbia (exhibition match) and on saturday against Georgia on campus. There was some mixed up/confusion over the scheduling of these matches over the last 3 days as I think they tried to get those matches organised in a tournament in malibu. But today, those matches are announced as playing at Lyon Center.

Regarding Venski, she has improved this year. Her hitting is better but she still lacks the physical presence at the net. She does not impose her presence like Olsovsky did. USC's blocking is still an area of concern to me as it seems that they are not jumping higher or penetrating the net better (of course, the opposing teams are getting better by avoiding the tall blocks, but the seams were not shut).

Both Freeburg and Dillon played better, imo, today than they did last week, but I really like the team with Siljegovic and especially Florian on the floor. Both players put up convincing cases why they deserve more playing time, and starting positions. With Florian on the floor, you would miss April Ross much less than it would be if you have Robinson as the other OH instead. At this stage, Florian did not play like a freshman, and I would rate her as being almost as good as April Ross was in her junior year (Florian has a nice backrow attack, something that Ross did not really develop until her junior year).

Well, good luck with your DT's assignment.

[brybry]

sweetspot said:

I was also impressed with Florian and all of the Trojan setters. Florian makes USC much better because she can pass the ball. USC has three solid setters, I have to see more of Dumphy to put her in the category of the other three. USC still has to play much better defense. They do not look like a team in the back court on a mission. I think they miss Davis's determination more than anything else. Mick must keep Freeburg on the floor because she plays so hard and plays defense, her setting will continue to get better. I like the way Siljegovic sets the ball. The ball gets out of her hand so quick. Dillon is a good setter suited to set for a team who passes well and uses a quick offense. She must gain strength to be successful in the USC system. I have said this before, if USC will pass and play defense, they can repete. Mick has got to find a way to get his middle back defenders to play harder.

Who is playing middleback defense? Traditionally it's been the OH (so that would have been Ross and Burdine last season). Are Burdine and Florian not hitting the floor enough? I never thought Robinson should be a starter based on her previous performance. I'm glad Mick is giving her a chance, but if she doesn't improve like all the other players have, then there's no way she should be on the floor.
How is Seilhammer as Davis's replacement? Better passer but slower on scrambling? How is she at digging the hard driven balls?
I'm really excited to see Florian play and even more so to see Gysin when she's healthy. If Florian can be as effective as Ross in from hitting behind the 10 foot line, that says a lot. BTW, I think Ross was always good from hitting from the backrow. They used her quite a bit her freshman year. Her sophmore year they went away from it due to the 6-2 and the inclusion of such strong hitters like Burdine and Robinson.
I think it'll be tough to match the graduating seniors focus and intensity. Ross, Anderson, Olsovsky and Davis were quite special not just in their physical gifts but their attitude and mind set toward the game.

[Deleted]

Anyone know why Seilhamer does not serve for either Adams or Candelas?

She replaces them after they serve, right? Or does Candelas stay in sometimes as a BR hitter?