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Post by deputy176 on Oct 31, 2019 8:28:36 GMT -5
I agree, just enjoy the ride and see how far it takes us. As a fan we expect a final 4 every year. That is and should be the mindset of the fan base and the players. Some years it just doesn't work out. Injuries this year and too many transfers from last year have hurt us. I don't know how far this team will go, but they just keep finding ways to win. I will enjoy watching them down the stretch and hope for the best. Go Gophers.
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Post by wiscvball on Oct 31, 2019 8:48:33 GMT -5
One match at a time. That's what I think Minnesota has to do. I really think the Purdue match will be difficult for them. Purdue is in rhythm, hitting their stride and (Insert cliche' here.) Minnesota, on the other hand, is not. Minnesota has been winning matches just the same, figuring it out as they go. I just don't think trial and error is going to work in West Lafayette, Ind. I'm tired now - new match thread in the morning. The good news for Minnesota is you are 10-1 right now in conference and the schedule is set up nicely for some continued success. I think Purdue on Sunday will be a big challenge, but certainly a match the Gophers (without Miller) could win. Then you have 2 very winnable road matches (Maryland, OSU) to buy another week of rest & recovery for your injured players. Then a somewhat brutal stretch, but fortunately all at home - Wisc, Mich, Neb. Then 2 likely wins with Iowa & Rutgers before finishing @ PSU. In the recent stretch of matches, you've had some solid 5-set match experience, which will also come in handy down the road. I could see outcomes anywhere from 19-1 and at least a share of the B1G title to maybe 15-5 on the low end, which is still a very solid performance for the B1G and will likely earn a seed in the postseason.
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Post by snickers on Oct 31, 2019 8:54:48 GMT -5
It has been good to see all of the women staying positive on the court and being relentlessly supportive of one another.
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Post by B1Gminnesotafan on Oct 31, 2019 9:36:41 GMT -5
And another good thing is that they are unpredictable. Its hard to scout this team.
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Post by courtwatchers on Oct 31, 2019 9:39:46 GMT -5
After last night's game, I think we have just about seen all the defensive options. Litzau was the only player not brought in. Her game must not have developed or otherwise we would have seen her playing by now.
We all know Rollins has not improved this year when it comes to digging. However, I disagree with some that she might not be playing next year. Yes we have a top recruiting class coming in, but Hugh could pull the plug with Rollins like he did with Hart and sub in Kilkelly. You have to admit that she can still give us those WOW's as an OH just like Alexis can.
I also want to point out, as much as Pittman has helped our game, digging is not. I have noticed so many times that teams will target her when she is back there and the result is NOT in our favor. Also....I totally agree with Ruffda that CC's second touch is AWFUL. Hugh's hands are tied and it doesn't appear he has any other choices in trying to fix our back court game. So let's focus on the blocking/hitting game. The 6-2 might be it.
I know this is a future comment, but I am hoping that Hugh can bring in next season an experienced setter for two years like he did with Alexander Palmer. One who is at least 6' and with some leadership qualities. Not asking for much, am I? Right now there are no guarantees that Shaffmaster will be able to step in as a Freshman and get the job done.
This team needs to settle in for the rest of this season and for the future. As painful as it is to watch, it has to be the same for these players. Experimenting needs to be over and tough decisions on what players will be playing and what offense we will be using needs to happen.
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Post by dc on Oct 31, 2019 9:46:19 GMT -5
I am enjoying: -Bayley getting an opportunity and doing the very best she can -CC's enthusiastic celebrations -Bayley's BLOCKS -Pittman's really good performances -watching Hugh and the team sorting themselves out after train wrecks during matches and figuring out a way to win -all of their victories despite all of the challenges they have faced
This season seems a season to lower expectations. If they take more beatings like FSU and Wisconsin, which looks probable, I don't think I will enjoy that. But who knows how the season will end and there has been a lot to enjoy so far.
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Post by craftylefty on Oct 31, 2019 9:55:16 GMT -5
It has been good to see all of the women staying positive on the court and being relentlessly supportive of one another. There has been a lot of positive energy and encouragement the last few matches. They seem to really be banding together, even with all the different lineups. I'm loving it so much.
Especially encouraging is the support for the newer players when they make a play (Miyabe, Dolonga). Attitude won't fix their passing woes, lol, but it sure does help in a lot of other ways.
Really, really been enjoying watching Miyabe on the right side the last few matches!
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Post by lovebugsm on Oct 31, 2019 9:57:38 GMT -5
Really, really been enjoying watching Miyabe on the right side the last few matches!
[/quote] Same. Like a lot!
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Post by B1Gminnesotafan on Oct 31, 2019 10:19:15 GMT -5
Adanna Rollins has better blocks/set the Hart (.53 vs .34) and Hart is a senior. better digs/set than Samedy (3.14 vs 2.85) and Samedy plays behind McMenimen; plenty of opportunities. better rec% than Kilkelly (.940 vs .947) close, I know. Her hitting % is the least of any of the starters yet better than any of the subs used except Miyabe. She has 18 assists and I must say her second contact is quite good compared to the other outsides.
So although I agree there is room for improvement I don't think all the criticism is warranted. I would hope for continued improvement; she could be quite the star player.
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Post by mplssetter on Oct 31, 2019 10:30:20 GMT -5
Rollins seems to have stretches where she has like 3 or 4 contacts in a row that are negative, whether it be a shanked pass, missed serve, or late on tip coverage. Of course, nobody is perfect. However, it's the times where she does not make an effort or is clearly not ready to make a play that irritate some fans. Also those times when she is late to transition and therefor has to tip or roll shot.
To her credit, she is starting to develop a really sharp cut shot and proved in this match that she can take a big swing on match point.
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Post by trianglevolleyball on Oct 31, 2019 10:41:35 GMT -5
Adanna Rollins has better blocks/set the Hart (.53 vs .34) and Hart is a senior. better digs/set than Samedy (3.14 vs 2.85) and Samedy plays behind McMenimen; plenty of opportunities. better rec% than Kilkelly (.940 vs .947) close, I know. Her hitting % is the least of any of the starters yet better than any of the subs used except Miyabe. She has 18 assists and I must say her second contact is quite good compared to the other outsides. So although I agree there is room for improvement I don't think all the criticism is warranted. I would hope for continued improvement; she could be quite the star player. These stats are ridiculously un-contextualized. Rollins plays OH2 and thus blocks 2.5 rotations against opposing front row right sides, while Hart does that for 0.5 rotations. Rollins also blocks next to Pittman, who I’d argue is the best blocker in the country (that’s a convo for another post). Rollins plays middle back, Samedy plays right back, middle back is always going to get more digs than right back. Do you see the balls being hit at Samedy over McMenimen, who’s getting just her hands over the net most times? Samedy also doesn’t play back row all the time as a result of Bayley’s weak net defense. Samedy is a drastically better defender, end of story. One assist per match is not much, the fact that a middle is the pick for first hands when Bailey is off the court is much more telling. Until 15-15, Rollins was easily the worst player on the court in the 5th set. Rewatch it. She probably lost about 5 points for the Team between slow defense, passing woes, and hitting errors. She needs to be extremely thankful that Hart was able to get that crosscourt kill off of her shanked pass out of the timeout. Whoever said earlier that Rollins has as many impressive swings as Hart, that’s delusion. The only reason she has such a long leash on the court is because Hart can’t pass and because her back-up Sheehan happens to be the only player on any top BIG team who tips and rolls more than she does. Rollins needs to pick it up, period, or the hopes have 3-4 more losses on their schedule and a potential to not make the Sweet 16.
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Post by B1Gminnesotafan on Oct 31, 2019 10:47:33 GMT -5
Adanna Rollins has better blocks/set the Hart (.53 vs .34) and Hart is a senior. better digs/set than Samedy (3.14 vs 2.85) and Samedy plays behind McMenimen; plenty of opportunities. better rec% than Kilkelly (.940 vs .947) close, I know. Her hitting % is the least of any of the starters yet better than any of the subs used except Miyabe. She has 18 assists and I must say her second contact is quite good compared to the other outsides. So although I agree there is room for improvement I don't think all the criticism is warranted. I would hope for continued improvement; she could be quite the star player. These stats are ridiculously un-contextualized. Rollins plays OH2 and thus blocks 2.5 rotations against opposing front row right sides, while Hart does that for 0.5 rotations. Rollins also blocks next to Pittman, who I’d argue is the best blocker in the country (that’s a convo for another post). Rollins plays middle back, Samedy plays right back, middle back is always going to get more digs than right back. Do you see the balls being hit at Samedy over McMenimen, who’s getting just her hands over the net most times? Samedy also doesn’t play back row all the time as a result of Bayley’s weak net defense. Samedy is a drastically better defender, end of story. One assist per match is not much, the fact that a middle is the pick for first hands when Bailey is off the court is much more telling. Until 15-15, Rollins was easily the worst player on the court in the 5th set. Rewatch it. She probably lost about 5 points for the Team between slow defense, passing woes, and hitting errors. She needs to be extremely thankful that Hart was able to get that crosscourt kill off of her shanked pass out of the timeout. Whoever said earlier that Rollins has as many impressive swings as Hart, that’s delusion. The only reason she has such a long leash on the court is because Hart can’t pass and because her back-up Sheehan happens to be the only player on any top BIG team who tips and rolls more than she does. Rollins needs to pick it up, period, or the hopes have 3-4 more losses on their schedule and a potential to not make the Sweet 16. I knew I would get this reaction because it is impossible to compare different positions. However, I still think she is being over-the-top criticised. I wasn't talking about one match either; she has had better matches. On another note, I wish Miyabe would get a chance at OH, but we need her for 6-2 to be a right side.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2019 11:26:22 GMT -5
I agree, just enjoy the ride and see how far it takes us. As a fan we expect a final 4 every year. That is and should be the mindset of the fan base and the players. Some years it just doesn't work out. Injuries this year and too many transfers from last year have hurt us. I don't know how far this team will go, but they just keep finding ways to win. I will enjoy watching them down the stretch and hope for the best. Go Gophers. I agree but there were only two transfers that hurt them, and Nielsen's was because of depth. What REALLY hurt was the timing -- how late these transfers were (after the trip to Japan). Pretty hard to compensate for them at that point, although they did pick up Dolonga.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2019 11:31:40 GMT -5
After last night's game, I think we have just about seen all the defensive options. Litzau was the only player not brought in. Her game must not have developed or otherwise we would have seen her playing by now. The issue with her probably is mostly to do with team needs. Another DS really isn't something they can afford, in terms of subs. We know she can pass and she has a decent serve, but it's a numbers thing. She could replace Kilkelly, I suppose, but I still think Rachel's been playing well. Her passing problems don't seem to last for long, except for that match where she was forced to be CC.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2019 11:33:38 GMT -5
I am enjoying: -Bayley getting an opportunity and doing the very best she can -CC's enthusiastic celebrations -Bayley's BLOCKS -Pittman's really good performances -watching Hugh and the team sorting themselves out after train wrecks during matches and figuring out a way to win -all of their victories despite all of the challenges they have faced This season seems a season to lower expectations. If they take more beatings like FSU and Wisconsin, which looks probable, I don't think I will enjoy that. But who knows how the season will end and there has been a lot to enjoy so far. I would add Hart's play to this. She's had a couple of off matches, but for the most part she's been the 2nd most consistent offensive player.
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