|
Post by huskervbfan on Feb 24, 2005 18:12:55 GMT -5
This was the quote, although I think there were others. "It was a good match, obviously we didn't take advantage of our opportunities to win and USC did. I think the difference was Keao Burdine, she showed why she was the MVP of the last two final fours. I thought their libero did a great job and that was probably the difference in the match. " Mountain out of a mole hill? Dunno. This is IT? By saying USC's L made the difference, that is trashing McCormicK?? By praising Burdine, I guess that also means he was trashing Jen S. and Christina H. They must obviously be making plans to leave also then. I think the poster who guessed that Jen was picked to move to L and Amanda only having a two-year scholie with that running out is the right guess. Everything else is just people trying to make more out of it than it is.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2005 18:33:15 GMT -5
How about this (from LJS):
"Cook also reiterated the importance of an outstanding libero in getting to the Final Four. Although Amanda McCormick set NU's postseason record with 30 digs, the sophomore was unable to match the court coverage and pin-point accuracy of USC sophomore Debora Seilhamer, a native of Puerto Rico whose defensive prowess allowed Southern California to play more strategically."
|
|
|
Post by FreeBall on Feb 24, 2005 22:14:05 GMT -5
How about this (from LJS): "Cook also reiterated the importance of an outstanding libero in getting to the Final Four. Although Amanda McCormick set NU's postseason record with 30 digs, the sophomore was unable to match the court coverage and pin-point accuracy of USC sophomore Debora Seilhamer, a native of Puerto Rico whose defensive prowess allowed Southern California to play more strategically." Most of what you quote here is not a direct quote from Cook, but rather the interpretation of the writer (probably Todd Henrichs). While you can assume that it is based on what Cook said in the interview, it is subject to nuance or spin, or whatever you want to call it. I still think that McCormick's impending transfer is a playing time issue. And, I would not fault Cook (or any other coach) for trying to put his/her best lineup on the floor. If that ruffles some feathers in the process, so be it.
|
|
|
Post by foreignball on Feb 24, 2005 22:23:29 GMT -5
.... Many kids were/are reluctant to play libero in club because they couldn't play that position on their high school team. Most high school teams that have amazing passers, defenders on their teams have them on the court all six rotations, not just three. There are a lot of small kids playing outside hitter in high school that can just pass nails. Many parents do not want to pay money for their kids to play a position in club that they will not play in high school. ...... As far as I know the first thing that any parent cares for is to ensure his/her daughter’s scholarship. It’s also a well known fact that club ball provides ‘ships opportunities (99 out of 100), not the HS one. So from that perspective the above post seems strange….who would like to pay (big) money for nothing?
|
|
|
Post by berrylogan on Feb 24, 2005 22:34:49 GMT -5
I find it very strange that the Nebraska team captain that just set an all time single season digging record at one of the most storied collegiate programs in the country willl have her scholarship taken away her junior year.
|
|
|
Post by foreignball on Feb 24, 2005 22:36:20 GMT -5
Quite a few people here are talking about “produce or leave” unwritten rule in collegiate sports and my understanding is it applies to the athletic performance. OTOH it’s been said many times in different threads school always comes first and college diploma is the primary goal for any student-athlete. A recent example is the Proposed Rules Changes thread where it’s been posted NCAA limits practice/playing time in order to ensure all varsity athletes will be able to take/pass successfully their classes. For the same reason they there are academic eligibility requirements, etc. If there is any truth in this “perform or leave” thing student-athletes seem to be in a very tough situation: they have much less time for studying than any ‘regular’ student due to practices/games/traveling but they have to perform in order to meet the academic requirements. They also have to perform athletic wise (b/c otherwise they will be asked to leave) provided they aren't able to practice as much as they want….Let alone this unwritten rule sounds to me like a very professional business approach …..at least my bosses keep telling me exactly these words.
I'm also thinkng whether all players who have to leave end up at different places on scholarships? If not and say their families can't support them financially what happens to their education.....Some players in sports like bball, fball, hockey, baseball have a chance to try pro careers but not in vball.......
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2005 22:49:08 GMT -5
As far as I know the first thing that any parent cares for is to ensure his/her daughter’s scholarship. It’s also a well known fact that club ball provides ‘ships opportunities (99 out of 100), not the HS one. So from that perspective the above post seems strange….who would like to pay (big) money for nothing? What percentage of club kids do you actually think go on to play college volleyball?? With the exception of the elite clubs most high school kids in the midwest anyway are playing club to get better, if a scholarship opportunity comes along, its icing on the cake. I don't disagree that scholarship kids are discovered at the club level, not HS.
|
|
|
Post by foreignball on Feb 24, 2005 23:47:40 GMT -5
1. What percentage of club kids do you actually think go on to play college volleyball?? With the exception of the elite clubs most high school kids in the midwest anyway are playing club to get better, if a scholarship ...... 2. On recruiting defensive specialists being the same as liberos. I disagree and this is why. Currently volleyball is one a few sports(I'm trying to think of other examples but struggling) that has a position used in the college level that we aren't using in high school. Well you say but they can do it in club it isn't that easy. ................................................ Nebraska offered a libero scholarship to the setter that is going to Creighton as she is just a great defensive player, she wanted to remain setting. I just don't think the overall caliber of liberos acrossed the country has even begun to reach greatness. ....... I would say 50-50 ....I believe this is about right at least in my area (I'm also in Midwest). However Quote #2 (from your previous post) somehow connects college/club/HS so scholarship falls there right in place.
|
|
|
Post by huskervbfan on Feb 25, 2005 0:31:00 GMT -5
I find it very strange that the Nebraska team captain that just set an all time single season digging record at one of the most storied collegiate programs in the country willl have her scholarship taken away her junior year. It was NOT taken away at all. You can't take away what was never given. NU has always offered just a 2-year scholarship to the L position. Amanda knew this when she accepted.
|
|
|
Post by brybry on Feb 25, 2005 2:52:00 GMT -5
It was NOT taken away at all. You can't take away what was never given. NU has always offered just a 2-year scholarship to the L position. Amanda knew this when she accepted. So is this 2-year scholarship something that Cook will "re-evaluate". I can't imagine if he had the opportunity to land someone like Gentil or Zartman he would only offer a 2-year.
|
|
|
Post by FreeBall on Feb 25, 2005 6:43:31 GMT -5
So is this 2-year scholarship something that Cook will "re-evaluate". I can't imagine if he had the opportunity to land someone like Gentil or Zartman he would only offer a 2-year. I think that this is part of what is going on right now. Nebraska (and other schools) underestimated the importance of the Libero position and it looks like they are now placing more emphasis on this as an impact position. With a talent like Gentil or Zartman I have no doubt that Cook would offer a 4-year scholarship.
|
|
|
Post by SaltNPepper on Feb 25, 2005 8:19:13 GMT -5
I think that this is part of what is going on right now. Nebraska (and other schools) underestimated the importance of the Libero position and it looks like they are now placing more emphasis on this as an impact position. With a talent like Gentil or Zartman I have no doubt that Cook would offer a 4-year shcolarship. I think this is exactly the point. I recall when McCormick first signed that it was in the press that she was being offered a two year scholarship unlike basically all other recruits who could figure on 4 years. I think that prior to the Liberal, most "defensive specialitists" walked on and often never received a scholarship or possibly got one for a year if there happened to be one available at the program for whatever reason. Only Cook and McCormick know what was said then as to the possibility of getting her scholarship extended if she preformed well - WHICH SHE HAS! I think now Cook realizes that a 4 year deal is something that must be considered for a really top-notch libero recruit. McCormick wasn't an All-American (yet) as a sophmore but did fight through the whole season with an injury so IMO she has done everything we could have hoped for during her first two years here - more than many young ladies that have been granted 4 year scholarships in the past have contributed in their first two years. I would not be disappointed if she changed her mind and decided to stay - we could do worse. Her level of play late this season was such that I would not have ruled out the possiblity that she could be an All-American before she graduates from college, whether here or at another program. I wonder if her leaving has less to do with the fact that she isn't wanted or preforming well and more of the fact that she has performed well enough to earn her a scholarship at some other school that is really in the need of a "good" libero while Nebraska has other good options available to them even if she leaves. I think the big problem is that Nebraska's really recruited well the last couple of years and with Larson coming in, there's going to be some excellent players that don't get much playing time. A move of Jen to the L would seem to open up the OH for some of the other young guns.
|
|
|
Post by Bearkitten on Feb 25, 2005 9:47:56 GMT -5
I sure hope Cook can figure out a way to keep McCormick at Nebraska. Losing his team captain, his top passer and single season digging record holder, with her best two years ahead of her would be a huge blow to Nebraska's championship dreams in 2005.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2005 10:12:12 GMT -5
I sure hope Cook can figure out a way to keep McCormick at Nebraska. Losing his team captain, his top passer and single season digging record holder, with her best two years ahead of her would be a huge blow to Nebraska's championship dreams in 2005. IF Saleamua becomes libero this is not an issue. Jen averaged 3.74 digs per game while McCormick averaged 4.53. Less than one dig per game difference and Jen only played backrow 3 rotations, not all 6 like Amanda did. Plus Jordan Larson is a great passer and defensive player.
|
|
|
Post by vbking on Feb 25, 2005 10:17:13 GMT -5
This past year I watched every match that Nebraska played and I have a few observations about McCormick.
1. McCormick played behind one of the biggest blocks in the country and she made what should be a routine dig look spectacular. The uneducated observer would be "wowed" be these digs, but to people who have been around this game for a long time, we would shake our heads and wonder, why is she hiding behind the block? When digging cross court attacks, she would constantly line up behind the block and would then have to scramble to make a tough dig. This happened all season.
2. She does not have the ability to drop back and dig line and also pick up tips. At a program of this level, this is unacceptable. Quite frankly, she is not very quick.
3. The job of the libero is two-fold; dig and pass. McCormick'b biggest weakness was her passing. She was at best, the third best passer on Nebraska. Both Jen S. and Pavan were superior passers. How often does a top program take it's libero out of the reception? This happened to McCormick on numerous ocassions. When you play for one of the top programs in the country, I don't think that it is unreasonable to expect that your libero is going to be one of your top two passers. This was not the case with Nebraska.
McCormick was not the reason that Nebraska lost to USC, but she was also not the reason for the success that they had this year. I cannot recall a match this year where I thought McCormick was the difference. USC can look at there libero and say the she may have been the difference against Nebraska. Minnesota can say that Gentil was the difference in many of their wins. The same cannot be said of McCormick.
Nebraska will not miss a beat without McCormick. If she is indeed leaving, I wish her the best, but Nebraska can and will be a better team next year than they were this past year.
|
|