Top 20 Volleyball Magazine

[roy]

saldaman87 said:

The simple fact of the matter is that Tennessee reached the final four. We played the eventual national champions, which was a tougher contest than Santa Clara. If the magazine rates teams by the system listed above then, they got it right. The loss to Alabama in the SEC tourney, in the second round (not the first as mentioned above) was on purpose, duh!!! Couldnt anyone tell that we went into the SEC tourney with a strategy. Lets make it look like we are not that good of a team, so that we can "ambush" Minnesota, Penn St., and Missouri.

True be told, for this year, the top 2 teams made the championship round. Everyone knew who the top 2 were, and Penn State felt pretty good as a top 3. The past 2 years has shown a parity in volleyball that we haven't seen before. So it brings some interesting complications to the final poll. UT is definitely deserving of a top 4 finish, although I believe Santa Clara had the tougher road.

However, it is impossible to ignore the fact that Penn State ran through the Big 10 undefeated. If a team like Duke ran through the entire ACC basketball season undefeated but was upset in the regional semi-finals, we would see them drop but not according to (R)uffda's poll where they would be considered anywhere from #9-16.

For Tennessee, I can see how important their final ranking would be to their fans. This is their best tournament showing as they have never advanced past the regional semi before. For most other teams (Penn State, Hawaii, Wisconsin, Florida, etc), they have all had high finishes in the Final Four or championship match. From a fan perspective, anything short of a title fails to meet expectations.

[saldaman87]

barefootinkailua said:

It's quite apparent that the lady boys of Tennessee have little knowledge about how things work as it pertains to Womens Collegiate Volleyball. This fact is not surprising considering they are "Johnny come lately fans" who have had little to no exposure to Championship volleyball.A lucky little streak in the NCAA tourney does not warrant a top 5 ranking, especially with the way the Vols played early in the season.

BTW, didn't I tell you dumbasses that Tennessee wouldn't be ranked in the top 4?

So what does warrant a top five finish??? Losing to a team that shouldnt have been in your house in front of 2500 home fans and being upset in the sweet sixteen??? Believe it or not, but the regular season is actually quite meaningless. Dont get me wrong. It means something to go undefeated in the big ten all season, but how about you go ask Penn St. If they rather have had an undefeated regular season or a national championship. Also, you can ask Washington if they are happy with their trip to the final four and a national championship. That kinda sux you cant ask the same question to Penn St. We dont really care that much about our final ranking. We are happy with our good season, our awesome ending, and our outlook for next year. As our ladies told us and showed everyone else...... Its not how you start, its how you finish!

[Deleted]

That's the point: every team would trade a top 4 RANKING for a Final 4 appearance. But if they aren't evaulated differently, why bother?

[TDCincy]

roy said:

For Tennessee, I can see how important their final ranking would be to their fans. This is their best tournament showing as they have never advanced past the regional semi before.

This is true Roy. I need this final poll to hang on my office wall and help me thu the offseason (& bragging rights vs Florida).

Yes, Tennessee needed some help and some good luck, but that mixed with a very hard working coaching staff and a gritty group of very experienced players got them to the Final Four. There are teams that bring in much higher rated talent year after year and for whatever reason (Injury, one bad game, committee seedings)don't reach the final four, so UT should get credit for getting there.

You'll never be able to take away the 2005 Final Four Banner from the Lady Vols, but I realize that it will probably be even more difficult for them to get back.

Very few programs are competing for national championships and final four appearances every year.

With the talent now being attracted to UT, I can see them consistently competing for SEC Championships and NCAA Sweet Sixteens and with some good fortune, perhaps another Final Four.

[glow=red,2,300]GO LADY VOLS![/glow]

[TDCincy]

roy said:

However, it is impossible to ignore the fact that Penn State ran through the Big 10 undefeated. [/quote]

True again Roy. It is also impossible to ignore these facts:
1. UT beat Penn State @ Penn State in the NCAA Tournament.
2. 8 other teams made it farther than Penn State in the NCAAS.
3. Tennessee made the Final Four.

A great quote from Washingtons Coach regarding next season: " 'I know this,' McLaughlin added. 'We're not going to be as good early because there's no way. We're losing some tremendous players. But we'll be a great team in November and December. That's when it counts.' " I remember Coach Patrick saying the same things about the 2005 UT squad. Tennessee posted an 11-2 mark in Nov+Dec including wins over Florida, Penn State, Notre Dame, Minnesota and Missouri. That Final Four appearance was no fluke.



[glow=red,2,300]Tennessee Lady Vols 2005 FINAL FOUR![/glow]

[OverAndUnder]

tdcincy2 said:

There are teams that bring in much higher rated talent year after year and for whatever reason (Injury, one bad game, committee seedings)don't reach the final four.

Oops, I think you meant to post this on the "PSU next year" thread.