BYU over UH 3-2

[wang pu]

Arri and Matt played excellent. Ryan needs to improve before becoming a "legitimate" starter, at least that is the consensus at my house. I'll probably take some heat for that statement, but he didn't always make the right decisions. Maybe more playing time will correct that.

[Spam I Am]

ACE said:

Hawaii played inspired volleyball. I to enjoyed the match. But, a win for BYU is a win. And even though we all "expected" sweeps, hats off to the Cougars for coming into Hawaii and taking 2 games from them and maintaining that healthy lead, and what probably is a shew-in to host the MPSF tournament. BYU showed why they are #1 by bouncing back afte being down 0-2 and winning 3-2.

Again, I thought the "second" string would do well only because they scrimage against the 6-7 Thomas/Azenha and play defense against those guys every day, so they knew what to expect, where as the starters practice against 6'3, 6'2 hitters and possbly seeing a team with 6'8 hitters affect their play.

It sounds like you are over-simplifying the situation. By that logic every second team should be able to take on top notch competition. There is much to be said about those players and their heart. Maybe coaches should start their second teams whenever they are playing a tall team because their second team scrimmages the taller first team in practice. I'm a bit irritated by your loose logic and short-changing these players.

[warriordudette88]

who knows if or or when the starters will be back in the starting line-up? they could end up with a mix or with none of them getting back in @ all.

as for ACE's opinion, I think that there are other elements to it. sure, playing against tall guys in practice helps but you need other elements (such as effort and emotion) to win.

[Beachy]

I gotta agree with Spam boy. ACE's logic is loose. I have been saying that back up players at each and every school are VERY TALENTED athletes who are so close in ability level that it always makes it difficult for the coaches to decide on a starting lineup. As an example, LB State used 14 players in their last match agin IPFW, IPFW used 13 players. While it would extremely difficult for IPFW to replace Matty Z, they could sub someone in and that player would play his heart out and surprise us. He might not get the kills that Matty Z does but he could make some other plays that are helpful in a victory. In the case of Hawaii, there was a player who has started for 3 years (Kimo) and two others who may have competed for starting time in the begining of the year. When these very competetive athletes get their chance, they work hard to show their stuff. Although helpful, it's not because they practice against good players every day.

[roy]

Beachy said:

I gotta agree with Spam boy. ACE's logic is loose. I have been saying that back up players at each and every school are VERY TALENTED athletes who are so close in ability level that it always makes it difficult for the coaches to decide on a starting lineup. As an example, LB State used 14 players in their last match agin IPFW, IPFW used 13 players. While it would extremely difficult for IPFW to replace Matty Z, they could sub someone in and that player would play his heart out and surprise us. He might not get the kills that Matty Z does but he could make some other plays that are helpful in a victory. In the case of Hawaii, there was a player who has started for 3 years (Kimo) and two others who may have competed for starting time in the begining of the year. When these very competetive athletes get their chance, they work hard to show their stuff. Although helpful, it's not because they practice against good players every day.

I think a bit of what Ace said has some logic. You train with great players, and that helps to improve your skills. The Hawaii second string plays against the first string which has some really tall starters. So, the second string gets used to hitting against taller outsides. There is some merit to it, I just think he didn't fully explain it.

I do have a question on the IPFW/LBSU match. I thought you were only allowed to have 12 active players during a match. How did they play more than 12?

[doctordubya]

RE: "the starters practice against 6'3, 6'2 hitters and possbly seeing a team with 6'8 hitters affect their play."

Any coach who only ever plays his starters against his second string is doing a pretty lousy job. A decent coach will always incorporate drills that pit the best hitters against the best blockers/defenders etc, as this is the simplest way to improve both at the same time.

It would be a good explanation for the relative strength of the Hawai'i first and second string, but if Wilton is doing his job properly this is an oversimplification.

[warriordudette88]

eye don't think that ACE was trying to make it that simple. he probably has more thoughts on it.