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Post by brybry on Sept 21, 2006 2:04:05 GMT -5
Well, I had thought OSU was capable of producing an upset but boy was I wrong. Ohiovb was right when he mentioned that the MBs' inexperience would hold them back. They looked like freshmen...high school freshmen. Tough job for Stone. I'm guessing he's really wishing Brittenricker had stuck around because that could have made them a top 8 team. I was really impressed by Meyers. She seems to have a great attitude. She's very aggressive. And I love her speed. She was the only Buckeye to hit in the + category. Yikes. Stevens is one of my favorite players because she's very aggressive on passing. She's capable of being one of the best liberos in the nation. She started off the match really well w/ absolutely pinpoint passing. But her serve receive started to break down towards the end of game 2. And OSU cannot get wins against the good teams w/o superior ballhandling. McCarthy was such a nonfactor. That's really disappointing since he's a veteran player. And even tho OSU's MBs are freshman, I think it's pretty inexcusable that they rarely closed the block when 73 of 109 sets went to Hodge or Fawcett. Geez, get a clue. And as mentioned earlier, hitter coverage and tip coverage was pitiful. The french girl Szerszen seems to have a lot of potential. It was painfully obvious she was having timing issues w/ Main. And yes, she may have been talking trash thru the net but I'm guessing no one could understand her. I mean, her own teammates can't seem to understand her. If this were a mid or late season match, I would call Stone foolish for not making adjustments sooner in the match. Meyer should have been sent to block PSU's big 2 hitters. Stevens probably should have been reinserted as OH. McCarthy should have been benched. She contributed nothing. Her backup setting wasn't even good. Anyhow, all that being said, I think OSU can turn into a really good team come post season. Szerszen is bound to improve her timing and to adjust to the college game. And OSU is bound to improve their play out of the middle (it can't get any worse). As for PSU, they looked better tonight than in their match against Texas. Glass had better sets to the outside. I had thought OSU would be capable of the upset due to PSU's vulnerability in serve receive, but that wasn't much of a factor. I don't think I saw Hodge pass a single ball. Holehouse and Price (and DSs) were solid enough tonight. I wonder if Russ will give up on Hodge as a primary passer.
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Post by bucky415 on Sept 21, 2006 2:28:59 GMT -5
This is a scary result for the rest of the Big Ten, but I am wondering which team it tells the most about. The box score indicated that neither team had great ball control, with both sides setting the lefts a ton and having almost no middle offense. It looks like PSU controlled the match, for the most part. They can spin it however they want, but I think that OSU's less than demanding non-conference schedule hurt them in this one. I think they will be a strong offensive team, but they did little in this one. The passing has to be a concern, since I don't think PSU brings a ton of heat from the service line (do they need to risk too many errors?). It didn't look like the Lions played great, either. I don't think you can ride left side offense to where they want to go this season without the threat of middle/right side attacks. Hodge and Fawcett are obviously talented, but Hawaii couldn't ride Kim and Lily as seniors to a national title, so I think PSU needs to get the middles involved in the offense. Still, PSU has to be happy to have won so easily against one of the top contenders. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come.
As for OSU, I really have to wonder what they are doing with their lineup. I think Stevens is too good offensively to be the libero; she could still be a primary passer at left side. If Szerszen is an upgrade offensively (welcome to the Big Ten, freshman), she can be the other outside. Meyer could move back to the middle in place of one of the freshmen. She isn't a great blocker, but she could provide a threat from the middle and might be an upgrade over a freshman on the block. The only downside is that poor ball control could take her out of the offense. She has been good at the left side, but I think the Buckeyes are deeper there than in the middle. It will be an adjustment for them, but I think a home match versus Iowa is a good time to make a change. I don't think they will beat PSU with their current lineup.
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Post by brybry on Sept 21, 2006 2:46:58 GMT -5
This is a scary result for the rest of the Big Ten, but I am wondering which team it tells the most about. The box score indicated that neither team had great ball control, with both sides setting the lefts a ton and having almost no middle offense. It looks like PSU controlled the match, for the most part. They can spin it however they want, but I think that OSU's less than demanding non-conference schedule hurt them in this one. I think they will be a strong offensive team, but they did little in this one. The passing has to be a concern, since I don't think PSU brings a ton of heat from the service line (do they need to risk too many errors?). It didn't look like the Lions played great, either. I don't think you can ride left side offense to where they want to go this season without the threat of middle/right side attacks. Hodge and Fawcett are obviously talented, but Hawaii couldn't ride Kim and Lily as seniors to a national title, so I think PSU needs to get the middles involved in the offense. Still, PSU has to be happy to have won so easily against one of the top contenders. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come. As for OSU, I really have to wonder what they are doing with their lineup. I think Stevens is too good offensively to be the libero; she could still be a primary passer at left side. If Szerszen is an upgrade offensively (welcome to the Big Ten, freshman), she can be the other outside. Meyer could move back to the middle in place of one of the freshmen. She isn't a great blocker, but she could provide a threat from the middle and might be an upgrade over a freshman on the block. The only downside is that poor ball control could take her out of the offense. She has been good at the left side, but I think the Buckeyes are deeper there than in the middle. It will be an adjustment for them, but I think a home match versus Iowa is a good time to make a change. I don't think they will beat PSU with their current lineup. This is the first time I've seen OSU this season. Do they have someone decent to play libero if Stevens was to move back to the OH? I really thought they could have gone back to Stevens on the outside in the 3rd game. Meyers was the only player for OSU to hit above .000. There has to be some sort of change.
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Post by ohiovb on Sept 21, 2006 4:42:06 GMT -5
Still wish I'd been able to view the match, but from the stats and numerous posts it's pretty easy to get a good idea how it went down. And I'm VERY happy with my decision to not make the 4 hour trip to State College. Again, I'm not surprised how poorly OSU's middles played. Heck, they played poorly against ASU, so why expect more against a much better team? I am, though, surprised at McCarthy's poor showing. She has decent size and skill for a right side and had been playing well. I'm hoping it was just the nerves of playing number 2 on the road and she'll bounce back. I'm also disappointed in hearing that OSU's serve receive fell apart, especially the passing of Stevens. That's her real strength, and if she let the match get to her (as she was wont to do on occasion her first two years) it's understandable how the Bucs got in real trouble. OSU has a real dilemna regarding Meyers and where to play her. There are obvious upsides and downsides to consider, but I think it's necessary to get her back in the middle. Although not a great blocker, she's much better than either of the freshmen. And offensively, she and Main have been able to connect successfully on slides for two years, there's no reason to believe they won't be able to do it again. I'm not sure which middle I'd have her replace, but probably the blonde. What to do then, though, with Ami Stevens? She's NOT a powerful hitter, has never developed into one as I'd hoped. Still, she's the next best they have, after Meyers and probably the French kid. Unfortunately, she's also the best libero; if she goes back up front, there will be a drop off there. But, even if Meyers plays middle, she can continue to play all the way around. That means the libero will only be on the court to replace one middle, which is more tolerable. A couple of years ago, OSU could have gotten Orrville's Erica Short, now playing for Indiana and doing very well. She's big, athletic, skilled, and smart. They could sure use her now. jw
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Post by rider80 on Sept 21, 2006 10:16:51 GMT -5
Still wish I'd been able to view the match, but from the stats and numerous posts it's pretty easy to get a good idea how it went down. And I'm VERY happy with my decision to not make the 4 hour trip to State College. Again, I'm not surprised how poorly OSU's middles played. Heck, they played poorly against ASU, so why expect more against a much better team? I am, though, surprised at McCarthy's poor showing. She has decent size and skill for a right side and had been playing well. I'm hoping it was just the nerves of playing number 2 on the road and she'll bounce back. I'm also disappointed in hearing that OSU's serve receive fell apart, especially the passing of Stevens. That's her real strength, and if she let the match get to her (as she was wont to do on occasion her first two years) it's understandable how the Bucs got in real trouble. OSU has a real dilemna regarding Meyers and where to play her. There are obvious upsides and downsides to consider, but I think it's necessary to get her back in the middle. Although not a great blocker, she's much better than either of the freshmen. And offensively, she and Main have been able to connect successfully on slides for two years, there's no reason to believe they won't be able to do it again. I'm not sure which middle I'd have her replace, but probably the blonde. What to do then, though, with Ami Stevens? She's NOT a powerful hitter, has never developed into one as I'd hoped. Still, she's the next best they have, after Meyers and probably the French kid. Unfortunately, she's also the best libero; if she goes back up front, there will be a drop off there. But, even if Meyers plays middle, she can continue to play all the way around. That means the libero will only be on the court to replace one middle, which is more tolerable. A couple of years ago, OSU could have gotten Orrville's Erica Short, now playing for Indiana and doing very well. She's big, athletic, skilled, and smart. They could sure use her now. jw
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Post by edburby on Sept 21, 2006 10:19:13 GMT -5
Ohio State showed that they are not going to finish second in the Big Ten this year. They have WAY too much ground to make up, and too young of a team to make a run for 2nd place. Sure, they made it close in game 2 - but that was mostly on PSU errors, and the Lions not playing to their full potential, I think they were even subbing in other players at that point.
Main had several BHE's last night. Not a good sign from a senior setter (who is supposedly the best in the league this year). Maybe if she got some better passes...
Meyer is great, yes. However, the rest of the Buckeye squad is no where near what they would need to be to ride on the skills of one talented player like they did in 2004 -- and on that note, Meyer is certainly no Stacey Gordon.
I'm not impressed with Szerszen. She may be a highly recruited individual, but she is still a freshman. She will not be a factor this season.
If those OSU middles would have missed one more block, I was going to turn it off! I couldn't believe they didn't get the picture -- yes, they are going to set to the left side, maybe you should move over and close it a bit quicker. And I agree with an earlier post - Main is definitely a blocking liability. Look for opponents to put their largest front line against her.
Enjoy that #12 while you have it, Buckeyes - because it will be a constant slip until December. Your only hope would be great timing by getting Purdue, Minn, Wisc, and Michigan on their off nights.
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Post by rider80 on Sept 21, 2006 10:24:59 GMT -5
OHIOVB : Yes Ohio State could have got Erica Short . They did not actively recruit her. Erica has a sister that is 6'0 approach touches 9'11 as a high school freshman . People are saying will be better than Erica. I wonder if OSU will miss another opportunity? Im sure IU knows about her.
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Post by ohiovb on Sept 21, 2006 12:03:09 GMT -5
Rider -
I'm nearby, in Wooster, so was lucky enough to see Erica play quite often for Orrville, back when they had her, Winters, and Guster. It was her dad who told me that she was not actively recruited by OSU, which blew my mind. I haven't seen her little sister Erin play yet, but will probably do so this year.
jw
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2006 12:13:55 GMT -5
Wooster. My sister's alma mater. Sort of.
As for OSU, aside from that one awful year, Stone always seems to have them playing competitive ball by the end of the year, and in the running for 2nd-4th in the conference. I'm sure it will happen again.
I just think we all need to keep a close eye on Gordon. I wouldn't put it past Stone to try to slip her in there as some skinny French recruit...
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Post by VolleyTX on Sept 21, 2006 12:53:59 GMT -5
Haven't had the chance to watch the whole match yet.... but....
I'm really thinking Penn State IS the team to beat this year. I don't think they were even playing very well last night. Glass and Hodge do NOT play like freshmen. Fawcett can be unstoppable at times. (Her attack style reminds me alot of the Polish player Glinka.) Hodge has a nice looking jump serve. I was surprised to see even Fawcett breaking out the jump serve.
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Post by beachman on Sept 21, 2006 13:32:36 GMT -5
There is no one in this conference that is even in the same league as PSU! But then again there aren't very many teams in the entire NCAA who are in their league this year
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2006 13:38:26 GMT -5
There is no one in this conference that is even in the same league as PSU! You have contradicted yourself, sir! Rephrase.
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Post by OverAndUnder on Sept 21, 2006 15:41:02 GMT -5
I remember hearing the same things about PSU several times over the years. They are now at the top of my "put up or shutup" list. If they fail to make the Final Four AGAIN this year, can we all just agree they're colossal chokers and start ignoring the Big10 completely? Thanks.
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Post by Keystonekid on Sept 21, 2006 16:08:55 GMT -5
"Over the years" saw PSU play in 3 consecutive NCAA Finals and winning in 99. I would not really call that a program that chokes, let alone use the term "colossal". It's hard to make it to the FF, also remember that PSU lost Harmotto 2 weeks before their loss to Tennessee, who did make it. In terms of intelligent things to say, your post fit the under much more than the over.
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Post by OverAndUnder on Sept 21, 2006 16:59:10 GMT -5
Their lack of depth to backup Harmotto is not my problem, it is a problem a winning program would be prepared to deal with.
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