Pepperdine, the source of it all

[Deleted]

Every year, there's always at least one team that messes up everyone's perceptions of the relative quality of the DI teams. This year it's Pepperdine.

Hawaii beats them twice, in 5, to start the year. Conclusion: Pepperdine is finally playing to their potential. Reality: Hawaii isn't as good as some had hoped.

Texas beats them, in 4, further solidifying the view that Texas is a powerhouse. Texas then loses to Cal Poly the next day, and the doubts begin.

Pepperdine then beats Cal Poly in 5. This win will keep Pepperdine in the Top 25 for two months.

Cal sweeps them on the 9/9, a win (I believe) that is directly responsible for Cal's #7 ranking. They move from #13 to #10 following that win.

USC then beats them, in 5, on the 14th. USC moves from #9 to #7.

Purdue beats them, in 4, on the 16th. Purdue moves from #14 to #11. Note that USC then beats Purdue, giving USC further cred.

San Diego beats them, in 4, 10/5. San Diego stays at #22 but gains 100 points.

Santa Clara sweeps them on the 7th. Pepperdine finally falls out of the top 25.

UCSB sweeps them on the 10th. Will UCSB be ranked next week? Pepperdine has 27 points to be taken.

Pepperdine's week by week ranking: 19, 18, 20, 23, 23, 23, NR.



This isn't a complaint. They sucked me in, too. Just an observation.

[BearClause]

They're a big team. Nina recruits pretty well. However - they have an insane non-conference schedule and they can no longer beat up on a hapless West Coast Conference.

Yeah - I'd say they were a huge dissapointment this season.

[Deleted]

Right. But I'm not talking about them not playing to their potential. I'm saying they've screwed up the rankings.

[BearClause]

ruffda said:

Right. But I'm not talking about them not playing to their potential. I'm saying they've screwed up the rankings.

Still - that preseason ranking had to be in part because voters saw their potential and perhaps that non-conference schedule made an impression. For the most part, AVCA poll voters don't seem to punish much this season for losing to "higher ranked" competition. Of course Pepperdine stayed ranked with a losing (or close to it) record all season long.

[Deleted]

UCSB was the nail in the coffin, however.

Although the Gauchos are probably better than anyone had reason to expect.

[hoosierman]

BearClause, your avatar reminds me of something that McGee commentator said once last year during a nationally televised match:

"Hard to see with the great Marvin Hall on the ref stand in front of us."

It may have been true, but Jesus, he obviously speaks without thinking most of the time.

[Deleted]

Bigger problem is the televised matches with the camera on the same side of the court as Marvin.

[Netter]

I always call him Marvin Barnes, because its like trying to look around a couple of barns to see the game.

[BearClause]

hoosierman said:

BearClause, your avatar reminds me of something that McGee commentator said once last year during a nationally televised match:

"Hard to see with the great Marvin Hall on the ref stand in front of us."

It may have been true, but Jesus, he obviously speaks without thinking most of the time.

Well - it's time to move on to another picture.

I don't watch much beach VB, so I think I've ever seen Marvin dance. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

[jordan]

Same old story....it's time for Nina to resign quietly before she gets fired loudly.

[bigfan]

jordan said:

Same old story....it's time for Nina to resign quietly before she gets fired loudly.

It will be an explosion. She can throw a real fit.

[vbsamurai]

here's another picture
to move on to
any1 saw katie wilkins'
pic on the natl team
site
does she she have a
kickarse golden tan or
what gosh gahlee gee
wiz willykers that tan
is money
she definitely should
be a 2008 olympian
all she has to do is to
keep improving her
passing and blocking
and she'll be 1 of the
best

she already has
a very heavy ball w/a
lot of variety in her
shots so terminating
wouldn't be an issue
what kind of shot she's
gonna use on crucial
pts however still needs
more work

she's a hell of a lot better
than that overrated busse
that's for sure

the rankings shouldn't
really matter for the
good legit teams
anyway

it's also why rankings
shouldn't be trusted
for the most part
vb is a team sport &
for some asinine rea
son most ppl rank the
teams based on their
past performance &
their roster haha

the coaches perform
ance should be conci
dered too i.e focus
on the quality of the
wins(how they won
how well they played
even if they lost &
how tuff is the compe
tetion they played against)
this will give a better
insite on how the
coaches actully coach
their teams in pressure
situations and how well
they motivate their
players to unexpectedly
perform under pressure
all of these elements
should be considered
when ranking the teams
instead of just their past
performance & roster
alone

[Barefoot In Kailua]

ruffda said:

Right. But I'm not talking about them not playing to their potential. I'm saying they've screwed up the rankings.

(R)uffda!, I don't really understand your obsession with the rankings....The AVCA poll does not influence the NCAA tourney pairings. C'mon, you should know this by now.

[Gorf]

Why have the rankings if there is no point to them BiK?

[Barefoot In Kailua]

gorf said:

Why have the rankings if there is no point to them BiK?

So all of us have something to b#@$ or feel good about.The AVCA Poll is purely a pissing contest. The final ranking is the only ranking worth getting excited about.