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Post by Wolfgang on Oct 24, 2006 20:23:57 GMT -5
I said earlier that high school volleyball blows. To be fair, I should also point out that I don't watch any high school sports: football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, softball, whatever, because they all blow.
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Post by ohiovb on Oct 24, 2006 20:37:40 GMT -5
I go to a fair amount of high school matches during the regular season, but much of the reason is to watch girls that I've coached in JO. However, once the state tournament begins (I'm in northeastern Ohio), and the caliber of ball rises, it's more fun. The state finals, held at Wright State in Dayton, are always exciting, and the level of play, especially from the big schools, is very good.
The Greater Cincinnati Girls Catholic League (I'm probably mangling that name) is one of the strongest leagues in the country. Lots of big all-girl schools, and one of them almost always wins the D-1 championship. Bryn Kehoe came out of the league, along with many other D-1 recruits.
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Post by Chance on Oct 24, 2006 20:40:45 GMT -5
The high school matches i've seen in NOVA were pretty terrible. It seemed like they needed 4 touches, one dig just to keep it from hitting the ground, another dig to pass it, then a set, and then a kill... It wasnt uncommon for them to trade freeballs...
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Post by holidayhusker on Oct 24, 2006 21:49:49 GMT -5
Nebraska and Colorado Volleyball depending on the teams playing is fairly impressive. Lots of talent and intensity.
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Post by romeo on Oct 24, 2006 21:54:34 GMT -5
I've seen some impressive high school teams. Teams that could win at the Div I collegiate level. Although not for several years, with the exception of Mira Costa.
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Post by ugopher on Oct 24, 2006 21:56:34 GMT -5
There will be times where you attend a HS match and the level of play will be poor. However, if you don't follow a particular team I encourage people to check out the top teams in your area. There is some very good volleyball being played. And not just at the state tourney. Some of the best matches in MN this year will mostly come in sectional play. Chaska, Eden Prairie, Shakopee, and Bloomington Kennedy are all in the same section and there should be some tremendous matches played there.
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Post by holidayhusker on Oct 24, 2006 22:08:29 GMT -5
I agree. Traditional powerhouses in our area often feature division one players and many division two players.
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Post by bunnywailer on Oct 24, 2006 22:31:00 GMT -5
Pretty elitist attitude overall in this thread.
In many ways, high school volleyball gives perspective. Although the level of talent and ability varies widely in any given region, state, county, or city when it comes to high school sports, the focus should never be that High School Team A has four future D1 prospects on it, or High School Team B absolutely sucks and your daughter's club's 12-1 team could whoop up on them. High school sports has always been about participation and effort, let's not forget that. No matter how good or bad a particular high school team that you watched may have been, look instead at the level of involvement and effort given. Granted their are some programs out there that aren't very good and have crappy attitudes and demeanors as well - it seems the kids are there just to have something to put themselves in the yearbook for and to go on bus rides to away matches, but there are also alot of teams out there that don't win alot of matches but whose coaches and athletes are giving it their all.
If you just wanted to go watch good, high-level volleyball, go watch a major power in D1 or the USA Women when they are on exhibition tours. If you truly love the sport of volleyball, then appreciate volleyball at all levels, not only the level you perceive it to be "real" or "good".
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Post by holidayhusker on Oct 25, 2006 0:18:55 GMT -5
Oh Brother !!! Wonderful speech. I was defending the fact that High School Volleyball " Blows," I don't like poor volleyball. I am not going to apologize for that opinion. In the meantime you can go to those mind numbing matches and clap and tell them what a wonderful job they are doing because thats what parents do but if I have to sit through a match like that I might as well watch paint dry. If that makes me an elitist then guilty as charged.
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Post by bunnywailer on Oct 25, 2006 0:28:09 GMT -5
Oh Brother !!! Wonderful speech. I was defending the fact that High School Volleyball " Blows," I don't like poor volleyball. I am not going to apologize for that opinion. In the meantime you can go to those mind numbing matches and clap and tell them what a wonderful job they are doing because thats what parents do but if I have to sit through a match like that I might as well watch paint dry. If that makes me an elitist then guilty as charged. Ok, you're guilty. Elitist. Volleyball, at ANY level, is not mind-numbing. There is magic in the game and those who play it, if you know where to look and what to look for. Obviously, you don't.
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Post by BearClause on Oct 25, 2006 0:36:29 GMT -5
Oh Brother !!! Wonderful speech. I was defending the fact that High School Volleyball " Blows," I don't like poor volleyball. I am not going to apologize for that opinion. In the meantime you can go to those mind numbing matches and clap and tell them what a wonderful job they are doing because thats what parents do but if I have to sit through a match like that I might as well watch paint dry. If that makes me an elitist then guilty as charged. I don't like poor volleyball either. I like well coached teams even though they don't have a slew of supertalented 6'3" mega-amazons. I like seeing fundamental defense, textbook approach, players who actually cover the block, and crazy long rallies. Frankly I wouldn't sit around and watch two teams that play like it's a picnic game, but I've witnessed plenty of competition that was better than most college games. That 2005 CIF NorCal D-III championship I mentioned was absolutely through the roof with spectacular hitting, amazing defense, and a pure love of the game. Six of the seniors on those two teams are getting regular playing time at D-I programs. I'm trying to figure out what to go see next (and document with my camera). The most promising one in the East Bay would seem to be Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) vs St Mary's College HS (Berkeley) on Nov 1. I missed seeing O'Dowd at Campolindo last season (also reportedly through the roof) and I'd like to see Miami-bound Ariell Cooke play (among other players).
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Post by holidayhusker on Oct 25, 2006 0:42:04 GMT -5
LOL.....I have played the game for close to 30 years and love the mechanics and the stadegy of the game . I do however despise poor fundamentals and parents who are offended when a coach expects improvement. In the meantime...keep clapping and cheering Mom.
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Post by BearClause on Oct 25, 2006 0:52:14 GMT -5
LOL.....I have played the game for close to 30 years and love the mechanics and the stadegy of the game . I do however despise poor fundamentals and parents who are offended when a coach expects improvement. In the meantime...keep clapping and cheering Mom. Then do a little research as to which local teams employ those traits you like to see, and watch those two teams go at it. My favorite thing was watching the opposing fans absolutely numb that a (listed) 5'6" leftside was absolutely destroying their team. I have no real ties to the high school teams I've watched other than I enjoy watching good volleyball. I've been thoroughly entertained by D-I, HS, or even D-III volleyball.
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Post by holidayhusker on Oct 25, 2006 1:01:12 GMT -5
LOL...Bearclause,,don't worry about me. I help train players and watch lots of great high school volleyball in the area.
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Post by BearClause on Oct 25, 2006 1:07:38 GMT -5
LOL...Bearclause,,don't worry about me. I help train players and watch lots of great high school volleyball in the area. OK then. Then why are you defending Wolfie's stance that HS VB "blows"? There's crap volleyball being played at almost every level. It very well can blow. I've been to a few where I really felt bad for a losing team which was outmatched in every facet of the game. I've seen some downright pathetic D-I volleyball teams (Auburn in 2001 comes to mind). HS volleyball doesn't "blow". Individual teams might.
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