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Post by vb on Jan 4, 2005 0:55:43 GMT -5
Sure is quiet in here about the season opening games starting Weds.
Based on graduation, athletic ability, coaching and conditioning...
1. Hawaii
2. BYU
3. Lewis
4. PSU
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Post by roy on Jan 4, 2005 2:29:22 GMT -5
Lewis is going to be dangerous. This is going to be their only "tournament" that will put them up against the top teams of the other conferences. They will be playing for pride, as the outcome means nothing to them in terms of getting to the Final Four.
BYU only have 2 starters returning (Batista and Burke) if I remember correctly. They have a bench and a lot of great playes ready to step in, but it might take some time to gel together.
I love Penn State's catch phrase for this year. "Youthful experience" They return a bunch of starters but they are all underclassmen. They will lack the senior leadership on the team, but return players who have seen court time.
Hawaii is Hawaii. This is their tournament and tend to it. With UCLA being taken out of it, Hawaii is the favorite. They return players who were part time starters last year and the players know what to work on after they lost to Alberta last week.
Hawaii and BYU have the potential to be among the top 4 teams in the MPSF. Penn State will only have a handful of matches that really test them and this tournament has always been one of them. Lewis will be playing for the MIVA. I don't know if Lewis will participate in the MIVA tournament, but they need to look good for the MIVA to get respect in the coaches poll.
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Post by vb on Jan 5, 2005 5:32:52 GMT -5
Sure is quiet in here about the season opening games starting Weds. Based on graduation, athletic ability, coaching and conditioning... 1. Hawaii 2. BYU 3. Lewis 4. PSU Got a chance to see Hawaii and PSU practice. I am switching their order. 1. PSU -best MB trio in NCAA. 2. BYU -no chemistry yet 3. Lewis -dangerous underdog 4. Hawaii -no passing-demoted |
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Post by donkeykong on Jan 5, 2005 12:00:10 GMT -5
Thank you Mr. Chemistry teacher. I will be sure to let the cougars know they have no chemistry. I put money on them to have more than the other three at the tourney. Burke in the middle is the best in the country hands down. Now the cougars just have to pass like last year.
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Post by vballguy2001 on Jan 5, 2005 12:15:47 GMT -5
I don't know if Burke is the best middle hands down. He is good don't get me wrong, but the guy is not a great blocker. He is average at best. Awesome offensively though.
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Post by Smooth "954" Mike on Jan 5, 2005 16:11:45 GMT -5
Batista playing outside for BYU will earn him MVP of the Outrigger tourney, and player of the year for the AVCA. He's one sick pro
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Post by xtrmn8r on Jan 5, 2005 18:07:07 GMT -5
I think it should be a good tournament for all four.
PSU is a little banged up and probably doesn't have the conditioning to go deep into a match. The middles are strong on the offensive side but only Kowal has the timing to be a strong blocker. Their weaknesses are passing the tough serve, erradic sets by O'Dell and their predictability on offense. Wentzel and Gutor are middle of the road passers, at best, when facing a good serve. Gutor is explosive but block him a couple of times and he is in the tank. Smith is the best passer but lacks some of what the other OH's provide offensively, mostly confidence. Proper is a beast both offensively and defensively and can be unstoppable. Vogle, the replacement for Mattei at libero is solid and just needs some court time. I look for PSU to be very tough if they get healthy, in condition and pass well against the tougher teams. They are not deep at any position except OH.
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Post by roy on Jan 5, 2005 18:30:21 GMT -5
I think it should be a good tournament for all four. PSU is a little banged up and probably doesn't have the conditioning to go deep into a match. The middles are strong on the offensive side but only Kowal has the timing to be a strong blocker. Their weaknesses are passing the tough serve, erradic sets by O'Dell and their predictability on offense. Wentzel and Gutor are middle of the road passers, at best, when facing a good serve. Gutor is explosive but block him a couple of times and he is in the tank. Smith is the best passer but lacks some of what the other OH's provide offensively, mostly confidence. Proper is a beast both offensively and defensively and can be unstoppable. Vogle, the replacement for Mattei at libero is solid and just needs some court time. I look for PSU to be very tough if they get healthy, in condition and pass well against the tougher teams. They are not deep at any position except OH. Passing has always been a problem for Penn State in this tournament. Its the beginning of the season so no one is passing really crisp. The returning starters have the experience but sometimes get lulled by the EIVA. They don't face such strong servers so playing teams like Hawaii and UCLA have always given them problems. I remember when Quineones (sp?) was the Penn State setter. He was great when the passing was on. But in a couple of matches, the passing broke apart and he couldn't even hit his left handed attack on the ball. Penn State returns most of their line up but Mattei is a huge loss, despite the fact that he is only a libero. When his passing game was on, Penn State was really tough to compete against. If Vogle can step in and pass well, Penn State will be a force. |
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Post by Bookumdanoaloha on Jan 5, 2005 23:47:57 GMT -5
Should be an interesting tournament.
BYU is more than a two man team (Burke and Batista). I've seen Neilsen play in the past and he'll be a good setter for the Cougars. BYU has a deep roster to fill spots. Burke and Batista will be a good one two offensive punch. Good passing hitter (like Passeo - sp.) would help alot.
PSU has never played well in this tournament. I've seen stronger rosters in the past. Kowal will be a force and I think the squad is still young and needs experience. I love their coaching staff - Class Act.
I don't know much about Lewis. Soler and last year's setter (who was a freshman) will probably be their floor leaders. I miss My Boy Ryan Stuntz - the boy could dig.
Hawaii has enough experience on the floor to be competitive. Delano Thomas needs to get his act together academically. Delano is the Best Middle in the Country. Hawaii could be one of the better serving teams in the county Azenha and Thomas are deadly. Outside Hitters are very inconsistant - questionable Block, Pass and High Percentage of Hitting Errors. If another Hitter can step it up, the Warriors should be very competitive. The team will only go as far as their passing will take them. Beckwith is too slow it get to bad passes. If the passing is there Brian can be deadly. If the passing is not there, watch for a quicker Rasay to come in.
This might be the weakest field of teams for this tournament. Now if these teams had their 2002 or 2003 rosters, it would be a Final Four Tournament.
It's still the Best Tournament in the Country.
Bookumdanoaloha
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