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Post by socalsurf on Mar 15, 2014 18:25:24 GMT -5
Yep, USC's Burnham/Hughes easily defeats FSU's Davis/Pardon in the Pairs Championship Match, (21-8, 21-12). The Trojan duo gets payback for their tight 19-17 third set loss against Davis/Pardon in the dual meet yesterday.
And I agree, you can tell Burnham just isn't completely healthy yet. Teams are serving her exclusively, keeping away from Hughes. You'd think they would keep the 6'2'' Burnham off the net, but with her bad back and with how good Hughes is, it makes sense. I'm really impressed with Hughes, even though I guess I shouldn't be considering she was the top sand recruit, haha. She plays some great defense, serves up a lot of aces, and the times when she does get a chance to take a swing, she brings some major heat and cranks the ball. Very savvy too.
Just to add, I am very impressed with USC and their dedication to sand volleyball. Merle Norman Stadium is a beautiful facility, I love that the athletic department has put so much time and effort into the new sport at USC. I'm sure the athletes love being able to just walk from class straight to practice, rather than having to take a long ride over to Santa Monica everyday. They also added some great new improvements to the venue, including some cabanas/awnings for shade on the bleachers. It's an overall close and cozy atmosphere and a great facility for sand volleyball.
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Post by downtheline on Mar 15, 2014 21:53:08 GMT -5
So Cal sun and fun at USC the past few days.
The biggest crowd I've seen at a college volleyball venue so far on Friday. USC brought out the "all male" song leaders! The support group of students passed out free pizza for anyone that wanted some, students, parents and sand volleyball fans cheered for their favorites.
Fun music played in the background, sirens raced up and down Figuroa, and a high quality of volleyball was displayed on all three courts.
And the best part, admission is free...
If you are a AVP people watcher, the list of past and present players either working or scouting or hanging out was cool. Of course Misty looks right at home, DanaLee, Stein, John Mayer, Jenny Jordan, Brooke Sweat, and a few I'm forgetting.
FSU is solid top to bottom. They play scrappy defense, smart offense with roll shots and high lines for kills. Not a tall team but a contender . I was very impressed with Aurora. She is a powerful and skillful player. When her and Jace took down Burnham and Hughes in a 3 set thriller she almost played a perfect match.
Jace is a smart player also and continues to improve since I first saw her at HP four years ago. Probably one of the most improved players to come out of Ali's group.
Friday and Saturday were like a switch turned for the USC duo. Clearly Kirby has been working herself back into top form after being off for a month before the season started. She was unable to practice with her partner and facing Lara and Becca, then Jace and Aurora without any work together is like jumping into the proverbial frying pan.
She showed signs of dominance this afternoon as the new partnership started to look smoother out there. Her serve receive was very good today and that set the tone for some beautiful sets by Sara.
I wish I could have been down at the Olympic training center today to see that event. Did anyone get a look at the competition?
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ingoodstanding
Junior
"The constitution is not a living organism," Hon. A. Scalia
Posts: 399
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Post by ingoodstanding on Mar 16, 2014 0:23:31 GMT -5
It won't be 5.9 Jr. Tiegs - 5.11 Sr. Cook (with Tiegs already experiencing back issues/sprains so early in the season). As always, sans the knee and back problems, volleyballers could continue for a lifetime.
The Alabama Nat'l Championships this May will come down to two Pepperdine duals. I've got a sense that of USC's / Pepperdine's / Florida State's top athletes, Pepperdine is likely the most talented and well coached.
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ingoodstanding
Junior
"The constitution is not a living organism," Hon. A. Scalia
Posts: 399
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Post by ingoodstanding on Mar 16, 2014 0:45:03 GMT -5
So Cal sun and fun at USC the past few days. The biggest crowd I've seen at a college volleyball venue so far on Friday. USC brought out the "all male" song leaders! The support group of students passed out free pizza for anyone that wanted some, students, parents and sand volleyball fans cheered for their favorites. Fun music played in the background, sirens raced up and down Figuroa, and a high quality of volleyball was displayed on all three courts. And the best part, admission is free... If you are a AVP people watcher, the list of past and present players either working or scouting or hanging out was cool. Of course Misty looks right at home, DanaLee, Stein, John Mayer, Jenny Jordan, Brooke Sweat, and a few I'm forgetting. FSU is solid top to bottom. They play scrappy defense, smart offense with roll shots and high lines for kills. Not a tall team but a contender . I was very impressed with Aurora. She is a powerful and skillful player. When her and Jace took down Burnham and Hughes in a 3 set thriller she almost played a perfect match. Jace is a smart player also and continues to improve since I first saw her at HP four years ago. Probably one of the most improved players to come out of Ali's group. Friday and Saturday were like a switch turned for the USC duo. Clearly Kirby has been working herself back into top form after being off for a month before the season started. She was unable to practice with her partner and facing Lara and Becca, then Jace and Aurora without any work together is like jumping into the proverbial frying pan. She showed signs of dominance this afternoon as the new partnership started to look smoother out there. Her serve receive was very good today and that set the tone for some beautiful sets by Sara. I wish I could have been down at the Olympic training center today to see that event. Did anyone get a look at the competition? hawaiiathletics.com/custompages/Stats/Wsvb/2014/20140315.pdf************ Tomorrow's (3-16-14) USAV Collegiate WSVB Challenge, Pepperdine/Hawaii/Grand Canyon/CS Northridge/CS Bakersfield: Pepp 1-Strehlow/Dykstra (Seed No.1) vs. UH 5-Rooks/Higgins UH 3-Long/Longo vs. GC 2-Dugan/Glennie (Seed No.8) UH 2-Spieler/Taylor (Seed No.5) vs. Pepp 6-Asprey/Adelhelm Pepp 4-Messing/Knudsen vs. CSUB 1-O'Hagan/Araujo (Seed No.4) GC 1-Phelps/Dallman (Seed No.3) vs. UH 4-Chow/Tucker GC 3-Jenkins/Dickerson vs. Pepp 2-Larsen/Woolever (Seed No.6) CSUB 2-Guitare/Alvidrez (Seed No.7) vs. Pepp 3-Racich/Racich Pepp 5-Cook/Cash vs. UH 1- Cook/Riggs (Seed No.2)
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Post by GoUCLA on Mar 16, 2014 2:42:28 GMT -5
So Cal sun and fun at USC the past few days. The biggest crowd I've seen at a college volleyball venue so far on Friday. USC brought out the "all male" song leaders! The support group of students passed out free pizza for anyone that wanted some, students, parents and sand volleyball fans cheered for their favorites. Fun music played in the background, sirens raced up and down Figuroa, and a high quality of volleyball was displayed on all three courts. And the best part, admission is free... If you are a AVP people watcher, the list of past and present players either working or scouting or hanging out was cool. Of course Misty looks right at home, DanaLee, Stein, John Mayer, Jenny Jordan, Brooke Sweat, and a few I'm forgetting. FSU is solid top to bottom. They play scrappy defense, smart offense with roll shots and high lines for kills. Not a tall team but a contender . I was very impressed with Aurora. She is a powerful and skillful player. When her and Jace took down Burnham and Hughes in a 3 set thriller she almost played a perfect match. Jace is a smart player also and continues to improve since I first saw her at HP four years ago. Probably one of the most improved players to come out of Ali's group. Friday and Saturday were like a switch turned for the USC duo. Clearly Kirby has been working herself back into top form after being off for a month before the season started. She was unable to practice with her partner and facing Lara and Becca, then Jace and Aurora without any work together is like jumping into the proverbial frying pan. She showed signs of dominance this afternoon as the new partnership started to look smoother out there. Her serve receive was very good today and that set the tone for some beautiful sets by Sara. I wish I could have been down at the Olympic training center today to see that event. Did anyone get a look at the competition? It's not like Burnham and Hughes played for the first time together against Pepperdine and FSU. I'm sure it's more about her recovering from her injury than not getting to practice with her partner.
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Post by vllybll09 on Mar 25, 2014 10:32:37 GMT -5
Washington is not going to compete a full schedule so your pair of Vansant/Tanner isn't going to be up there, but if Washington were competing a full schedule this year, my guess at the #1 team would not be Vansant/Tanner, it would be Strickland/Tanner or possibly Strickland/Vansant or Strickland/Nelson. Whoever is paired with Strickland is going to have to be able to pass, because a smart team will not serve her given a choice. Croson/Snuka would be interesting but I don't know that I see that working out...just a hunch though Should it all happen, I like the chances of some these pairs; as the season progresses, of course, it could likely happen (in season-ing).. The All-Samoan team of 6.0 Jane Croson - 5.6 Penina Snuka WashingtonVansant - Tanner
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Post by downtheline on Mar 25, 2014 23:54:27 GMT -5
1. Lara Dykstra/Becca Strehlow (PeP)
2. Kirby Burnham/Sara Hughes (USC)
3. Brittany Tiegs/Karissa Cook (UH)
4. Jace Pardon/Aurora Davis (FSU)
About mid way through the season it looks like any of these pairs can beat each other on a given day or venue.
A tremendous battle tonight at USC as Kirby and Sara took Lara and Becca in two sets. Some great defense played on both sides of the net. Pep touching most balls but USC put on a cut fest.
Kirby seems in much better form and was hitting well over The block on most swings although Becca did get at least 3 blocks on her.
The USC duo of Martin and Wheeler put on a exciting match. Nicolette plays great defense, is making some great reads and is really fooling the opponent with her cut shots.
Pepperdine is so talented in my opinion and will continue to be trouble from 1 through 5.
USC had free tacos for everyone, and sported a nice crowd of fans and students. Every match was close and my neck is stiff from watching 3 matches at once.
In the house- USC AD Pat Hayden.
The USAV event at Hermosa is a must attend if you want to take in some quality beach volleyball.
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Post by SAITPookela on Mar 26, 2014 16:28:36 GMT -5
#1 Vansant - Tanner #2 Strickland - Nelson #3 Fab50s, No.18 DeHoog - No.22 Beals
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Post by vbvalley on Mar 27, 2014 11:37:55 GMT -5
Having played 4 years for the USC Men's VB Team (and also having a SoCal Beach rating for almost twenty years) plus my daughter play for LMU, I have seen the top teams for USC, Pepperdine, LBSt, Florida State and Hawaii (I was in Waikiki several weeks ago) and the one common trait is that they all have fabulous ball control. The one major difference (same as last year) is that USC has a tall player who can block as opposed to the other teams. As this sport continues to grow, we will see taller girls start to gravitate to the sand game instead of sticking with indoors and the college teams will start to be more and more like the top AVP teams with a tall blocker and a great defensive player. I wonder who will be USC's next year blocker to play with Hughes (Ettenger?). Hughes is the real deal.
As far as venues go, it is nice to have a facility like USC's on campus to practice at but the seats (benches) are only on the baseline of the courts instead of the sidelines so trying to view and appreciate all aspects of the game is not that easy. Also, that facility may end up hurting the Trojans due to the fact that it is not really a beach venue. Example, yesterday down at Playa del Rey, LMU came within two points of upsetting Long Beach State. Why? Because the great equalizer of beach volleyball came in with a vengeance. The wind was about as strong as I have either seen or played in and LMU practices in those conditions more often than most teams. At USC, the courts are so surrounded by buildings that the sun and the wind are non-factors. Maybe that accounts why USC and Pepperdine split matches so far. Last week when LMU played Pepperdine at Zuma, there definitely was a wind factor, one in which Pepperdine practices in daily. Hermosa can get very windy as well as the beaches in Alabama.
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