2004 Teams We'd Like to See

[cougarize]

packitwithpurple said:

You make very good points, and you are certainly right about history. Elaine was one of the all-time greatest.

However, K-State did not graduate all its talent. I will bet on them finishing high in the Big-12 and going deep in the tournement next year. I think they will surprise some people who think that losing those 4 seniors depleted them.

;D

The thing that K-State has got going for them, is not necessarily the best talent in the country, but hungry, humble players who are willing to buy into a team concept. When players do that teams come together and win. That's what K-State has been doing and, putting all talent aside, that's what BYU needs to do.

BYU can boast about how much more talent it has than a lot of schools, but until it learns to play like a team again like the present day K-State teams, the Cougars will wallow.

[packitwithpurple]

cougarize said:

The thing that K-State has got going for them, is not necessarily the best talent in the country, but hungry, humble players who are willing to buy into a team concept. When players do that teams come together and win. That's what K-State has been doing and, putting all talent aside, that's what BYU needs to do.

BYU can boast about how much more talent it has than a lot of schools, but until it learns to play like a team again like the present day K-State teams, the Cougars will wallow.

You certainly hit the mark for last year's team -- they were a very close team. Let's hope the same chemistry holds this next year. Some of the girls are very special that way, and Suzie seems to know how to keep the team together.

You are right -- it is a team game, and when the girls into helping each other do their best, the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.

[packitwithpurple]

I shouldn't just give Suzie all the credit, Jeff and Justin are a large part of why they played "team ball" this last year.

Their ability to fit into a team concept rather than a star concept should be one of the key attributes to look for in recruiting.

;D

[808]

[quote author=IdahoBoy® [Pomaika'i] link=board=general&thread=1076702402&start=0#0 date=1076702402]# 9) Arizona - What will become of this talented group of ladies? Anything less than Elite 8 is a disappointment. I am eager to finally see Glass play (missed her last season at UH).
[/quote]

I agree with you about Arizona, IB. I think they should have a great year next year. I believe they're scheduled to play in next year's Hawaiian Airlines Classic at the SSC.

[uncfan]

Looking forward to seeing UNC return to the Top 25 in `04.They will improve on their 20-12 `03 record with the return all starters except for Aletha Green.I expect Amy Beaver(`03 Fab50) to take over the #2 MB position.If they can get good setting(a weakness in `03),then they will be strong.Also,I hope they sign a strong setter for the `05 class.

[cougarize]

Sharing the little wisdom that I do have about volleyball ... the No. 2 MB is, statistically, the most insignificant position on the court. In other words plug a fab 50 in there, or plug your sister in there, and as long as you're a decent coach, things will be fine.

[EagleEye]

IdahoBoy,

After reading some of your posts on this thread, it is obvious to me that you are a true blue fan of the Everley Brothers!!!!!!!

[EagleEye]

If I could only watch ten different teams play this coming season, they would be (In alphabetical order):

1. Central Florida
2. Cincinnati
3. Michigan
4. New Mexico State
5. Northwestern
6. Purdue
7. South Carolina
8. Stanford
9. Texas Christian
10. Western Kentucky

[roy]

cougarize said:

Sharing the little wisdom that I do have about volleyball ... the No. 2 MB is, statistically, the most insignificant position on the court. In other words plug a fab 50 in there, or plug your sister in there, and as long as you're a decent coach, things will be fine.

I sort of agree with your position. The second middle position isn't as critical as the first, but I think a team like the Nebraska 2000 squad would disagree. Both of those middle blocker positions were vital to their run for a national title, as both put up a monster block and hit for a very high percentage.

If I had to chose a position, I would say the right side is the least vital position.

[Deleted]

Depends on if you're talking offense or defense. Really helps to have an M2 and RS who can block, especially if your setter isn't much of a blocker.

I agree that those are the two positions you can sacrifice offensively, if you have to. But if you are giving up offense AND defense in those two rotations you probably aren't going to have a very good team.

[Psychopotamus]

I didn't even know there were that many teams out there.

[Rus Socoli]

OrFiF said:

I didn't even know there were that many teams out there.

I thought you were already awake. Are you still sleeping?

[cougarize]

(R)uffda! said:

Depends on if you're talking offense or defense. Really helps to have an M2 and RS who can block, especially if your setter isn't much of a blocker.

I agree that those are the two positions you can sacrifice offensively, if you have to. But if you are giving up offense AND defense in those two rotations you probably aren't going to have a very good team.

I'll expand a little on my previous point. At its point in the rotation, the MB2 has an opportunity to really put up some easier numbers, making the MB2 out to be, alot of times, more significant than their actual athletic ability might indicate. Obviously the MB2 would need to be able to block first and offense provided is gravy. A MB2 with good blocking skills and average offensive game can thrive.

Case in point, a MB2 I saw in 2002 at BYU. A player comes in as a JC transfer and is at the bottom of the MB depth chart with no hope to play. But because of injuries, she's forced to be the MB2 and hits over .300 puts up well over a block per game and somehow, despite barely playing in 3/4 of the teams games becomes one of two all-conference players on the team. You'd see her play, and nothing special, but at the end of the night, she had the numbers.

I mentioned statistically the most insignificant position on the court, which I still believe, but perhaps more specifically it's the position on the court where you can mask the least talented player on the floor, and still look good doing it.

So if it came down to where to put the better athlete, MB2 or RS, I would have to say RS. I know it's deviated a little from the original statement, but it's along the same lines.

[Deleted]

I wanna see K-State. Now I know you are saying but Eov you are a Husker fan and have Husker tickets so why haven't you seen K-State. For the last two years when they have come to town I have either been out of town or had a volleyball commitment at the HS level. I did go down to Manhattan for the NCAA tourney a couple of years ago. I was in Lincoln the first time KSU beat the Huskers when Dawn Cady was a terror. I admire Suzy and what she has accomplished while there and have had several club players go to KSU. That doesn't mean I'll root for em though. hehe.

[packitwithpurple]

Eov said:

I wanna see K-State. Now I know you are saying but Eov you are a Husker fan and have Husker tickets so why haven't you seen K-State. For the last two years when they have come to town I have either been out of town or had a volleyball commitment at the HS level. I did go down to Manhattan for the NCAA tourney a couple of years ago. I was in Lincoln the first time KSU beat the Huskers when Dawn Cady was a terror. I admire Suzy and what she has accomplished while there and have had several club players go to KSU. That doesn't mean I'll root for em though. hehe.

COMEOWN DOWN!! We will entertain anyone from "Big Red" country -- especially if you send your club players our way!! We will even give you a "pack it with purple" T-shirt if you come down for the "BIG Game."

We will even tell you the secret password to get past the border guards -- that we don't normally tell those from the "northern suburbs" of Kansas.

;D