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Post by StuffU on Sept 28, 2004 17:05:12 GMT -5
I have to admit, I'm really quite surprised that Florida hasn't really found its identity yet. The athleticism and depth last year were phenomenal. I understand that losing Cruz and Mandes was big, but I've always known Florida to be a fantastic ball handling team with great floor defense. I've always just taken it as a given that passing and digging wouldn't be a problem. Throw in to the mix 3 highly recruited setters on the roster, two heavily relied upon Jr National teamers, half the starters with Final Four experience and Jane Collymore to lead them on the outside ... I never expected them to be so "messy". I certainly expected them to be further along at this point in the season.
It makes the resurgent Hawaii squad that much more impressive to me.
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Post by 808 on Sept 28, 2004 17:29:15 GMT -5
I have to admit, I'm really quite surprised that Florida hasn't really found its identity yet. The athleticism and depth last year were phenomenal. I understand that losing Cruz and Mandes was big, but I've always known Florida to be a fantastic ball handling team with great floor defense. I've always just taken it as a given that passing and digging wouldn't be a problem. Throw in to the mix 3 highly recruited setters on the roster, two heavily relied upon Jr National teamers, half the starters with Final Four experience and Jane Collymore to lead them on the outside ... I never expected them to be so "messy". I certainly expected them to be further along at this point in the season. It makes the resurgent Hawaii squad that much more impressive to me. Hey, no hijacking an SEC thread to mention Hawaii!!
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Post by StuffU on Sept 28, 2004 17:47:31 GMT -5
Hey, no hijacking an SEC thread to mention Hawaii!! Didn't you know that Hawaii has applied for membership to the SEC??
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Post by GatorVball on Sept 28, 2004 18:01:46 GMT -5
I have to admit, I'm really quite surprised that Florida hasn't really found its identity yet. The athleticism and depth last year were phenomenal. I understand that losing Cruz and Mandes was big, but I've always known Florida to be a fantastic ball handling team with great floor defense. I've always just taken it as a given that passing and digging wouldn't be a problem. Throw in to the mix 3 highly recruited setters on the roster, two heavily relied upon Jr National teamers, half the starters with Final Four experience and Jane Collymore to lead them on the outside ... I never expected them to be so "messy". I certainly expected them to be further along at this point in the season. It makes the resurgent Hawaii squad that much more impressive to me. Well, it's not like they've dropped 5 matches. Even with the problems, at times, they've still only lost 1 match, that was in 5 at Minnesota. I mean, until you've seen them play, don't let the comments here get you thinking they are a mess. They aren't as good as they have been the last few years, but they are still pretty good. I mean, no team in the country this year would touch the Florida teams of the last 2 years, so they've set the bar high. This year, their passing does struggle at times, and it's usually in game 1. Starting 3 freshmen and 2 new primary passers will do that. Yes, they have 4 players who started last year, but none is playing the same position they did last year. This is basically Chatman's first full season at MB, she only played it when Benavia went down. Jane last year was the O2, now she's taking over for Cruz, big shoes to fill. Sherri is filling in for Benavia, more big shoes to fill in the M1 spot. The right side should've been solidified with McCray, but they didn't plan on her getting injured, so 2 middles are still making the transition there, one a true freshman, the other a true sophomore. Moscovic is now relegated to the back row, so she's getting used to not setting. And then you have a brand new setter starting. It takes more than 10 matches to get a team going and it's only been the last 2 matches that they've solidified their starting lineup, where McGinnis and Killingsworth have become the full time starters. They were splitting time before. Once the starting 6 get more time together, they will be fine. They do get better with each match. I thought this past weekend, after game 1 vs. Arkansas, they found their groove and really turned it on. Their blocking, which is really a key, came to life and they had 26 blocks in the last 6 games over the 2 matches. I say, if you want to beat Florida, do it early this year, cause by the time December rolls around, I wouldn't want to face them. Just one thing, as for their floor D, they are averaging almost 3 more digs/game then they did last year. They aren't as strong a blocking team as they were, so they've had to make up for it with the digs.
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Post by StuffU on Sept 28, 2004 18:45:02 GMT -5
Well, it's not like they've dropped 5 matches. Even with the problems, at times, they've still only lost 1 match, that was in 5 at Minnesota. I mean, until you've seen them play, don't let the comments here get you thinking they are a mess. They aren't as good as they have been the last few years, but they are still pretty good. I mean, no team in the country this year would touch the Florida teams of the last 2 years, so they've set the bar high. This year, their passing does struggle at times, and it's usually in game 1. Starting 3 freshmen and 2 new primary passers will do that. Yes, they have 4 players who started last year, but none is playing the same position they did last year. This is basically Chatman's first full season at MB, she only played it when Benavia went down. Jane last year was the O2, now she's taking over for Cruz, big shoes to fill. Sherri is filling in for Benavia, more big shoes to fill in the M1 spot. The right side should've been solidified with McCray, but they didn't plan on her getting injured, so 2 middles are still making the transition there, one a true freshman, the other a true sophomore. Moscovic is now relegated to the back row, so she's getting used to not setting. And then you have a brand new setter starting. It takes more than 10 matches to get a team going and it's only been the last 2 matches that they've solidified their starting lineup, where McGinnis and Killingsworth have become the full time starters. They were splitting time before. Once the starting 6 get more time together, they will be fine. They do get better with each match. I thought this past weekend, after game 1 vs. Arkansas, they found their groove and really turned it on. Their blocking, which is really a key, came to life and they had 26 blocks in the last 6 games over the 2 matches. I say, if you want to beat Florida, do it early this year, cause by the time December rolls around, I wouldn't want to face them. Just one thing, as for their floor D, they are averaging almost 3 more digs/game then they did last year. They aren't as strong a blocking team as they were, so they've had to make up for it with the digs. Thanks for the clarification. I followed Florida religiously when I lived in Ft Lauderdale, and was always impressed with the fundamentals that each player possessed. It's just that I was expecting them to be a lot stronger to start off the season. I certainly thought that they would be expected to make the Final Four again. Strangely enough, there hasn't been much talk of Florida in the Top 4 ... oh well ... thanks for your perspective. Do you know when the Gators will be on the Sunshine network? DirectTv is a wonderful thing!
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Post by GatorVball on Sept 28, 2004 19:01:10 GMT -5
Gators are on Sunshine tomorrow night against Texas. They have matches against Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas in the next 3 weeks as well that will be on Sunshine.
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Post by GatorVball on Sept 28, 2004 20:31:07 GMT -5
Rice destroyed LSU tonight, 30-13, 30-19, 30-13. LSU won the 1st meeting earlier this year, in 5.
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Post by GatorVball on Oct 1, 2004 20:33:16 GMT -5
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Post by GatorVball on Oct 1, 2004 22:24:52 GMT -5
Arkansas won in 4
MSU pulled the shocker on LSU, in 5, coming back from 0-2 down.
Kentucky beat South Carolina in 5, in Columbia
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Post by believer on Oct 1, 2004 23:06:30 GMT -5
Gatorvball---
Let's face it --we will be fortunate to make it through the SEC this year at this rate. Against Auburn it has never ever been remotely close. This could be the year that goes down as the one that Mary takes her biggest gamble ever. If it works she is a genius--if not she has made a big blunder. Loosing already to Minnesota and Texas means there is something wrong---the team has too much raw talent.
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Post by GatorVball on Oct 1, 2004 23:37:58 GMT -5
The match next week at Georgia will tough, I think. the real test will be at Tennessee in a few weeks. Win that, and I think they coast through the SEC. Only time will tell how good or bad this team will be. They played much better tonight and Auburn is improved. The scores really didn't indicate how one sided this match really was.
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Post by GatorVball on Oct 3, 2004 15:35:25 GMT -5
Sunday results
Tennessee swept Kentucky Florida swept Alabama Georgia swept Auburn Arkansas beat MSU in 4 Ole Miss over LSU in 5
Standings East UT 4-0 UF 4-0 UGA 2-2 UK 1-3 USC 1-3
West Arkansas 3-1 MSU 2-2 Bama 2-2 Ole Miss 1-3 LSU 1-3 Auburn 1-3
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Post by gatormade on Oct 3, 2004 18:03:30 GMT -5
This team will win the SEC and make it to the Final Four. There is a lot of season left for this team to improve yet.
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Post by TDCincy on Oct 8, 2004 10:24:16 GMT -5
Tennessee is ranked #18 in the USA today/Coaches poll and continues to close the gap on Florida. UT is now 14-1, sweeping their last 4 matches and hoping to keep their win streak alive @ Miss State & Ole Miss this weekend, then @ Auburn & Alabama next weekend before hosting Florida 10/22 and Georgia 10/24.
Hey GatorVBall, you goin to Tennessee 10/22?
BTW....One of the early wins for UT was 3-0 over Loyola Marymount in California. Loyola Marymount beat #13 UC Santa Barbara 3-1 this week.
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Post by GatorVball on Oct 8, 2004 19:26:59 GMT -5
UGA is facing UK right now. Oquendo for UGA has 26 kills, 0 errors in 34 swings, hitting .764 late in game 3. The 2 teams split games, 30-22 UGA, 34-32 UK. Game 3 is tight and both teams are hitting well. UK at .392, UGA at .405 for the match. Where's the D?
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