What the hey? How 'bout them Gophers?

[The Bofa on the Sofa]

BigTenVball said:

Wed nights are tough nights for vball, because many of the high schools play that night, so cannot get out to a game.
Volleyball in Iowa is growing quickly, thanks in large part to club. "
Two years Iowa had a 16-U Club team finish 3rd at Nats in Atlanta, and took I think 9th this year.
In high school here, last year volleyball passed basketball for the number one particpated sport for females, and should become number 1 in attendance for female sports as well.

I'm not surprised. Girls basketball was losing steam long before they switched from 6 on 6 to 5 on 5. For one, it lost a lot of penache when they when to classes. In the field of 16 teams at state, there was always one where the senior class had 8 students, and the coach was also the superintendent, principal, and bus driver. On the other end were Des Moines schools with 1000 per class.

OTOH, Iowa girls basketball in the 60s and 70s was huge. The girls state tournament was such a big event, with a lot of pomp and fanfare. Much more exciting than the boys tournament. My mom's cousin Art used to ref the girl's tournament all the time.

[Deleted]

I really think it comes down to Athena Mallakis would have been the ONLY backup at middle and opposite if Jones redshirted.

Jen Bowman backs up at setter and OH, and Amanda Hokenson also at OH.

That's not much depth. It would have been great to redshirt her, I agree -- like KBow last year -- but probably a luxury this team can't afford.

It will be interesting to see how much JJ plays this year. She is a fabulous talent.

It will also be interesting to see which, if any, of the 2005 frosh are redshirted. Not Roehrig or Hartmann, I bet--assuming they keep the 6-2.

[LuckyVB]

Since it's only a couple of hours drive, I was able to get over to Iowa City for the match. I thought the Gophers played very uninspired. ALL of them. Jones looked good but there was no way she was 6 for 7. I know she hit one out of bounds on the end and at least 2 or 3 were continuations. I don't know who did the stats but I think they were wrong.

I could see where depth perception might have been a problem at Carver-Hawkeye. I wonder- will it be a problem in Williams Arena on Saturday night? I hope someone reports on it. (Hint, hint Gorf or Ruffda)

[Deleted]

Let's see. 341 (possibly an exaggeration) fans in an arena that holds at least, what? 11,000? Playing Iowa on a Wednesday night. I can see where a team might be lacking a little inspiration.

If Jones hit out for an Iowa point it should be in the LiveStats.

But I've already seen a game where the Gophers won with 29 points and another where their libero served for both middles in the FIRST set of rotations. So I'm not claiming anything is impossible. Or I'm claiming nothing is impossible. Or possibly somethings or not not possible.

[Deleted]

I loved it when the Gophers used to play in Williams Arena. It should be a blast to watch a match in there again.

I remember that Mike Hebert, then at Illinois, used to sit on the elevated floor, on a stool. He always seemed to enjoy thrashing the Gophers, too.

[Deleted]

LuckyVB said:

Since it's only a couple of hours drive, I was able to get over to Iowa City for the match.

Bratford and Martin must have looked OK?

I hope someone reports on it. (Hint, hint Gorf or Ruffda)

Afterwards, you bet. Only Gorf has the techno-knowhow to do something during the match. But I'm sure there will be LiveStats.

[LuckyVB]

Yes, the outsides looked good. But as a whole team looked sloppy, etc. Balls would drop at players feet, players ran into each other, passes were off the mark and sets were poor. Byrnes and Nelson struggled. It seemed that neither could connect with the setters.

Enjoy the match at Williams.

[The Bofa on the Sofa]

(R)uffda! said:

Let's see. 341 (possibly an exaggeration) fans in an arena that holds at least, what? 11,000? Playing Iowa on a Wednesday night. I can see where a team might be lacking a little inspiration.

Carver-Hawkeye holds more like 16000 - 18000. It's a pretty large basketball arena.

When volleyball is around, it is awfully empty.

[LuckyVB]

It holds 15,500 for basketball. It is a huge place.

[Deleted]

All I know is that the one time I went there, I climbed the stairs to get popcorn and a drink and I swear I could have used a Sherpa and a tank of oxygen.

Speaking of Williams Arena, last match played there (1993 v. Notre Dame) ended with Sue Jackson's head long dive off the raised floor, chasing a shanked pass. They carried her out on a stretcher. The next day she said, "You know what? I touched that ball."

If it'd been a basketball player, a MALE basketball player, they'd STILL be talking about the effort.

Match is supposed to be shown Sunday 2pm on FSN. The Illinois match. Not the Notre Dame match.

[Deleted]

www.startribune.com/stories/512/5033506.html

www.mndaily.com/articles/2004/10/15/10724