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Post by cbusvball on Aug 26, 2021 12:32:20 GMT -5
I am hearing that they will open up with The University of Washington the last weekend of August. UW fan here. Subscribing to BTN+ for a month to watch my Huskies play the Buckeyes. Considering both teams' records, it'll probably be a 5-set barn-burner. UW's weaknesses have been passing and floor defense. We have a new Libero recruit (Lauren Bays) coming in, which should help to shore those areas up, but the thought over in the UW threads is that Cook won't be throwing her to the "dogs" right off the bat, but will stick with last season's starter at Libero (Shannon Crenshaw, a converted OH). UW has everyone back, except for Serving Specialist Maria Bogomolova, including three All-Americans (Ella May Powell/S, Samantha Drechsel/OPP, and Claire Hoffman/OH). Who should we be watching for from the Buckeyes? Will Ohio State be coming to Seattle in the future? Or is this a one-and-done? I don't think Washington playing in Columbus means that OSU will be visiting Seattle soon, since this is the NCAA mandated test match for the Final Four site. In 2016, BYU visited for that same event and OSU hasn't gone to a match out there since. As far as who to watch on OSU, it is sophomore OPP Emily Londot. At times last year as NCAA freshman of the year she would get 50% of OSU's swings in a match. Junior libero Kylie Murr will keep a lot of balls mid rally that should have been kills, but isn't as strong in serve receive. The other hitter to watch out for is sophomore MB Rylee Rader. She hit very efficiently last year and is good at getting little tips to fall just behind the block, but in front of the defense. In my opinion, the key for OSU this year is for better and more consistent play from OH. They have 4 upper classmen who played some last year and could start, but no one was a standout all year. I favor Washington in 4 or 5 because I won't trust OSU's outsides until I see someone take that step forward and there won't be real homecourt advantage playing at Nationwide. |
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Post by Brutus Buckeye on Aug 26, 2021 13:14:39 GMT -5
I don't think Washington playing in Columbus means that OSU will be visiting Seattle soon, since this is the NCAA mandated test match for the Final Four site. In 2016, BYU visited for that same event and OSU hasn't gone to a match out there since. . Actually they did. ohiostatebuckeyes.com/no-21-buckeyes-knocked-off-by-no-10-byu/ |
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Post by redbeard2008 on Aug 26, 2021 14:23:15 GMT -5
I don't think Washington playing in Columbus means that OSU will be visiting Seattle soon, since this is the NCAA mandated test match for the Final Four site. In 2016, BYU visited for that same event and OSU hasn't gone to a match out there since. As far as who to watch on OSU, it is sophomore OPP Emily Londot. At times last year as NCAA freshman of the year she would get 50% of OSU's swings in a match. Junior libero Kylie Murr will keep a lot of balls mid rally that should have been kills, but isn't as strong in serve receive. The other hitter to watch out for is sophomore MB Rylee Rader. She hit very efficiently last year and is good at getting little tips to fall just behind the block, but in front of the defense. In my opinion, the key for OSU this year is for better and more consistent play from OH. They have 4 upper classmen who played some last year and could start, but no one was a standout all year. I favor Washington in 4 or 5 because I won't trust OSU's outsides until I see someone take that step forward and there won't be real homecourt advantage playing at Nationwide. In 2013, we had to have the Canadian National Team come to play at Key Arena. No P5 school would. UW has been trying to schedule more home-and-aways, rather than one-and-dones. A lot of P5 schools don't want to go all the way to Seattle, when they have as good or better RPI-cookies they can pick up closer to home. Londot sounds like a player who can take over a match. UW has a strong block, but if a hitter can go over them or is adept at hitting high hands, that can be a problem. Tip-coverage can also be a problem (with a 6'2" libero, although she got better as the season went on). UW will spread the load, with three pin-hitters having led UW in kills and one of the best setters in the country. Getting offensive contributions from the middles has been more hit-and-miss (along with the passing). UW is a strong serving team. |
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Post by cbusvball on Aug 26, 2021 14:50:11 GMT -5
I don't think Washington playing in Columbus means that OSU will be visiting Seattle soon, since this is the NCAA mandated test match for the Final Four site. In 2016, BYU visited for that same event and OSU hasn't gone to a match out there since. . Actually they did. ohiostatebuckeyes.com/no-21-buckeyes-knocked-off-by-no-10-byu/I completely forgot about that game, but in my defense I have tried to forget most of Geoff's last 3 seasons. |
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Post by Brutus Buckeye on Aug 27, 2021 19:41:15 GMT -5
OSU beat NKU in straight sets
Game 1 starters
Podraza: 31 A / 9 D
Gonzalez: 15 K
Rader: Hit 1.000 / 8 K
Davis: 13 B
Londot: 8 B
Grunze
Murr: 14 D
Key Sub
Gruensfelder: 9 D
Got In
Taylor
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Post by cbusvball on Aug 27, 2021 22:14:32 GMT -5
Just finished watching the replay since I was at the Crew game.
Even though I knew any of the 4 OH options could start, I was surprised by Grunze and Gonzales. Gabby played real well, but Mia struggled, especially in serve receive. Arica Davis started at MB and was dominant at the net. I doubt many other freshman have been involved in 13 blocks in their first match that only went 3 sets. I am excited to see what she will look like against a big step up in competition tomorrow night. JFO didn't make any subs even when up by a lot towards the end of the match, so I am wondering who is the next up at OH if Mia struggles against Washington.
I did notice that Adria Powell, junior OH/MB was not dressed for tonight, but it looked like everyone else on the roster was in uniform.
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Post by Brutus Buckeye on Aug 28, 2021 20:18:14 GMT -5
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Post by Brutus Buckeye on Aug 30, 2021 16:01:09 GMT -5
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Post by ted_heise on Aug 30, 2021 18:44:25 GMT -5
Ahem. Lexi Rodriguez says hi.
(and yes, I see the tiny, tiny, "co-" in there, but it took a while to find)
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Post by volleyaudience on Aug 31, 2021 22:31:55 GMT -5
Watching Ohio State, I am thinking of a couple of advantages to having a 6-2 setter.
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Post by bucky415 on Sept 1, 2021 5:39:43 GMT -5
Okay, since I paid for ESPN+ already, I think I found something to watch Saturday night rather than watching football and bemoaning that Georgia and Clemson can no longer play to a 0-0 tie theoretically (hoping Georgia wins 3-0 in 2OT on a field goal that doinks off the upright and goes through because they have better chances to lose down the line in the SEC). I don't think the Buckeyes will let the match at Texas Tech go very long, however. I was kind of hoping the Buckeyes would be at home in volleyball, however, and give the Buckeye fans feeling lost with no football game on Saturday something to watch in person.
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Post by rjaege on Sept 1, 2021 6:22:47 GMT -5
How many big wins did this team really have last season? I thought they caught Penn State at a bad time. The win in Lincoln was legit - but how good were the Huskers, truly? The Huskers got beat by Texas in 4 sets in the regional final of the NCAA tournament. TX beat WI in the quarter final and lost to KY in the final. Huskers had a final rank of 6th, about right considering. Huskers and OSU were legit last year with OSU being the more explosive and talented team IMO. OSU needs to improve their passing and defense. Played OOS too much last year, although their athleticism served them well when OOS. Again my amateur opinion. |
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Post by rjaege on Sept 1, 2021 6:28:24 GMT -5
As we wait for the season to start, I reflected on the strong showing OSU made this past season finishing in the top four in the Big Ten. This season will the the team do enough to hold off Penn State, Purdue, Illinois, Michigan and others to maintain their position as a top five (or better) team in the Big Ten? Should be a very competitive year. I predict they will. OSU very talented with a good coach that inspires her players. |
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Post by gibbyb1 on Sept 1, 2021 8:27:19 GMT -5
How many big wins did this team really have last season? I thought they caught Penn State at a bad time. The win in Lincoln was legit - but how good were the Huskers, truly? The Huskers got beat by Texas in 4 sets in the regional final of the NCAA tournament. TX beat WI in the quarter final and lost to KY in the final. Huskers had a final rank of 6th, about right considering. Huskers and OSU were legit last year with OSU being the more explosive and talented team IMO. OSU needs to improve their passing and defense. Played OOS too much last year, although their athleticism served them well when OOS. Again my amateur opinion. I don’t agree OSU was more talented than Nebraska |
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Post by Brutus Buckeye on Sept 3, 2021 9:21:54 GMT -5
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