proftubed
Sophomore
"Remember, no matter where you go, there you are."
Posts: 125
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Post by proftubed on Sept 11, 2021 15:45:30 GMT -5
UCSD with the sweep of UNM!
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Post by gouci on Sept 11, 2021 19:02:55 GMT -5
Pacific def. CSUN 3-1
Arizona St. sweeps UC Davis 3-0
Air Force def. Fullerton 3-1
UCI def. Lafayette College 3-1
Bakersfield def. San Francisco 3-1
After losing the 1st set 23-25, UC Riverside rallies to beat Ashley Preston and her new team New Orleans 3-1.
For the record Fullerton has an unofficial RPI of 166 while Ashley Preston is winless, 0-5 at New Orleans with an unofficial RPI of 312.
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Post by beachvball on Sept 11, 2021 22:34:35 GMT -5
And she’s a great coach.
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Post by BeachbytheBay on Sept 12, 2021 11:57:28 GMT -5
amidst the obvious mediocrity in the Big West so far, I guess the one interesting aspect is that for this season, the conference is truly 'wide open' or 'there for the taking'
Cal Poly? all they've shown is that they can lose to good teams Hawaii? probably the best wins in Texas A&M and U$C, but both at home and face it Texas A&M and U$C aren't quite top 25 or really stand out wins at this point SB? looked great for the first few sets of the season vs. Illinois, and simply haven't won matches Long Beach? has beat some bad teams, and like Poly have lost to to good teams, and still can't receive serve worth a darn after 5 years. some solid hitters if they could learn to receive and pass and stop playing like a beach team with all the bump sets that let opponents camp out on their hitters, unfortunately for LB that VB is 2/3 passing and setting Davis? highlight was probably wining the first set of UCLAs first match of the season Irvine? wins are against terrible teams Bakersfield? well, at least one team has a 'lofty' record to elevate themselves into this discussion, and comparitively they beat Utah State, plus the other wins vs. a bunch of really bad teams
North, Full, Riverside, UCSD. not going to win the conference, sorry, ain't gonna happen. Yes, UCSD did beat an undefeated New Mexico team, but look at New Mexico's wins, 8 wins vs. really bad teams. The win says more about New Mexico than it does UCSD
so.... probably close to Hawaii and Poly still being the top contendors, but it is realistic that a lot of teams will be beating all the 'contending' teams, and can't rule out the bottom teams getting upsets vs. the top of the conference. A 5-6 loss champion is realistic this year, and that's something very rare in the Big West
if nothing else, each match will be interesting. Every team has an if, a big if, attached to their chances to win a title. If I were to hazard a guess on who will win the Big West at this point, I'd be totally stumped to go out on a limb, usually by this time there's a lot more differentiation, not so this year.
Massey Ratings are finally converging to some semblance of 'accuracy' #83: Hawaii (wow, #83? usually the Big West at least has 1-2 teams around #50 each season #89: Cal Poly, and they've yet to beat anyone #100: Bake? well, I don't believe the rankin will be maintained, but data is data, at least as far as the Big West they can't be UTR anymore, lol #121: Irvine. Big win so far vs...., ok so there is no Big Win for them yet #122: Long Beach. See Irvine #126: SB. difference to Cal Poly is they've lost to mediocre teams #166: Davis. 2 wins including that win over a 2 win Santa Clara team that beat top 25 South Carolina, is keeping them in discussion
won't even mention the ratings of SD, Riv, Full, North because none of those teams will win the conference, or my monikor isn't ccmanlb
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Post by jake on Sept 12, 2021 13:35:32 GMT -5
amidst the obvious mediocrity in the Big West so far, I guess the one interesting aspect is that for this season, the conference is truly 'wide open' or 'there for the taking' Cal Poly? all they've shown is that they can lose to good teams Hawaii? probably the best wins in Texas A&M and U$C, but both at home and face it Texas A&M and U$C aren't quite top 25 or really stand out wins at this point SB? looked great for the first few sets of the season vs. Illinois, and simply haven't won matches Long Beach? has beat some bad teams, and like Poly have lost to to good teams, and still can't receive serve worth a darn after 5 years. some solid hitters if they could learn to receive and pass and stop playing like a beach team with all the bump sets that let opponents camp out on their hitters, unfortunately for LB that VB is 2/3 passing and setting Davis? highlight was probably wining the first set of UCLAs first match of the season Irvine? wins are against terrible teams Bakersfield? well, at least one team has a 'lofty' record to elevate themselves into this discussion, and comparitively they beat Utah State, plus the other wins vs. a bunch of really bad teams North, Full, Riverside, UCSD. not going to win the conference, sorry, ain't gonna happen. Yes, UCSD did beat an undefeated New Mexico team, but look at New Mexico's wins, 8 wins vs. really bad teams. The win says more about New Mexico than it does UCSD so.... probably close to Hawaii and Poly still being the top contendors, but it is realistic that a lot of teams will be beating all the 'contending' teams, and can't rule out the bottom teams getting upsets vs. the top of the conference. A 5-6 loss champion is realistic this year, and that's something very rare in the Big West if nothing else, each match will be interesting. Every team has an if, a big if, attached to their chances to win a title. If I were to hazard a guess on who will win the Big West at this point, I'd be totally stumped to go out on a limb, usually by this time there's a lot more differentiation, not so this year. Massey Ratings are finally converging to some semblance of 'accuracy' #83: Hawaii (wow, #83? usually the Big West at least has 1-2 teams around #50 each season #89: Cal Poly, and they've yet to beat anyone #100: Bake? well, I don't believe the rankin will be maintained, but data is data, at least as far as the Big West they can't be UTR anymore, lol #121: Irvine. Big win so far vs...., ok so there is no Big Win for them yet #122: Long Beach. See Irvine #126: SB. difference to Cal Poly is they've lost to mediocre teams #166: Davis. 2 wins including that win over a 2 win Santa Clara team that beat top 25 South Carolina, is keeping them in discussion won't even mention the ratings of SD, Riv, Full, North because none of those teams will win the conference, or my monikor isn't ccmanlb Good write up,...pretty much spot on! Don't follow all the teams like you do. So, only can agree about POLY, LBSU & UH. If, coach Walters knew she would be without two of her more talented players this season (so far) she probably would not have made as tough a schedule. Nevertheless, it is what it is, playing these very good teams hopefully will help later down the road. Such was the case in the 2019 season,...a deja vu!
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Post by kb808 on Sept 12, 2021 14:14:16 GMT -5
This year will come down to coaching, which coach can get the best out of her players…
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Post by beachgrad on Sept 12, 2021 14:15:51 GMT -5
I have not watched all of the BW teams but the common theme is very inconsistent play. For short periods of time the teams look good but when they fall apart they really do fall apart. IMO, Hawaii has had the best spurts looking good in all aspects of the game. The problem with Hawaii, as with the other conference teams, the teams on the opposite side of the net are more steady and consistent letting the BW teams blow up on themselves when some pressure is applied.
My LBSU team has looked horrible passing and receiving for the majority of their matches. Plus, the team’s block has been no where to be found and that does not bode well for the upcoming conference season. If the team improves the passing / receiving the setting will improve and the overall flow of the match will be…. Watchable from a fans perspective. Williams and Lovett have had really good spurts but the other hitters are performing well below the average. I will also applauded Canez because she is doing the most with her talent level and limited athleticism.
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Post by chatchu-off moksri on Sept 12, 2021 14:26:42 GMT -5
I think UCSB could be a dark horse for the conference title. They could have easily been undefeated, but have lost so many close 5 set matches. They have some athletic pin hitters that could definitely heat it up during conference play. Love watching their 5'10" freshman OH Ohwobete. The title is probably going to be between UH and CP though.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2021 14:43:39 GMT -5
I think UCSB could be a dark horse for the conference title. They could have easily been undefeated, but have lost so many close 5 set matches. They have some athletic pin hitters that could definitely heat it up during conference play. Love watching their 5'10" freshman OH Ohwobete. The title is probably going to be between UH and CP though. UCSB has the best arms in the BW with Farmer, Froley, Ohwobete, Wilson and Ennis but the speed of their offense requires a good first contact. They are not getting that quality touch (passing or defense) from their ball control players and they also need more leadership from their seniors.
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Post by BeachbytheBay on Sept 12, 2021 14:47:49 GMT -5
I think UCSB could be a dark horse for the conference title. They could have easily been undefeated, but have lost so many close 5 set matches. They have some athletic pin hitters that could definitely heat it up during conference play. Love watching their 5'10" freshman OH Ohwobete. The title is probably going to be between UH and CP though. at this stage there is NO dark hourse, to have a dark horse, there actually has to be a decent front-runner! Cal Poly or Hawaii hasn't shown themselves to be capable of the type of play that would segregate themselves from the rest of the conference basically it's a matter of which team can cut down on mistakes, since there's not any dominating type players in the league this year
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 12, 2021 15:02:11 GMT -5
Hawaii is an enigma to me. We never know what we’re going to get with this team. Even with the crafty BVS, I’m not sold on Hawaii’s left side attack to carry the team. The middle is a strength for Hawaii but that is mostly with Amber Igiede at the net. Sky Williams has been replaced by the more dynamic freshman from Hungary, Anna Kiraly, but she’s young. De Goede gives Hawaii a good scoring option at opposite but like Kiraly, she’s young. And there is a lot of inconsistency at the setter position for the Bows. Byrd has height but I like Lang’s hands a lot better. Regardless, it’s a big step off from Iosia and Choy setting in 2019. The Bows have shown flashes of being really good in-system but it’s not consistent enough. Hawaii is talented enough to win the Big West, especially with their freshman gaining more experience in conference but it’ll be a grind. Robyn and staff have their work cut out for them. That said, we love our team so Go Bows!
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Post by ACE on Sept 12, 2021 17:45:05 GMT -5
I don't mind a competitive conference, so long as the competition is at a high level.
I'd rather watch a 25-10 set if the winning team played some good volleyball than watching a 30-28 set in which both teams have 16 unforced errors, 14 shank passes, 19 bump sets, ugly sets to their pins,etc.
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Post by gouci on Sept 13, 2021 19:23:46 GMT -5
Just some early impressions on UCI.
UCI has 16 new players for this season either as transfers or freshmen.
- The 2020-21 class has 3 starters in the line-up led by libero Carly Richter, OH1 Marianna Bertolone and OH2 Grace Colburn. Colburn is solid at serving and defense leading UCI with 10 aces and 61 digs. I can see Richter and her superb ball control contending to make it onto the Big West All Freshman team along maybe with Bertolone. I grade this group an A-.
- The 2021-22 class has 2 players, Indy DeSmet & Amanda Leinbach that come off the bench as situational players like a serving or defensive specialist. There are a few more players with good resumes on paper. I grade this group a B- .
- UCI brought in 3 transfers. Two of them, setter Caitlin Kikta from Rutgers and Opp Ellen Veargason from LMU are regulars in the line-up. I grade this group a B.
- What is carrying UCI on their backs so far this season is how much the sophomore class has stepped up and improved. 6-3 MB1 Onye Ofoegbu is leading UCI with 112 kills while hitting 0.440 for the season. On the defensive end she leads UCI with 45 blocks. Plus she is a rare middle that UCI is permitting to serve where she has 5 aces. The biggest surprise so far is 5-8 undersized hitter Joy Umeh who came to UCI as a walk-on. Umeh has hops as she was a CIF D2 finalist in the long jump & triple jump in high school. Umeh also has 112 kills while hitting 0.307 for the season. UCI is playing a 2 setter system where Kelly Negron leads the team with 190 assists. Finally big props and improvement by 6-0 MB2 Kiani Stanton who was a project player with the raw athleticism and physical skills but not much high level playing experience coming out of Pittsburgh, California. Stanton was converted into a middle from an outside hitter. The times UCI goes to her Stanton is solid with 34 kills, hitting 0.431 with 25 blocks. I grade this group an A+.
- UCI has a junior in Sophie Wood and no seniors. I thought maybe 6-2 Wood would start at Opp based on Spring play but she hasn't played this season maybe due to injury? The grade for this group is Incomplete.
- UCI did a great job of scheduling for a team coming off a basement finish in The Big West. UCI flew far to play Eastern teams Fairfield and Sacred Heart, both picked to win their small conferences. UCI also played Boise St. and UTEP both picked to finish 2nd in their conferences. Most of these teams may not be top 50 teams, so UCI had a chance to beat them, but also they will rack up lots of wins if they end up finishing in the top 2 of their conferences and maybe even be an NCAA tournament team by year's end. I grade UCI's scheduling an A.
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Post by HawaiiVB on Sept 13, 2021 19:39:05 GMT -5
Hawai'i has nine freshmen, one transfer setter, and one Covid freshman setter. We have started five freshmen, and two Covid Sophs who haven't played much or who wasn't relyed on heavily, not to mention our only two setters are both new to the Big West and to Robyn. Coach Rob said on Friday that she didn't use the one-season gap as an excuse for the way her women have played up until Friday night. That may be her truth, but looking at the conference stats so far, and on average I would say statistically that gap season is taking its toll on the teams. And it's not so much because of anything our teams can control, but just the level of play from our opponents. For the most part, they are in second or third gear while we are in first or second gear. And nothing can substitute real game-time playing experience. And then you add in the veteran-ness, cohesiveness of a team with team chemistry and you can see how inconsistent most of our teams have been. So now what? Well, you have one week to figure it out. and then it's an all-out battle for the Big West auto bid. That's it. Now if you are looking one to two seasons ahead, Hawai'i is in a good place with the recruits they have. These freshmen are providing a scary future with the skills they already possess.
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Post by gouci on Sept 13, 2021 19:39:43 GMT -5
The Big West unofficial Figstats RPI as of 9/13/21.
106. Cal St. Bakersfield 5-1 111. Cal Poly 2-7 115. UC Irvine 6-3 134. Hawaii 3-5 170. Long Beach St. 4-5 199. UC Santa Barbara 3-6
219. UC Riverside 3-4 256. Cal St. Fullerton 2-4 266. Cal St. Northridge 1-7 291. UC San Diego 2-7 305. UC Davis 3-6
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