#15 Stanford @ #10 Washington | Sun 10/24 Noon PT | PAC-12
Oct 24, 2021 0:13:10 GMT -5
volleybob likes this
Post by hammer on Oct 24, 2021 0:13:10 GMT -5
Setters: Looks pretty even but perhaps a slight edge to Washington. Miner might be able to locate a bit better, but Powell is more deceptive.
Outside hitters: Washington gets a slight edge here too since Baird is not 100%. If Baird can't go, then big advantage to the Huskies.
OPP: Even: Kipp and Dreschel are two of the best playing collegiately. Kipp is a better blocker, but Dreschel is a more dependable hitter at crunch time.
Middle Hitters: Slight advantage U-Dub. Grote's offense stands out and Sanders is a better blocker than any of Stanford's middles.
L: Advantage Stanford. Oglivie is very smooth, consistent, and putting up excellent dig numbers. Bays has shown potential but might be a year behind Oglivie development wise.
DS: Stanford uses two (Lougeay and Beaven) but I'm not sure whether U-Dub uses one or two. I believe U-Dub uses Crenshaw for Dreschel and Calle for Bush/Ensley, but not all the time. Overall it looks like Stanford has a slightly higher digs/set, so this number and comments posted by U-Dub fans suggest that Stanford's back row D is a little better.
Serving: Edge to Washington as they are probably the best serving team in the Pac-12. Stanford is a pretty good serving team too, but Stanford commits a lot of errors.
Blocking: Overall I'd say even, with U-Dub better in the middle, but Stanford better on the pins.
Back row D: See my comment under "L" and "DS".
Home Court: Definite plus to Washington -- but maybe a little less than on a Friday night. Stanford hasn't played that well on the road this season although they finally won a match against a good team on Friday night.
Experience: Big advantage Washington as they have lots of "old timers" who have been through many volleyball wars.
Desperation: Both teams need this win bad. Stanford blew two opportunities against UCLA and Oregon, so they would like another make-up win against a good Pac-12 team on the road. Washington lost two tough five setters to Utah and WSU. Washington needs to hold serve at home because that's a key to winning the Pac-12.
Coaching: Slight edge to Washington as Keegan Cook continually seems to do more with less year after year
What happens to Baird?
Sick all week, did not practice, but was able to make it through the long five set match in Pullman. She look really gassed in sets 3 and 4, sitting down during timeouts and subbed out of the back row at times. Her passing was subpar also, likely due to the lack of practice.
