#1 Texas @ RV Kansas | Wed Sep 21 | ESPN2 | 8 pm CT

[bluepenquin]

That was probably Elnady's best all around match of the season - she has had a very good season thus far. She played more backrow and they couldn't 'hide' her on serve receive while playing a 6-2. She stepped up and her passing was solid - her backrow defense was solid.

Elnady fits very will with Bien - much better than when she was playing opposite Mosser in 2020. She needs a strong passer as the other OH - so this is a really nice combination.

The entire floor defense for Kansas is much improved over the last several years - they have more depth at DS than ever before. Farris is playing her best volleyball of her career. And then you have Bien.

[bluepenquin]

And - how did Kansas get swept by UCF and then play Texas to 5 sets?

To start with - UCF is a good team.

The 3 sets were close - so the match was much closer than a sweep would imply.

UCF also got all the same kinds of breaks Kansas got in the first 2 sets against Texas. They got several crucial reversals (just like Kansas in set 1) that were absolutely essential in winning sets. They got the kinds of plays like a set point bump kill from the libero that Kansas got last night. It just goes to show how a series of many small, almost random things (like a ball called in or out that takes almost 5 minutes to figure out by the ref) can decide the outcome of a close set.

Eggleston and Fleck are such impact players that a team like Kansas cannot match. During the first set I was thinking Fleck was NPOY - her impact on Texas is huge. Eggleston's back row attacks just flat out destroyed Kansas. Almost the same thing that I saw from Melville (UCF). Those two are great players - and/or - Kansas has a real problem handling the backrow attacks.

[widdledumpling]

Sept 22, 2022 18:46:06 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Bechard appears to have a strong preference for running a 5-1. Last year (if memory serves) - Kansas started the season with McGhie as the setter. They moved to a 6-2 so as to get Turner into the games. It wasn't until the middle of conference season that Turner became the 5-1 setter. The reverse sweep loss to Texas last year - Kansas was running a 6-2.

Here is the dilemma for this year. London Davis is too good to be playing the bench. Szabo has real value as a blocker and can get hot on occasions. I just think the drop off from Turner to Dalton is too big right now to be running a 6-2. Up until last night - Kansas had only run a 6-2 in the last half of the UCF loss. Essentially, this was the first match that Dalton has played that wasn't mop up or that brief time with UCF. What a way to get her acclimated to D1 volleyball against Texas... But I guess that Bechard believe Kansas had to have the better blocking in the match against a team like Texas - and for the first 2 sets - Kansas badly out blocked Texas.

I expect Kansas to be playing mostly a 5-1 the rest of conference play - and make some strategic late set double switches. Turner is just too darn good to be putting on the bench.

Great perspective, thank you! We missed your commentary last night. Your team was baller and gave us all we could handle

[stevehorn]

Sept 22, 2022 18:59:44 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

And - how did Kansas get swept by UCF and then play Texas to 5 sets?

To start with - UCF is a good team.

The 3 sets were close - so the match was much closer than a sweep would imply.

UCF also got all the same kinds of breaks Kansas got in the first 2 sets against Texas. They got several crucial reversals (just like Kansas in set 1) that were absolutely essential in winning sets. They got the kinds of plays like a set point bump kill from the libero that Kansas got last night. It just goes to show how a series of many small, almost random things (like a ball called in or out that takes almost 5 minutes to figure out by the ref) can decide the outcome of a close set.

Eggleston and Fleck are such impact players that a team like Kansas cannot match. During the first set I was thinking Fleck was NPOY - her impact on Texas is huge. Eggleston's back row attacks just flat out destroyed Kansas. Almost the same thing that I saw from Melville (UCF). Those two are great players - and/or - Kansas has a real problem handling the backrow attacks.

I suspect Kansas was also a bit more focused and motivated last night.   I would also say taking Texas to five last season gave Kansas some confidence also.

[hebrooks87]

Sept 21, 2022 21:12:24 GMT -5 outlaw said:

ELLIOT GOING ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE NET TO YELL AT THE SCORERS LMAOOOOOO

I'm pretty sure what he was upset about was showing replays on the video board during the challenge process.

[nellynel]

Sept 22, 2022 18:59:44 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

And - how did Kansas get swept by UCF and then play Texas to 5 sets?

To start with - UCF is a good team.

The 3 sets were close - so the match was much closer than a sweep would imply.

UCF also got all the same kinds of breaks Kansas got in the first 2 sets against Texas. They got several crucial reversals (just like Kansas in set 1) that were absolutely essential in winning sets. They got the kinds of plays like a set point bump kill from the libero that Kansas got last night. It just goes to show how a series of many small, almost random things (like a ball called in or out that takes almost 5 minutes to figure out by the ref) can decide the outcome of a close set.

Eggleston and Fleck are such impact players that a team like Kansas cannot match. During the first set I was thinking Fleck was NPOY - her impact on Texas is huge. Eggleston's back row attacks just flat out destroyed Kansas. Almost the same thing that I saw from Melville (UCF). Those two are great players - and/or - Kansas has a real problem handling the backrow attacks.

Do the middles for Kansas normally cheat as much to the pins or was that a game strategy? Dooley was by far the most prevalent but Langs did as well. In the first set SKT probably should had 10 kills but she kept setting to where the middle had already formed a double block. One of the reasons Logan was so deadly in the back row was the middles had already vacated their position.

[eyeroll2021]

Sept 22, 2022 18:46:06 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Bechard appears to have a strong preference for running a 5-1. Last year (if memory serves) - Kansas started the season with McGhie as the setter. They moved to a 6-2 so as to get Turner into the games. It wasn't until the middle of conference season that Turner became the 5-1 setter. The reverse sweep loss to Texas last year - Kansas was running a 6-2.

Here is the dilemma for this year. London Davis is too good to be playing the bench. Szabo has real value as a blocker and can get hot on occasions. I just think the drop off from Turner to Dalton is too big right now to be running a 6-2. Up until last night - Kansas had only run a 6-2 in the last half of the UCF loss. Essentially, this was the first match that Dalton has played that wasn't mop up or that brief time with UCF. What a way to get her acclimated to D1 volleyball against Texas... But I guess that Bechard believe Kansas had to have the better blocking in the match against a team like Texas - and for the first 2 sets - Kansas badly out blocked Texas.

I expect Kansas to be playing mostly a 5-1 the rest of conference play - and make some strategic late set double switches. Turner is just too darn good to be putting on the bench.

IMO this is basically why most coaches who are exploring 6-2s this year are doing it - Nebraska, Wisconsin etc.  Everyone's trying to stave off transfers.

[bluepenquin]

Sept 23, 2022 12:28:06 GMT -5 nellynel said:

Sept 22, 2022 18:59:44 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

And - how did Kansas get swept by UCF and then play Texas to 5 sets?

To start with - UCF is a good team.

The 3 sets were close - so the match was much closer than a sweep would imply.

UCF also got all the same kinds of breaks Kansas got in the first 2 sets against Texas. They got several crucial reversals (just like Kansas in set 1) that were absolutely essential in winning sets. They got the kinds of plays like a set point bump kill from the libero that Kansas got last night. It just goes to show how a series of many small, almost random things (like a ball called in or out that takes almost 5 minutes to figure out by the ref) can decide the outcome of a close set.

Eggleston and Fleck are such impact players that a team like Kansas cannot match. During the first set I was thinking Fleck was NPOY - her impact on Texas is huge. Eggleston's back row attacks just flat out destroyed Kansas. Almost the same thing that I saw from Melville (UCF). Those two are great players - and/or - Kansas has a real problem handling the backrow attacks.

Do the middles for Kansas normally cheat as much to the pins or was that a game strategy? Dooley was by far the most prevalent but Langs did as well. In the first set SKT probably should had 10 kills but she kept setting to where the middle had already formed a double block. One of the reasons Logan was so deadly in the back row was the middles had already vacated their position.

I believe it to have been a game or in-game strategy.  It wasn't like Texas was killing them from their MB - so I believe they 'cheated' to the pins.  Eggleston is great from the backrow - but I also suspect that this became an in game adjustment as that middle attack from the back row had no one at the net to block.

[slxpress]

Sept 22, 2022 18:59:44 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

And - how did Kansas get swept by UCF and then play Texas to 5 sets?

To start with - UCF is a good team.

The 3 sets were close - so the match was much closer than a sweep would imply.

UCF also got all the same kinds of breaks Kansas got in the first 2 sets against Texas. They got several crucial reversals (just like Kansas in set 1) that were absolutely essential in winning sets. They got the kinds of plays like a set point bump kill from the libero that Kansas got last night. It just goes to show how a series of many small, almost random things (like a ball called in or out that takes almost 5 minutes to figure out by the ref) can decide the outcome of a close set.

Eggleston and Fleck are such impact players that a team like Kansas cannot match. During the first set I was thinking Fleck was NPOY - her impact on Texas is huge. Eggleston's back row attacks just flat out destroyed Kansas. Almost the same thing that I saw from Melville (UCF). Those two are great players - and/or - Kansas has a real problem handling the backrow attacks.

I understand where you're coming from in saying KU got the breaks with those reversals, but I do want to clarify that the reversal was the right call in both cases. The out of bounds call was close, so I have an element of forgiveness there, but missing the in the net call was egregious. All I could think of at the time is thank goodness they changed the challenge rules or Bechard would have been out of challenges. 

The second set was shocking to me. I'm so used to Texas efficiently siding out in those circumstances mentally I thought the set was over. Credit to KU for the comeback victory. That set point was a dagger in the heart as a fan.

Once Parra got going on her serve in the 3rd set, it was the first time Texas looked like Texas to me. 

Fun match. 5 set reverse sweeps in Lawrence becoming a tradition both programs would probably prefer to do without, although KU much more than Texas, obviously. BTW, kudos to the crowd. They were terrific.

[friendlybanter]

I think Kansas is right where they supposed to be. They’ve been struggling these last few years, but you can see them coming back. They aren’t a top 25 team yet, but they are a real solid team that should be receiving votes in the top 25. I think what set them back is losing CC to Wisconsin. Dooley is a very good blocker, but can struggle offensively. I think with CC it would have been perfect because while Bien is very good, she is not a player who can get 20+ kills when its all on her. Turner is very good, Bien/Elnady are vey solid outsides and a combination of Szabo/Davis on the RS is good. The backrow have really picked up wit the additions of the DSs and Langs is good in the middle. With Crawford’s contributions in the middle they would’ve been a top 20 team this year. But her leaving left a big hole in the middle, which is why they needed Dooley. I think as the year goes on they will be a really solid team in the Big12.

[bluepenquin]

Sept 23, 2022 13:53:15 GMT -5 slxpress said:

Sept 22, 2022 18:59:44 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

And - how did Kansas get swept by UCF and then play Texas to 5 sets?

To start with - UCF is a good team.

The 3 sets were close - so the match was much closer than a sweep would imply.

UCF also got all the same kinds of breaks Kansas got in the first 2 sets against Texas. They got several crucial reversals (just like Kansas in set 1) that were absolutely essential in winning sets. They got the kinds of plays like a set point bump kill from the libero that Kansas got last night. It just goes to show how a series of many small, almost random things (like a ball called in or out that takes almost 5 minutes to figure out by the ref) can decide the outcome of a close set.

Eggleston and Fleck are such impact players that a team like Kansas cannot match. During the first set I was thinking Fleck was NPOY - her impact on Texas is huge. Eggleston's back row attacks just flat out destroyed Kansas. Almost the same thing that I saw from Melville (UCF). Those two are great players - and/or - Kansas has a real problem handling the backrow attacks.

I understand where you're coming from in saying KU got the breaks with those reversals, but I do want to clarify that the reversal was the right call in both cases. The out of bounds call was close, so I have an element of forgiveness there, but missing the in the net call was egregious. All I could think of at the time is thank goodness they changed the challenge rules or Bechard would have been out of challenges. 

The second set was shocking to me. I'm so used to Texas efficiently siding out in those circumstances mentally I thought the set was over. Credit to KU for the comeback victory. That set point was a dagger in the heart as a fan.

Once Parra got going on her serve in the 3rd set, it was the first time Texas looked like Texas to me. 

Fun match. 5 set reverse sweeps in Lawrence becoming a tradition both programs would probably prefer to do without, although KU much more than Texas, obviously. BTW, kudos to the crowd. They were terrific.

I don't want to infer that Kansas didn't deserve to win those first two sets (or certainly that UCF didn't deserve their win against Kansas) - I am just pointing out how a 'game of inches' can have such small events that determine an outcome.  I would love for some data - but I suspect that the winner of a 25-23 set is random in terms of did the better team win.  Texas is going to be better than other teams because they are going to have many more of those non close sets - but when they play a close set like those first 2 - it becomes a 50-50 proposition on them losing even when they are the best team.  It is why it will still be difficult for Texas to go undefeated.

[bluepenquin]

Sept 23, 2022 14:13:33 GMT -5 friendlybanter said:

I think Kansas is right where they supposed to be. They’ve been struggling these last few years, but you can see them coming back. They aren’t a top 25 team yet, but they are a real solid team that should be receiving votes in the top 25. I think what set them back is losing CC to Wisconsin. Dooley is a very good blocker, but can struggle offensively. I think with CC it would have been perfect because while Bien is very good, she is not a player who can get 20+ kills when its all on her. Turner is very good, Bien/Elnady are vey solid outsides and a combination of Szabo/Davis on the RS is good. The backrow have really picked up wit the additions of the DSs and Langs is good in the middle. With Crawford’s contributions in the middle they would’ve been a top 20 team this year. But her leaving left a big hole in the middle, which is why they needed Dooley. I think as the year goes on they will be a really solid team in the Big12.

I have some mixed feelings on this one.  On one hand - I am glad that Crawford decided to go after her dream, and then as a Kansas fan, I don't really have much use for players that don't want to play for the team.  It felt like the coaches and team were walking on eggshells around Crawford last year in an effort to keep her on the team for future years.  I think it ended up being a case where both sides needed to move on w/o the other.

Crawford is an elite blocker, extremely athletic, and great hands for a MB - but she hasn't shown herself to be some great scorer or offensive force.  She has the talent to do it - but even looking at some Wisconsin boxscores - she isn't getting many attempts (would love to hear some Wisconsin fans write how she is doing vs. their expectations?).  Dooley is limited on offense, but a force as a blocker and by all appearances is an Outstanding teammate.

That said - Crawford was an AA talent.  Bien is an AA talent.  I feel that a team like Kansas has to have 3 AA type players on their team along with solid players to surround.  Losing Crawford meant they went from 2 trying to find one more to 1 trying to find 2 more.  And that hurts.  Dooley replacing Crawford this year hasn't been nearly the issue as there being no one to replace her for the next 2 years (unless they are able to continue to bridge via 1 year transfers).

[VT Five-0]

Sept 21, 2022 21:17:04 GMT -5 huskernmn said:

Sept 21, 2022 21:12:39 GMT -5 volleynerd said:

bro is that david hunt?

he looks so different

Nose candy will do that to ya, snifffff, snort, if ya know what I mean.

Don't accuse other people of being drug addicts if ya know what I mean!