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Post by slxpress on Aug 23, 2023 1:22:12 GMT -5
It looks like you and others may have underestimated GA Tech as they crushed Auburn in 4 straight sets. They have brought in another couple of talented Brazilian freshman along with some transfer talent. Obviously you don't replace a talent like Bergman but this year's team probably has more depth and offensive options. With such a talented coaching staff I don't think there will be as much drop off as many predict. challenging to get any kind of true read on a team in pre-season. But for GT we'll find out a lot about where they stand after next weekend given they go up against Penn State in what could be the best tourney of the weekend. They follow that up with a trip to Columbus for two again Ohio ST so by then we'll have a really good read. It's not clear to me Ohio State is going to be the test they were last season. But Penn State should be really good.
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Post by 78jacket on Aug 23, 2023 1:25:52 GMT -5
Agreed. But better to dominate preseason than lose I suppose. I just think everyone is too quick to write off Tech because Bergman is gone. But they may not know that the coach has brought in two very talented freshman that were both stars on the Brazilian U19 national team. One is a an outside hitter and the other was the setter on that team. In addition, that have brought in two transfer middle blockers at 6'3" and 6'4" including one that was all freshman last year with UNC. This will be the tallest team they have ever fielded and, if reports are accurate, the Argentinian Bertolino has really stepped up her game from the previous year. As you said, they will be tested early as they play the first three weeks away from home against some stiff competition so we should get an early look at whether there is much drop off from last year.
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Post by skullars on Aug 23, 2023 9:58:57 GMT -5
challenging to get any kind of true read on a team in pre-season. But for GT we'll find out a lot about where they stand after next weekend given they go up against Penn State in what could be the best tourney of the weekend. They follow that up with a trip to Columbus for two again Ohio ST so by then we'll have a really good read. It's not clear to me Ohio State is going to be the test they were last season. But Penn State should be really good. I agree w/that. Question marks on their level until they start performing on the court. Losing the players they did may drop their level from last season, but should still offer some insight into GT quality.
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Post by 78jacket on Aug 23, 2023 23:17:34 GMT -5
It's not clear to me Ohio State is going to be the test they were last season. But Penn State should be really good. I agree w/that. Question marks on their level until they start performing on the court. Losing the players they did may drop their level from last season, but should still offer some insight into GT quality. But couldn't you say that about every team with new players in their starting lineup? I get that GT is a "new kid on the block" when it comes to the more traditional top teams in college volleyball but one thing that I think should keep them consistently in the running is their excellent coaching staff which will continue to improve players on the team and attract new talent. With regard to this year's team I think it may be addition by subtraction. While Bergman was a talent that is hard to replicate, top teams were able to scheme against her and reduce her effectiveness (not sure anyone really shut her down). With the improvements being talked about with Bertolino and Otene returning to the left pin where she is more comfortable along with the infusion of the new talent GT should have a much more diverse offense. Another area of improvement should be the defense with better shot blocking from the middles and more overall height. Over on the SEC thread some fonts were noting the poor hitting numbers from their scrimmage against Tech blaming their offense. Watching the match I think it was more due to GT's defense than the offense of Auburn. Overall, I think the ACC is a conference on the rise with more talent than ever. Excited to see how it plays out on the court.
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Post by dogmomx3 on Aug 24, 2023 21:22:56 GMT -5
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Post by slxpress on Aug 24, 2023 21:41:09 GMT -5
It’s a bummer the preview show is only available on Sirius XM. I blame Alice Cooper and Alanis Morrisette.
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Post by slay05 on Aug 25, 2023 7:17:22 GMT -5
Anyone know what to search for on the SiriusXM app? I have it but can't find it anywhere
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Post by lotstodo2023 on Aug 25, 2023 8:01:25 GMT -5
They don't even have game times right on this ughhh
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Post by skullars on Aug 25, 2023 8:06:36 GMT -5
It’s a bummer the preview show is only available on Sirius XM. I blame Alice Cooper and Alanis Morrisette. I have the app and looked for that show on the ACC channel yesterday. Nowhere to be found. No idea if the show ever happened or if it did and just isn't available on-demand anymore. But it's season Day 1 and very exciting
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Post by avid 2.0 on Aug 26, 2023 11:58:08 GMT -5
Syracuse might not get to double digits in any set vs UCF.... yikes
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Post by ned3vball on Aug 26, 2023 16:58:29 GMT -5
BC beats Michigan 18, 22, 14. Be still my heart!
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Post by jcorangeiguana on Aug 27, 2023 5:44:14 GMT -5
NC State went 2-1 on opening weekend, beating Utah Valley twice and losing to Utah. Sophomore Ava Brizard was named MVP of the weekend, while juniors Amanda Rice and Jada Allen were named to the all-tournament team.
Wolfpack at home next weekend to host Howard, Rutgers and Winthrop.
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Post by caz on Aug 27, 2023 8:39:37 GMT -5
I rarely get to see any P5 teams in person but I was shocked when I watched Syracuse on Friday. They are awful, like 4th or below in the MAAC level awful. What happened here, no recruiting? Got socked by transfers out?
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Post by avid 2.0 on Aug 27, 2023 8:46:33 GMT -5
I rarely get to see any P5 teams in person but I was shocked when I watched Syracuse on Friday. They are awful, like 4th or below in the MAAC level awful. What happened here, no recruiting? Got socked by transfers out? Their program is a mess. Coach got brought in suuuper late in 2022 and the team had moved on by that point, so it was getting bodies into the gym. Lost their generational player (Shemanova) this past season. just a mess all around.
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ACC 2023
Aug 27, 2023 10:13:07 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by usavolley01 on Aug 27, 2023 10:13:07 GMT -5
Looks like Georgia Tech will be competitive again this season. It would be easier to gauge level of success if they played Florida as well this weekend but leaving 2-0 was unexpected. Another season of Louisville and Pitt slugging it out with Georgia Tech waiting patiently for their opportunity to strike.
Unfortunately it seems to be a bit of a drop off in the conference after those three.
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