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Post by JJVb on Nov 28, 2023 2:45:06 GMT -5
(4) Kansas vs. Omaha. Thu 11/30 7pm CSTLawrence, Kansas. Wisconsin RegionalKansas Subregional
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Post by JJVb on Nov 28, 2023 22:02:31 GMT -5
Kansas already beat them this year in the preseason, so they will have confidence going in. At the same time Omaha has improved since August, so they will have confidence that they can push Kansas. This should be Kansas' to win or lose though.
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Post by huskersrule95 on Nov 28, 2023 22:52:39 GMT -5
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Post by digs on Nov 28, 2023 23:06:57 GMT -5
Tough draw for the Jayhawks. They’ll win if they play their game. But Omaha is good and can cause problems.
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Post by HOLIDAY on Nov 28, 2023 23:15:20 GMT -5
Go Omaha
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Post by knapplc on Nov 28, 2023 23:25:34 GMT -5
Kansas already beat them this year in the preseason, so they will have confidence going in. At the same time Omaha has improved since August, so they will have confidence that they can push Kansas. This should be Kansas' to win or lose though. I am literally going to have a conniption. |
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Post by Steve vb on Nov 29, 2023 1:58:08 GMT -5
Kansas is fun to watch, very worthy of their seed, and will most likely win, probably with a sweep at home.
However, while every team has improved during the season, Omaha has perhaps improved as much as any team since September. During the non-conference season, Omaha frankly didn't look good with their freshmen setters, a new transfer at libero, and had to move the season's starting libero to outside hitter because of a knee injury to the starting outside. These players, along with a freshman MB and freshman RS, finally settled in about half way into the season. They are still a work in progress, but I think that they have a chance to make this match interesting, especially if Kansas is thinking ahead to Penn State.
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Post by kiyoat on Nov 29, 2023 13:46:27 GMT -5
Kansas is fun to watch, very worthy of their seed, and will most likely win, probably with a sweep at home. However, while every team has improved during the season, Omaha has perhaps improved as much as any team since September. During the non-conference season, Omaha frankly didn't look good with their freshmen setters, a new transfer at libero, and had to move the season's starting libero to outside hitter because of a knee injury to the starting outside. These players, along with a freshman MB and freshman RS, finally settled in about half way into the season. They are still a work in progress, but I think that they have a chance to make this match interesting, especially if Kansas is thinking ahead to Penn State. I really think that with a top-shelf setter the Mavs would have run away with the Summit, instead of it being 4 co-champs. The frontcourt talent is deep. Especially the Middles and RS hitters. OH McCormick is great hitting from the back row, and has a nice touch for off-speed balls, and good at hitting OOS. OH Fairbanks was surprisingly solid all season, and had a breakout year. And now 2022 FOY OH Jurgensmeier is back from injury, and playing well. When they are keeping their offense in-system they are hard to beat, and are big and physical at the net. I don't know anything about Kansas, so I won't offer any matchup opinions, but the Mavs have a legit shot, I would think. |
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Post by friendlybanter on Nov 29, 2023 16:44:44 GMT -5
I think Kansas is one of the more underrated squads in the field. Everything starts with their serve and pass receive. Kansas isn’t the most dominating serving team, but they play to their strengths. Their philosophy is to get the serve in and let their defense turn into offense. Kansas was first in the Big12 in opponents service aces and first in digs per set. The block started towards the bottom of the Big12 but has finished top 5. Kansas puts so much pressure on opponents offenses to score. They strive to play error free volleyball and let their opponents beat themselves.
Camryn Turner is the head of the snake. Kansas’ back line with her, Burns, and Bien dig everything and then turn it into offense. Kansas’ three pins (Cooper, Elnady, and Turner) are averaging a hitting percentage of .302 with Cooper leading it hitting .333. This has become a well oiled machine. Kansas starts all upperclassmen expect for Burns so a lot of leadership on the court. More importantly this Kansas team is selfless. The two captains of the team? Turner and Bien. Turner was never a big time recruit, she has worked to become one of the best setters in the country. Bien WAS a top recruit and played 6 rotations well her first two years. Now she is in a smaller role as a DS and has never hung her head once, she does what’s best for the team. When your two leaders are those type of players they change your program.
Lastly, Kansas has been lock down in Horejsi. They have lost one home game all year and that was in 5 sets against Purdue in August and the 5th set ended 15-17. They have been very good this year. And return 7/9 players that get playing time. Kansas is continuing to build a very good program.
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Post by pavsec5row10 on Nov 29, 2023 21:16:07 GMT -5
Kansas is making their 12th NCAA tournament appearance. The Jayhawks are 52-41 (.559) in sets played since their first appearance in 2003. They have reached:
Final Four 1 time -- 2015
Sweet Sixteen 2 times -- 2013,2021.
Omaha is making their first NCAA tournament appearance.
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Post by buttery on Nov 30, 2023 7:56:38 GMT -5
I think Kansas is one of the more underrated squads in the field. Everything starts with their serve and pass receive. Kansas isn’t the most dominating serving team, but they play to their strengths. Their philosophy is to get the serve in and let their defense turn into offense. Kansas was first in the Big12 in opponents service aces and first in digs per set. The block started towards the bottom of the Big12 but has finished top 5. Kansas puts so much pressure on opponents offenses to score. They strive to play error free volleyball and let their opponents beat themselves. Camryn Turner is the head of the snake. Kansas’ back line with her, Burns, and Bien dig everything and then turn it into offense. Kansas’ three pins (Cooper, Elnady, and Turner) are averaging a hitting percentage of .302 with Cooper leading it hitting .333. This has become a well oiled machine. Kansas starts all upperclassmen expect for Burns so a lot of leadership on the court. More importantly this Kansas team is selfless. The two captains of the team? Turner and Bien. Turner was never a big time recruit, she has worked to become one of the best setters in the country. Bien WAS a top recruit and played 6 rotations well her first two years. Now she is in a smaller role as a DS and has never hung her head once, she does what’s best for the team. When your two leaders are those type of players they change your program. Lastly, Kansas has been lock down in Horejsi. They have lost one home game all year and that was in 5 sets against Purdue in August and the 5th set ended 15-17. They have been very good this year. And return 7/9 players that get playing time. Kansas is continuing to build a very good program. Great overview friendlybanter - I do feel like KU doesn’t get talked about much on this board despite being a Top 16 seed. Hope people get to see for themselves how impressive the backcourt defense can be. In addition to Turner, Burns, and Bien (who is foolishly good at digging balls to run Kansas’s offense in system); Dalton has played really well at RS DS and Molly Schultz can come in with set winning service runs. In my opinion, the way to beat Kansas is to be elite at scoring OOS. Unless your defense puts in efforts like say Iowa State this year, you’re just not going to get that many second chance termination opportunities. Especially at home, the KU serve receive usually holds up/you see teams have too many service errors. The OOS hitting is also why I’m not thrilled about being in Wisconsin’s region of the 4 regionals. Finally, really glad Horjesi will be in the hosting spotlight this year - the fans feed off the Jayhawks’ defensive efforts that create offense and at time, it feels like a mini Allen Fieldhouse. |
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bluepenquin
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Post by bluepenquin on Nov 30, 2023 20:25:19 GMT -5
The connection (or lack thereof) with the middles has been frightening. Kansas making a concerted effort to get the middles involved.
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Post by JJVb on Nov 30, 2023 20:42:45 GMT -5
Kansas take the first set, led by Elnady with 5 kills.
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Post by Keegan Cuck on Nov 30, 2023 20:48:09 GMT -5
Man, Rachel Fairbanks must be exhausted - back and forth from Omaha to Pittsburgh multiple times every week. I’ve seen two-sport athletes before but never a two-teamer!
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Post by knapplc on Nov 30, 2023 20:51:29 GMT -5
Come on, Mavericks.
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