Isu vs Tcu

[Timberghost]

Totally disappointed with everything tonight. Especially the coach! Stuck with the basically the same rotation that wasn't working the whole night. Miranda didn't have a clean kill the entire night and was completely owned by the tcu block and to top it off, her serve receive was worse then her hitting. I'm not overly impressed with the new libero as well as she seemed to struggle as everyone did, with serve receive. What do we do to move this program forward?

 

[SMP05]

I know that I left the game feeling frustrated too. I did hope to see Capezio play more in the front, especially in the last set when everything was so close; I thought her experience was needed when the game was on the line.

 

[psyclone51]

For readers who were not at the game, and want to read something a bit more objective - and accurate - than Timberghost's post - the game was certainly frustrating to watch in some respects. For me, the most frustrating was allowing TCU to score the final 7 points (I think this is correct) of the 5th set to win the match. From my eye, we lost because their back row was much better at ours in digging and passing. Their setting was also better and their Nos. 14 and 19 were terrific blockers.

So, what's to like? Our serving was better than it has been, but we still had 8 errors in 5 sets; that is not great but better than I have seen in past matches. Grace Lazard is giving us better blocking in the middle; indeed, Grace had a very good game with 14 kills on .300 hitting. Morgan has 16 kills and Jess had 13. Miranda had 10 kills but also was hitting into the strength of the TCU block all afternoon, so ended up hitting .000. But I was impressed with her swing; she has a lot of potential. Christy used 12 different players and during a number of time-outs made adjustments than in some cases turned the game around - sometimes only temporarily bit in at least one instance, carried through to winning the set. Finally, the women came back a number of times after falling behind - but as I said above, were going toe-to-toe with TCU - and were even up 11-8 I believe in the 5th set before letting it slip away 15-11.

Harris showed some very good moments as a setter. She was hampered by some awful passing; the TCU setter rarely needed to take more than 1 or 2 steps to reach the pass, whereas Monique was sometimes running for her life out there. She distributed well in some instances - the good moments - but also telegraphed where she was going in others, leading to effective TCU blocking.

TCU was a senior loaded team (started 4 seniors; we started 2 seniors) who beat then #8 NC a week ago. In other words, they are for real. Nonetheless, the game was ours to win, and for some reason, this team is not playing up to its level of talent. I am not sure why. I am not sure, but I wonder about needing a floor leader who can help to manage the team's emotions and keep them focused. Not sure what it is, but the criticism of Christy lately I find uncalled for.

 

[Timberghost]

Not accurate? Sorry, but I'm a little fired up after the less then impressive display. Miranda hit .000!! Enough said right there, apparently she's the best we have? The criticism from the coach stems from a lack of adjustments and changes being made. We played horrible and were still in it till the end. But I don't see much from this team. I think they'll be a reach to finish 5th in the conference.

 

[NenoFone]

I think what would help the VB program the most is a dedicated facility. As I watch matches around the country I notice that playing in the "main" arena is not the norm. I imagine it is fairly far down the to do list though. Also, where would we place it?

 

[clone52]

Not accurate? Sorry, but I'm a little fired up after the less then impressive display. Miranda hit .000!! Enough said right there, apparently she's the best we have? The criticism from the coach stems from a lack of adjustments and changes being made. We played horrible and were still in it till the end. But I don't see much from this team. I think they'll be a reach to finish 5th in the conference.

You need to cool off. You should be ashamed of yourself.

 

[Tornado man]

I think what would help the VB program the most is a dedicated facility. As I watch matches around the country I notice that playing in the "main" arena is not the norm. I imagine it is fairly far down the to do list though. Also, where would we place it?

Most of the great VB venues are remodeled old basketball arenas - Texas, Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin, Kansas State, etc. As I've said here before, the Armory would be a GREAT volleyball arena - loud, intimate, and yet could hold 5 - 6,000 fans. But a decent remodeling would cost many millions of dollars, and could the athletic dept. even acquire ownership of it?

 

[cyclonespiker33]

Most of the great VB venues are remodeled old basketball arenas - Texas, Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin, Kansas State, etc. As I've said here before, the Armory would be a GREAT volleyball arena - loud, intimate, and yet could hold 5 - 6,000 fans. But a decent remodeling would cost many millions of dollars, and could the athletic dept. even acquire ownership of it?

I think that would require spending several millions on building a new location for the ROTC and the design students that are there currently. I'd imagine there are many, many items on the lists that take priority, possibly including a brand new facility elsewhere.

 

[LindenCy]

I edited a bunch of these posts because it is unacceptable to attack players. You can discuss play obviously, but they're student athletes. Coaches are fair game, but not students.

 

[cykadelic2]

Most of the great VB venues are remodeled old basketball arenas - Texas, Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin, Kansas State, etc. As I've said here before, the Armory would be a GREAT volleyball arena - loud, intimate, and yet could hold 5 - 6,000 fans. But a decent remodeling would cost many millions of dollars, and could the athletic dept. even acquire ownership of it?

Wish the new Dickson Jensen VB/BB facility in West Ames doubled as a ISU VB competition and practice facility but parking space would have been an issue at that spot.

At a minimum, the program needs a VB only court at Hilton. The taped court on the BB floor is Mickey Mouse IMO.

 

[StClone]

Hilton is what we got right now and winning there is needed. A new facility may foster a vibe, but it is out there somewhere, maybe, in the future.

We are going to UWV next and they could be tough. Though our schedule is stronger up to now their record is better. I don't see us beating KU which comes up next after West Virginia at Hilton. We could well lose to KU and after that be 7-8 and facing Texas.

 

[runbikeswim]

I would agree that the squad needs a strong floor leader.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

I would agree that the squad needs a strong floor leader.

I think ideally that comes from your setter, which we aren't getting now. Hopefully Mauck can be that in the future.

 

[TDR]

For readers who were not at the game, and want to read something a bit more objective - and accurate - than Timberghost's post - the game was certainly frustrating to watch in some respects. For me, the most frustrating was allowing TCU to score the final 7 points (I think this is correct) of the 5th set to win the match. From my eye, we lost because their back row was much better at ours in digging and passing. Their setting was also better and their Nos. 14 and 19 were terrific blockers.

So, what's to like? Our serving was better than it has been, but we still had 8 errors in 5 sets; that is not great but better than I have seen in past matches. Grace Lazard is giving us better blocking in the middle; indeed, Grace had a very good game with 14 kills on .300 hitting. Morgan has 16 kills and Jess had 13. Miranda had 10 kills but also was hitting into the strength of the TCU block all afternoon, so ended up hitting .000. But I was impressed with her swing; she has a lot of potential. Christy used 12 different players and during a number of time-outs made adjustments than in some cases turned the game around - sometimes only temporarily bit in at least one instance, carried through to winning the set. Finally, the women came back a number of times after falling behind - but as I said above, were going toe-to-toe with TCU - and were even up 11-8 I believe in the 5th set before letting it slip away 15-11.

Harris showed some very good moments as a setter. She was hampered by some awful passing; the TCU setter rarely needed to take more than 1 or 2 steps to reach the pass, whereas Monique was sometimes running for her life out there. She distributed well in some instances - the good moments - but also telegraphed where she was going in others, leading to effective TCU blocking.

TCU was a senior loaded team (started 4 seniors; we started 2 seniors) who beat then #8 NC a week ago. In other words, they are for real. Nonetheless, the game was ours to win, and for some reason, this team is not playing up to its level of talent. I am not sure why. I am not sure, but I wonder about needing a floor leader who can help to manage the team's emotions and keep them focused. Not sure what it is, but the criticism of Christy lately I find uncalled for.

Well I have to disagree with you I believe coaching is all behind this musical notation and I've overheard hparents talking about the back row and Libero position , passing and defense I've heard them say we are going backwards since Berta came out several weeks ago we have now lost what four out of the last five. She had a lot of fire in the first few weeks, calm demeanor , Good passing and good leadership .I thought our lineup was the same for the most part and we were winning
. I've been able to watch every match and every other team has their definite line up and we do not. Our back row has fell apart and the best defensive players players are not even on the court.
Phillips has not been able to read the hitters and her passing has been suffering horribly for a few matches now.
Our Libero University for the most part has been to train for two years get experience at defensive specialist and take over the the position because you understand the game and where to be on the court we went against what has been successful for us for 10 years.
I agree with you that our passing is bad right now which seems to be everybody now we cannot get a good set consistently.
Our team doesn't seem to know who's going to be in the lineup from week to week and seems in complete disarray and unconfident to me.
If you remember at the beginning of the season CJ alked about what a great feeling it is to be experienced this year and now we have not been using our experience . West ,Capezio, Kurt,
Berta they are not even on the court at the same time.
I follow this team for several years and it's so frustrating to watch this year.

 

[gizzsdad]

I'm really having a hard time believing some of what I'm reading. Do any of you complaining really think CJL doesn't want to have a rotation set at this point? There are pretty much only two reasons why the line-up keeps changing at this point. The most likely is that players aren't performing at the level needed to be successful, so somebody else gets a chance. If you don't want to get moved out - deliver results! A smaller possibility is that there are some injuries that we have no idea about.

I have a hard time believing that so many of you, who have never been to an ISU practice, who have never been a professional evaluator and developer of talent (and no - HS and club don't count), think you know more than our experienced staff about what needs to be done differently with this team.

Trust me, CJL and her staff would love nothing more than to have an established line-up and rotation right now. They are likely more frustrated than any of us are at this point. Leadership among young athletes is often difficult to establish. A few kids are just born leaders, and everyone will naturally gravitate to them. Most are not, and it (leadership) is a trait that is extremely difficult to teach/coach. I have seen kids try to assert leadership, and if it is not something organic and natural, they will just end up getting labeled as a b****.

I trust CJL and her staff to find a path for this group.

 

[NenoFone]

Saw a tweet from Jen Malcom and the VB team was practicing in Folker Hall, is this the normal practice venue?

 

[gizzsdad]

Saw a tweet from Jen Malcom and the VB team was practicing in Folker Hall, is this the normal practice venue?

They practice both in Forker and Hilton.

 

[psyclone51]

I trust CJL and her staff to find a path for this group.

Thanks Gizz. Couldn't have said it better myself. The whining here is terrible. Christie is an elite coach and has taken this team to the national t'ment more than most coaches in the country. Other than a few elite programs, we are darned lucky she is here.

 

[Tornado man]

Thanks Gizz. Couldn't have said it better myself. The whining here is terrible. Christie is an elite coach and has taken this team to the national t'ment more than most coaches in the country. Other than a few elite programs, we are darned lucky she is here.

Oh please. Our glory years have been gone for four years. We lose to teams now that have a fraction of our talent. And even though our talent level has increased dramatically, our intensity, defensive grittiness (what we were once known for), and will to win has decreased. I sit at the home matches with 2 former Div. I VB players - one an all-American - and they both say the same thing: we don't play very hard anymore, and losing isn't painful enough.