VB Semifinals - Texas VB Hosed

[runbikeswim]

I was pulling for Texas to win, B1g 12. While Texas had no answer for BYU outsides, the down official called several fingertip touches against Texas, that the up did not call. Notably, that last touch right infront of the up official that she did not call, the down official on the other side called to set up match point. The Texas coach got a yellow card.

Makes me sick to think that PSU will get another championship after Stanford didn't show up last night.

Who knows that, PSU may not have any answers for BYUs block or their outsides.

Setting critical at the high level - in both semifinals, it was really stood out how important pass/receive and good setters are. In both matches, the team with the best setting on the net won.

 

[ArgentCy]

I watched a little bit of that match without really routing for either team. I only saw that last call against Texas and that was pretty bad and their coach was rightfully ******. I don't know much about volleyball but that call was right in front of the up judge and then several seconds later the lower judge from across the court made the call. I thought the head judge could and would overrule. Big call though as that made it 25-24 BYU who won on the next point as opposed to 25-24 Texas in the fourth set. I still can't get that upset at watching Texa$ get hosed.

 

[cowgirl836]

some of the Texas fans have been obscenely obnoxious on Volleytalk this week. I was rooting for BYU.

The fingertip call was close (I think that is what you are referring to?), but I do think there was a touch and the correct call was made. In any case, Texas got spanked in the first two sets and I think PSU (or Stanford) would have wiped the floor with them. Texas always seems to have the big name hitters, but can't get a great setter. Bugg was off last night (Stanford's passing was out of sorts most of the game) but both she and Hancock are heads and shoulders above what Texas can do at that position.

I am starting to suspect that we will see Hancock in Rio. Her serve and setter dump make her a potent weapon. She'll probably get POY today as well.

I'm fine with PSU winning. They have a pretty incredible team - I hope we can be like that someday. They have three true freshmen who have had significant playing time this year and they are right back where they were last year. To be able to reload like that would be incredible!

 

[RubyClone]

I was pulling for Texas to win, B1g 12. While Texas had no answer for BYU outsides, the down official called several fingertip touches against Texas, that the up did not call. Notably, that last touch right infront of the up official that she did not call, the down official on the other side called to set up match point. The Texas coach got a yellow card.

Makes me sick to think that PSU will get another championship after Stanford didn't show up last night.

Who knows that, PSU may not have any answers for BYUs block or their outsides.

Setting critical at the high level - in both semifinals, it was really stood out how important pass/receive and good setters are. In both matches, the team with the best setting on the net won.

The up official has the final say on all calls - so he/she couldn't have been all that disagreeable with. Generally it's pretty odd for a down official to call a touch at all. Of course, the rules have changed so much since I officiated, that the responsibilities probably have shifted a fair bit.

Would've had to pull for BYU and Stanford - Rose and Elliot are ***** of the highest order.

 

[cowgirl836]

The up official has the final say on all calls - so he/she couldn't have been all that disagreeable with. Generally it's pretty odd for a down official to call a touch at all. Of course, the rules have changed so much since I officiated, that the responsibilities probably have shifted a fair bit.

Would've had to pull for BYU and Stanford - Rose and Elliot are ***** of the highest order.

Curious on the last part - everything I've read is that Rose is a pretty humble coach. Cook on the other hand.......

 

[RubyClone]

Curious on the last part - everything I've read is that Rose is a pretty humble coach. Cook on the other hand.......

he may have mellowed. Back in the 90's there was quite the rivalry between he and Terry Pettit and I'm siding a bit with allegiances. Of course, he's not exactly a prize either - so perhaps I should re-evaluate.

You talking about John Cook at NU? Don't know much about him other than the hissy fit he threw a few years back when CJL beat him in Lincoln -- took his ball and went home it would seem.

 

[cowgirl836]

he may have mellowed. Back in the 90's there was quite the rivalry between he and Terry Pettit and I'm siding a bit with allegiances. Of course, he's not exactly a prize either - so perhaps I should re-evaluate.

You talking about John Cook at NU? Don't know much about him other than the hissy fit he threw a few years back when CJL beat him in Lincoln -- took his ball and went home it would seem.

That Cook, yes. Besides things I've read and the remaining animosity up here (UW fans are not Cook fans!), I'll see him roll his eyes or just generally look and act pissy during matches. Great coach, just doesn't seem like someone I'd want to spend time around.

 

[cydney]

Was kind of cheering for Texas because of the Big 12, but it is hard to like them. BYU was much more likable. No matter, the fingertip call should not have been made. Basically, it was too close to call at a critical point in the set and match. That's the type of play that should be reviewable -- is there any kind of official review in volleyball at any level? You're talking about fractions of a second to see fractions of an inch. In action. You cannot reliably say the official can see that. Seems like the perfect use of video review. Obviously that comes with its own issues. If not that, then replay the point. I've seen that done before with much less at stake.

 

[Tornado man]

Texas always seems to have the big name hitters, but can't get a great setter. Bugg was off last night (Stanford's passing was out of sorts most of the game) but both she and Hancock are heads and shoulders above what Texas can do at that position.

I am starting to suspect that we will see Hancock in Rio. Her serve and setter dump make her a potent weapon. She'll probably get POY today as well.

The return of Salima Rockwell (Davidson) to the Penn State coaching staff this year is paying dividends. Yes, Penn State is always great, but their setting and passing are even better this year with Rockwell back. She was three-time all-American setter for PSU. Where was she coaching prior to returning Penn State? Texas. And their ball handling was a mess vs. BYU. Texas has underperformed all year, really. They miss Salima's coaching.

 

[cowgirl836]

The return of Salima Rockwell (Davidson) to the Penn State coaching staff this year is paying dividends. Yes, Penn State is always great, but their setting and passing are even better this year with Rockwell back. She was three-time all-American setter for PSU. Where was she coaching prior to returning Penn State? Texas. And their ball handling was a mess vs. BYU. Texas has underperformed all year, really. They miss Salima's coaching.

absolutely. Salima appears to be the heir apparent to Rose. I heard some strident comments that McCoy (Texas' L) should have gotten credit over Nolan for Big 12 Libero. That makes me laugh. Texas had the easiest path in and they did not look strong against BYU. If they had run WI/PSU's schedule, I think they would have had several more losses.

I don't believe a female head coach has won a national championship in women's volleyball. It would be awesome for CJL to do that.......but she's going to have to beat Salima to it! And probably Wise as well.

 

[Tornado man]

I don't believe a female head coach has won a national championship in women's volleyball. It would be awesome for CJL to do that.......but she's going to have to beat Salima to it! And probably Wise as well.

Besides Mary Wise and Christy, I can't think of another female head coach of the top 20-25 women's VB programs. Can you? It's time for more. Salima was responsible for recruiting some of Texas' big guns (like Eckerman), so Penn State will never dip.
Mary Wise is a big fan of CJL, and vice-versa. Some of the Florida players told me Wise talks about CJL and ISU all the time.

 

[cowgirl836]

Besides Mary Wise and Christy, I can't think of another female head coach of the top 20-25 women's VB programs. Can you? It's time for more. Salima was responsible for recruiting some of Texas' big guns (like Eckerman), so Penn State will never dip.
Mary Wise is a big fan of CJL, and vice-versa. Some of the Florida players told me Wise talks about CJL and ISU all the time.

Iowa had a female coach, but she's gone now. Not that they were top-25. I can't think of any others. Way overdue for more. And championships!

 

[theshadow]

I don't believe a female head coach has won a national championship in women's volleyball. It would be awesome for CJL to do that.......but she's going to have to beat Salima to it! And probably Wise as well.

Mary Wise is the only one to have even made the national semis.

 

[Royalclone]

That could be a concern w/CJL long term tenure at ISU. If a Wisconsin or Nebraska should open up, it could be an excellent opportunity to be the first female coach to win a National championship. All the more reason to help her get our program to the elite level ASAP.

 

[Sobchakcyclone]

I was kind of pulling for UT out of an allegiance for the conference, but the match went the way it did. The problem with video review for touches, is it's always from the side, and the ball is moving so fast. The camera from the back is so far away. It's a thing where there are so many other points in a match to decide it, is it really just one call?

We still lack an outside hitter that can go over a block, or a middle that can do what these teams are doing. PSU had the #1 recruiting class last year, and from what I've seen, they have 5 players in the top 15 for next year. Not sure how you compete against that?

I think UT will take a big step back next year. I think they'll miss their seniors. There is a big chance for us to move up in national visibility with doing well in our conference. IMO. Setting will be the thing that determines how good we are, coupled with the speed of our attack. After that, we have to have better serving. All these elite teams have pressure from their service game. I felt like ours wasn't great this year. I like the experiment with Bigbee in '13. I don't think she ever served this year.

 

[cowgirl836]

I was kind of pulling for UT out of an allegiance for the conference, but the match went the way it did. The problem with video review for touches, is it's always from the side, and the ball is moving so fast. The camera from the back is so far away. It's a thing where there are so many other points in a match to decide it, is it really just one call?

We still lack an outside hitter that can go over a block, or a middle that can do what these teams are doing. PSU had the #1 recruiting class last year, and from what I've seen, they have 5 players in the top 15 for next year. Not sure how you compete against that?

I think UT will take a big step back next year. I think they'll miss their seniors. There is a big chance for us to move up in national visibility with doing well in our conference. IMO. Setting will be the thing that determines how good we are, coupled with the speed of our attack. After that, we have to have better serving. All these elite teams have pressure from their service game. I felt like ours wasn't great this year. I like the experiment with Bigbee in '13. I don't think she ever served this year.

I believe UW (Wisky) actually has the #1 recruiting class next year - including Morgan out of Iowa. We have to keep our in-state recruits. We do that a few times, and we'll be solid. Morgan and Foecke are leaving the state. We've got to keep those elite players. We've got a great group of players coming in and on the team right now. I think you're right about UT. 2015 could be a great year for us.

 

[runbikeswim]

I was kind of pulling for UT out of an allegiance for the conference, but the match went the way it did. The problem with video review for touches, is it's always from the side, and the ball is moving so fast. The camera from the back is so far away. It's a thing where there are so many other points in a match to decide it, is it really just one call?

We still lack an outside hitter that can go over a block, or a middle that can do what these teams are doing. PSU had the #1 recruiting class last year, and from what I've seen, they have 5 players in the top 15 for next year. Not sure how you compete against that?

I think UT will take a big step back next year. I think they'll miss their seniors. There is a big chance for us to move up in national visibility with doing well in our conference. IMO. Setting will be the thing that determines how good we are, coupled with the speed of our attack. After that, we have to have better serving. All these elite teams have pressure from their service game. I felt like ours wasn't great this year. I like the experiment with Bigbee in '13. I don't think she ever served this year.

the down official called several touches in the match, which was odd to me. Usually the up official is calling the touches, but Texas was not passing well to its setters, and its setters weren't setting lights out either, which is really the story of the match.

RE: PSU, it is kind of like women's basketball. How do you compete against programs that have a gluttony of the top players year after year. To break through to the elite, we really need to make it to a final four, and land a player who is "star" caliber. Look what the 6 7 girl did for BYU. While watching the Texas/BYU game, all I could think about was how good ISU would have been the last few years with Eckerman....

It is interesting though to see how much one player can affect a program. Hudson sure was a let down, thank goodness for Horner, or this season could have been a bust.

The future looks good though for ISU. the 2015 class is excellent with a wild card or two.

 

[cowgirl836]

Rose didn't reach the Final Four until his 14th year of coaching, lost his first 3 semi-final appearances in his 14th, 18th, and 19th years, won his first NC in his 20th year, and then not again until his 28th. And then a bunch since then!

Point being, PSU didn't become a superpower overnight. It's somewhat of a snowball effect. We get a couple truly elite players/deep tourney runs, and we can go from there. In her first 10 years, CJL has taken us from dumpster fire to perennial top 25 and NCAA tourney team. And probably one of the top schools for liberos to want to attend. We have three recruits with sub-35 Prep volleyball rankings coming in next fall. That has to be one of our very best classes to date. The setter we have is coming in as #22. Interesting to note that Hancock for PSU came in as #41. Player development can get you there! CJL has done that very well so far, imo. I have a lot of faith that if CJL wants to remain here, she can turn ISU into a perennial powerhouse like PSU, Nebby, Stanford, and Texas.

I mean, just look at Wisconsin. Two years ago they were a dumpster fire and didn't make the tourney. One year later they played for the NC. Granted, they got a new coach and Olympic-caliber player, but still. I think it's much easier to get to that top level in volleyball than say, football. Especially for our program in a volleyball-rich state.

 

[gizzsdad]

the down official called several touches in the match, which was odd to me. Usually the up official is calling the touches......

Not at all. In my experience, R2's make touch calls quite a bit. The following is from an NCAA Rules Interpretation Letter this fall:

"If there is a reasonable chance that the first referee did not see a touch by a blocker or defender and the play ends, step out to be visible and show the touch signal (blatantly) to ensure the correct team gets the point."

 

[StClone]

I believe UW (Wisky) actually has the #1 recruiting class next year - including Morgan out of Iowa. We have to keep our in-state recruits. We do that a few times, and we'll be solid. Morgan and Foecke are leaving the state. We've got to keep those elite players. We've got a great group of players coming in and on the team right now. I think you're right about UT. 2015 could be a great year for us.

Old news but, Eckerman too would have been nice. We need to hold on to more of these top talents.

Guess I will amend my thoughts on the immediate need for an elite hitter. After watching both WI under-preform when Carlini was hobbled and Stanford as Bugg wavered, the arrival of Bowman could be a real opportunity to capitalize for us. As always I may be overly optimistic on the arrival of a new talent on campus, but that is the game we play.