|
Post by dc155 on Aug 30, 2024 18:18:54 GMT -5
My goodness has Grimes improved. And defense in general is so much better this year.
|
|
|
Post by nittlion on Aug 30, 2024 18:20:06 GMT -5
My goodness has Grimes improved. And defense in general is so much better this year. The ball control from her and the defense has been so good. I haven’t noticed very many overpasses either.
|
|
|
Post by nittlion on Aug 30, 2024 18:30:59 GMT -5
What I’m really liking about this year’s team is also the height. I never realized how tall CJ was and with Mendelson they really put up a tall block. Also love the height KSC is bringing in these next couple of years.
|
|
|
Post by nittlion on Aug 30, 2024 18:41:03 GMT -5
Wow Hannah bringing the consistency this game. Praying we see that throughout the whole season. Could easily be one of the best OH duos if so.
|
|
|
Post by dc155 on Aug 30, 2024 18:42:23 GMT -5
PSU Leads 2-1
TN takes set 1 — 25-22 PSU takes set 2 — 25-16 PSU takes set 3 — 25-15
|
|
|
Post by KittanningLion on Aug 30, 2024 18:42:51 GMT -5
Really good and improved defense by the team. 👍
|
|
|
Post by dc155 on Aug 30, 2024 19:20:37 GMT -5
PSU Wins 3-1!
TN takes set 1 — 25-22 PSU takes set 2 — 25-16 PSU takes set 3 — 25-15 PSU takes set 4 — 25-20
|
|
|
Post by seeyajohn on Aug 30, 2024 19:24:48 GMT -5
Nice start to the season. Terrific passing by the back row - especially Gillian!
|
|
|
Post by nittlion on Aug 30, 2024 19:44:49 GMT -5
Wow if this is game 1, we’re in for a fun ride this season. Lots of great takeaways from this game. Some of my thoughts -
This team has definitely been in the gym during off season. Not even from the power of their attacks but even the close plays at the net, block touches, and control have improved greatly and to me looks to be in part of how strong they look.
HUGE games from Hannah, I. Starck, and Grimes in my opinion. I feel like this will be the year Grimes is mentioned up there with Lexi Rodriguez if not for defense, definitely for SR. But Grimes was just absorbing so many hard attacks from the other team like it was nothing. The defense is really strong and in control and serve/serve receive has noticeably improved as well. I think this translated to their ability to side out more.
Like I said earlier if we get performances like that from Hannah and Mruzik continues to play at her level, they will be very hard to stop. Although CJ didn’t have too many attempts I think she had a pretty good game but would love to see them have a RS with more versatile shot selections. I think Jonni Parker was so good for her ability to switch up her shots along with her power. But when CJ does have an opening, good luck keeping it in play!
I think Ava did a great job in SR also and had some nice digs and saving plays. Her OOS setting was what really stood out to me along with Grimes. A. Starck had a lot more control in her digs as well and was picking up a lot of hard attacks.
I think once Izzy settled in she showed why she is the top recruit. Her reach defensively and to save shanked/tight passes is so crazy to see. And her setting skill level is definitely already advanced with those one handed sets to the OH. The middle connection especially on the slide will need to improve, but I think the middles did get a lot of attempts and I liked Izzy pushing the middle sets from the 10ft line because they were ready for them. I was happy to see how effective attacks from Jess and Angelina out of the back row were. I’m sure it isn’t just the sister connection but Angelina was taking much better attacks from the back row and the power couldn’t be controlled by the defense.
I do hope the middles improve on reading and closing the blocks more. I’m sure with it being the first game it’ll be a lot better but did notice a few times the blocks would be late or a gap left open.
I do also wonder why the coaching staff didn’t challenge as much. Hannah’s stat line would’ve been even better. I understand not using one when up by 6+ points, but also why not if your team is confident it will go their way and will also bring momentum back to your side? But I respect KSC making the team work to get the point back as well rather than relying on a challenge.
Lastly although the late game ace was very timely from Menger I do wonder if there is another serving sub option with a more consistent serve and/or better defense when serving. I remember Markley having a nice serve and read Willow’s was difficult to receive.
All in all I can imagine Penn State averaging around the top 5 this season if they can continue to improve on this level of play. I do believe it’s safe to expect a deep run this season. I think with the improved passing, defense, setting, and with consistent hitting from the pins this team will do some great things.
|
|
|
Post by dc155 on Aug 30, 2024 19:52:53 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by dc155 on Aug 30, 2024 19:53:21 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by ethankasales on Aug 30, 2024 20:17:31 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by ethankasales on Aug 30, 2024 20:24:51 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by psuphdstudent on Aug 30, 2024 20:37:15 GMT -5
Great win. Tennessee is a little tricky, basically a new starting lineup (not young but new) and PSU most likely had next to zero film on the players which made reading really hard.
Izzy was good. I think she has more to show. She started a little shaky and her placement was a little off but the connection with Jess and Cam was great by the end. She always connected great with Taylor but I think the slide with Maggie was off today and that had looked great in the exhibitions so I know they can do great. Her defense was great too. Once the middle gets more involved, PSU will be really scary.
Gill is one of my MVPs this game. Her defense is crazy good and her passing was solid. Her serve was always good but she seems to be more consistent too. Having her and Ava next to each other all season is gonna be fun.
Cam was my other MVP. She was consistently scoring throughout the match and would bail us out of trouble. And having Jess as a 6-ro outside boy am I glad to have both of them back. I love the dynamic between both of them. It seems like they push each other to score more. I hope to see both of them in the AA list at the end of the season.
I feel like Caroline just needs to have a breakthrough game and after that she'll snowball into a monster player. I want to see her crush some fingers (not literally, I don't want anyone injured).
This was a hard match to fully judge the middles. Offensively, the connection with Izzy could be smoother. Blocking-wise, they were against an all-american setter with hitters that they practically knew nothing about. Could they close faster or read better?, yes but I think that comes with scouting and match time.
We also have to give kudos to Tennessee their defense was kinda nuts. Their blocking had moments when it was going off too.
Overall, I think PSU looked better than most teams that have played so far. Louisville should be a good challenge.
|
|
|
Post by nyline on Aug 30, 2024 21:05:29 GMT -5
Great win. Tennessee is a little tricky, basically a new starting lineup (not young but new) and PSU most likely had next to zero film on the players which made reading really hard. Izzy was good. I think she has more to show. She started a little shaky and her placement was a little off but the connection with Jess and Cam was great by the end. She always connected great with Taylor but I think the slide with Maggie was off today and that had looked great in the exhibitions so I know they can do great. Her defense was great too. Once the middle gets more involved, PSU will be really scary. Gill is one of my MVPs this game. Her defense is crazy good and her passing was solid. Her serve was always good but she seems to be more consistent too. Having her and Ava next to each other all season is gonna be fun. Cam was my other MVP. She was consistently scoring throughout the match and would bail us out of trouble. And having Jess as a 6-ro outside boy am I glad to have both of them back. I love the dynamic between both of them. It seems like they push each other to score more. I hope to see both of them in the AA list at the end of the season. I feel like Caroline just needs to have a breakthrough game and after that she'll snowball into a monster player. I want to see her crush some fingers (not literally, I don't want anyone injured). This was a hard match to fully judge the middles. Offensively, the connection with Izzy could be smoother. Blocking-wise, they were against an all-american setter with hitters that they practically knew nothing about. Could they close faster or read better?, yes but I think that comes with scouting and match time. We also have to give kudos to Tennessee their defense was kinda nuts. Their blocking had moments when it was going off too. Overall, I think PSU looked better than most teams that have played so far. Louisville should be a good challenge. Always love your observations, psuphdstudent!
|
|