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Post by nyline on Aug 30, 2024 21:15:15 GMT -5
My two snarks of the night --
Snark #1:Paul Sunderland is not very good at math. He (rightfully) praised Gill Grimes's serving, at one point noting that she had served 12 times and Penn State had scored on eight of them. "75% is a really good success rate," said Paul. True enough, but 8 divided by 12 is 66.66666666% Is that SEC math?
Snark #2: As his last remark, Paul proved he's not very good at geography, either: "Goodnight from Knoxville Kentucky."
p.s. Overall, I like Paul.
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 30, 2024 21:22:59 GMT -5
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Post by armydoogie on Aug 30, 2024 22:12:10 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. Great summary! Thanks for sharing your insight.
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Post by dc155 on Aug 30, 2024 22:19:14 GMT -5
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 30, 2024 22:21:13 GMT -5
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Post by dc155 on Aug 31, 2024 0:09:58 GMT -5
With the victory over Tennessee, we have reached the 50th win of the KSC Era!
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Post by elliotberton on Aug 31, 2024 1:25:58 GMT -5
My goodness has Grimes improved. And defense in general is so much better this year. Biggest improvement is her serve-devastating in this match. Sunderland commented that Ava pushed her hard for the jersey-so maybe improvement not surprising.
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Post by jojonito on Aug 31, 2024 3:14:06 GMT -5
My goodness has Grimes improved. And defense in general is so much better this year. Biggest improvement is her serve-devastating in this match. Sunderland commented that Ava pushed her hard for the jersey-so maybe improvement not surprising. Yeah, and not just the aces. Grimes put TENN oos a lot.
Looking at the assists for PSU, there were 12 assists by players other than Izzy; 7 by Grimes and 4 by Falduto. Now that could be a bad sign if the SR for PSU was bad. But I think that a lot of those assists were from run of play. Plus, Izzy had 12 digs, so that meant that others were having to set. A LOT of good sets from the PSU DS's.
I think that Falduto and Grimes are going to be a FABULOUS defense back court for PSU, along with Angelina.
I would like to see the hitting percentage for the middles go up a bit, along with more attempts for CJ. But I'm sure that the team will be a bunch better at the season goes along.
Can't complain too much;, it's the first match. I read some of the comments from the NEB vs KY match. Pretty amusing. It seemed like NEB fans were already in mid-season form as to: HOW CAN COOK DO THIS? And of course, we fans have a much better handle on the team than the coaches do. <sarcasm> Guys, it's the first match.
All in all, a very encouraging night for PSU fans.
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Post by elliotberton on Aug 31, 2024 8:30:20 GMT -5
As is the norm the comments and observations here are both accurate and interesting. That's why I love Dignittany.
I. Stark showed why people mentioned Micha Hancock when trying to describe her. In her first collegiate match, Ms. Stark demonstrated why she is the leading candidate for future National Team setter. Her athleticism was on full display - I counted at least 3 one-handed "slap" sets converting over passes into points, several dramatic full-court back sets and several incredibly difficulty forward sets to middles from well off the net (not Freshman like at all). She defended her zone pretty well and seemed comfortable and composed throughout. Most important, there is plenty of room for improvement especially on the ever difficult middle slide. I was also struck by how sophisticated the offense was-plenty of back row sets, some combination plays and different tempos. Obviously, going to Europe was a big plus in preparing a first-year setter for the first match.
We have already covered Ms. Grimes. Just excellent work throughout. Her passing was really very good (as was the team's overall). That may be a function of Tennessee service but Gillian handled some pretty hard jump serves with only two (?) overpasses (well ok, Izzy saved the group a few times see note above).
But to me the most interesting thing I saw last night was the group demeanor after getting beat in set 1. The ladies were laughing and smiling and not at all worried. I felt that they knew they were going to win this one. Such confidence allows everyone to perform at or near their best and as a team.
I look forward to seeing much of the rest of the roster tomorrow in person - with two three-year old grandchildren experiencing volleyball for the first time. If I am lucky, I will run into some of my Dignittany friends who plan to attend as well.
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Post by pointps on Aug 31, 2024 11:20:02 GMT -5
I feel like we've been waiting forever for Izzy and Ava to play their first match for us. And they were awesome. CJ and Mendelson are wonderful additions. Jess and Grimes!! See you in Philly!
To paraphrase what Michael Jordan once said: "We're Back"
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 31, 2024 12:10:41 GMT -5
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 31, 2024 12:12:01 GMT -5
Last night was Katie’s 50th win as Penn State’s head coach.
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Post by ethankasales on Aug 31, 2024 21:15:41 GMT -5
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Post by dc155 on Aug 31, 2024 22:06:12 GMT -5
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Post by ethankasales on Sept 1, 2024 1:33:38 GMT -5
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