[Viking_Guy]

One issue is that Stanford still runs the 5-1 offense.  The runs often happened when we had Madi Bugg in the front row with Wopat and Williams.  Williams is a good hitter, but not the kind who will hit over the top of a block.  And Wopat is a very good middle blocker.  But with only those two options the Penn State block was able to key on only three real axes of threat: Williams outside and Wopat on the quick or the slide.  Also, Bugg just isn't as good a blocker as the hitters.  In the decisive 5th set run, Williams got blocked twice, and Penn State was able to hit over Bugg several times.

Will be interesting to see if we try to go to a 6-2 next year. 

The other issue I've had all year long is that there's been no real consistent playing time given to young hitters to step up now that Williams and Wopat have finished their careers.  Even when Stanford was dominating teams, at most maybe Lydia Bai or Morgan Boukather would come in for a couple of points here or there.  But there will be a lot of teams trying to replace the majority of their offense next year.

But I'm glad SC doesn't have another chance to close the championship gap this fall.  And will be cheering for UW as well.

The final results do show how lopsided the bracket was - Missouri and Florida, playing in a mediocre SEC,  put up gaudy records, got the 4th and 5th overall seeds, and promptly lost at home in the second round.  According to at least one advanced ranking system, the right side of the bracket was the top four teams in the country, all playing in the regional finals against one another.  Though Texas is really good.

VG

P.S. 76, my nominee for terminator has always been Howard.  I don't know exactly what the issue is, but when she really lets loose, she hammers the ball.  Burgess really needs to learn how to tool a block, but also has the raw power.

[Viking_Guy]

One issue is that Stanford still runs the 5-1 offense.  The runs often happened when we had Madi Bugg in the front row with Wopat and Williams.  Williams is a good hitter, but not the kind who will hit over the top of a block.  And Wopat is a very good middle blocker.  But with only those two options the Penn State block was able to key on only three real axes of threat: Williams outside and Wopat on the quick or the slide.  Also, Bugg just isn't as good a blocker as the hitters.  In the decisive 5th set run, Williams got blocked twice, and Penn State was able to hit over Bugg several times.

Will be interesting to see if we try to go to a 6-2 next year. 

The other issue I've had all year long is that there's been no real consistent playing time given to young hitters to step up now that Williams and Wopat have finished their careers.  Even when Stanford was dominating teams, at most maybe Lydia Bai or Morgan Boukather would come in for a couple of points here or there.  But there will be a lot of teams trying to replace the majority of their offense next year.

But I'm glad SC doesn't have another chance to close the championship gap this fall.  And will be cheering for UW as well.

The final results do show how lopsided the bracket was - Missouri and Florida, playing in a mediocre SEC,  put up gaudy records, got the 4th and 5th overall seeds, and promptly lost at home in the second round.  According to at least one advanced ranking system, the right side of the bracket was the top four teams in the country, all playing in the regional finals against one another.  Though Texas is really good.

VG

P.S. 76, my nominee for terminator has always been Howard.  I don't know exactly what the issue is, but when she really lets loose, she hammers the ball.  Burgess really needs to learn how to tool a block, but also has the raw power.