[johnbar]

I was definitely not expecting that big a crowd: 6894!

We missed the first ~dozen points due to traffic and parking.
Metal detectors were not a big issue when we entered at the "northeastern" (really northern) doors.

Nice balanced win.

[johnbar]

I was definitely not expecting that big a crowd: 6894!

We missed the first ~dozen points due to traffic and parking.
Metal detectors were not a big issue when we entered at the "northeastern" (really northern) doors.

Nice balanced win.

[MSG1716]

What a fabulous, fun day of VB with a mostly full house and the team playing great.  For me, MT noted the biggest stat of the game, the percentage of points we won on our serve (44.6%).  If you just looked at balls in play, eliminating our 13 service errors, we would be over 50%.  Incredible.  The Hambly approach to serving is working.  I didn't count but I would think that Texas was out of system on their first return at least half the serves returned giving us a decent chance of winning the point.  Another part of our great winning service point percentage is our good defense.  It's working having defensive specialists increasing the likelihood of digging opponents' kills.  Today Pringle and Beaven were the DS.  I think there will be a year long battle with Cawa and Kirsch in the mix.

Pre-game Hambly said they were trying a different tact against Skinner than their last home game, the elite 8 loss to Texas where Skinner killed us.  He was focusing on more back row defense and covering more of the backcourt than focusing on trying to block her at net as she often hits over the block.  Skinner ended up with 12 kills and 8 errors (.129 hitting%).  She averages 5 kills/set and likely close to a .300 hitting percentage.  Skinner was not the factor Rubin was with her 12 kills with only 3 errors (.310 hitting%).  Harvey ended with  10 kills, 2 errors, .400 hitting%.  Our MBs had 12 kills, 1 error on 22 attempts (.500 hitting %).

This was potentially our easiest victory of the season with only the third set competitive at the 20 point mark (20-13 before UT got 4 straight points to make it 20-17).   We are molding well as a team and, as Hambly noted pregame, we have more room to improve than many of the other top 10 teams with our young talent.  And we haven't seen Blyashov yet (still not dressed but not in a boot).

Let's have another packed house next Saturday night vs Kentucky.

[MSG1716]

What a fabulous, fun day of VB with a mostly full house and the team playing great.  For me, MT noted the biggest stat of the game, the percentage of points we won on our serve (44.6%).  If you just looked at balls in play, eliminating our 13 service errors, we would be over 50%.  Incredible.  The Hambly approach to serving is working.  I didn't count but I would think that Texas was out of system on their first return at least half the serves returned giving us a decent chance of winning the point.  Another part of our great winning service point percentage is our good defense.  It's working having defensive specialists increasing the likelihood of digging opponents' kills.  Today Pringle and Beaven were the DS.  I think there will be a year long battle with Cawa and Kirsch in the mix.

Pre-game Hambly said they were trying a different tact against Skinner than their last home game, the elite 8 loss to Texas where Skinner killed us.  He was focusing on more back row defense and covering more of the backcourt than focusing on trying to block her at net as she often hits over the block.  Skinner ended up with 12 kills and 8 errors (.129 hitting%).  She averages 5 kills/set and likely close to a .300 hitting percentage.  Skinner was not the factor Rubin was with her 12 kills with only 3 errors (.310 hitting%).  Harvey ended with  10 kills, 2 errors, .400 hitting%.  Our MBs had 12 kills, 1 error on 22 attempts (.500 hitting %).

This was potentially our easiest victory of the season with only the third set competitive at the 20 point mark (20-13 before UT got 4 straight points to make it 20-17).   We are molding well as a team and, as Hambly noted pregame, we have more room to improve than many of the other top 10 teams with our young talent.  And we haven't seen Blyashov yet (still not dressed but not in a boot).

Let's have another packed house next Saturday night vs Kentucky.

[BigJohn043]

This match was all about the serve pass game.

Miner set well.  But when every pass is inside the 3 meter line and in system most setters are going to look good.  Rubin and Oglivie are two of the best passers in college volleyball.  A top libero should pass nails.  But Rubin is also as good a passer as the elite liberos.  Having an outside that can do that is what makes her special.

OTOH, we served them off the court.  I feel like 5 of our 6 servers are just vicious.  It puts a ton of pressure on the passing for the other team and tonight Texas folded.

This is such a different team than the Stanford teams we have watched for 20 years.  Usually we have booming hitters and a brobdingnagian block.  When we won 3/4 we could lose the serve pass game and still kill teams.  This team is different.

[BigJohn043]

This match was all about the serve pass game.

Miner set well.  But when every pass is inside the 3 meter line and in system most setters are going to look good.  Rubin and Oglivie are two of the best passers in college volleyball.  A top libero should pass nails.  But Rubin is also as good a passer as the elite liberos.  Having an outside that can do that is what makes her special.

OTOH, we served them off the court.  I feel like 5 of our 6 servers are just vicious.  It puts a ton of pressure on the passing for the other team and tonight Texas folded.

This is such a different team than the Stanford teams we have watched for 20 years.  Usually we have booming hitters and a brobdingnagian block.  When we won 3/4 we could lose the serve pass game and still kill teams.  This team is different.

[M T]

Similar to this week's AVCA polls, it will be very close between Pitt and Stanford for tomorrow's AVCA polls top position.
Stanford may have wins versus higher ranked teams (Stanford beat #6 Texas, #8 Wisconsin and #19 Minnesota,
while Pitt upended #12 Oregon and #23 USC) but Pitt's has the more dominant victories over similar opponents
Pepperdine and UCSB.

As good as Stanford was today, I'd vote for Pitt at this point because they haven't lost a set.  Maybe Hambly was working on something with the Pepperdine & UCSB matches, but still....

Grumble..... when I go to GoStanford.com and try to look at "Box Score" for either the Pepperdine or UCSB game, I get the final score but no box score.

[M T]

Similar to this week's AVCA polls, it will be very close between Pitt and Stanford for tomorrow's AVCA polls top position.
Stanford may have wins versus higher ranked teams (Stanford beat #6 Texas, #8 Wisconsin and #19 Minnesota,
while Pitt upended #12 Oregon and #23 USC) but Pitt's has the more dominant victories over similar opponents
Pepperdine and UCSB.

As good as Stanford was today, I'd vote for Pitt at this point because they haven't lost a set.  Maybe Hambly was working on something with the Pepperdine & UCSB matches, but still....

Grumble..... when I go to GoStanford.com and try to look at "Box Score" for either the Pepperdine or UCSB game, I get the final score but no box score.

[BostonCard]

Highlights:

https://gostanford.com/news/2024/09/15/h...vs-6-texas

I didn’t watch the game, but from the highlights it looks like we upped our blocking game.  Francis, especially, seemed to have really penetrated and given the attackers very little room to maneuver.  Some of those blocks were straight down.  We had six total blocks; Francis was involved in five of them.

Kurt had a sub-par game, but other than that looks like the hitters were hitting well.

Paloalto, I am glad that the fast paced setting is continuing.  I was a bit surprised we could pull it off with a couple of inexperienced hitters, but if the passing is solid, Miner can do it.  The last highlight play shows it; Texas got off a hard hit that handcuffed Oglive, but she still delivered it on target to Miner, who delivered a back one (maybe a one and a half) to Francis who knocked it down.

 BC

[BostonCard]

Highlights:

https://gostanford.com/news/2024/09/15/h...vs-6-texas

I didn’t watch the game, but from the highlights it looks like we upped our blocking game.  Francis, especially, seemed to have really penetrated and given the attackers very little room to maneuver.  Some of those blocks were straight down.  We had six total blocks; Francis was involved in five of them.

Kurt had a sub-par game, but other than that looks like the hitters were hitting well.

Paloalto, I am glad that the fast paced setting is continuing.  I was a bit surprised we could pull it off with a couple of inexperienced hitters, but if the passing is solid, Miner can do it.  The last highlight play shows it; Texas got off a hard hit that handcuffed Oglive, but she still delivered it on target to Miner, who delivered a back one (maybe a one and a half) to Francis who knocked it down.

 BC

[BigJohn043]

Highlights:

https://gostanford.com/news/2024/09/15/h...vs-6-texas

I didn’t watch the game, but from the highlights it looks like we upped our blocking game.  Francis, especially, seemed to have really penetrated and given the attackers very little room to maneuver.  Some of those blocks were straight down.  We had six total blocks; Francis was involved in five of them.

Kurt had a sub-par game, but other than that looks like the hitters were hitting well.

Paloalto, I am glad that the fast paced setting is continuing.  I was a bit surprised we could pull it off with a couple of inexperienced hitters, but if the passing is solid, Miner can do it.  The last highlight play shows it; Texas got off a hard hit that handcuffed Oglive, but she still delivered it on target to Miner, who delivered a back one (maybe a one and a half) to Francis who knocked it down.

 BC

Texas couldn't pass.  Much easier to block an OOS set.....

[BigJohn043]

Highlights:

https://gostanford.com/news/2024/09/15/h...vs-6-texas

I didn’t watch the game, but from the highlights it looks like we upped our blocking game.  Francis, especially, seemed to have really penetrated and given the attackers very little room to maneuver.  Some of those blocks were straight down.  We had six total blocks; Francis was involved in five of them.

Kurt had a sub-par game, but other than that looks like the hitters were hitting well.

Paloalto, I am glad that the fast paced setting is continuing.  I was a bit surprised we could pull it off with a couple of inexperienced hitters, but if the passing is solid, Miner can do it.  The last highlight play shows it; Texas got off a hard hit that handcuffed Oglive, but she still delivered it on target to Miner, who delivered a back one (maybe a one and a half) to Francis who knocked it down.

 BC

Texas couldn't pass.  Much easier to block an OOS set.....

[BostonCard]

Not always.  Sometimes an OOS set is easy to block because it is slow and telegraphed, but often it is off the net, which is harder to block.

BC

[BostonCard]

Not always.  Sometimes an OOS set is easy to block because it is slow and telegraphed, but often it is off the net, which is harder to block.

BC

[paloalto]

Texas couldn't pass.  Much easier to block an OOS set.....

There are a variety of factors to weigh, particularly the skill of the hitter.   I believe you commented Skinner was the best college player by far.  If so, she should be able to handle OOS sets.  In any event I was happy with what Francis was doing today at the net.

Changing the subject, I'm starting to think Rubin is a big game player.  There was a hall of fame beach player, Tim Hovland, who called himself a "Big Game Hunter" meaning he could up his game for important matches.  Maybe Rubin has a bit of that mentality.

[paloalto]

Texas couldn't pass.  Much easier to block an OOS set.....

There are a variety of factors to weigh, particularly the skill of the hitter.   I believe you commented Skinner was the best college player by far.  If so, she should be able to handle OOS sets.  In any event I was happy with what Francis was doing today at the net.

Changing the subject, I'm starting to think Rubin is a big game player.  There was a hall of fame beach player, Tim Hovland, who called himself a "Big Game Hunter" meaning he could up his game for important matches.  Maybe Rubin has a bit of that mentality.

[BostonCard]

Texas couldn't pass.  Much easier to block an OOS set.....

There are a variety of factors to weigh, particularly the skill of the hitter.   I believe you commented Skinner was the best college player by far.  If so, she should be able to handle OOS sets.  In any event I was happy with what Francis was doing today at the net.

Changing the subject, I'm starting to think Rubin is a big game player.  There was a hall of fame beach player, Tim Hovland, who called himself a "Big Game Hunter" meaning he could up his game for important matches.  Maybe Rubin has a bit of that mentality.

Kathryn Plummer was a master of putting down the OOS sets.

I like Rubin a lot.  She has risen to the challenge of being the primary option.

BC

[BostonCard]

Texas couldn't pass.  Much easier to block an OOS set.....

There are a variety of factors to weigh, particularly the skill of the hitter.   I believe you commented Skinner was the best college player by far.  If so, she should be able to handle OOS sets.  In any event I was happy with what Francis was doing today at the net.

Changing the subject, I'm starting to think Rubin is a big game player.  There was a hall of fame beach player, Tim Hovland, who called himself a "Big Game Hunter" meaning he could up his game for important matches.  Maybe Rubin has a bit of that mentality.

Kathryn Plummer was a master of putting down the OOS sets.

I like Rubin a lot.  She has risen to the challenge of being the primary option.

BC

[paloalto]

AVCA Poll:  Stanford #2     Top 5 teams stay the same as last week.

https://www.avca.org/polls-awards/polls/...on-i-women

[paloalto]

AVCA Poll:  Stanford #2     Top 5 teams stay the same as last week.

https://www.avca.org/polls-awards/polls/...on-i-women

[Sakibomb25]

Similar to this week's AVCA polls, it will be very close between Pitt and Stanford for tomorrow's AVCA polls top position.
Stanford may have wins versus higher ranked teams (Stanford beat #6 Texas, #8 Wisconsin and #19 Minnesota,
while Pitt upended #12 Oregon and #23 USC) but Pitt's has the more dominant victories over similar opponents
Pepperdine and UCSB.

As good as Stanford was today, I'd vote for Pitt at this point because they haven't lost a set.  Maybe Hambly was working on something with the Pepperdine & UCSB matches, but still....

Grumble..... when I go to GoStanford.com and try to look at "Box Score" for either the Pepperdine or UCSB game, I get the final score but no box score.

UCSB
Pepperdine

[Sakibomb25]

Similar to this week's AVCA polls, it will be very close between Pitt and Stanford for tomorrow's AVCA polls top position.
Stanford may have wins versus higher ranked teams (Stanford beat #6 Texas, #8 Wisconsin and #19 Minnesota,
while Pitt upended #12 Oregon and #23 USC) but Pitt's has the more dominant victories over similar opponents
Pepperdine and UCSB.

As good as Stanford was today, I'd vote for Pitt at this point because they haven't lost a set.  Maybe Hambly was working on something with the Pepperdine & UCSB matches, but still....

Grumble..... when I go to GoStanford.com and try to look at "Box Score" for either the Pepperdine or UCSB game, I get the final score but no box score.

UCSB
Pepperdine

[BostonCard]

No rest for the weary.  Current #5 Nebraska on Wednesday, followed by #11 Kentucky on Saturday.

Then circle your calendars for away games at #4 Louisville (Sept. 29) and at #1 Pitt (Oct. 20) and a home game against Louisville to end the season.  Also, games against SMU, Georgia Tech and Florida State, all ranked.

Oregon is the highest ranked former Pac-12 team (#12).

The sport really is an ACC and Big Ten affair.  ACC has the #1, #2, and #4 teams; Big Ten has the #3, #5, #6, and #7 teams.

BC

---

UCSB
Pepperdine

Must be your browser.  When I click your links (on a Mac running Safari), the score shows up, but after a few seconds, the box score is available below.

BC

[BostonCard]

No rest for the weary.  Current #5 Nebraska on Wednesday, followed by #11 Kentucky on Saturday.

Then circle your calendars for away games at #4 Louisville (Sept. 29) and at #1 Pitt (Oct. 20) and a home game against Louisville to end the season.  Also, games against SMU, Georgia Tech and Florida State, all ranked.

Oregon is the highest ranked former Pac-12 team (#12).

The sport really is an ACC and Big Ten affair.  ACC has the #1, #2, and #4 teams; Big Ten has the #3, #5, #6, and #7 teams.

BC

---

UCSB
Pepperdine

Must be your browser.  When I click your links (on a Mac running Safari), the score shows up, but after a few seconds, the box score is available below.

BC

[TonyLima]

Tim Duncan in the house. 

It surprised me that the announcer admitted she hadn't studied Stanford enough before last night and didn't know Tim Duncan was the father of a Stanford player (F Sidney Duncan), even when she saw him at the hotel.  That is on Sidney Duncan's bio on the roster.

Reviewing the video (should be posted by end of day today), the announcer did, in fact, mention Sidney.

Agree with the above.  His wife is a babe. Evidence for both:

[TonyLima]

Tim Duncan in the house. 

It surprised me that the announcer admitted she hadn't studied Stanford enough before last night and didn't know Tim Duncan was the father of a Stanford player (F Sidney Duncan), even when she saw him at the hotel.  That is on Sidney Duncan's bio on the roster.

Reviewing the video (should be posted by end of day today), the announcer did, in fact, mention Sidney.

Agree with the above.  His wife is a babe. Evidence for both:

[BobK]

Maybe you can highlight the recruits sitting in from of the Duncan’s.

Sami Francis ACC defensive player of the week
https://x.com/stanfordwvb/status/1835821...06275?s=46

[BobK]

Maybe you can highlight the recruits sitting in from of the Duncan’s.

Sami Francis ACC defensive player of the week
https://x.com/stanfordwvb/status/1835821...06275?s=46

[TonyLima]

Maybe you can highlight the recruits sitting in from of the Duncan’s.

Sami Francis ACC defensive player of the week
https://x.com/stanfordwvb/status/1835821...06275?s=46

Wasn't in the video I grabbed.  Sorry.  Congrats to Sami!

[TonyLima]

Maybe you can highlight the recruits sitting in from of the Duncan’s.

Sami Francis ACC defensive player of the week
https://x.com/stanfordwvb/status/1835821...06275?s=46

Wasn't in the video I grabbed.  Sorry.  Congrats to Sami!

[ca245]

The ACC is going to be tough this year. Besides Louisville and Pittsburgh, I’ve seen Georgia Tech, SMU, and Fla. St and they look good.

[ca245]

The ACC is going to be tough this year. Besides Louisville and Pittsburgh, I’ve seen Georgia Tech, SMU, and Fla. St and they look good.

[martyup]

The ACC is going to be tough this year. Besides Louisville and Pittsburgh, I’ve seen Georgia Tech, SMU, and Fla. St and they look good.

Damned tough when you add Stanford to the mix.  FEAR THE TREE!!

[martyup]

The ACC is going to be tough this year. Besides Louisville and Pittsburgh, I’ve seen Georgia Tech, SMU, and Fla. St and they look good.

Damned tough when you add Stanford to the mix.  FEAR THE TREE!!

[Spiny_Norman]

The Road Warriors (aka, Stanford Women's Volleyball team) will play many of their toughest ACC opponents only once this season and on the road.

Away only - Notre Dame, Pitt, SMU, Miami, Florida State, Duke, UNC
Home and Away - Louisville, Cal, Georgia Tech
Home only - NC State, Wake Forest, Syracuse, BC, Clemson, Virginia, Virginia Tech

[Spiny_Norman]

The Road Warriors (aka, Stanford Women's Volleyball team) will play many of their toughest ACC opponents only once this season and on the road.

Away only - Notre Dame, Pitt, SMU, Miami, Florida State, Duke, UNC
Home and Away - Louisville, Cal, Georgia Tech
Home only - NC State, Wake Forest, Syracuse, BC, Clemson, Virginia, Virginia Tech

[BobK]

So much tougher than the recent Pac 12 years. Going to be interesting

[BobK]

So much tougher than the recent Pac 12 years. Going to be interesting

[paloalto]

Stanford at Nebraska today 5:00pm PT on B1G Network.

Penn State at Pitt today 4:00pm PT on ACC Network.

Thanks for the conference breakdown Spiny.  Looks tilted against Stanford.  Pitt, SMU, Miami, Florida State all strong teams. I expect next year will be pretty much the reverse.

[paloalto]

Stanford at Nebraska today 5:00pm PT on B1G Network.

Penn State at Pitt today 4:00pm PT on ACC Network.

Thanks for the conference breakdown Spiny.  Looks tilted against Stanford.  Pitt, SMU, Miami, Florida State all strong teams. I expect next year will be pretty much the reverse.