[BigJohn043]

Agree, I think on the whole our MBs are better than last year; Francis is playing better and freshman Andrews is at least as good as Vicini was last year.

As of yesterday, Francis had 2.2 kills per set with a .397 hitting percentage and 1.17 blocks per set and Andrews shad 1.6 kills per set with a .414 hitting percentage and 0.45 blocks per set.

Last year, Francis had 1.9 kills per set with a .368 hitting percentage and 1.1 blocks per set while Vicini had 1.3 kills per set with a .411 hitting percentage and 1.3 blocks per set.

Overall, our middles are getting 3.8 kills and 1.6 blocks per set this year, versus 3.2 kills and 2.4 blocks per set.  So, we are getting more offense and a little less defense.  That's not a surprise, since the biggest adjustment to the college game is blocking, since opponents' offense is a step-change from high school, and everything is faster.  To give you an idea, Vicini as a freshman had 0.64 blocks/set, and Francis as a freshman had 0.45 blocks/set.

BC

Francis is having a good year.  Hitting up to 404 from 368 last year.  BPS 1.29 from 1.1 last year.

Andrew is hitting 427 which is great.  Not getting set a ton but hitting well.  The problem is .51 BPS.  This is awful.  Vincini's freshman year was that weird covid year where we almost didn't have a team.  Not a good comparison.  MBs should be at 1.0 BPS at least.  Campbell was 1.25 in her first year....

[BigJohn043]

Agree, I think on the whole our MBs are better than last year; Francis is playing better and freshman Andrews is at least as good as Vicini was last year.

As of yesterday, Francis had 2.2 kills per set with a .397 hitting percentage and 1.17 blocks per set and Andrews shad 1.6 kills per set with a .414 hitting percentage and 0.45 blocks per set.

Last year, Francis had 1.9 kills per set with a .368 hitting percentage and 1.1 blocks per set while Vicini had 1.3 kills per set with a .411 hitting percentage and 1.3 blocks per set.

Overall, our middles are getting 3.8 kills and 1.6 blocks per set this year, versus 3.2 kills and 2.4 blocks per set.  So, we are getting more offense and a little less defense.  That's not a surprise, since the biggest adjustment to the college game is blocking, since opponents' offense is a step-change from high school, and everything is faster.  To give you an idea, Vicini as a freshman had 0.64 blocks/set, and Francis as a freshman had 0.45 blocks/set.

BC

Francis is having a good year.  Hitting up to 404 from 368 last year.  BPS 1.29 from 1.1 last year.

Andrew is hitting 427 which is great.  Not getting set a ton but hitting well.  The problem is .51 BPS.  This is awful.  Vincini's freshman year was that weird covid year where we almost didn't have a team.  Not a good comparison.  MBs should be at 1.0 BPS at least.  Campbell was 1.25 in her first year....

[paloalto]

https://x.com/StanfordWVB/status/1839858824766951816

Short video of Francis against ND.  Sami played well.   She doesn't have to jump high.  For blocking Francis just has to have her hands in a good position. 

Miner successfully setting the middle in front of her opens up Rubin to frequently tee off against one blocker.

Notre Dame had 29 hitting errors.  While some of that can be attributed to Stanford blocking, it's still a lot of hitting mistakes.  A better test of Stanford's progress will come tomorrow against Louisville.  Cardinal against Cardinals.

[paloalto]

https://x.com/StanfordWVB/status/1839858824766951816

Short video of Francis against ND.  Sami played well.   She doesn't have to jump high.  For blocking Francis just has to have her hands in a good position. 

Miner successfully setting the middle in front of her opens up Rubin to frequently tee off against one blocker.

Notre Dame had 29 hitting errors.  While some of that can be attributed to Stanford blocking, it's still a lot of hitting mistakes.  A better test of Stanford's progress will come tomorrow against Louisville.  Cardinal against Cardinals.

[TonyLima]

Weird line score for UCLA at Nebraska

Nebr:   25 25 23 25
UCLA:  22 10 25 22

I.e., Unranked UCLA got hammered in the second set but came back to win the third.

Former Stanford beach player Kate Reilly is playing DS for UCLA, and is regularly subbed in.

---

Final, 25-20 fourth set; Stanford takes it in 4.  We win our first ACC match!

Seems like even when we are overall better than our opponent, we put up at least one stinker of a set (thinking of our matches against UCSB and Pepperdine).

As others have noted, this seems to be a perpetual problem with Stanford VB.

I have a theory.  Tune in Saturday for the exposition.

TL;DR version: jet lag.

Backstory: about a century ago, I was on the road every other week giving seminars.  Did a lot of flights to Chicago and the east coast.  And the first few days were always rocky.  West-to-east is bad.  East-to-west, easy.

Now I know these kids are many years younger than I was.  But still they gotta feel it a little.  Hence, uneven play Friday.

As a former member of ba.food used to say, "Rage away."

[TonyLima]

Weird line score for UCLA at Nebraska

Nebr:   25 25 23 25
UCLA:  22 10 25 22

I.e., Unranked UCLA got hammered in the second set but came back to win the third.

Former Stanford beach player Kate Reilly is playing DS for UCLA, and is regularly subbed in.

---

Final, 25-20 fourth set; Stanford takes it in 4.  We win our first ACC match!

Seems like even when we are overall better than our opponent, we put up at least one stinker of a set (thinking of our matches against UCSB and Pepperdine).

As others have noted, this seems to be a perpetual problem with Stanford VB.

I have a theory.  Tune in Saturday for the exposition.

TL;DR version: jet lag.

Backstory: about a century ago, I was on the road every other week giving seminars.  Did a lot of flights to Chicago and the east coast.  And the first few days were always rocky.  West-to-east is bad.  East-to-west, easy.

Now I know these kids are many years younger than I was.  But still they gotta feel it a little.  Hence, uneven play Friday.

As a former member of ba.food used to say, "Rage away."

[joemontes]

https://x.com/StanfordWVB/status/1839858824766951816

Short video of Francis against ND.  Sami played well.   She doesn't have to jump high.  For blocking Francis just has to have her hands in a good position. 

Miner successfully setting the middle in front of her opens up Rubin to frequently tee off against one blocker.

Notre Dame had 29 hitting errors.  While some of that can be attributed to Stanford blocking, it's still a lot of hitting mistakes.  A better test of Stanford's progress will come tomorrow against Louisville.  Cardinal against Cardinals.

Regarding Cardinal versus Cardinals, Stanford's current trio of starting pin hitters (6'1 RUBIN, 6'1 HARVEY and 6'2 KURT) 
is probably Stanford's smallest group over the past decade or so, but that's relatively tall compared to Louisville's
current trio of starting pin hitters (6'0 DEBEER, 6'0 MALDONADO-DIAZ and 5'9 LUPER)

However, a much veteran trio (both DEBEER and MALDONADO-DIAZ are 5th year seniors, while LUPER is a senior)
compared to Stanford's (junior RUBIN, sophomore HARVEY and redshirt freshman KURT)

[joemontes]

https://x.com/StanfordWVB/status/1839858824766951816

Short video of Francis against ND.  Sami played well.   She doesn't have to jump high.  For blocking Francis just has to have her hands in a good position. 

Miner successfully setting the middle in front of her opens up Rubin to frequently tee off against one blocker.

Notre Dame had 29 hitting errors.  While some of that can be attributed to Stanford blocking, it's still a lot of hitting mistakes.  A better test of Stanford's progress will come tomorrow against Louisville.  Cardinal against Cardinals.

Regarding Cardinal versus Cardinals, Stanford's current trio of starting pin hitters (6'1 RUBIN, 6'1 HARVEY and 6'2 KURT) 
is probably Stanford's smallest group over the past decade or so, but that's relatively tall compared to Louisville's
current trio of starting pin hitters (6'0 DEBEER, 6'0 MALDONADO-DIAZ and 5'9 LUPER)

However, a much veteran trio (both DEBEER and MALDONADO-DIAZ are 5th year seniors, while LUPER is a senior)
compared to Stanford's (junior RUBIN, sophomore HARVEY and redshirt freshman KURT)

[MSG1716]

I'm look forward to Blyashov's return.  We are hurt by only having 3 options in most rotations since Kurt and Harvey are not viable 6 rotation players at this point.  Our defense is certainly better with Beaven and Pringle playing in the backcourt although Beaven is aced 1-2 times most matches.  Our offense would benefit if we have two 6 rotation players.  I have heard, but don't know if this is true, that Blyashov is a solid back row defender like Rubin (although unlikely as good at this point).  If so, having 4 options for Miner would, I think, reduce the number of blocks and the number of times our pins are facing a double block.

[MSG1716]

I'm look forward to Blyashov's return.  We are hurt by only having 3 options in most rotations since Kurt and Harvey are not viable 6 rotation players at this point.  Our defense is certainly better with Beaven and Pringle playing in the backcourt although Beaven is aced 1-2 times most matches.  Our offense would benefit if we have two 6 rotation players.  I have heard, but don't know if this is true, that Blyashov is a solid back row defender like Rubin (although unlikely as good at this point).  If so, having 4 options for Miner would, I think, reduce the number of blocks and the number of times our pins are facing a double block.

[spike5882]

I’d love nothing more than Blyashov to return and show she is a capable backrow player.  That being said,  she did start last year the first 3 matches while Baird was out and she certainly did not show then that she is a great back row player.  In fact, against Florida she was shanking left and right and got pulled for Harvey.  So, I do keep in mind that last year Harvey replaced her because of poor play in the Florida match.  Considering people aren’t happy with Harvey as a back row player (understandably why) I have a feeling people are hyping up Julia’s back row capabilities just a bit and based more on hope than reality.  Perhaps she will have developed more, and I’d love for that to be the case, but I also am not going to be shocked if Ipar stays on the court either as she has shown she has the ability to do well offensively and has a feisty spirit to her.

I'm look forward to Blyashov's return.  We are hurt by only having 3 options in most rotations since Kurt and Harvey are not viable 6 rotation players at this point.  Our defense is certainly better with Beavens and Pringle playing in the backcourt although Beavens is aced 1-2 times most matches.  Our offense would benefit if we have two 6 rotation players.  I have heard, but don't know if this is true, that Blyashov is a solid back row defender like Rubin (although unlikely as good at this point).  If so, having 4 options for Miner would, I think, reduce the number of blocks and the number of times our pins are facing a double block.

[spike5882]

I’d love nothing more than Blyashov to return and show she is a capable backrow player.  That being said,  she did start last year the first 3 matches while Baird was out and she certainly did not show then that she is a great back row player.  In fact, against Florida she was shanking left and right and got pulled for Harvey.  So, I do keep in mind that last year Harvey replaced her because of poor play in the Florida match.  Considering people aren’t happy with Harvey as a back row player (understandably why) I have a feeling people are hyping up Julia’s back row capabilities just a bit and based more on hope than reality.  Perhaps she will have developed more, and I’d love for that to be the case, but I also am not going to be shocked if Ipar stays on the court either as she has shown she has the ability to do well offensively and has a feisty spirit to her.

I'm look forward to Blyashov's return.  We are hurt by only having 3 options in most rotations since Kurt and Harvey are not viable 6 rotation players at this point.  Our defense is certainly better with Beavens and Pringle playing in the backcourt although Beavens is aced 1-2 times most matches.  Our offense would benefit if we have two 6 rotation players.  I have heard, but don't know if this is true, that Blyashov is a solid back row defender like Rubin (although unlikely as good at this point).  If so, having 4 options for Miner would, I think, reduce the number of blocks and the number of times our pins are facing a double block.

[BobK]

Spike you nailed it. What we saw last year with Blyaskov wasn’t fun. However nerves ? Maybe her first matches suddenly playing
Like many I’d like to see Kirsch and Cawa more but like all here I don’t see practice

[BobK]

Spike you nailed it. What we saw last year with Blyaskov wasn’t fun. However nerves ? Maybe her first matches suddenly playing
Like many I’d like to see Kirsch and Cawa more but like all here I don’t see practice

[BobK]

First 6 total points of today’s match Andrew blocked 4 Louisville kill attempts. Of course that’s not a stat you see

[BobK]

First 6 total points of today’s match Andrew blocked 4 Louisville kill attempts. Of course that’s not a stat you see

[TonyLima]

First 6 total points of today’s match Andrew blocked 4 Louisville kill attempts.    Of course that’s not a stat you see

Well, things went downhill pretty fast after that.

[TonyLima]

First 6 total points of today’s match Andrew blocked 4 Louisville kill attempts.    Of course that’s not a stat you see

Well, things went downhill pretty fast after that.

[mbdude]

3 5-0 runs for louville in sets 2
Rubin  4 for 24 so far

[mbdude]

3 5-0 runs for louville in sets 2
Rubin  4 for 24 so far

[TonyLima]

Luper with 10 kills in this set. Plus, at least one block.

[TonyLima]

Luper with 10 kills in this set. Plus, at least one block.

[BobK]

Hitting 125. Not good at all

[BobK]

Hitting 125. Not good at all

[TonyLima]

Add to the things I did not know until today: if a players hair touches the net, it does not count as a net foul.

[TonyLima]

Add to the things I did not know until today: if a players hair touches the net, it does not count as a net foul.

[mbdude]

no fun watching that match nothing to feel good about

[mbdude]

no fun watching that match nothing to feel good about

[BobK]

Hitting 144 never wins.

[BobK]

Hitting 144 never wins.

[paloalto]

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

AVCA 9/30/24 poll.   Stanford #5.  #1 through #5 is the way I would vote the teams.

Four home matches coming up.  All four are winnable.  I would be surprised if Stanford doesn't win all four.

Maybe players will gain confidence winning games.

[paloalto]

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

AVCA 9/30/24 poll.   Stanford #5.  #1 through #5 is the way I would vote the teams.

Four home matches coming up.  All four are winnable.  I would be surprised if Stanford doesn't win all four.

Maybe players will gain confidence winning games.

[M T]

Maybe players will gain confidence winning games.

You can train in games that you are winning handily or, to a lesser extent, in games that you have no hope to win.  In games that you're struggling to win, you can't really work on your weaknesses.

Maybe coach and players can use these games to work on what they can improve.

[M T]

Maybe players will gain confidence winning games.

You can train in games that you are winning handily or, to a lesser extent, in games that you have no hope to win.  In games that you're struggling to win, you can't really work on your weaknesses.

Maybe coach and players can use these games to work on what they can improve.

[BosCard]

Maybe players will gain confidence winning games.

You can train in games that you are winning handily or, to a lesser extent, in games that you have no hope to win.  In games that you're struggling to win, you can't really work on your weaknesses.

Maybe coach and players can use these games to work on what they can improve.

I am cautiously optimistic that this team can improve by the end of the season.  Three of our five hitters are basically playing in their first year of college volleyball.  And our 2 DS’s are passing / playing back row for the first time as well.  Yes some of them have been practice players for a while but it’s a big step up to be a starter and playing in every match.

[BosCard]

Maybe players will gain confidence winning games.

You can train in games that you are winning handily or, to a lesser extent, in games that you have no hope to win.  In games that you're struggling to win, you can't really work on your weaknesses.

Maybe coach and players can use these games to work on what they can improve.

I am cautiously optimistic that this team can improve by the end of the season.  Three of our five hitters are basically playing in their first year of college volleyball.  And our 2 DS’s are passing / playing back row for the first time as well.  Yes some of them have been practice players for a while but it’s a big step up to be a starter and playing in every match.

[Farm93]

Maybe players will gain confidence winning games.

You can train in games that you are winning handily or, to a lesser extent, in games that you have no hope to win.  In games that you're struggling to win, you can't really work on your weaknesses.

Maybe coach and players can use these games to work on what they can improve.

I am cautiously optimistic that this team can improve by the end of the season.  Three of our five hitters are basically playing in their first year of college volleyball.  And our 2 DS’s are passing / playing back row for the first time as well.  Yes some of them have been practice players for a while but it’s a big step up to be a starter and playing in every match.

I actually think they are playing just like most of the other teams in the 3-10 group.    They are solid but not really at the level of #1 or #2. 
And FWIW they can improve quite a lot and still remain in that #3-#10 group.

[Farm93]

Maybe players will gain confidence winning games.

You can train in games that you are winning handily or, to a lesser extent, in games that you have no hope to win.  In games that you're struggling to win, you can't really work on your weaknesses.

Maybe coach and players can use these games to work on what they can improve.

I am cautiously optimistic that this team can improve by the end of the season.  Three of our five hitters are basically playing in their first year of college volleyball.  And our 2 DS’s are passing / playing back row for the first time as well.  Yes some of them have been practice players for a while but it’s a big step up to be a starter and playing in every match.

I actually think they are playing just like most of the other teams in the 3-10 group.    They are solid but not really at the level of #1 or #2. 
And FWIW they can improve quite a lot and still remain in that #3-#10 group.

[TonyLima]

Hitting 144 never wins.

Profound in its simplicity.

[TonyLima]

Hitting 144 never wins.

Profound in its simplicity.