[paloalto]

https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/volleyball-women/d1/2024

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First tournament match Sacramento State on Friday 7:00pm depending on length of prior match at Maples.

I believe this match will be on ESPN+ as are all first round matches.

[paloalto]

https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/volleyball-women/d1/2024

---

First tournament match Sacramento State on Friday 7:00pm depending on length of prior match at Maples.

I believe this match will be on ESPN+ as are all first round matches.

[M T]

Some people can always find reasons for whatever choice they make (I'm still remembering early season denigration of the team).

How about recency?   Stanford's 2nd to last loss was 7 weeks ago and last loss was 4.5 weeks ago.  Louisville's 2nd to last loss was, uh, 5 days ago.
Louisville's last win over a top 25 team was 5 weeks ago.  Stanford's last win over a top 5 team was yesterday (with a win over a top 25 team 5 days ago).

How about travel effects?  Stanford's nearest-to-home loss was 2000 miles away.  Louisville lost twice at home and lost the only game it played with a 3 hour time-difference (but they made sure it won't happen again this year, didn't they).

Counting losses as contributing to SOS is rather inane.  You could have no wins but a great SOS.
Using NCAA's posted RPI ratings (top 50 only)
Stanford beat  #3(H), #7(AF), #8(NF), #9(H), #11(H),     #17(AF), #25(H), #25(AF), #26(NF), #27(AF), #28(AF), #35(H), #49(AF),
Louisville beat #4(H), #6(H), #7(A), #8(H), #9(AL),               #25(H), #27(H), #28(A), #33(H), #37(A), #35(H),  
[H: Home, A: Away, F: 2+ time zones away, L: < 100 miles]

Both teams had 5 top-11 wins with a slight edge to Louisville on their rankings, but an edge to Stanford on travel issues.
Stanford had two extra wins against top 50 teams.
That's hard to justify that Louisville had a better SOS.

[M T]

Some people can always find reasons for whatever choice they make (I'm still remembering early season denigration of the team).

How about recency?   Stanford's 2nd to last loss was 7 weeks ago and last loss was 4.5 weeks ago.  Louisville's 2nd to last loss was, uh, 5 days ago.
Louisville's last win over a top 25 team was 5 weeks ago.  Stanford's last win over a top 5 team was yesterday (with a win over a top 25 team 5 days ago).

How about travel effects?  Stanford's nearest-to-home loss was 2000 miles away.  Louisville lost twice at home and lost the only game it played with a 3 hour time-difference (but they made sure it won't happen again this year, didn't they).

Counting losses as contributing to SOS is rather inane.  You could have no wins but a great SOS.
Using NCAA's posted RPI ratings (top 50 only)
Stanford beat  #3(H), #7(AF), #8(NF), #9(H), #11(H),     #17(AF), #25(H), #25(AF), #26(NF), #27(AF), #28(AF), #35(H), #49(AF),
Louisville beat #4(H), #6(H), #7(A), #8(H), #9(AL),               #25(H), #27(H), #28(A), #33(H), #37(A), #35(H),  
[H: Home, A: Away, F: 2+ time zones away, L: < 100 miles]

Both teams had 5 top-11 wins with a slight edge to Louisville on their rankings, but an edge to Stanford on travel issues.
Stanford had two extra wins against top 50 teams.
That's hard to justify that Louisville had a better SOS.

[Farm93]

Some people can always find reasons for whatever choice they make (I'm still remembering early season denigration of the team).

How about recency?   Stanford's 2nd to last loss was 7 weeks ago and last loss was 4.5 weeks ago.  Louisville's 2nd to last loss was, uh, 5 days ago.
Louisville's last win over a top 25 team was 5 weeks ago.  Stanford's last win over a top 5 team was yesterday (with a win over a top 25 team 5 days ago).

How about travel effects?  Stanford's nearest-to-home loss was 2000 miles away.  Louisville lost twice at home and lost the only game it played with a 3 hour time-difference (but they made sure it won't happen again this year, didn't they).

Counting losses as contributing to SOS is rather inane.  You could have no wins but a great SOS.
Using NCAA's posted RPI ratings (top 50 only)
Stanford beat  #3(H), #7(AF), #8(NF), #9(H), #11(H),     #17(AF), #25(H), #25(AF), #26(NF), #27(AF), #28(AF), #35(H), #49(AF),
Louisville beat #4(H), #6(H), #7(A), #8(H), #9(AL),               #25(H), #27(H), #28(A), #33(H), #37(A), #35(H),  
[H: Home, A: Away, F: 2+ time zones away, L: < 100 miles]

Both teams had 5 top-11 wins with a slight edge to Louisville on their rankings, but an edge to Stanford on travel issues.
Stanford had two extra wins against top 50 teams.
That's hard to justify that Louisville had a better SOS.

As a Stanford fan I definitely had similar thoughts about the opponents, recency, travel and more. 

And yet,
When you look at the RPI elements the worst loss has its own column to call that out, and that Miami loss locks bad on that table and was bad in reality.  Yes, the HS style gym is a quirky environment and I am confident future Stanford squads will handle that better, but on paper....

When Stanford was at Louisville they beat Stanford with a rather convincing 3-0 win.   
I feared Stanford would get the two seed the moment Louisville won that 3rd set because that meant Louisville swept Stanford at home and managed to win one set at Stanford. 

Ultimately the loss to Miami was probably the bigger deal because Miami was a rather weak team and the other top teams just didn't have losses to teams at that level.

[Farm93]

Some people can always find reasons for whatever choice they make (I'm still remembering early season denigration of the team).

How about recency?   Stanford's 2nd to last loss was 7 weeks ago and last loss was 4.5 weeks ago.  Louisville's 2nd to last loss was, uh, 5 days ago.
Louisville's last win over a top 25 team was 5 weeks ago.  Stanford's last win over a top 5 team was yesterday (with a win over a top 25 team 5 days ago).

How about travel effects?  Stanford's nearest-to-home loss was 2000 miles away.  Louisville lost twice at home and lost the only game it played with a 3 hour time-difference (but they made sure it won't happen again this year, didn't they).

Counting losses as contributing to SOS is rather inane.  You could have no wins but a great SOS.
Using NCAA's posted RPI ratings (top 50 only)
Stanford beat  #3(H), #7(AF), #8(NF), #9(H), #11(H),     #17(AF), #25(H), #25(AF), #26(NF), #27(AF), #28(AF), #35(H), #49(AF),
Louisville beat #4(H), #6(H), #7(A), #8(H), #9(AL),               #25(H), #27(H), #28(A), #33(H), #37(A), #35(H),  
[H: Home, A: Away, F: 2+ time zones away, L: < 100 miles]

Both teams had 5 top-11 wins with a slight edge to Louisville on their rankings, but an edge to Stanford on travel issues.
Stanford had two extra wins against top 50 teams.
That's hard to justify that Louisville had a better SOS.

As a Stanford fan I definitely had similar thoughts about the opponents, recency, travel and more. 

And yet,
When you look at the RPI elements the worst loss has its own column to call that out, and that Miami loss locks bad on that table and was bad in reality.  Yes, the HS style gym is a quirky environment and I am confident future Stanford squads will handle that better, but on paper....

When Stanford was at Louisville they beat Stanford with a rather convincing 3-0 win.   
I feared Stanford would get the two seed the moment Louisville won that 3rd set because that meant Louisville swept Stanford at home and managed to win one set at Stanford. 

Ultimately the loss to Miami was probably the bigger deal because Miami was a rather weak team and the other top teams just didn't have losses to teams at that level.

[paloalto]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlVSWd8uisg

While the committee chair went through some reasons for their decision regarding Stanford or Louisville as a #1 regional seed I felt she could have given a better explanation.   She said they watched the Stanford/Louisville match.  It seems to me the committee members wouldn't spend so much time on one match if they didn't think it would be an important factor.

In many televised matches I listened to announcers say how important the KPI would be this year.  Stanford had a better KPI than Louisville.  I would have liked for the committee chair to address how important or not important the KPI was to the committee.

"The KPI is an enhanced selection criteria compared to the current RPI system. The RPI rankings does not factor items like margin of victory or match location into its mathematical equation."

Oh well, I'm looking forward to an exciting volleyball tournament and remain optimistic about Stanford doing well.

[paloalto]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlVSWd8uisg

While the committee chair went through some reasons for their decision regarding Stanford or Louisville as a #1 regional seed I felt she could have given a better explanation.   She said they watched the Stanford/Louisville match.  It seems to me the committee members wouldn't spend so much time on one match if they didn't think it would be an important factor.

In many televised matches I listened to announcers say how important the KPI would be this year.  Stanford had a better KPI than Louisville.  I would have liked for the committee chair to address how important or not important the KPI was to the committee.

"The KPI is an enhanced selection criteria compared to the current RPI system. The RPI rankings does not factor items like margin of victory or match location into its mathematical equation."

Oh well, I'm looking forward to an exciting volleyball tournament and remain optimistic about Stanford doing well.

[johnbar]

I haven't watched this yet, but here is another interview with the committee chair (and others):

https://volleyballmag.com/post-ncaa-voll...om-120124/

[johnbar]

I haven't watched this yet, but here is another interview with the committee chair (and others):

https://volleyballmag.com/post-ncaa-voll...om-120124/

[paloalto]

First and second rounds run from today through Saturday.  Reports of upsets would be appreciated; probably not many if any seeded teams in first round but some upsets possible in second round.

[paloalto]

First and second rounds run from today through Saturday.  Reports of upsets would be appreciated; probably not many if any seeded teams in first round but some upsets possible in second round.

[Jamesy]

Loyola Chicago swept BYU, the 5-seed in our bracket. Won't likely make a difference to us since they would play Louisville.

[Jamesy]

Loyola Chicago swept BYU, the 5-seed in our bracket. Won't likely make a difference to us since they would play Louisville.

[johnbar]

Ole Miss beat the FSU 3-2, #7 seed in the Penn State region.

[johnbar]

Ole Miss beat the FSU 3-2, #7 seed in the Penn State region.

[johnbar]

SF Chronicle's article:

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...958027.php

[johnbar]

SF Chronicle's article:

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...958027.php

[M T]

SF Chronicle's article:

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...958027.php

“It was pretty brutal,” Rubin said. “We thought Louisville-Notre Dame was going to be the worst one, and then the Miami-Florida (State) one came around, and it honestly kept getting worse. I think we learned a lot about ourselves and it made us stronger. But it wasn’t what we expected.”

No surprise to me. As I said, when you factor in (far) away games, I would say that Stanford had the better record. Unfortunately, if Stanford and Louisville meet again, it will again be a far away game.

[M T]

SF Chronicle's article:

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/colle...958027.php

“It was pretty brutal,” Rubin said. “We thought Louisville-Notre Dame was going to be the worst one, and then the Miami-Florida (State) one came around, and it honestly kept getting worse. I think we learned a lot about ourselves and it made us stronger. But it wasn’t what we expected.”

No surprise to me. As I said, when you factor in (far) away games, I would say that Stanford had the better record. Unfortunately, if Stanford and Louisville meet again, it will again be a far away game.

[TonyLima]

Watching the WA-LMU(7) match and I gotta ask. How did LMU get a 7 seed?

[TonyLima]

Watching the WA-LMU(7) match and I gotta ask. How did LMU get a 7 seed?

[paloalto]

LMU finally wins first match.  Stanford match will probably start around 7:40pm.

---

Missouri beats SMU on SMU's court.

[paloalto]

LMU finally wins first match.  Stanford match will probably start around 7:40pm.

---

Missouri beats SMU on SMU's court.

[M T]

LMU finally wins first match.  Stanford match will probably start around 7:40pm.

Waiting for the Stanford match to start.  The graphic on ESPN+ is of a reflective building with clouds floating by in the sky. The reflections are also of the same clouds, but not moving as they would reflect.  Irritates my brain to see a non-physical depiction.

[M T]

LMU finally wins first match.  Stanford match will probably start around 7:40pm.

Waiting for the Stanford match to start.  The graphic on ESPN+ is of a reflective building with clouds floating by in the sky. The reflections are also of the same clouds, but not moving as they would reflect.  Irritates my brain to see a non-physical depiction.

[paloalto]

Stanford up 15-10 in first set.

[paloalto]

Stanford up 15-10 in first set.

[BostonCard]

25-19 first set.  We should be doing better.

BC

---

25-17 second set.

BC

[BostonCard]

25-19 first set.  We should be doing better.

BC

---

25-17 second set.

BC

[76lsjumb]

It’s a little bizarre here. The crowd size isn’t great, but it’s passable. What’s weird is that, literally, it goes dead silent immediately prior to every serve. The mausoleum is noisier than Maples at this match.

[76lsjumb]

It’s a little bizarre here. The crowd size isn’t great, but it’s passable. What’s weird is that, literally, it goes dead silent immediately prior to every serve. The mausoleum is noisier than Maples at this match.

[martyup]

ALL RIGHT NOW!!!

[martyup]

ALL RIGHT NOW!!!

[BostonCard]

25-19 third set.

BC

[BostonCard]

25-19 third set.

BC

[johnbar]

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BTW, I realize the odds for this are infinitesimal, but if Louisville were to lose in the first or second round, Stanford could then host the regionals.

Slim, but not infinitesimal.  UNI just took the first set from Louisville, 28-26

[johnbar]

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BTW, I realize the odds for this are infinitesimal, but if Louisville were to lose in the first or second round, Stanford could then host the regionals.

Slim, but not infinitesimal.  UNI just took the first set from Louisville, 28-26

[johnbar]

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BTW, I realize the odds for this are infinitesimal, but if Louisville were to lose in the first or second round, Stanford could then host the regionals.

Slim, but not infinitesimal.  UNI just took the first set from Louisville, 28-26

UNI now up 2 sets to 1.  4th set just started.

[johnbar]

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BTW, I realize the odds for this are infinitesimal, but if Louisville were to lose in the first or second round, Stanford could then host the regionals.

Slim, but not infinitesimal.  UNI just took the first set from Louisville, 28-26

UNI now up 2 sets to 1.  4th set just started.