[MSG1716]

I expect the #1 seeds to be Pitt, Nebraska, Penn St and Stanford or Louisville.  I think Penn St beating Nebraska put them as the 3rd or 4th #1 seed.  I think it's a toss-up between Stanford and Louisville.  Stanford has one fewer loss and a 9 match winning streak but lost to an unseeded Miami. Louisville played a tougher OOC schedule (both played Nebraska, Wisconsin and Kentucky, but Louisville played Penn St and Creighton while we played Texas and Minnesota).  I think I would pick Louisville over us as they beat us in a more dominating way than we beat them, and the Miami loss, but could go either way.  I'm not sure how flexible the committee is with the top 16 seeds, but if they rank them in order, we likely play Louisville in the elite 8 match.

Definite shout out to our seniors.  Miner is the most impressive setter out there, particularly as noted for her ability to make great sets of mediocre or poor serve returns.  She rarely makes a bad set.  Today was the first time I've seen her literally whiff on a set attempt.  Oglivie has become almost as impressive as libero.  She's improved ever year and this year, although not at Morgan Hentz level, rarely misses sets she gets to.  I can't believe she has so many digs since teams serve and hit away from her. I think the greatest improvement of all seniors comes from Francis.  In the second half of the season, her blocking has become top notch and she's great at slamming down the slide.  We will miss them all a lot.

Tonight, I think Rubin was the difference.  I would guess, wish I had the stats, that Rubin had the best winning serve percentage as well as 14 digs.  And she is the best pin at getting around and off (yes tooling) the block.  Another shout out, mentioned early, goes to Pringle.  Her service returns have been great.  She has taken over as the #1 defensive specialist and I think she competes to be libero next year.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.  Love to have 4 more home matches and see us get through the elite 8 curse.

[MSG1716]

I expect the #1 seeds to be Pitt, Nebraska, Penn St and Stanford or Louisville.  I think Penn St beating Nebraska put them as the 3rd or 4th #1 seed.  I think it's a toss-up between Stanford and Louisville.  Stanford has one fewer loss and a 9 match winning streak but lost to an unseeded Miami. Louisville played a tougher OOC schedule (both played Nebraska, Wisconsin and Kentucky, but Louisville played Penn St and Creighton while we played Texas and Minnesota).  I think I would pick Louisville over us as they beat us in a more dominating way than we beat them, and the Miami loss, but could go either way.  I'm not sure how flexible the committee is with the top 16 seeds, but if they rank them in order, we likely play Louisville in the elite 8 match.

Definite shout out to our seniors.  Miner is the most impressive setter out there, particularly as noted for her ability to make great sets of mediocre or poor serve returns.  She rarely makes a bad set.  Today was the first time I've seen her literally whiff on a set attempt.  Oglivie has become almost as impressive as libero.  She's improved ever year and this year, although not at Morgan Hentz level, rarely misses sets she gets to.  I can't believe she has so many digs since teams serve and hit away from her. I think the greatest improvement of all seniors comes from Francis.  In the second half of the season, her blocking has become top notch and she's great at slamming down the slide.  We will miss them all a lot.

Tonight, I think Rubin was the difference.  I would guess, wish I had the stats, that Rubin had the best winning serve percentage as well as 14 digs.  And she is the best pin at getting around and off (yes tooling) the block.  Another shout out, mentioned early, goes to Pringle.  Her service returns have been great.  She has taken over as the #1 defensive specialist and I think she competes to be libero next year.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.  Love to have 4 more home matches and see us get through the elite 8 curse.