Another POW for Taylor, Hawaii up to No. 16
http://www.avca.org/divisions/division-one-women/poll-9-7-2015/
sooooo my thinking …
A number of teams ahead of then=No. 17 Hawaii lost
Perhaps some coaches voted early before UH-UCLA result on them. Still no excuse not to know since it would have been available by 1 a.m.
The ‘bad’ loss to LMU carried over from last week. But Bruins still move up 8
And the coaches who didn’t have Hawaii in their polls last week looked at the poll and voted UH in this week.
All of the above
Penn State near unanimous. Florida moves up to 2 after wins over Texas and Oregon.
Injured Stanford down to 3, with one vote.
As for last night, agree with the comment that too many people had an off night. I recall someone wanting Greeley to be the L1 but she does have a chronic shoulder problem that would take that out of consideration.
Shoji said he is reopening up all positions to start. I know, we’ve heard that before but he was very frustrated after last night. Longer talk in the locker room than usual. At the end, they were scrambling to find someone to put the ball down.
One thing they will consider is moving Huff to LS and keeping Taylor at RS. Feel sorry for Huff that she’ll have to learn another position.
Mitchem is not the option for LS. feel she’ll move into Maglio’s spot soon.
What is hurting the offense right now is the lack of the slide. You have Magill, who doesn’t do it, and Maglio who hasn’t done it enough to be consistent. Mitchem ran it once and it got dug. So without that weapon the sets keep going to the OH.
At the end think Higgins second-guessed herself, she went to Magill who got blocked. She might have been better off to dump it on a back flip. but that’s 20-20 hindsight. it’s a split-second decision.
We’ll see what happens when they go back to practice Tuesday.
Wahine were frustrated when some of their best hits did not find the floor. UCLA dug and passed very well. Something the Wahine can work on. And 8 service errors. All the little things to tighten things up. Wahine should be okay.
It’s not the end of the world; to wit: – Sets too near the net gives the blocker the advantage, and this occurred all night last night. Solution: Kendra Koelsch. Again, UH was out-dug and out-passed. Solution: Taylor Higgins. No other changes.
Ucla played a great match last night and that is the best thing that could have happened to us! We have a lot of talented players but finding the right roles and combinations has been elusive. The starting line-up is no longer a done deal. A lot of service errors every game this year, passing inconsistent, distribution of sets is a question mark. I feel we have many areas to improve in, but we have the talent to make these improvements. I think this match was a wake up call to the team that if you want to be an elite team you have a ways to go, but it is possible!
Hoping that those who are having trouble posting read this.
I am not sure if this is THE issue but some of you keep changing your ‘handle’ when posting the same thing from the same device. Pick a name, any name, but decide on one.
And posting the same comment, especially quickly, often triggers the spam filter.
It also would help if you use a legitimate email address.
Also might be a problem if you try to post to a thread that has been closed. That will be rejected.
Stay dry.
http://www.bigwest.org/aotw.asp
from the Big West
Earning her second straight Big West Women’s Volleyball Player of the Week accolade, Hawai‘i junior Nikki Taylornotched a tournament-high 53 kills to help her team go 2-1 at the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic.
Taylor was named all-tournament after averaging 4.82 kills, 2.18 digs, 1.18 blocks and 0.55 service aces per set while hitting .267 (53-21-120).
The 6-3 outside hitter led UH in kills in every match, and has done so in all six contests this season. She totaled a game-high 22 kills versus Iowa in the tournament opener and added 15 in a sweep of American. She hit a season-high .542 (15-2-24) against American.
Against No. 25 UCLA, Taylor posted a double-double with 16 kills and 15 digs and chipped in with two service aces for the third consecutive match.
Lisa Strand-Ma’a’s niece and Katie Spieler’s cousin Adlee Van Winden named Freshman of the Week for a second straight week.
#1 Totally agree, season is early and adjustments can be made. IMO, it was painfully clear last night that we need a much taller OH1 that can terminate and who is big enough to handle the big girls, as well as a M1 who can hit slide to spread out the defense so our pins have more one on one situations.
In today’s specialized game, tall but much less skilled player are beating shorter highly skilled, well rounded, high volleyball IQ players. It is just the way the game is organized, played and won today. You can’t teach tall but you can take tall girls and make them much better volleyball players.
Huff, Mitchem, and Castillo may not be totally ready for prime time, but Dave will have the rest of the season to get them ready. Tai and McKenna are still vital elements when the match up calls for their skills especially when playing highly skilled quick Big West Team teams. In post season, it is a different story and you need tall. Hope Dave makes the needed adjustment otherwise the painful lessons from the UCLA match will likely be the same in the first or second round.
With all the talent we have to stop talking about other recruits. Put the best 6 athletes out there regardless of seniority and scholies..We all make mistakes and it takes humility to do the right things to win. Its been 28 years since a National Championship and there is so much parity today. With that said, change is good because the past ways seems not to be working anymore…
#6 I absolutely feel Huff is “READY” for front row duty. Castillo can play all rotations play cannot just play a couple points and out. She is an athlete not a volleyball player. Mitchem arrived late and just got to get comfortable and use to the speed of this level. She possess the biggest upside of all 3 because of her stature…You can only find out the truth of they play more than they are.
#6. I have to disagree with you on the assessment of Huff, Castillo and more or so with Mitchem. I feel Mitchem is ready she just hasnt been set enought, I count 2 or 3 sets the entire game, just not good decision making by the setter. Huff can be ready for primetime as well and shown more than TMO. Castillo is so underrated coming in with a class that included Granato. She is the future for UH and could be something special down the line!
I feel the girls will learn from this…
I think whoever calls service zone FAILED!! They kept serving inoye and she was passing money!
JEFF HALL please step up!!! Our blocking needs work and our serving zones to put other team out of system I believe you handle both.
We also need a much more dynamic offense, I understand that comes with passing but even with bad passing you can change it up.
Thanks!
1. No one on this post predicted the UH would move up a notch in the weekly AVCA Coaches Poll after defeating two unranked teams (albeit one from the Big Ten) and losing to a then 21st-ranked team (albeit from the Pac-12). Go figure.
And go figure who would vote Stanford #1, as one anonymous coach did.
Of the current Top 20, 7 teams are from the Pac-12, 6 from the Big Ten, and 7 from other conferences (#2 Florida, which beat Texas 3-1, from SEC, #4 Texas from Big 12, #9 BYU from WCC, #14 Colorado St from MWC, #16 Hawaii, #18 San Diego from WCC , and #19 Florida State from ACC).
2. No one has mentioned Greeley being chosen for the All-Tournament Team over Magill. Apparently everyone on this post agrees because no one has questioned why Kalei over Olivia. Granted neither unleashed the beast against UCLA. Granted neither played “lights out” against UCLA. But looking at their performance over the 3 nights, #11 over #9? Really?
Go Bows! Can’t wait to see Mary Wise and her Orange-and-Blue Gators! It’s been a while and it’s only right that Wise match wits with Shoji one last time before retirement calls.
#8, #9 I am in agreement with both of you. I just rather say it as a suggestion.
Not trying to disrespect our OH1, as both are players I admire – but when a 5’11” basketball player has to play against a comparable skilled or even less skilled 6’3″ player for the whole game – entirely in the paint area, we all know who is going to likely win. There are exceptions, like if your name is Kanani Danielson, 4x AA.
UCLA just published the road map to beat our current lineup. I suggest a detour to a bigger lineup.
Please stop calling for taller OH players. Tall does not always mean better. UCLAs Anderson is listed at 6 ft. and she was owning UH blocks ( and the MVP) Wahine offense is way too slow. UCLA set low, quick balls where their “undersized” hitters had their way with the Wahine. UCLA’s blockers were sitting and waiting for the high, slow sets to be fall in the right spot ( they had enough time to get set). USCs starting freshman OH is 5’10” and very quick, just another example.
Wahine needs to change the game plan and trained to run a fast offense. Come on have faith, the team is loaded with talent, train/treat them like they are the most talented and they will perform that way. If you give up on them, they will give up on themselves.
When Aldolpho graduated she took the killer slide option with her it seems.
I’m surprised Dave didn’t have someone lined up with that skill after she left.
11 Agree. Nice to see Florida here. Can’t remember the last time these teams played. Not sure if it was when we had the seven Sr’s that we thought we had a chance for the Natl. Championship and Florida beat them.
What ever the case may be it should be an interesting match. Could the Wahine pull an upset like they did with Texas ? Anything is possible i guess.
Had to chuckle at Cindy’s remark about Shoji’s searing warning “we have to reopen all positions” and her response “we have heard this before…”
True, but Shoji volunteered mentioning Kendra directly that “she adds another dimension”. He said it resolutely, as if he was reminding himself about something he already knew.
His message resonates with me bc it starts with your QB. The setter is literally in on every attempted block. Koelsch clearly is the better blocker and Higgins’ sets are not consistent enough to over rule Kendra. It’s a no brainer.
Resolve that issue and it becomes easier to make other changes.
When Kendra came to UH last year, I thought UH would use a 6-2.
10. hmmm how quickly we forget the 17.5 blocks the other night. Until late in Set 4, the Wahine were out blocking UCLA. Bruins finished with a 13-10 edge. their final three points came on blocks.
12) Oregon lost to Texas-San Antonio 25-21, 23-25, 19-25, 23-25
good win for the WAC.
14. disagree about who is more consistent a setter. But Koelsch’s height gives her the advantage on tight sets. Her touch is much improved.
This is a short week, so I’m not sure if there can be major changes to the lineup, but I’m sure we’ll see more from the newer players. Height up front (Huff, Castillo and Koelsch) and better defense in the backcourt (DS’s) would go a long way to steady things out.
Kendra’s backset to our best hitter is much better and smoother. Her energy is better. Her offense is better. Her block is better. Not sure about defense, not in enough to determine that. And front sets are about equal, maybe a slight edge to Higgins. But overall, I think Kendra has the better game.
START HUFF AND MITCHEM!!!! Argh!!
Olevao and Higgins would be good players off the bench because of their inconsistent play. The volatility of their play allows the team to win when the other teams are average. When the teams are the caliber or higher than UH consistency counts a lot as well as stepping up their game another notch. When used as substitutes and if they are able to play on the upside of their volatility that will bring energy and a boost when the team is struggling. You need consistent play from the starters and hopefully only 1 may have an off night of the 6, every 3 games or so.
Unfortunate last night that Nikki, Kalei and Olivia had off nights. When you look at their play their level of volatility is less meaning more consistency. Will the reserves bring more consistent play that the team can count on in the OH1 and setter position. With this will they dominate more because the majority of the time most cylinders will be firing.
If Shoji will not give the other players decent game time and a legitimate shot the chances of the couple years past will be a replay. He has stated the talent and height on the team is abundant and if so why is he not giving the taller players a chance.
11. the all-tournament team is voted on by coaches, SIDs and some media. some of the ballots were turned in before the UCLA-Hawaii match as teams left.
Points fall where they fall. Sort of like people complaining that because UCLA beat Hawaii the Bruins should be ahead in the poll. That is 60 people voting and it takes a lot to move up. UCLA had a bad loss to LMU but with the win over Hawaii moved from 25 to 17.
23. height has nothing to do with it. A lot goes into the lineup, such as who is next to whom on the blocking assignment, who is the passing formation.
Huff has been training on the right to back up Taylor. You don’t suddenly move her left — well they did on out desperation Sunday — and my guess is that she’ll be training more on the left this week.
The real problem started when Taylor started off inconsistent, was dug, blocked and hit out. She had been so effective that I think it shocked the players and coaches. Thinking then became: If not Taylor, then who? They pretty much went through every option they had at OH. Thought holding off four match points was impressive with the lineup that was out there.
Had a chance to force a fifth. That would have been interesting.
19. Not to be picky but UTSA is in CUSA, not the WAC. UTSA and Texas State both joined the WAC for 2012-13 and then departed after one season for CUSA and the Sun Belt respectively.
5. Glad to hear that Adlee van Vinden, Lisa Strand-Maa’s niece, won second Big West freshman accolade. As a former Cal Poly fan, I watched her mother, Kelly Strand-van Vinden, play volleyball and also her father play basketball back in the eighties. They were both great athletes. It would be nice that she could get interviewed when Cal Poly comes to play at the Stan Sheriff later this month. I really hope that Lisa Strand would interview her niece. Please convey my interest to her, Cindy, and thanks.
So much panic about who plays where after a loss. UCLA was prepared for Hawaii, simple as that. Out coached would be the best description. Shoji made moves to stop the leaks, which may be the best way to assess the talent by position.
Shoji now has video to review and see who rose to the opposition, who needs to work on certain aspects, and potentially who works well together as a unit. Keep in mind Shoji hasn’t run into a team as prepared as UCLA for the lineup and passing patterns that the Bow”s resort to.
You could see/hear that in Shoji’s post game remarks. Predictable was what cost the Bow’s, so the way to adjust is running a new QB. He has to count on Higgin’s still, he just needs someone to be able to set McGill when her hitting percentage was as high as it was, and the D would have to focus on her vs Taylor. Once the D adjusts then go to Taylor, it is the setters responsibility to see/read the D to get one on one opportunities. Right now the competition has allowed Nicky Taylor to have her way, making Higgin’s lazy knowing Taylor could put it away at will.
Better get this wakeup call early in the season and have a contingency in place. The Bigwest won’t force the adjusents that the elite teams will. There is a ton of talent on this team, it is up to Shoji to sculpt it into the best it can become.
#2 & 22. Coach needs to play Koelsch, if only to prove that she is not the answer. She has a very good back set, which is great for Nikki, but is not consistent setting the left OH. A fair number of trap sets. Nikki hits better as an OPP, rather than as a left OH — maybe Megan will need to now train for a new position.
And, yes, Magill is still a very good MH, but has not played as well as she did last year. Teams have adjusted to her – no slide, and basically hits the 1. Has difficulty terminating a lot of free balls.
#13 I hear you. We were talking about adjustment on how to get better since Dave had mentioned on his post game interview that it was needed. Heck, no one here is giving up on the girls. I still believing that we can beat Florida having watched American Univ. online take Florida to four and blowing a 8 point lead in the last set. We, like you, are just fans wanting the best. And I did post that I thought the girls actually played great considering that Sealy had scouted them so well. It is only pre-season and isn’t that where things are tested out and if necessary, changes are made.
#28 Like your assessment and totally agree. Sealy simply developed a better plan to neutralize our attack. Dave made adjustments and almost pulled it off in set 4. The loss hurts but we were all so proud of how hard the team fought. Bravo! It’s only pre-season and we have time to fix the exposed weakness that Dave now recognizes.
P.O.G. #28. I agree totally. Mike Sealy and his girls were ready for us. They took away the D set and effectively blocked the OHs. Only a few times did they actually block the pipe shot from either TMO or Nikki. They were also waiting for Magill on the 4th set. Then complicate matters by not passing well and not reacting to what Sealy was doing meant we were constantly on defensive mode. I think a 6-2 would have helped to bring the passing back in line to run our other offensive sets.
I agree with Cindy on the slide. We need that slide to take the blockers away from our OH. Even if the slide was not that effective, it will still make them look for it.
26. thank you. I lose track of who went where.
You expect to lose a match or two in preseason. UCLA is a good team; and well coached. The Wahine are lucky in a way that the Bruins exposed so many of their weaknesses. (1) The lack of a MH slide is just inexcusable. Start whichever middle will do it consistently and well and let the other(s) ride the pine. You too Magill. (2) The TMO (front row)/Granato (back row) experiment is a band-aid to TMO’s lack of consistency in the back row and works only against the smaller teams. Both TMO and Granato lack the height and skills to terminate against the bigger girls with consistency. Granato hasn’t shown yet she is any threat hitting from the back row and TMO can’t play back row with consistency against the heat coming from big hitters. She is a senior, we know she isn’t going to change her spots at this point. Everyone one else knows this now as well. (3) Our Libero is average. Lacks the QB skills to run the back row and be a game changer by always being in the right place at the right time and passing nails. She struggles to cover her zone, and forget it if you think she can cover for other weak/struggling back row players, or that she will close the net consistently to cover her hitters and blockers. Clare Marie will get a start there before too long. She deserves a shot and maybe it will light a competitive fire or two. I think Kahaki can improve, but she’ll need to be pushed and coached up. (4) Setting is better this year, in particular TH has greatly improve setting the middles, but against UCLA the passing was all over the place. Kendra had lots of playing time against UCLA, with no blocks, no tip blocks, and an unsuccessful dump attempt. She didn’t show against UCLA that she made any difference. Both setters can only do so much with a poor pass to work with, and MH’s that won’t/can’t do a slide, and an undersized OH1/2, and no pipe hitter. Hence 52 sets to Nikki. (5) Coaches reluctance to lose a set or match in order to try different lineups and find out if they have any ‘gamers’ that should be playing more. Huff finally had a chance against UCLA to play a full couple of rotations, and just like in basketball she showed she is a gamer who brings it against the big girls. Is there any doubt at this point that she deserves more time in the lineup?
What is this fascincation with the SLIDE…..bigger problem is why are the
sets at times so HIGH up in the air…..it gives blockers time to set up….and
back row time to get ready to dig a hit….sets need to be lower….
Height has nothing do with what: Please explain Cindy. I’ve heard it from many other people and experts that volleyball today height is where it’s at in the front roll. 6’2″ and taller does makes a difference if the athleticism are equal to those that are under 6′. Defensively not so much height is needed.
I can’t say for certain, but I’m pretty sure, we are the only D1 team that does not run a slide attack. It is such a huge part of the women’s game and it spreads out the block. Plus, if we don’t have anyone practicing it in practice, every team will run their slide against us successfully because we won’t know how to defend it.
Yes, sets need to be quicker, but we absolutely 100% need to have a slide attack.
The Wahine have always set HIGH sets to the left side. Why? I donno. But it seems to have worked in the past with hitters like Emily Hartong. Maybe Dave Shoji can provide some insight.
The match @ UC Irvine on Nov.17 will be aired on ESPN3
http://ucirvinesports.com/sports/w-volley/2015-16/releases/20150908tmjfmk
Actually away matches @ Cal State Fullerton (Oct.2), UC Riverside (Oct.3), Long Beach State (Nov.6), and UC Irvine (Nov.17) will be on ESPN3
Didn’t see the whole list until after last posting.
http://www.bigwest.org//story.asp?story_id=18587
Wow, it appears that everyone here is an expert at D1 women’s vball.
35. Agree you with the high set. allows the block lots of time to set up.
As for the slide/step-out …when a middle is fairly one-note easier to scout and prepare for. when middle has that in her repertoire, regardless if they get set or not, the defense has to honor that and they tend to float the block that way leaving the other attacker with a 1-v-1 situation.
36. that was in response to the ‘they need to play taller players.” to quote Magill, Just because you’re tall doesn’t mean you’re a good volleyball player.”
Height is great in the lineup. but it’s about how that height plays.
34. don’t see Anderson as the libero. Kahakai is more athletic and a threat if pressed to hit out of the back row. if you remember they used her in the front row for one set last year. Anderson is the top DS and stabilizes the passing for sure.
http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=33041
new thread up for Tuesday