Womens’ Volleyball 2018

[pelagius]

Marquette defeated USC 3-2. I didn't watch the game but followed it briefly online. I don't know if USC was worn down by having played previously. Hopefully, BYU comes out rested against Marquette and its home crowd.

Marquette's a good team. It would be surprising if they didn't make the tournament. It wouldn't be that surprising for USC to lose to them on Marquette's home court even if USC was fresh.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Marquette's a good team. It would be surprising if they didn't make the tournament. It wouldn't be that surprising for USC to lose to them on Marquette's home court even if USC was fresh.

BYU defeats Marquette 3-1. The number one and number two teams lost today, so BYU might end up ranked number one in the nation.

[pelagius]

BYU beats #25 Marquette 3-1 in Milwaukee; Marquette is a good team so this is another really solid win on the road. The first 1.5 sets were rough but then Olmstead and crew made some adjustments to the serving strategy and some adjustment to serve reserve and BYU came roaring back. For two matches in a row Gneiting and Miller were the standouts.

[pelagius]

BYU defeats Marquette 3-1. The number one and number two teams lost today, so BYU might end up ranked number one in the nation.

I would think so; the coaches would have to vault Stanford over BYU (assuming Stanford beats Minnesota tonight). I think Stanford is slightly better than BYU but BYU has scoreboard.

[Topper]

I would think so; the coaches would have to vault Stanford over BYU (assuming Stanford beats Minnesota tonight). I think Stanford is slightly better than BYU but BYU has scoreboard.

If Stanford defeats Minnesota tomorrow, it will have defeated PSU and former number 1 Minnesota. Stanford looks good and took BYU to the fifth. Maybe both can be rated number 1.

[KillerDog]

The level of trust between this team and the coaching staff is so high right now. It takes a lot to derail them. If we can keep growing our ability to attack out of the middle on passes 6-8 feet off, we should be able to get by without a strong right side. Ballard needs to keep building her confidence as she and Bushman could really help us with their bigger blocks on the right side against some teams but the effort to dig and transition with smaller blocking is working.

[pelagius]

The level of trust between this team and the coaching staff is so high right now. It takes a lot to derail them. If we can keep growing our ability to attack out of the middle on passes 6-8 feet off, we should be able to get by without a strong right side. Ballard needs to keep building her confidence as she and Bushman could really help us with their bigger blocks on the right side against some teams but the effort to dig and transition with smaller blocking is working.

Ballard did get some time against Syracuse. If I remember right she started the second set and got one front court rotation. Unfortunately, she got like two quick hitting errors and never saw the court again. It will be interesting to see if she gets more time against Utah. I do hope she gets to play at least a whole set against Weber St on Saturday.

[LiveCoug]

So, Stanford beats Minnesota pretty handily. The voters have to decide if beating #5 and #1 in the same week is better than wins over #10 and #25 and head to head win with Stanford.


They have to give it to BYU, right?

[pelagius]

So, Stanford beats Minnesota pretty handily.

Not that it matters, but I wouldn't describe it that way. Outside of the 3rd set it was really competitive.

The voters have to decide if beating #5 and #1 in the same week is better than wins over #10 and #25 and head to head win with Stanford.

They have to give it to BYU, right?

I think BYU gets ranked #1, but they were almost tied last week with Stanford for 3rd and Stanford got more #1 votes last week (despite the BYU victory being fresh in their minds). USC losing to Marquette takes some of the luster off the USC win even though BYU beat Marquette too. Essentially, BYU beat two 10-20 teams this week: one on a neutral court and on on the road. Stanford beat two top 10 teams (but both at home), but the luster on the Minn win is diminished because Minn also lost to Oregon. Right now the Penn St win looks better than the Minn win. So I don't think BYU is a lock for #1; maybe 70-75% probability in my view.

Finally, I would rank Stanford #1 personally.

[pelagius]

The AVCA coaches poll is out:

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[Green Monstah]

That’s pretty incredible.

[cougjunkie]

Heather thinks Utah is better than anyone they have played outside of Stanford. She thinks they are a legit top 10 team.

[LiveCoug]

I guess no one cares that BYU absolutely annihilated Utah tonight?

[pelagius]

BYU's really good, and outside of the first half of the first set they passed really well. They passed so well the absolutely chewed Utah up with their middles in the 2nd and third sets. Also, Mary Lake may be the best libero in the country (I think she is as least as good as Stanford's libero who the the first team AA last year).

[Jeff Lebowski]

I guess no one cares that BYU absolutely annihilated Utah tonight?

I care!

Took the whole family plus some friends. What an amazing atmosphere. That place was rocking. Crushed the utes like a bug.