2024 AAC Conference Tournament

[1972Shocker]

Not the Shocks are playing great but they are competing great.

Let's hope both happens today.

Go Shocks!

[RoyalShock]

2 sets to 0 start. 6-5 in the third. Keep it up!

[RoyalShock]

Sweep! Way to go, ladies!

[BAShocker]

Yay! Played awesome! Fun to watch, everyone played their best. Perfect timing. Congratulations ladies!

[flyingMoose]

Sweep! Way to go, ladies!

22, 19, 19

For the record, you know :)

[flyingMoose]

Question: Is this team less talented than last year's team? Some will read being NIVC Champions followed by being an AQ for the NCAAs, as a young team improving from last year to this. I am not so sure.

I believe we benefited this tournament from injuries to key Rice and South Florida players late in the year. But that is sports. The same thing could happen to us. We played the teams on the other end of the court; that is all you can do.

[Critter's Pa]

Question: Is this team less talented than last year's team?

I would say yes, particularly with the loss of Gabi. Definitely much less playing time experience this year. Gonzo, Grace and Gracie all got significant playing time this year as freshmen. Nadia and Allie saw some court time as well. The Sophia to Brooklyn change might be the biggest drop off of talent from last year. Sophia got better every year she played, I suspect the same thing would happen to Brooklyn (or any other player) as this is the first year she has seen significant playing time in her college career.

[1972Shocker]

Question: Is this team less talented than last year's team? Some will read being NIVC Champions followed by being an AQ for the NCAAs, as a young team improving from last year to this. I am not so sure.

Some might infer that to be the case but I I don't think that is the case. It was a rebuilding team with 2 very solid seniors with Izzie and Morgan, and in Morgan one of the most determined and passionate team leaders in the country. Otherwise, the season was one of constantly searching for the right formula. I think moving Katie to the libero position at the beginning of this month proved to be a good move.

Things really did seem to break the Shocker's way in the AAC Tournament. As they faced the 5 seed, a somewhat wounded 1 seed and the 6 seed on their way to sweeping through the Tournament. That said the Shocks only had 3 sweeps during the regular season, at UAB, at Charlotte and at Memphis (with only UAB qualifying for the AAC Tournament as the 8 seed). So I certainly did not have a triple sweep in my bingo card for this tournament.

The Shockers seemed to have so much grit and determination this weekend and if they were going to go down they would leave everything that had on the court.

[jimshocker]

And with that, the Elephant has left the room. Mission accomplished.

This is more than likely the only way an AAC team makes the NCAA tournament most seasons.

Not a pretty route. Not as good of a team as last year, a better end result.

‘72, You can mark Morgan Stout as one of your players that will be missed.

Congratulations Shockers.

[Critter's Pa]

Great win. Time to put on the dancing shoes. I wonder if we will head up the turnpike to play at Kansas.

Izzi, Swifty and Gonzo made the all tournament team. Swifty got a much deserved tournament MVP. I hope she get consideration for an All American team. It might take a win in the NCAA. If not for Rice's libero, Katie probably would have made the team. She was at 4.67 digs/set for the tournament. Morgan averaged 4.67 points/set. Gonzo averaged 3.12 points/set. The others on the tournament team were the aforementioned McCardell (Rice), Rosado (FAU), Robine (FAU), and a player from USF, I didn't catch her name.

Wish the team would have played like this all season long. Still had a couple of miscues, but the ball seemed to bounce in our favor more during the tournament. The team really pulled it together this weekend. If we play like this in December, we should scare whoever we play.

Sure am glad they brought back the conference tournament this year. Paid off big time.

[flyingMoose]

the 2 seed

Small point, but South Florida was the #1 seed.

[1972Shocker]

‘72, You can mark Morgan Stout as one of your players that will be missed.

No doubt about that. Perhaps even more so than we missed Frosty and Sophia. Morgan was the heart and soul of this team.

I think Izzi will be missed as well. While I look forward to seeing how Sarah Musial, presumably Izzi's successor, will perform it's a lot to ask a redshirt freshman to be able to immediately replace the production of a 5th year senior.

[1972Shocker]

Small point, but South Florida was the #1 seed.

I stand corrected. But as you previously pointed out a 1 seed somewhat diminished by injuries.

[1972Shocker]

Great win. Time to put on the dancing shoes. I wonder if we will head up the turnpike to play at Kansas.

i wonder if the Shocks will draw the top seed in our first match wherever we are sent.

[flyingMoose]

i wonder if will draw the top seed in our first match wherever we are sent.

I think we will be the #3 seed in our pod, playing the #2.