Shockers vs Huskers Round of 32

[1972Shocker]

72, I looked at the stats & the roster for the Nebraska VB team: The top 5 outside hitters are all 6-3. They are Kadie Rolfzen, Mikaela Foecke, Kelsey Fien, Amber Rolfzen & Ceclia Hall.

Amber Rolfzen & Cecilia Hall are middle blockers which makes them pretty much 6-3 accross the frontline. They will face teams with taller middle blockers but will very rarely if ever be at a height disadvantage on the pins. Texas has a pair of 6-4 outside hitters for example. Of course, height in and of itself is not the only thing that matters. These players are very athletic and skilled. Nebraska has a total of 7 players at 6-3 and one at 6-2.

The Shocks, for example, have 2 players at 6-2, 4 players at 6-3, 1 player at 6-4 and 1 players at 6-5. However, only 6-2 Mikaela Raudsepp and 6-3 Abbie Lehman played against Nebraska and only other of these players to see much action this year was 6-2 Katy Dudzinski. Clearly, we have some tall players who lack the ahtleticism and skill sets of Nebraska's bigs and that is the key line of demarcation.

The tallest player I remember the Shocks ever playing was Jennifer Hamson of BYU. She was a 6-7 OH who is now playing center for the LA Sparks in the WNBA.

[flyingMoose]

Lambo has stated in the past that sometimes your opponent can just jump higher and hit harder than you can and there is little you can do about it.

When I was watching the match, I thought, we are a half-count slow getting our arms in front of a lot of their swings [hit harder], we hit over their block and out, they tool our high hands for a point when the ball is out [jump higher].

But ball control was an issue even on the free balls. At least twice, we overpassed an easy free ball. So beyond the physical differences, we just did not play well enough on defense.

But still, a great season. I'll take being the AQ and going to Lincoln every year.

[boyshocker]

I thought our blocking improved towards the end of the season but NU is a very hard team to block. Believe we think our littles can dig everything but to compete with teams like NU you have to slow the ball down at the net. We can blame them all we want but I would like to see us improve our blocking for next year.

[WuDrWu]

I thought our blocking improved towards the end of the season but NU is a very hard team to block. Believe we think our littles can dig everything but to compete with teams like NU you have to slow the ball down at the net. We can blame them all we want but I would like to see us improve our blocking for next year.

If our blocking is going to improve, then we better have some new bodies out there....Kara Maleski etc.

[1972Shocker]

I thought our blocking improved towards the end of the season but NU is a very hard team to block. Believe we think our littles can dig everything but to compete with teams like NU you have to slow the ball down at the net. We can blame them all we want but I would like to see us improve our blocking for next year.

That's a valid point but doesn't explain the poor serve-receive performance. Even Katie Reilly, in her post-match comments, said that they just did not a good job with their serve-receive/passing game.

[1972Shocker]

If our blocking is going to improve, then we better have some new bodies out there....Kara Maleski etc.

Have you seen or heard much about the potential for Kara (6-5), Rylea (6-4) and who was injured this season, and Alex Koon (6-3) to contribute next year? We also have some good height coming in with next year's freshman class but hard to know how quickly those players can transition to the D-1 game and be effective.

[WuDrWu]

I'm concerned about the likelihood of Rylea being able to help us. Poor kid's been injured a lot and don't think she's played hardly at all for 3 years now.

I think Alex could help us, although she spent time in a boot this fall.

I have no idea about Kara....but she hasn't sniffed the court. I know if I had a 6'5" middle that could play at all....I'd at least be dipping my toes in the water.

[1972Shocker]

I'm concerned about the likelihood of Rylea being able to help us. Poor kid's been injured a lot and don't think she's played hardly at all for 3 years now.

I think Alex could help us, although she spent time in a boot this fall.

I have no idea about Kara....but she hasn't sniffed the court. I know if I had a 6'5" middle that could play at all....I'd at least be dipping my toes in the water.

Thanks, Doc. Those are all reasonable observations. I would point out that Kara is listed on the roster as an OH but not sure if that is where her best potential is or how Lambo has been training her.

[boyshocker]

That's a valid point but doesn't explain the poor serve-receive performance. Even Katie Reilly, in her post-match comments, said that they just did not a good job with their serve-receive/passing game.

Good point, I stand corrected. Slow day at work.

[1972Shocker]

Lambo ranks this year's team up at the top of his list of his best teams. Still thinking about how he wants to approach this Spring. I have a feeling the experimentation will win out. It's just in Lambo's blood.

Also Lambo on board for Beach Volleyball. Says recruits are starting to ask about it.

http://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article49441970.html

[WuDrWu]

You know this stings, but congrats to Anna Church and Ashlyn Driskill as they advance to the Final 4 beating #1 USC late last night 3-2, 15-13 in the 5th.

SC was oddly bad, but don't take anything away from Kansas. They've been great all year, losing only to Texas, also in the Final Four.

For all the talk of west coast strengths, the Final Four is all heartland. Minnesota, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska. In Omaha. There won't be any Joan of Arc specials this week I promise you.

[flyingMoose]

You know this stings, but congrats to Anna Church and Ashlyn Driskill as they advance to the Final 4 beating #1 USC late last night 3-2, 15-13 in the 5th.

SC was oddly bad, but don't take anything away from Kansas. They've been great all year, losing only to Texas, also in the Final Four.

For all the talk of west coast strengths, the Final Four is all heartland. Minnesota, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska. In Omaha. There won't be any Joan of Arc specials this week I promise you.

Kansas took the first two sets, but they had to come from behind in the fifth set. Trailing 9-13, they ran off six points in a row to punch their ticket to Omaha. They are the #9 National Seed. Minnesota, Texas (who had to win 17-15 in the fifth in their own gym over Florida) and Nebraska are the #2, 3 and 4 National Seeds respectively.

[RoyalShock]

Lambo ranks this year's team up at the top of his list of his best teams. Still thinking about how he wants to approach this Spring. I have a feeling the experimentation will win out. It's just in Lambo's blood.

Also Lambo on board for Beach Volleyball. Says recruits are starting to ask about it.

http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...e49441970.html

I find it interesting that players on a beach scholarship aren't allowed to play indoors, but the converse is allowed.

[WuShock16]

I find it interesting that players on a beach scholarship aren't allowed to play indoors, but the converse is allowed.

Maybe because volleyball is a counter sport and beach volleyball is an equivalency.

[The Mad Hatter]

I find it interesting that players on a beach scholarship aren't allowed to play indoors, but the converse is allowed.

This is just my guess: since indoor volleyball is the established sport, they don't want programs to start a beach program so that they essentially have extra scholarships for indoor volleyball (especially with the already existing parity issues, letting powerhouse programs essentially have a couple extra scholarships to offer to indoor players who also happen to play beach lets those schools stockpile even more talent). In the other direction, however, they are trying to grow beach volleyball and allowing as many players as possible to participate helps that effort.