Shockers vs Northern Iowa

[SB Shock]

Shocks WIN the match!!!! I wasnt able to make it to the match but what a great one to listen to!!

It was even better to watch it on TV. Now if they could only get 22 to High Definition.

[ABC]

I thought we were goners when we were down 10-3 in the 4th set.

[ShoxPride]

That match was simply amazing. Hats off to all those Lady Shox

[1972Shocker]

What a great win for the Lady Shocks. UNI played very well and at times dominated the Shocks at the net. But as is their habit this year the Shocks found a way to pull out a win.

I'd call tonight a character win for sure.

How 'bout that Kelly Broussard. That young lady is a warrior.

Great contributions from Amanda Backes and Kim Wadsworth during the very key 4th and 5th sets. Shocker depth may have wore down the Panthers a little bit late.

Just doesn't get much better than tonight. Glad I was there.

:clap: :goshocks: :good:

[RussDaBus]

Tonight was my first time at a WSU Volleyball match. I have to say I am completely hooked. That match was unbelievable. Those ladies played their hearts out (on both sides). I thought that the crowd was absolutely amazing especially during our amazing run in the 4th set. The crowd was louder during that run tonight than at time last year during basketball games. I will be back tomorrow night.

[shockerfan132]

Great win for the shockers!

Some random observations:
- I think Lindsey did very well for taking some swings that weren't "perfect"

- I wasn't impressed with MEH's ability to set the ball to the OHs.

- Kelly Broussard is the real deal.

- As wild and crazy as Amanda Backes' swing is.. there's some power in it!

Congrats ladies!!!!
:D :D :D

[SubGod22]

Hoop wasn't completely on her game tonight.

Kelly Brousard was nicknamed VISA tonight by the guy next to me because she's everywhere.

Sarah McGee played the best all around game I've seen from her. She's tied for my favorite player with Kelly. Kelly is simply amazing and the stuff she does just wow's you at times. Sarah plays with so much passion and energy that I can't get enough.

Emily seems to always do more than it looks like. We look up and can't remember her getting as many kills as she does. But sometimes I think it's overlooked at how well she digs the ball too.

Through the first 3 1/2 sets I was worried as the Shox just looked a little out of sync. Some of that was because Hoop was off, but there were a number of mis-hits as well and some moments on D that made you scratch your head.

Backes is impressive. She made some impressive hits off of bad sets. This girl could really be something when she puts it all together. But the tide did change in the 4th when she was inserted.

[RoyalShock]

I was at a football game so I couldn't listen. Was the hitting that bad? Both teams hit below .100 with 40+ attack errors. Yikes!

[SubGod22]

I was at a football game so I couldn't listen. Was the hitting that bad? Both teams hit below .100 with 40+ attack errors. Yikes!

It was. There were times where there was an open path and they'd just wiff and hit the ball way out, both deep and wide.

Also, we noticed for a while there were very few good solid spikes. A lot of pushing the ball over the net and way too many tips.

[ShockerFever]

Great job ladies! :clap:

That shows who's the boss in this league, and has been for the last several years.

Keep it goin.

:goshocks:

[shockerfan132]

I am impressed with Sarah McGee as well, we needed to find a solid middle and found that in her. Angela Jakubov is a good middle, but she's also a good left and right so that's where maybe it hurts her because she's good at everything and doesn't get to focus on practicing at one position. Not a great night for her, but I wouldn't be surprised to watch her come back in a dominate the rest of the season...

I would dare to say the shockers didn't win game 1 because of MEH. Would have liked to watch the backup (Karalee?) play a little.. if anything to give MEH a chance to sit down, relax and go over some plays or something!! I don't know from experience, but I can't be that hard to set the ball high and outside.

Kelly Broussard - MVC MVP .. nobody deserves it more. Maybe a write-in ballot for President? :whistle: Only kidding.

:goshocks: :wsu_posters: :posterwu: :posterwsu:

[shockersigep921]

Amazing!!!!!! For all of those of you who are in town and didn't make it to the game,(exceptions for life or death matters and I don't care that it was ON TV) YOU SUCK AT LIFE!!! This was one, if not the best, volleyball game I have ever seen. I have been apart (on the bench or in the stands) at WSU volleyball games for the last 8 years (yeah, back when we played games in the Heskett during renovations). The ladies were amazing and Lambo worked his magic once again.

First off, I apologize to Coach Lamb for doubting your substitution and rotations tonight. I questioned some of the back ups that you put into the game but they provided the spark and shook up the Panthers to win us the game. I WILL NEVER QUESTION YOU AGAIN (maybe)!!!!!!

I hope those of you who were their appreciated what you saw from both sides. Those of you who were new, SOAK IT IN!!! It is great!!!! And I promise you the refs don't usually suck that bad.

I must address the fans because this is probably mybiggest pet peeve. The atmosphere in late game 4 and all of game 5 is how it should be EVERY PLAY. I know the sound system people are horrible and never have anything quede up (FIGURE IT OUT), but we have got to be loud and energetic ALL THE TIME. I understand that volleyball isnt a very well known sport but if you see the ladies yelling, YOU SHOULD YELL!!! Sorry I will get off my soap box.

Now about the game.......

Game 1. We went to work. This game was back and forth the entire way and the Shockers were able to push themselves to win the game.

Game 2. The refs won that one for Panthers. Unfortunately this took a lot of wind out of our sails.

Game 3. The shockers came out flat and the Panthers were on fire. After this match i was worried about an L coming up fast.

THIS IS WHEN THE MAGIC STARTED......

Game 4. The ladies came out dead once again and Lambo decided it was time to shake things up. The sub of Kim Wadsworth was such a boost and she was the catalyst for the rest of the way. We were down 10-3 when she came in and we got a side out. Kim's next two serves were for aces and got UNI on their heals. We gave up the ball after that but we had cut the lead to two. After giving back a slight lead I hope you all were able to recognize what Sara McGee did the rest of the way. She was absolutely every where, and kept at least three rallies going, diving for digs or saves off of blocks. She also helped to contain UNI's #4 Ashten Stelken (who is an amazing middle and All-Valley). Amanda Backes showed what she can do (more on that later)

Game 5. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and also a small recap of the entire match. I am so proud of how the ladies took control but didn't get flustered when UNI came back and took a slight lead.

If Kelly Broussard does not win Libero of the Year this year there is some sort of plot against her. She is everywhere and and as consistent as they come. UNI's libero is probably the other major candidate for the award but I was underwhelmed by her tonight and wouldn't trade Kelly for anything. I know Sara Lungren has been given a lot of credit for taking this program to new heights, but I would say that Kelly should get about the same amount of credit for the status of the program. She may not get the spot light like she deserves but she is an incredible talent that knows no heights.

MEH I am in love with you. The run of serves at the end of the 4th was such a feat, you are by far the pillar already of this team and as you go the team goes. You are so unshakeable and your maturity is well beyond your years. I wish you would have adjusted late on the dumps when they had a blocker shadowing you but yet you still made some great momentum changing plays.

The future is BBBBBRRRIIIGGGHHHHTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!! Tonight showed how hungry some of the players on the bench are. We are deep and have talent overflowing. We ran out the same number of players that most teams carry on their entire roster and there was not a lot of drop off. For those of you who have been looking at the future and possible lineups with the recruits, understand they are going to have to fight for their time because we have some incredible talent.

I am so proud of the ladies and the fans tonight. Jump on the band wagon because it is climbing this mountain that is NCAA Volleyball.

[lemuel777]

Great Volleyball from both sides of the net. I think the Panthers ran out of steam as the Shockers ratcheted it up a few notches. I can say this with confidence that the Panthers are under rated and should have been ranked in the top 25.

[PointShockers]

Amanda Backes had her coming out party tonight -- what a boost she brought in from the bench -- also Kim Wadsworth! I think they helped save our bacon tonight!

Awesome match -- :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :good:

[1972Shocker]

In the openining post to this thread I suggested that winning the UNI match "might just boil down to a huge, energetic and supportive crowd."

The size of the crowd was not a big as I had hoped or expected (TV not withstanding) considering the magnitude of the match and the 2 for 1 promo and at times the fans were pretty passive (with due credit to UNI).
However, the crowd did come alive when needed and perhaps did have some influence on the outcome (although the great majority of the credit goes to the girls and Lambo obviously).

From today's Eagle article:

http://www.kansas.com/250/story/565156.html

"The crowd fed us down the stretch," middle blocker Sarah McGee said. "It took us to a different level and really rattled Northern Iowa."

So all in all, kudos to the 4,000 REAL SHOCKER FANS who took the time and effort to SUPPORT the Shocks. Of course, those in attendance were also very lucky to have been there to enjoy a great, great match.

Thank you Lady Shocks.