Shock Talk: Melissa Granville

[SpanglerFan316]

http://www.goshockers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7500&ATCLID=204780483

Aug. 25, 2009

The 2009 season started with a barrage of serving, defense and Man vs. Wild. No not the TV show, but a mad science experiment Lambo has concocted to trick us into doing what he thinks we need. In my opinion, Man vs. Wild is a huge reason why we win.

On another note, our preseason trip to the lake ended with no casualties. Always good. We did usual camping things: wakeboarded and tubed, swam, roasted marshmallows and held a pentathlon. Ok maybe a pentathlon isn’t normal but Shocker volleyball is far from normal.

The pentathlon events, orchestrated by Katie Niggemeyer, were: 1. Water chugging, 2. Rapid uniform change, 3. Grape catching, 4. Swimming and 5. Kayaking.

It is undeniable that Dana Loganbill is the best water chugger and Jada Witham is the worst kayaker.

Hopefully, you’ll be listening to our upcoming games this weekend at the Louisville Invitational. We are ready for the season to get started.

[SpanglerFan316]

Aug. 31, 2009

"Lola...la...la...la...la...lola" was the theme song for our trip home from Louisville this weekend. The Shockers were very excited that Louisville possible all-american outside hitter Lola Arslanbekova of Uzbekistan had only 4 kills in our 4 sets thanks to the phenomenal blocking of Sarah McGee and Stephanie Tokarz.

This weekend was a great learning experience for our team. The games against Belmont and Pittsburgh made our weaknesses very clear. Even our game against Louisville showed that we have a lot to improve on. Although we lost to Pittsburgh, the Shockers are still as confident as ever in our abilities.

This week we are very excited to get in the gym to fix our problems. We must prepare ourselves for a strong tournament at home against North Carolina, Grambling State and Oklahoma. Come watch us compete Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 7:30 p.m.

[SpanglerFan316]

This thread is about Melissa Granville and so I'm going to remove (my part of) the argument that was here. If you don't like it, tough.

************************************************** *********

I do like her comment "the Shockers are still as confident as ever in our abilities." I think they should be confident because they are an outstanding team. The injury to Lindsey threw the team for a loop and the timing (of the injury) was terrible. (Of course, any injury is terrible.)

Let's look at positives:

1. Junior MB Sarah McGee is hitting at 0.256 (17K, 6E, 43 TA) and has 4 BS and 9 BA.
21 McGee, Sarah........ 3| 6 1 16 .312| 0| 0 0| 0| 3| 0 1 0| 0| 6.5 http://www.goshockers.com/fls/7500/s...9/09wsu-01.htm
21 McGee, Sarah........ 3| 4 2 13 .154| 0| 1 1| 0| 1| 4 4 0| 0| 11.0 http://www.goshockers.com/fls/7500/s...9/09wsu-02.htm
21 McGee, Sarah........ 4| 7 3 14 .286| 2| 0 0| 0| 1| 0 4 0| 0| 9.0 http://www.goshockers.com/fls/7500/s...9/09wsu-03.htm

2. Freshman OH Emily Adney is hitting at 0.275 (17K, 6E, 40 TA) and is a true freshman!!!
6 Adney, Emily........ 1| 1 1 3 .000| 0| 0 0| 0| 0| 0 0 0| 0| 1.0
6 Adney, Emily........ 3| 8 4 20 .200| 0| 0 0| 0| 0| 0 1 0| 0| 8.5
6 Adney, Emily........ 4| 8 1 17 .412| 0| 0 1| 0| 0| 0 0 0| 0| 8.0

3. Senior L Melissa Granville is hitting at 0.500 (1K, 0E, 2 TA) :D and had 3 service aces vs. Belmont.
8 Granville, Melissa.. 3| 1 0 1 1.000| 2| 3 1| 1| 11| 0 0 0| 0| 4.0
8 Granville, Melissa.. 3| 0 0 1 .000| 1| 0 2| 0| 9| 0 0 0| 1| 0.0
8 Granville, Melissa.. 4| 0 0 0 .000| 3| 0 1| 1| 10| 0 0 0| 0| 0.0

Emily Stockman is being Emily (e.g. MVC POY) and carrying the team:
2 Stockman, Emily..... 4| 18 5 44 .295| 2| 0 3| 2| 7| 0 2 0| 0| 19.0 (vs. Louisville).
I like the idea of Stephanie Tokarz playing more, especially on the right, because I don't think she has the quickness of Sarah McGee and the quick sets from Hooper to the MB don't seem to work as well with Stephanie as with Sarah. On the right, a high set to the pin gives Stephanie time to get there and to read the defense. On defense, I like the combination of McGee and Tokarz blocking.

4. Sophomore S Mary Elizabeth Hooper had a bad match against Pitt but bounced back vs. Louisville. She is a huge asset to the team.
5 Hooper,MaryElizabeth 3| 2 0 5 .400| 24| 1 2| 0| 4| 0 0 0| 2| 3.0
5 Hooper,MaryElizabeth 3| 2 4 13 -.154| 26| 0 0| 0| 5| 0 2 0| 0| 3.0 (vs Pitt)
5 Hooper,MaryElizabeth 4| 5 0 7 .714| 35| 2 1| 0| 11| 0 3 0| 1| 8.5 (vs. Louisville).

[Maggie]

I would think the team would be embarrassed over the loss to Pitt. And maybe PO'd about it? Of course, these are her own thoughts and maybe she (or the team) prefers to look to the future and not dwell on the past.

Not that I follow WSU Volleyball as zealously as you do but I think this young lady’s attitude is right where it needs to be.

I’m sure she and the team was upset about the loss to Pittsburgh (and it is my understanding they should have been); however, I believe it is often better not to let that anger fester overtime – especially this early in their season. She now seems to be digesting the loss as a learning experience. I think that is a sign of maturity and an indication of a well coached team. As everyone is aware this squad already knows how to win, so it follows they will learn much more from a loss.

[SpanglerFan316]

Bye bye. :lol:

[Maggie]

I expected a response similar to this; in fact, I debated with myself about the "embarrassed" comment. In the end, I thought this comment was appropriate; if it was me, I'd be embarrassed.

How was our loss to Pitt taken nationally? I think a lot of people lost a great deal of confidence in WSU's volleyball team because of the loss. I guess I need to document my claim.

***

ADDED: I should note that almost all of my post above was focused on positive aspects but I didn't think it was appropriate to ignore the fact that this was a black eye for WSU volleyball.

Frankly, you appear to be a tad bit sensitive and I think you overreacted to my post (or didn’t read it or read too much into it – the latter being more likely, I hope).

I never wrote that this player or the team in general for that matter, should not have been embarrassed or upset at the loss to Pittsburgh. In fact, I wrote that they probably were and should have been. Furthermore, I did not comment on the national perception of the loss (I’m not even sure why you felt compelled to “document” it because your prior post didn’t mention this at all) – and it doesn’t appear to be well received. That’s life however unfortunate given the fact, I assume, that the team’s margin for error, as it relates to post-season play, is probably much smaller than others. But on the bright side they have an entire season to prove themselves.

I found Miss Granville’s attitude to be refreshing and a welcome sign of an experienced player and a mature individual. In other words, she comes off as a leader. What’s done is done -- learn from it both the positive and the negative, and don’t let it happen again. End of story.

Miss Granville appears to be focusing on the right things.

[SpanglerFan316]

Bye bye. :lol:

[Maggie]

Maggie: Almost everything in my post was positive. I'm not sure why you quoted the part which included the "embarrassed" comment; I felt it was necessary but it was a small part of my post and not worthy of attention. Perhaps I did read something into your reply which you did not intend.

ShockerNet could consist exclusively of "yes-men" who blindly support WSU sports and never criticize a Shocker team. To me, this is dishonest (and I'm not a Creighton alum.) I really respect and support the volleyball team because the members of the team with whom I have spoken have been wonderful people, they are student-athletes in the true sense, they support one another and they really are a team. It is very hard for me to criticize them. In this case, however, I don't feel like sugar-coating a bad loss.

WSU recruits nationally; look at the roster. The Shocks worked hard over the last several years and especially last year to earn national respect (and hopefully the recruiting success which goes with this). The loss to Pitt was a setback; as a sports message board interested in WSU athletics, I think we should be honest and admit this was a bad loss.

Whether you intended to or not you questioned Miss Granville’s, and by extension, the team’s integrity. I singled out your first two sentences because it was the only part of your first post I disagreed with and, obviously, I thought it was worthy of attention. I thought I adequately explained why – I guess not – so I’ll expand on my previous comments.

I thought your comment was, in part, presumptuous. Unless you were with the team, in the locker room following the loss, or have some other inside information you have no idea how these women took the loss immediately following the match. Miss Granville’s missive was apparently drafted after she returned home (two days following the loss) and after a win against Louisville. That is plenty of time to decompress and put the loss (and the tournament in general) in proper perspective. I would wager if you were to speak with Miss Granville or, probably any member of the team, directly after the match you might have received a very different response.

That being said, you are correct to point out that the loss was a setback – I never wrote otherwise. How much of a setback? At this point, no one can possibly know. You can be critical or even harsh in evaluating the team’s play after a loss. You can even be critical of the team’s or an individual players’ attitude, where justified. That is what sports fans do. Impartially evaluating a loss is important but it is also important to be fair to the student athletes themselves. In this case, I thought your observation about the team’s attitude was superfluous and without particular merit.

I do find it interesting that although you admittedly agonized over whether to write the “embarrassed” comment, eventually concluding it was appropriate – you never explain why you came to that decision. Not that it is terribly significant – I just came away with a different impression of Miss Granville. If that earns me the label of a “yes-man” and guilty of “sugarcoating” a loss, in this instance, I will gladly embrace the classification.

[Wuzee]

Maggie: Almost everything in my post was positive. I'm not sure why you quoted the part which included the "embarrassed" comment; I felt it was necessary but it was a small part of my post and not worthy of attention. Perhaps I did read something into your reply which you did not intend.

ShockerNet could consist exclusively of "yes-men" who blindly support WSU sports and never criticize a Shocker team. To me, this is dishonest (and I'm not a Creighton alum.) I really respect and support the volleyball team because the members of the team with whom I have spoken have been wonderful people, they are student-athletes in the true sense, they support one another and they really are a team. It is very hard for me to criticize them. In this case, however, I don't feel like sugar-coating a bad loss.

WSU recruits nationally; look at the roster. The Shocks worked hard over the last several years and especially last year to earn national respect (and hopefully the recruiting success which goes with this). The loss to Pitt was a setback; as a sports message board interested in WSU athletics, I think we should be honest and admit this was a bad loss.

Whether you intended to or not you questioned Miss Granville’s, and by extension, the team’s integrity. I singled out your first two sentences because it was the only part of your first post I disagreed with and, obviously, I thought it was worthy of attention. I thought I adequately explained why – I guess not – so I’ll expand on my previous comments.

I thought your comment was, in part, presumptuous. Unless you were with the team, in the locker room following the loss, or have some other inside information you have no idea how these women took the loss immediately following the match. Miss Granville’s missive was apparently drafted after she returned home (two days following the loss) and after a win against Louisville. That is plenty of time to decompress and put the loss (and the tournament in general) in proper perspective. I would wager if you were to speak with Miss Granville or, probably any member of the team, directly after the match you might have received a very different response.

That being said, you are correct to point out that the loss was a setback – I never wrote otherwise. How much of a setback? At this point, no one can possibly know. You can be critical or even harsh in evaluating the team’s play after a loss. You can even be critical of the team’s or an individual players’ attitude, where justified. That is what sports fans do. Impartially evaluating a loss is important but it is also important to be fair to the student athletes themselves. In this case, I thought your observation about the team’s attitude was superfluous and without particular merit.

I do find it interesting that although you admittedly agonized over whether to write the “embarrassed” comment, eventually concluding it was appropriate – you never explain why you came to that decision. Not that it is terribly significant – I just came away with a different impression of Miss Granville. If that earns me the label of a “yes-man” and guilty of “sugarcoating” a loss, in this instance, I will gladly embrace the classification.

Wow. This is fascinating. :roll:

[Maggie]

Wow. This is fascinating. :roll:

Yes – it is undoubtedly on par with sitting at home and watching the installation of turf at Eck Stadium on your computer. :) Seriously.

[WuDrWu]

Wow. This is fascinating. :roll:

Yes – it is undoubtedly on par with sitting at home and watching the installation of turf at Eck Stadium on your computer. :) Seriously.

Now THAT IS funny.

[1972Shocker]

Wow. This is fascinating. :roll:

Yes – it is undoubtedly on par with sitting at home and watching the installation of turf at Eck Stadium on your computer. :) Seriously.

You can do that?

Edit: Just went to the Baseball Forum. Now I get it! Duh! Very good Maggie.

[SpanglerFan316]

Bye bye. :lol:

[Wuzee]

Wow. This is fascinating. :roll:

Yes – it is undoubtedly on par with sitting at home and watching the installation of turf at Eck Stadium on your computer. :) Seriously.

But you'll check it tomorrow. I know you'll check it. ;)

[Maggie]

Spangler,

I don’t feel like writing this but I will. When I wrote that this “conversation” is about as stimulating as watching the installation of artificial turf – I was being serious. And, no Wuzee, I won’t be tuning in but I expect updates every ten minutes from you in the baseball forum. ;-) I’m counting on you. :good:

For the last time, by questioning Miss Granville’s “tone” as “too upbeat” (whether you personally like her or not) and opining that you expected her “tone” to have been, I guess, less upbeat and more “embarrassed” and maybe “PO’d” concerning the Pittsburgh loss does call into question the team’s integrity – it calls into question whether they are serious about winning and losing. It also infers that the team was not “embarrassed” or “PO’d” about the loss. Which I am sure was not and is not the situation.

I don’t know whether you have ever been an athlete. I can only speak to my own experience. In my younger days, if you or anyone else questioned my “tone” as “too upbeat” following a loss or a poor performance – I would be “PO’d” and offended by the comment. It is not offensive to say to an athlete that they should be embarrassed (which he or she already knows) but it is offensive to suggest , unless it is justified, the athlete does not express adequate embarrassment or anger. Now this may not have been…well..I am certain it was not, your intention but I can assure you your comment could be perceived that way by the vast majority of athletes. Is that so hard to understand?

Finally, I think you protest too much. I can assure you that I have not been personally offended, to date, by any of your posts on this forum. And I certainly was not looking for a “fight” much less any sort of minor aggravation. Furthermore, your respect for the WSU Volleyball program, it athletes, staff and coaches is not in dispute. As I originally stated, I simply believe Miss Granville’s “tone” was acceptable, appropriate and an excellent reflection on her, the volleyball program and the university.

Okay?