Women's Volleyball Open Thread
by BSD on Dec 20, 2008 2:13 PM EST
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Make sure you watch the women's volleyball team play for the National Championship tonight at 8 PM ET on ESPN2. Here's an open thread for the game.
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I loved in the semis when you could see Nicole Fawcett...
saying “Give me the ball !” Her intensity was so awesome (in a Zug sort of way).
Born and raised in the shadow of Mount Nittany
It reminded me of Doug Flutie when B.C. was playing Miami in '84
Miami had just scored a touchdown late in the game & they cut to a shot of Flutie on the sidelines. He just nods his like “I know what I need to do.” Then he goes out & throws “The Pass”.
Born and raised in the shadow of Mount Nittany
I can't watch these games
It’s seriously too intense for me.
Sure, I may have been a bit dramatic
But there’s no denying the intensity factor.
That's what makes these ladies HOT.
Intensity? Watch Harmotto’s face should someone have the audacity to block her kill.
These are some tough ladies.
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Dec 20, 2008 5:12 PM EST up reply actions
Scotch works
although my the closer the game the more I drink and the more I drink the more f-bombs slip through my filter.
by Screen Name 20 on Dec 20, 2008 5:07 PM EST up reply actions
stanford, your Struggle Bus is ready to depart for whence you came.
We just needed a couple players, a couple people to buy in to the fact and we were able to do it. --A.Q. Shipley
You can get the Penn State audio if you want
There is a link on gopsusports (http://gopsusports.cstv.com/index-main.html)
Born and raised in the shadow of Mount Nittany
Alyssa D'Errico (#12)
She’s going to be a damn good libero – only a sophomore and already a huge part of this team’s success
Thinking the same thing
It’s should at least be an NCAA rule that they have to tuck their shirts in.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
You noticed that too, huh?
I remember her from last year. I also remember the giant girl with the glasses. When she gets it going look out.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
Foluke Akinradewo
and yes – she’s one of the few volleyball players that can really change an entire game with a few swings.
I'll comfort her.
I’ll help her take her mind off the loss. Damn. What a babe. Reminds me of Costanza on Sienfeld wanting to make love to a giant.
I've learned this year that I really like watching volleyball
I watched a lot of Olympics volleyball this summer, and Penn State’s women’s games have been awesome. My 5-year-old son even didn’t want to go to bed because he wanted to stay up and watch. He even wanted to wear his football jersey to bed (that’s my boy!).
I will definitely have to make an effort to follow the season more closely next year.
Agreed
It really is a great sport. But it’s changed a lot since I used to play it as a kid.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
Since we have this break...
It’s so much fun to watch these girls – I’ve actually watched more games since I’ve graduated than when I was a student.
We’ll lose some top stars this year, but Russ Rose knows how to restock and retool extremely well. We’ll see a slight drop-off, but we’ll still be damn competitive and exciting to watch.
A friend of mine called during that fiasco and said
“I guess the officiating fucking sucks in this sport too.”
Listen, I know there's nothing to do in Nebraska...
but can you at least hold off drinking until AFTER your job?
This is sad...
I am sorry, but how can a semi-fringe sport like women’s volleyball expect people to take it seriously when they can’t even keep score properly in a national title match?
Nice
But why do they give us the baseline camera angle on game point? Sheesh.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
Blair Brown and Cynthia Barbosa are
simply the hottest girls out there on that court. They both look fantastic.
Verified.
Good effort all around, though. Can’t go wrong with most of the players.
by Tailgate Shogun on Dec 20, 2008 9:37 PM EST up reply actions
Er,
Not #8 for Stanford. She’s not soft on the eyes.
by Tailgate Shogun on Dec 20, 2008 9:40 PM EST up reply actions
From what I remember
Libero can only play in the back row and cannot block. She can be subbed in at any time, but (and i’m still not clear on this one) can only be replaced by the person she originally subbed out. If that player is subbed back in, it’s the next outside hitter.
You’ll notice with PSU, when #3 Harmotto gets back to serve, she subs out for Kelsey Ream. When Ream misses a serve, she is subbed back out for Harmotto, who is then subbed for Holehouse (the libero). When Holehouse hits the front line, she’s subbed out for Arielle Wilson.
The whole subbing thing has a few nuances I don’t completely remember, but that’s the gist of it.
Libero
can only play defense and serve, cannot rush the net. Strictly backline.
Hodge is money hitting from the left side.
bank on it.
Since you all are as knowledgeable as me
In 1998 the libero player was introduced internationally, the term meaning free in Italian is pronounced LEE-beh-ro (although many players and coaches pronounce it lih-BEAR-oh). The NCAA introduced the libero in 2002.14 The libero is a player specialized in defensive skills: the libero must wear a contrasting jersey color from his or her teammates and cannot block or attack the ball when it is entirely above net height. When the ball is not in play, the libero can replace any back-row player, without prior notice to the officials. This replacement does not count against the substitution limit each team is allowed per set, although the libero may be replaced only by the player whom they replaced. The libero may function as a setter only under certain restrictions. If she/he makes an overhand set, she/he must be standing behind (and not stepping on) the 3-meter line; otherwise, the ball cannot be attacked above the net in front of the 3-meter line. An underhand pass is allowed from any part of the court.
The libero is, generally, the most skilled defensive player on the team. There is also a libero tracking sheet, where the referees or officiating team must keep track of who the libero subs in and out for. There may only be one libero per set (game), although there may be a different libero in the beginning of any new set (game).
Furthermore, a libero is not allowed to serve, according to international rules, with the exception of the NCAA women’s volleyball games, where a 2004 rule change allows the libero to serve, but only in a specific rotation. That is, the libero can only serve for one person, not for all of the people for whom she goes in. That rule change was also applied to high school and junior high play soon after.
One of the most dominating teams ever.
Ranks right up there with:
1994 Nittany Lions football
1986 Boston Celtics
The 70’s Steelers
The 1985 Bears defense
The numbers are mind numbing:
38-0
114-2 in sets (with both sets being on the opponents home court in the national semis)
Only 20 or more points given up in only 5 of 116 sets.
Wow.
I love, absolutely fucking love, seeing Penn State-National Champions. It doesn’t even matter what sport it is (well, I’m more inclined towards football or men’s basketball [yeah, right]). I just love my alma mater. What a great way to start two weeks vacation!!!
WE ARE!!! PENN STATE!!!
WE ARE!!! PENN STATE!!!
WE ARE!!! PENN STATE!!!
minor correction
The two sets they lost were not on the opponent’s home court as the University of Nebraska is in Lincoln and these games were played in Omaha. However, they kept using the fact that they had won 90+ straight games in Nebraska, etc. so close enough.
And it was the largest crowd to ever see a collegiate volleyball match...
…with probably 16,000 or more out of the 17,430 cheering for Nebraska.
Congrats!
Phil
Another minor correction
20 or more points given up in only 28 of 116 sets
Another point to add:
Other than Final Four games played within 90 miles of the opponent’s home, no sets or games lost since the final regular season match of 2007. (That 90 miles is as the crow flies, not driving.)
Born and raised in the shadow of Mount Nittany
20 or more points given up in only 28 of 116 sets
by Screen Name 20 on Dec 21, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
Ladies' Night
2008 ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
1. Destinee Hooker, OH, University of Texas
2. Jordan Larson, OH, University of Nebraska
3. Alix Klineman, OH, Stanford University
4. Cynthia Barboza, OH, Stanford University
5. Alisha Glass, S, Penn State University
6. Nicole Fawcett, OH, Penn State University
Most Outstanding Player: Megan Hodge, OH, Penn State University
“Destinee Hooker” is not a misprint.
by Run Up The Score on Dec 20, 2008 10:52 PM EST reply actions
I don't know if she's more hot or horrifying...
I’m seriously afraid of anyone that can make that face.
John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Dec 21, 2008 12:05 AM EST up reply actions
Hodge...
…was the most outstanding player, but not on the All-Tournament team! How is that possible?
WE ARE.......PENN STATE!
Colt McCoy
was MVP of the Big XII but only 2nd team QB. How do you figure that?
JoePa in '09
What a great team
I watched last years game also and it was more exciting with the Cardinal coming back and then Penn State somehow finding the strength and courage to turn it around when it seemed the set was lost. But this year they showed how dominating they are. One of the best teams ever
Keep it in perspective
I can't believe how much fun that was
to watch on the side during the ravens/cowgirls game last night! Being PSU alum helped, but I probably would have enjoyed it anyhow. I was the only person at the bar cheering for volleyball.
And I’m sorry, but other than barbosa, our girls were WAY hotter than the cali girls. They are hot and totally dominated the league this year. Only 2 sets lost? That’s domination alright!
LOVE YA LIONS!!
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
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