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Women's Volleyball Open Thread

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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

by Elihu on Dec 20, 2008 3:10 PM EST reply actions  

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

by Elihu on Dec 20, 2008 3:15 PM EST reply actions  

I can't watch these games

It’s seriously too intense for me.

by GreatScawt on Dec 20, 2008 4:41 PM EST reply actions  

Sure, I may have been a bit dramatic

But there’s no denying the intensity factor.

by GreatScawt on Dec 20, 2008 5:01 PM EST up reply actions  

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

by psu on Dec 20, 2008 7:05 PM EST reply actions  

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

by Elihu on Dec 20, 2008 8:11 PM EST reply actions  

arrggghhhhh

We don’t look good. Stanford is also blocking everything in sight.

Let's Go State

by rmcmillen50 on Dec 20, 2008 8:22 PM EST reply actions  

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

by IcersGuy on Dec 20, 2008 8:30 PM EST reply actions  

Wow

Nice 15-5 run to close out that game. Let’s keep it goin’, ladies.

by BSD on Dec 20, 2008 8:35 PM EST reply actions  

Fawcett's serves are scary

It’s just as violent as her spike.

by IcersGuy on Dec 20, 2008 8:39 PM EST reply actions  

This is fun

to watch but it is much better on the beach in bikinis.

by JIMPSU on Dec 20, 2008 8:41 PM EST reply actions  

Thinking the same thing

It’s should at least be an NCAA rule that they have to tuck their shirts in.

by BSD on Dec 20, 2008 8:42 PM EST up reply actions  

Seriously

Joepa wouldn’t let them play without tucking in their shirts.

by JIMPSU on Dec 20, 2008 8:44 PM EST reply actions  

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.

by BSD on Dec 20, 2008 8:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Foluke Akinradewo

and yes – she’s one of the few volleyball players that can really change an entire game with a few swings.

by IcersGuy on Dec 20, 2008 8:53 PM EST up reply actions  

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.

by Ab4PSU on Dec 20, 2008 10:07 PM EST up reply actions  

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.

by lmrlion on Dec 20, 2008 8:54 PM EST reply actions  

Agreed

It really is a great sport. But it’s changed a lot since I used to play it as a kid.

by BSD on Dec 20, 2008 8:56 PM EST up reply actions  

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.

by IcersGuy on Dec 20, 2008 9:06 PM EST up reply actions  

I can't believe

the only person in the building not watching is the official scorer

by JIMPSU on Dec 20, 2008 9:08 PM EST reply actions  

Listen, I know there's nothing to do in Nebraska...

but can you at least hold off drinking until AFTER your job?

by IcersGuy on Dec 20, 2008 9:09 PM EST reply actions  

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?

by VVeRPennState on Dec 20, 2008 9:12 PM EST reply actions  

Nice

But why do they give us the baseline camera angle on game point? Sheesh.

by BSD on Dec 20, 2008 9:14 PM EST reply actions  

Agreed

the worst possible angle

by JIMPSU on Dec 20, 2008 9:15 PM EST reply actions  

Sweep

Warm up the Struggle Bus!

by JIMPSU on Dec 20, 2008 9:19 PM EST reply actions  

Blair Brown and Cynthia Barbosa are

simply the hottest girls out there on that court. They both look fantastic.

by PSU-TN on Dec 20, 2008 9:27 PM EST reply actions  

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  

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.

by IcersGuy on Dec 20, 2008 9:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Libero

can only play defense and serve, cannot rush the net. Strictly backline.

by PSU-TN on Dec 20, 2008 9:42 PM EST reply actions  

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.

by JIMPSU on Dec 20, 2008 9:49 PM EST reply actions  

Congrats to the Lady Lions!

Excellent way to end an awesome season!

by lmrlion on Dec 20, 2008 9:53 PM EST reply actions  

our consecutive sets streak is at 4

Born and raised in the shadow of Mount Nittany

by Elihu on Dec 20, 2008 9:53 PM EST reply actions  

WOOHOO

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!

by GreatScawt on Dec 20, 2008 9:53 PM EST reply actions  

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!!!

by Ab4PSU on Dec 20, 2008 10:20 PM EST reply actions  

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.

by AdamShell on Dec 20, 2008 10:46 PM EST up reply actions  

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

by baronlion on Dec 20, 2008 11:16 PM EST up reply actions  

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

by Elihu on Dec 21, 2008 12:30 AM EST up reply actions  

20 or more points given up in only 28 of 116 sets

in only 18 of 116 sets

by Screen Name 20 on Dec 21, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions  

in 28 of 116 sets

That article got the score of the last game in last year’s finals wrong, too.

Born and raised in the shadow of Mount Nittany

by Elihu on Dec 21, 2008 7:43 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!

by Nick7 on Dec 21, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Colt McCoy

was MVP of the Big XII but only 2nd team QB. How do you figure that?

JoePa in '09

by JGuiher on Dec 21, 2008 4:12 PM EST up reply actions  

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

by JuniataMan on Dec 20, 2008 11:30 PM EST reply actions  

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."

by showtime on Dec 21, 2008 9:50 AM EST reply actions  

OK Men's Team...

Match that!

Congratulations to the Woman’s Team. WOW A Perfect Season!

by ljdevine on Dec 22, 2008 8:27 AM EST reply actions  

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