Talking Turtle Says…
“May I have your attention please…?”
With just a month into the 2011 women’s college volleyball season, there is already SO much talk about who is the best team in the land. So for the sake of argument at this yet still very early time, I will ask “…will the real #1 please stand up”!
As I mentioned in previous chats, this is going to be a very interesting and intriguing season that will see a great deal of upsets. At this point in the season, no one is really emerging as a dominant force, albeit there are a few undefeated teams left. So many questions remain in the balance and unanswered:
1. What in the world is going on at Penn St? Not so happy in the valley are we Russ?!
A very young team, yes, but this does NOT negate the lack of focus and production on the court! Someone really needs to step it up, and it cannot just be Deja’s responsibility. Kudos to the emergence of A. Scott however! What a different a year makes!
2. Can a tall Texas team ever be healthy? And just how good will they be if that ever happens?
As some many of us believes, this will be a scary team IF they are ever able to click on and off the court, and remain healthy. They are long, lean, tough fighters, strong offensively (yet needs to limit some errors), and a great blocking team. One major change that NEEDS to happen is a serious change in libero! Can we see Palmer in that role please?
3. What will Cal be able to do now that Gehan is out? They are fairly solid at most positions, but their big guns are Murrey and Gehan. With a weak preseason schedule, and dismantling a growing Stanford Cardinal, they were faced with their biggest challenge recently, and failed miserably! What hopefully came out of that weekend in LA, is that someone else besides Murrey will need to bring it.
4. Just how good is Illinois? Enough said here! They are pretty solid in almost every position. Their major strengths are offense, blocking, and back row defense. When you have a RS that is in the top 10 in both kills and digging in the conference, and everyone else handles their out – look out!
5. When and where will former USC star Falyn Fonoimoana re-appear (ok so this has nothing to do with the rest of the current season, but still…”Inquiring minds want to know”)?
Some much talk about her, I just couldn’t resist! She ain’t around, so…moving on!
6. What is the AVCA rankings’ problem? So much controversy, and really a BIG JOKE!
It seems everyone is in agreement here. They are not giving themselves any credit at all this season. Although I will say that when teams are beating each other up in a conference weekly, it has to be a very tough job. I certainly wouldn’t want to be responsible for it; although maybe some of us could do a better job.
7. Is UCLA a true force to be reckoned with this season?
What a nice surprise on the season to see the once dominating UCLA Bruins back at the top of their game. Although hitting percentages are least to be desired, the Bruins are certainly getting it done having beaten the likes of Hawaii, Washington, Stanford, and former #1 ranked Cal. Keep it up Coach Sealy; this is nice to see!
8. Will Hawaii and Florida ever be able to get quality wins during conference?
(Sigh) A never ending question! Both squads are always so incredibly talented, yet never truly pushed during their conference matches. Hawaii could definitely see a final four run again, but the Gators (?)…hmm
9. What’s with all of the teams switching conferences (across the sports board)?
A little weird and slightly distracting. But nice job Nebraska letting the Big Ten know you is HERE!
10. Will the real #1 team please stand up (a little Slim Shady never hurts)?
A couple of things I’d like to address regarding these questions, and a month into the season. First and foremost – kudos to Stanford! I certainly didn’t give them any credit early on, as this was supposed to be a rebuilding year for them. Although fairly one dimensional with Williams and Wopat, the young Cardinal bring some of the best defense in the NCAA. Finally Dunning wised up over the weekend, having moved freshmen sensation Gilbert to the libero spot. But as most of us know, the Cardinal is (at this point) not a top 5 team! Only time will tell, but if you ask me (as I know you all did)… J I can certainly see the Stanford Cardinal dropping out of the top 10 for the first time since the 2005 season.
I would also like to bring up all the conversation around who is actually the best team in the country right now. LET IT GO! J This is not a season with teams like the ‘02/’03 USC Trojans, the ’09 Penn State Nittany Lions, or the ’98 Long Beach State 49ers. There are NO players like Misty May, Logan Tom, Kim Willoughby, Kerri Walsh, Natalie Williams, Aury Cruz, Destinee Hooker, or Megan Hodge, who all had supporting casts that could help them dominate. (I can list them on and on!) It appears to me that yes these current athletes might be physically and athletically more gifted than the greats of the past, BUT the vb IQ is completely different. Many of the current teams in the top 10 or top 15 are young teams. They will continue to grow with one another on and off the court. After reading much of the crazed criticism on volleytalk, I realized that we are putting too much pressure and stress on these young ladies. No one wants to lose of course, but it is going to happen, especially in a season like this one. What really matters is what a team is able to do come tournament time in December. Then we can talk smack!
So sit back and enjoy all the players we currently have to watch – Khat Bell, Vansant, Ward, Bartsch, Deja, Kanani, Tarah, Murphy, and so many more. They all are certainly providing some pretty exciting ball. Good match ups are forthcoming as well.
Maybe we can discuss just which conference is the BEST conference in the land…
More to come with TT!
Side Dish: To know more about the 2011 NCAA Division I Tournament, click THIS.