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Post by skrapheap on Sept 5, 2014 13:22:14 GMT -6
The Panthers traveled to Missouri State University to play in a five-team tournament, with Oral Roberts University, Incarnate Word University, Western Kentucky (first of two matches in two different tournaments), and the host, Missouri State University. grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wiml/sports/w-volley/auto_pdf/2014-15/release/release_20140905aaa.pdfThe size of the field means four matches in two days, instead of the more usual three matches; Coach Johnson had stated that this would be a challenge for the Panthers. The first match was with Oral Roberts University. The ORU Golden Eagles were 2-2 in 2014 entering the match, after finishing 2013 with 22 wins. The Golden Eagles swept the Panthers to given them their first loss of the season, but the scores in the sets were close: 25-20, 25-23, and 25-21. Julie Kolinske, coming off the week 1 Offensive POTW honors for the Horizon League, led the Panthers with 19 kills (for a .486 hitting percentage); she was the only Panther with double figures in kills. Through the first four matches of the season, she is averaging a gaudy 5.07 kills/set and is hitting .428. Myanna Ruiz with eight and Kaisa Mattson with seven were the next highest in kills. ORU outhit Milwaukee, .252 to .192 and had 10 team blocks to the Panthers' six. The Panthers had 45 digs to the Golden Eagles 41. In sets one and three, the Golden Eagles led pretty much throughout, but never ran away with either set. In set two, the Panthers started fast, and held a lead for the first half of the set. The Golden Eagles then caught up and scored the last three points to take the set. The second match of the day was against the Cardinals of the University of the Incarnate Word. The Cardinals were 1-3 coming in to the match in 2014. Last season they finished at .500, 13-13. The first set was back and forth, with neither team able to open a lead of more than two points. Serving accuracy was a problem for both sides early. The Panthers called their first timeout when the Cardinals tied the score at 12. Kolinske continued to play well, scoring four of the Panthers' first seven kills; she reached her per-set average for the season with a kill which put the Panthers ahead at 15-13. The Panthers' first block of the match pushed the lead to 16-14. Incarnate Word took their first timeout with the Panthers ahead 17-14; out of the timeout Hannah Blanchard's second kill gave the Panthers their first four point lead, which a Ruiz kill extended to 21-15. The Panthers eventually pushed the lead to 24-17, giving them seven set-point chances. The final score of the set was 25-19, Panthers. Milwaukee hit .263 for the set; Incarnate Word was held to an .051 percentage. Set two saw the Panthers jump out to a 7-1 lead, prompting the Cardinals to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Cardinals reduced the lead to two at 9-7, prompting Coach Johnson to take a timeout. The Panthers then opened up a five point lead at 12-7, and then proceeded to trade points with the Cardinals. At the Cardinals' second timeout (19-13), Kolinske had eight kills for the match, Blanchard had five, and Ruiz and Nicole Latzig had four each. The Panthers continued their run, winning the set at 25-16 to take the Panthers into the break up two sets to none. The Panthers hit .257 for the set, and .260 for the first two sets. The Cardinals hit a respectable .200 in set two, raising their percentage for the match to .116. Set three saw more back and forth play early. The Panthers opened a four point lead at 9-5. The Cardinals closed to 9-8, prompting a Panther timeout. The Panthers came out of the timeout and scored four consecutive points to reopen a five point lead at 13-8. After the lead reached seven at 18-11, the Cardinals scored four of the next five points to narrow the lead to 19-15, before the Panthers pushed the lead back to seven at 22-15. After the Cardinals scored consecutive points, the Panthers took a second timeout. Latzig's sixth kill gave the Panthers a 23-17 lead and prompted a Cardinal timeout. Blanchard's eleventh kill gave the Panthers six match points. Ruiz finished the match with her eighth kill to give Milwaukee the sweep. Kolinske also finished with 11 kills. The Panthers outhit the Cardinals .243 to .104 for the match, and had 50 digs to to 46 for the Cardinals. The Cardinals outblocked the Panthers, six to three. The Panthers finish the day 4-1 for the season. Tomorrow's matches feature Western Kentucky and Missouri State. The Hilltoppers swept Incarnate Word earlier today, and Missouri State this evening, so they will be 4-2 when they face the Panthers. Western Kentucky finished 27-6 last year. Missouri State beat Oral Roberts earlier today; they will play Incarnate Word tomorrow before facing the Panthers, so they will enter the match with the Panthers with a record of either 2-4 or 3-3 tomorrow. Missouri State finished 21-11 last season.
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Post by skrapheap on Sept 6, 2014 11:26:59 GMT -6
The Panthers started day two of the Wynn tournament at Missouri State University by facing their toughest challenge of the tournament, if not of the season so far, in playing Western Kentucky University.
The Panthers' match with Western Kentucky began with the teams trading points, to a tie at 14 all. The Hilltoppers then gradually opened a lead which the Panthers were never able to close entirely. The first set point was at 24-18, and the Panthers were able to fight off only one point before losing the set 25-19. Julie Kolinske had the first four points for the Panthers in the set, and finished with seven kills for the set.
Set two saw the same back and forth pattern for the first six points, when the Panthers strung together four points to take a 7-3 lead, working off the service of Maddie Schmitz, at which point WKU took a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Panthers maintained the four point lead to 10-6. The set saw other Panthers hitters began to contribute kills. The Hilltoppers narrowed the lead to 11-9, leading to a Panther timeout. Service continued to be a problem for the Panthers, as they had given four points to WKU on service aces and committed four service errors of their own to this point of the match. Out of the timeout, the Hilltoppers continued their run and tied the set at 11. The Panthers retook the lead at 14-12 and 15-13. WKU scored consecutive points to tie the score at 15. Nicole Latzig had the hot hand for the Panthers out of the time out, contributing three kills. WKU took an 18-17 lead, and the Panthers then tied the score on Myanna Ruiz's fifth kill of the match. Consecutive kills by Kaisa Mattson and Kayla Price gave the Panthers a 20-19 lead, but the Hilltoppers tied the set on the next play. The Panthers got the next two points, and then gave one back on a service error. A block by Latzing and Kolinske and the Panthers' first ace of the match, by Price, put the Panthers up three set points at 24-21. WKU showed their tenacity by tying the set at 24, then scored two more points to take the set 26-24, going into the break up two sets to none.
The Panthers outhit the Hilltoppers .301 to .278 in sets one and two. WKU outblocked, outdug and outserved the Panthers in those sets. Kolinske had nine kills, Latzig and Hannah Blanchard had six each, and Ruiz had five, through the first two set.
After the break, the Panthers again started well, taking a lead and then trading points to a tie at four all, and then at five all. Kolinske had two kills early in the set, to get herself to double digits. Consecutive points, including Maggie Dunbar's first kill of the match, put the Panthers back into a 8-6 lead. WKU then scored three points to re-take a 9-8 lead. After tying the set again at 10, another service error gave the lead back to WKU. Coach Johnson took a timeout with WKU leading 12-11. Kolinske tied the score at 12, after which the Hilltoppers took a two and then a three point lead at 16-13, on yet another Hilltopper service ace, prompting the second Milwaukee timeout. Out of the timeout, Latzig's eighth and ninth kills, and a block by Latzig and Dunbar tied ths score, only to see a service error give back the lead to WKU. The Hilltopppers reopened a two point lead at 20-18 and 21-19. Two more kills by Kolinske and a Hilltopper error gave the Panthers a 22-21 lead, leading to a Hilltopper timeout. Another Panther service error tied the set at 22, and a Hilltopper ace gave them the lead at 23-22. The Panthers tied the score on a solo block by Price, got to set point on a solo block by Kolinske, and won set three on a Hilltopper hitting error, 25-23, sending the match to the fourth set.
WKU got the first four points of set four, the fourth point on their ninth ace of the match, at which point the Panthers took a timeout. The lead grew to 6-0 out of the timeout before a service error put the Panthers on the board for the set. Killa by Kolinske, then Latzig, and then Dunbar cut the lead to three at 7-4, followed by a Hilltopper hitting error which made it 7-5. WKU then broke the string, only to see Kolinske get her 16th kill of the match to make it 8-6. The Panthers moved to within one at 9-8, and then WKU scored three consecutive points to retake a 12-8 lead, the last point on another service ace. Coach Johnson then took her second timeout. Out of the timeout, consecutive kills by Sammi Herron which narrowed the lead to two were followed by consecutive WKU kills to push the lead back to 15-11. Herron followed with her third consecutive kill, but another service error again gave WKU a five point lead at 16-11. Four consecutive points by the Panthers narrowed the lead to one and forced a Hilltoppper timeout. Out of the timeout, the Panthers tied the score on consecutive Hilltopper errors and took a lead on Dunbar's sixth kill. The Hilltoppers retook the lead on three straight points, 21-19. The Hilltoppers took a 24-20 lead, setting up four match points. The Panthers fought off three of those points, prompting WKU to take a timeout. The Panthers tied the score at 24 on Mattson's seventh kill, but WKU set up their fifth match point on the next play, and won the match on a solo block.
The closeness of the set scores, and the discrepancy in the hitting percentages (Milwaukee .264, WKU .194) suggest that this match was lost at the service line. WKU had ten aces to one for Milwaukee, and Milwaukee had nine service errors to four for WKU. Better service and serve reception very likely would have changed the outcome of the match.
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Post by skrapheap on Sept 10, 2014 15:48:22 GMT -6
Next up for the Panthers is a tournament hosted by the University of Minnesota, in the Twin Cities. www.uwmpanthers.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/091014aab.htmlThis will be another big challenge. Two of the three opponents made the 2013 NCAA tournament, and the third, the University of Tulsa, has the best record of the three at 5-1. Iowa State is 3-2, but both of their losses are against AVCA Coaches Poll Top 25 opponents. Minnesota is 4-1, and enters their tournament on a three match win streak. Tulsa is the only one of the three whom the Panthers have beaten in the past; the Panther are zero-for against Iowa State and Minnesota. The last match with Tulsa was when 2013 HL POTY Rachel Neuberger was a freshman; the Panthers won in five sets. Winning a set against this level of competition will require the Panthers to play their best volleyball of the season so far. Winning a match against Tulsa will be tough; winning a match against Iowa State or Minnesota would be huge.
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Post by skrapheap on Sept 11, 2014 15:30:30 GMT -6
i stand, or sit, corrected. The Panthers have actually beaten Iowa State twice in eight previous matches. However, the last time the teams met was in the NCAA tournament a couple of years ago, and the Panthers were swept by the Cyclones. Iowa State is currently listed among the "Others receiving votes and appearing on two or more ballots" in the AVCA Coaches Poll at NCAA.com. (Marquette is currently number one on that list.) Minnesota is currently 19th in the Top 25 poll. They haven't started posting RPIs for 2014 at NCAA.com, but when they do, i suspect the Panthers's non-league schedule will be very respectable. Last year, Valparaiso's RPI was better than the Panthers' RPI for most of the season, but at the end, Milwaukee had a better RPI, the highest of any HL team.
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Post by skrapheap on Sept 12, 2014 17:04:12 GMT -6
The Panthers began play in Minnesota's tournament by facing Iowa State.
The Cyclones got off to a fast start in set one, but the Panthers used some early blocking to pull into a 4-4 tie, and to take their first lead at 7-6. Play continued as it has in most of the Panthers matches so far this season with the teams trading points and narrow leads until consecutive points by the Cyclones opened a 15-12 lead, prompting Coach Johnson to call her first timeout. Out of the timeout, the Cyclone lead grew to 17-13. After the Panthers scored consecutive points, the Cyclones responded by pushing the lead back to four, prompting another Panther timeout. The Panthers were unable to push the lead any closer, and the Cyclones closed out the set. The Panthers were facing five set points but were able to win only one. Iowa State won 25-20. Tha Panthers hit .024 for the set, and Julie Kolinske hit -.176. Sammi Herron, Nicole Latzig, Hannah Blanchard and Kaisa Mattson all had two kills in the set. Myanna Ruiz started the match at libero. The regular libero, Taylor Golabowski played, so Coach Johnson must have been experimenting.
Set two saw the Panthers take a timeout after falling behind 4-0. The Cyclones put four more points on the board, prompting another Panther timeout. After the Panthers got on the scoreboard, the Cyclones were able to keep the lead at eight, helped in part by Panther service and serve reception errors. The Panthers' block helped close the lead to five, only to give back a point and the serve with a service error. The Panthers were scoring points in sequence, but the large Cyclone meant a lot of effort was required to come back. Then the Panthers had narrowed the lead to 15-12, the Cyclones called their first timeout. Out of the timeout, the Cyclones took control of the set, pushing the lead back to six at 22-16. Another three point run ended with service error, giving the Cyclones four set points at 24-20. The teams traded points, and the Cyclones took the second set 25-21 to take a 2 set lead into the break. The Panthers hit -.034 for the set, and finished set two at .000 for the match. Kolinske's tough night continued: she had three kills and was hitting -.200 for the match after two sets. Blanchard was the Panthers offense in set two, as she had five kills.
Set three saw the Panthers playing much better, jumping out to a 4-2 lead. Blanchard continued her hot hitting, collecting two more kills in the early going of the set. ISU tied the score at four, at six, and then at eight, but the Panthers responded by relatking the lead each time. Consecutive Cyclone scores gave them an 11-9 lead, and Milwaukee took a timeout. Blanchard's tenth and eleventh kills narrowed the lead to 13-12, and made her the first player to get to double figures in kills for the match. Three consecutive Cyclone hitting errors put the Panther back into the lead at 15-14. Consecutive kills by Maggie Dunbar (who took over for Kolinske) and another ISU error put the Panthers up 18-17. When the Cyclones climbed back into the lead at 20-19, the Panthers took their second timeout. The Cyclones got to three match points at 24-21, and after Blanchard's match-high 13th kill, won set three and the match 25-22. Blanchard hit .333 for the match. The Panthers as a team were held to .067. It is encouraging to see the Panthers managing to hang in there against ISU, especially on a night when Kolinske really struggled. Blanchard did a creditable job carrying the team, but she needed some more help from her teammates. The next highest kill total was Mattson with five.
At the same time as the Panthers were playing, Valparaiso took three sets from Western Carolina University.
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Post by skrapheap on Sept 13, 2014 15:11:40 GMT -6
In their first match of the day, the Panthers took on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who are ranked in the Top 25 in the AVCA Division 1 poll.
I had said it would take good play to win a set, and the Panthers did that, winning 28-26. Play in the set was back and forth, with the Panthers repeatedly tying the score after falling behind. They fought off several set points before putting the set away.
The Gophers won the next three sets to take the match, but they didn't run away to win in any of those sets.
Julie Kolinske had 21 kills for the match, and was joined in double figures by Sammi Herron (12) and Hannah Blanchard (11).
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Post by skrapheap on Sept 19, 2014 16:16:05 GMT -6
Next stop for the Panthers was a tournament at Michigan State University, who entered the tournament ranked number 25 in the AVCA Coaches Poll.
The Panthers again faced Western Kentucky to start the tournament, and the result was the same as the first meeting: WKU swept the Panthers, 26-24, 25-20, 25-17. The Panthers got balanced scoring, lead by Julie Kolinske with nine kills, then Nicole Latzig and Myanna Ruiz with six each. WKU hit .284 for the match, and held the Panthers to .130.
Next the Panthers faced Long Island University-Brooklyn (8-3 on the season entering the match), who earlier in the afternoon won a five set match from Michigan State. The first set was back and forth, but the Panthers made a late run to a five point lead at 20-15, and were able to close out the set 25-22. The story for the Panthers was the block. The Panthers had seven team blocks to the Blackbirds' three. The Panthers outhit the Blackbirds in the set, .243 to .163
The second set saw the Panthers separate quickly, forcing LIU to take their first timeout when the score reached 8-3 in favor of the Panthers, and to take their second timeout when the Panthers doubled up on the Blackbirds at 16-8. The Panthers had four more blocks in the set to that point. The lead reached ten at 20-10 on Hannah Blanchard's eighth kill of the match, joining Julie Kolinske to lead the Panthers at that time. Myanna Ruiz was next with seven kills. Maggie Dunbar's fourth kill pushed the lead to twelve at 23-11, and a Blackbird setting error gave the Panthers 13 set points at 24-11. By this point, LIU had conceded the set. Dunbar then finished the set with another kill, 25-12 putting the Panthers up two sets to none at the break; a position they have not been in often since the first weekend of the season. Given how the Blackbirds had battled the Spartans, the Panthers were probably not over-confident even though up two sets. The Panthers hit .353 in set two, and held the Blackbirds to .061.
The Panthers got out to a quick 3-1 lead in set three, but the Blackbirds scored consecutive points to tie the score. Blanchard's 10th kill (making her the first to reach double digits in the match) and a Mykie Olson service ace pushed the Panthers back into a 5-3 lead, but LIU re-tied the score at five all. Consecutive kills by Dunbar and Kolinske re-established a lead, which went to 8-6 after Nicole Latzig responded to an LIU point. The lead reached 11-7 as Kayla Price continued to set up kills for a variety of teammates. The lead continued to alternate between three and four points for a stretch. LIU called the first timeout of the set with the Panthers leading 17-12. Kolinske took the lead in kills, scoring her 13th right before the timeout. Out of the timeout, consecutive points by the Blackbirds prompted Coach Johnson to call her first timeout. The Panthers continued to receive balanced scoring, as Ruiz and Blanchard were also in double digits with ten kills apiece. Out of the Panther timeout, a block by Ruiz and Latzig, the Panthers' 13th of the match, re-opened a five point lead at 19-14. The Blackbirds still had fight in them, however. When LIU scored three consecutive points to narrow the lead to two, the Panthers took their second timeout. The Blackbirds continued to push, closing the lead to one at 22-21 as their block began to work better, only to see a solo block by Kolinske push the lead back to 23-21, leading to the second LIU timeout. A Kaisa Matson service ace then gave the Panthers three match points, and Latzig then finished the match with a kill.
Kolinske's 13 kills took her to 1000 for her career. Ruiz recorded the first triple double of her career: 11 kills, 17 assists, and 10 digs. Mattson had six of the Panthers' 14 blocks.
There was a lot to like in this victory. The biggest thing is seeing the Panthers finish sets once they took a lead, which they had not done very well so far. Another high point was seeing Hannah Blanchard continue to hit well. It is nice to see a consistent second hitter emerge to take some pressure off Julie Kolinske. Several other hitters have shown the ability to contribute, but Blanchard has been the most consistent. Taylor Gruber saw action as a setter early in the match, and was reasonably effective, given her lack of playing time so far. She had to step in for Price once last year, and did well. It's nice to know that if Price suffers another injury, she can step in and direct the attack.
The reemergence of an effective blocking game was another nice feature of the match. After being outblocked in the match with WKU, the Panthers bounced back with 14 blocks against LIU. The Panther defense continues to dig well; the addition of an effective block makes the team stronger, and less likely to suffer extended scoring runs by opponents. The Panther defense contributed to the Panthers outhitting the Blackbirds .289 to .206 in the final set, and .294 to .145 for the match.
The Panthers are now 5-7 for the season. The Panthers' last match of the tournament is the last match of the entire tournament, tomorrow night against the host Spartans.
The remaining match tonight is between WKU and Michigan State. If the Spartans win, all four teams in the tournament would be 1-1 at the end of the day.
The Panthers RPI for the season should continue to be pretty good when the NCAA starts reporting it. WKU is on the "other teams getting votes and listed on two or more ballots" list for the AVCA poll, along with Iowa State. The Panthers have faced Minnesota, and will face Michigan State: two of the seven Big Ten teams currently in the top 25: Penn State is ranked #4, followed immediately by Wisconsin; Nebraska is currently #9; Purdue is currently #11; Illinois and Minnesota are currently #16 and #17, and Michigan State.
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Post by skrapheap on Sept 26, 2014 10:58:18 GMT -6
League Play begins this weekend. Here's how the league looks at the end of the bulk of non-league play (individual teams may still have a few non-league matches left) Non-LeagueRank | School | Wins | Losses | Preseaon Rank | 1 | Valparaiso | 13 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Youngstown State | 9 | 6 | 7 | 3 | Oakland | 8 | 6 | 3 | 4 | Cleveland State | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | UIC | 6 | 9 | 6 | 6 | Milwaukee | 5 | 8 | 1 | 7 | Wright State | 3 | 11 | 8 | 8 | Green Bay | 2 | 9 | 5 |
All the teams will play this weekend. Friday's matches: UIC at Milwaukee. Valparaiso at Green Bay. Wright State at Cleveland State. Oakland at Youngstown State Saturday's Matches Valparaiso at Milwaukee. UIC at Green Bay. Oakland at Cleveland State. Wright State at Youngstown State.
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Post by skrapheap on Sept 26, 2014 18:59:25 GMT -6
The early league matches on Friday started out as expected. Cleveland State handled Wright State, 25-14; the Youngstown State-Oakland first set was much more competitive: a late Oakland run pulled out a 25-22 victory. There were several long rallies.
The second set in Cleveland was closer, as Wright State's defense did a better job of getting to balls early. The score was tied at 7 all, and Wright State took an 8-7 lead, prompting a Viking timeout. Out of the timeout, the Vikings retook the lead at 10-8. The Raiders were able to retie the score at 11. Out of a long rally, the Vikings took an 11-10 lead, but the Raider again tied the score at 13. After a three point run gave Cleveland State a 16-13 lead, the Raiders took their second timeout or the set. The Vikings then began to assert themselves, taking a 21-17 lead, winning the set 25-18 to go up two sets to none.
In Youngstown, the Penguins took an early lead in set two, but the Grizzlies quickly forced a tie at 8, and then took a 10-9 lead. They extended their lead to two points on a couple of occasions, but the Penguins retook the lead. The Grizzlies and the Penguins then traded the lead back and forth to an 19-16 Oakland lead prompting a Penguin timeout. The Penguins pushed the lead to 24-18, setting up six set points, and then finished the set 25-18, to take a two sets to none lead.
The late matches were the ones i was really looking forward to. Last year, Green Bay split with Valparaiso, and the Phoenix victory helped the Panthers very much after Valparaiso had beaten Milwaukee soundly in Milwaukee. Green Bay jumped out to a 2-0 in set one before the Crusaders got on the board, but Valpo rebounded to take a 5-3 lead. The lead grew to 10-6, and then 18-8. The Phoenix showed some signs of life, narrowing the lead to seven at 21-14, prompting a Crusader timeout. The Phoenix forced another Crusader timeout by narrowing the lead to 22-19. The Crusaders first set point was at 24-20, and they held on to win set one 25-20.
UIC got out to a 4-0 start, and Coach Johnson took a quick timeout for the Panthers. Out of the timeout, the Panthrs quickly tied the score. Maggie Dunbar provided an early spark. A Flame run retook the lead, but the Panthers regained the lead at 8-7. The lead gradually grew to three at 14-11 and to four at 17-13, when the Flames took a timeout. The Panthers extended the lead to seven at 22-15. The Panthers first set point was at 24-17, and they won set one 25-18.
In Youngstown, out of the break, the Grizzlies took control of the third set early, and cruised to a win at 25-18, to sweep the Penguins.
The Panthers took an early lead in set two, which grew to four at 12-8. The Flames took their first timeout when the deficit reached five at 15-10. The Panthers took a timeout after a Flames run narrowed the lead to 16-13. Milwaukee took their second time out when the Flames narrowed the score to 19-18. The score remained close, and the Panthers fought off three Flames set points before losing the second set 29-27.
Set two in Green Bay was a much more even affair early. The score was tied repeatedly, to 10 all. A three point Crusader run prompted the Phoenix to take a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Crusaders scored three consecutive points to extend the lead to 16-10 and forced another Green Bay timeout. The Phoenix edged their way back into the set at 18-15 prompting a Valpo timeout. Again, Valpo was equal to the task and won 25-21.
Out of the break, Valpo got the first two points of set three, and took a lead of 7-4. The Phoenix rallied to tie the score at eight and then took a 9-8 lead. The set continued back and forth until the Crusaders got consecutive points to take a 16-13 lead, forcing a Phoenix timeout. The lead grew to five at 20-15, prompting the second Green Bay timeout. The Phoenix then went on another run to narrow the lead to one at 24-23, but lost 25-23.
The Panthers came out quickly in set three, 4-1. The Panthers pushed the lead to 8-1 before the Flames took a timeout. The Panthers maintained a six to seven point lead for a stretch, then pushed the lead to ten at 17-7. Four consecutive Flames points reduced the lead to six, and the Panthers took a timeout. The teams traded points until the Panthers had their first set point at 24-17. The Panthers took a second timeout at 24-18, and gave up one more pont before finishing the set, to go up two sets to one.
The Flames got the first two points of set four, but the Panthers scored three straight points to take a lead. The lead stayed at three to four points, until consecutive UIC points prompted a timeout with the Panthers leading 14-12. Two Panther kills, including Hannah Blanchard's 10th (making her the fourth Panther to reach double digits) pushed the lead back to five at 17-12, and prompted the Flames to take a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Panthers strung together five points of their own, to extend the lead to 22-15. Consecutive UIC points lead to a second Panther timeout. The Panthers then traded points with the Flames to match point at 24-18. A Dunbar kill then finished the match.
Dunbar lead the Panthers with 16 kills, followed by Myanna Ruiz with 15, Julie Kolinske with 14, and Blanchard with 11; Nicole Latzig had eight kills. The Panthers outhit the Flames, .301 to .276. Defense was again a key part of the victory; the Panthers outblocked the Flames 15-10, and outdug them 52 to 45. The Panthers again were again without their starting setter, Kayla Price.
The Panthers match with Valpo is at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow.
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Post by skrapheap on Sept 27, 2014 18:01:01 GMT -6
Saturday's match brought a very hot Valparaiso team to the Klotshe Center. Valpo entered the match on a 13 match win streak, the latest victory a sweep of Green Bay on Friday night.
The Panthers, coming off a four-set victory over UIC, were again without setter Kayla Price. Taylor Gruber and Myanna Ruiz shared the setting duties. Coach Johnson appears to be using Ruiz as she used Leanne Felsing a few years ago, relying on her on offense as a scorer and a setter, and defensively playing in both rows. Ruiz has already had one triple-double against LIU Brooklyn.
Set one was a back and forth affair, featuring runs on both sides. Coach Johnson called her timeouts to disrupt Crusader runs, successfully for the most part. The last Panther run won the set 27-25. Julie Kolinske lead all scorers with eight kills. Valpo continues to be effective defensively, getting five blocks in the set in addition to digging nearly everything hit their way. The Panthers outhit the Crusaders, .244 to .200 in the set.
The second set continued the trend of the first set, though the runs by each team tended to be shorter intially, three to four points instead of five to six. Valpo took a timeout when the first long run of the set gave the Panthers a 14-11 lead. The Panther block was more effective in set two, with four blocks in the early going. The Panthers took their first timeout when Valpo tied the score at 16. The Panthers retook a two point lead on a Taylor Golabowski ace, and then a three point lead at 21-18 on a back row attack violation, at which point the Crusaders called their second timeout. The lead grew to four at 23-19 on a Hannah Blanchard block, followed immediately by another Golabowski ace, to give the Panthers five set points at 24-19. Valpo scored consecutive points, so the Panthers took their second timeout. Out of the timeout, Maggie Dunbar won the set, 25-21, with a kill off the Valpo block attempt.
Kolinske added four kills in the set, and continued to lead all scorers with 12 kills to that point of the match. Dunbar and Ruiz had seven kills apiece through two sets. No Valpo player had more than five kills. Both teams cooled off offensively in set two: the Panthers hit .143, and Valpo only .065 for the set. The Panthers outdug the Crusaders through the first two sets, 41-35. The Panther had four aces through two sets, to seven service errors.
The Panthers started quickly in set three, scoring the first three points of the set. The lead was 6-3 on the second Panther ace of the set. The Crusaders then scored four consecutive points to take a 7-6 lead. The Panthers got ties as seven all and eight all on Crusader service errors. Consecutive points by Valpo prompted a Milwaukee timeout with Valpo leading 10-8, and another timeout with the lead reached 14-8. A kill by Kolinske and a block by Kolinske and Kaisa Mattson narrowed the lead briefly to five, but consecutive errors pushed the lead back to seven. Valpo continued to play well, opening a 22-11 lead, ending the possibility of a Panther sweep. The Panthers could not get the lead below 10, giving Valpo 11 set points at 24-13. The Crusaders won set three 25-14. The Panthers hit -.042 for the set; Valpo hit .522.
Set four was again a back and forth affair until a Valpo run took a 13-12 lead, forcing the first Panther timeout. The Panthers took their second timeout when the lead grew to 17-14. Out of the timeout, two consecutive Panther blocks and a Ruiz kill tied the score, prompting the Crusaders to call their first timeout, leading 18-17. Three consecutive Crusaders points reopened a four point lead, then a six point lead at 23-17. The Crusaders had six set points at 24-18. The Crusaders won the set 25-20 to tie the match at two sets each.
The Crusaders scored the first three points of set five. The Panthers took a time out with Valpo leading 5-1. Valpo opened an 8-2 lead when the teams switched sides, and the Panthers took their second timeout. Consecutive points for the Panthers out of the timeout cut the lead to three, and prompted the first Valpo timeout. Golabowski took the serve with the Panthers trailing by two at 9-7, and served the next seven points. The Panthers pulled in to a 9-9 tie, and Valpo took their second timeout. Blanchard stepped up big in the run, scoring on a block with Mattson, and two kills. The Panthers scored the next three points, to make seven points in a row. The Panthers had four match points at 14-10. Valpo fought off two points, but the Panthers completed the comeback with a Dunbar kill to take the match.
Ruiz finished the match with her second triple-double of the season (and her career) with 17 kills, 21 assists, and 15 digs. Ruis led the Panthers in kills, followed by Kolinske with 15, Dunbar with 12, and Blanchard with eight. Mattson lead the Panthers with seven blocks, followed by Blanchard with five, as the Panthers outblocked Valpo 13-12. Golabowski led all players with 23 digs, followed by Ruiz (15), and Maddie Schmitz with 14, as the Panthers outdug the Crusaders 78-70. Valpo outhit Milwaukee, .206 to .124, for the match. The service stats were also in the Panthers' favor, with eight aces against 10 service errors; Valpo managed only two, against 13 service errors. The Panthers got aces from six different players. Gruber contributed 17 assists to the win.
This was a big match to win, in so many ways. The Panthers are 2-0 in the league, and are one match up on Valpo, who must still be considered the Panthers' strongest rival for the championship. It the Panthers second five set win in two attempts this season, continuing the improvement in their performance in five set matches. This may be a better win than the first five-set win this year, because the Panthers weren't riding momentum from the fourth set to the fifth in this match. The team showed character, coming back from a six-point deficit to a four-point lead at match point and a three point victory in the deciding set. Put another way, from the time the Panthers took their second timeout, they outscored the Crusaders 13-4, to win the set and the match. Plus, the Panthers were playing without their regular starting setter. i don't have any info as to why Price has now missed three straight matches.
Elsewhere in the league, UIC outlasted Green Bay, 28-26, 28-26, 26-24; the Flames are 1-1 in league play, the Phoenix (who have a new coach for at least the second straight year), are now 0-2. The Phoenix were close in both matches this weekend, but haven't managed to win a set in either match.
Oakland is also 2-0 after beating Cleveland State, 1-1 in league play, in five sets in Cleveland. The Grizzlies played to an even more dramatic conclusion in set five, fighting off three Viking match points to win the set, 19-17. The Grizzlies, like Valparaiso before them, have entered the league as a very competitive volleyball program. They were picked to finish in the bottom half of the league in their initial season, and finished the league season on a roll to claim the third seed in the tournament. Oakland was picked to finish third in the league in 2014. i predict they will give the Panthers and the Crusaders a run for their money.
Youngstown State swept Wright State to go to 1-1 in league play; the Raiders are 0-2, and haven't won a league match since at least 2012. Youngstown's play is a good sign that the loss of so many good players to graduation in 2013 hasn't left the team without good players.
In the Panthers' only match next weekend, Green Bay comes to the Klotsche Center for a match on Friday night.
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Post by skrapheap on Sept 29, 2014 10:09:24 GMT -6
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Post by skrapheap on Oct 3, 2014 6:12:20 GMT -6
Volleyball tonight.
Green Bay comes to the Klotsche Center for a 7:00 p.m. match. The Phoenix are 0-2 in league play, but have been competitive in both matches.
The Panthers are 2-0, coming off a five-set victory over Valpo, and as the team to beat in the Horizon League get everyone's best game.
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Post by PantherU on Oct 3, 2014 10:59:00 GMT -6
Taylor's interview on HLN was pretty good
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Post by skrapheap on Oct 3, 2014 19:58:58 GMT -6
Tonight the Panthers started out hot in set one, moving out to a 6-2 lead. Julie Kolinske had four kills early. A good sign for the Panthers was the return of Kayla Price, but not as a starter. Coach Johnson has been running offense with two setters, and tonight used Price and Myanna Ruiz in that role. A four point Phoenix run brought the score back to 8-7, prompting a Panther timeout. From the timeout, the score continued to be close, until a four point Panther run reopened a three point lead at 14-11. The Phoenix then took a timeout, and then took their second timeout after the Panthers scored consecutive points to increase the lead to 16-11. Milwaukee took their second timeout after three consecutive points for the Phoenix narrowed the lead to 17-14. Out of the timeout, the Panthers got three straight to push the lead back to six. The Panthers had eight set points at 24-16; the Phoenix were able to fight off two points and a Ruiz kill finished set one at 25-18.
At the same time, Youngstown State opened play at Valparaiso with a very good start, getting out to a 12-8 lead. Valpo took a timeout after YSU pushed the lead to 15-9. The Penguins maintained their lead and then opened a seven point lead at 19-12, prompting the second Crusader timeout. The Penguins were playing Valpo's game, getting hands on nearly every ball Valpo hit. The Penguins had 11 set points at 24-13. The Crusader strung together three points, but the Penquins finished the set 25-16.
Set two in Milwaukee saw the Phoenix get out to a 4-2 lead, but the Panthers quickly tied the score. Milwaukee opened and maintained a three point lead at 11-8 when the Phoenix took their first timeout. Green Bay pulled into a tie at 14, and the Panthers took a timeout. Play continued back and forth to a 20-20 tie, when the Panthers scored two consecutive points and the Phoenix took their second timeout. Out of the timeout, the Phoenix narrowed the lead to 22-21, and the Panthers took their second timeout. The Phoenix took a one point lead, and then had set point at 24-23, and won their first set of the league season on a block, to go into the break tied one set all. Ruiz lead the Panthers through two set with nine kills and 10 assists.
Set two in Valpo saw the Crusaders start out much better, opening a 4-1 lead, and then a 7-3 lead. When the lead grew to 11-5, the Penguins took their first timeout. The Crusaders maintained a five to six point lead, and the Penguins took another timeout when the lead grew to 18-11, Valpo. Trailing 21-14, the Penquins scored three straight ponits to narrow the lead to four, and prompted a Valpo timeout. Valpo had five set points at 24-19, and forced a Valpo timeout by fighting off three points to 24-22. Valpo then closed out the set with a kill, and headed into the break tied at one set apiece.
The Panthers scored the first five points of set three, on two blocks, a service ace, a Phoenix hitting error and a Julie Kolinske kill, prompting a timeout from Green Bay. The lead grew to 8-1 when the Phoenix took their second timeout. The lead got to ten at 13-3, up to 18-8. The Panthrs had 15 set points at 24-9. The Panthers took the set at 25-10. At the end of the set, Taylor Golabowski had 999 career digs.
In Valpo, the Crusaders had 6-2 lead in set three. The Penguins tied the score at six on four consecutive points. Back and forth play continued to 11 all, when consecutive points by the Crusaders opened a 15-11 lead. The lead stayed at four to 18-14, and the next point by YSU prompted a Valpo time out. The Penguins were never able to narrow the lead for long, and the Crusaders took set three, 25-20.
After the Phoenix opened the scoring in set four, the Pathers reeled off four points to take a three point lead. The Panthers pushed the lead to five at 8-3 and the Phoenix took a timeout. The Panthers took their first timeout when the Phoenix narrowed the lead to 11-8. The Panthers then settled in and expanded their lead, to 18-10 on three straight points. The Panthers took a 21-9 lead, which Green Bay answered with three points of their own. The Panthers pushed the lead to 23-13, then had nine match points at 24-15. A Panther block finished the match. Taylor Gruber came in to spell Price at setter in set four.
Kolinske finished with 19 kills, hitting .400. Dunbar added 13 kills. Ruiz collected a triple double (12 kills, 24 assists, 10 dogs) for the third time this season. It was her second consecutive match with a triple double, joining Leanne Felsing as only the second player in at least the Division I history of Milwaukee volleyball to do so.
On defense, Golabowski finished with 22 digs for the match, giving her a career total of 1,003, making her only the eleventh Panther to reach that total. Nicole Latzig continued her quality play, contributing five blocks, followed by Ruiz's four.
Valpo again got off to a fast start in set four, taking a 6-3 lead, and then an 11-5 lead prompting a Penguin timeout. The lead reached eight at 15-7 and again at 17-9, and then eleven points at 21-10. The Crusaders had 12 match points at 24-12, and won 25-13 to finish the match.
Elsewhere in the league, Oakland swept Wright State at home, and Cleveland State defeated UIC in Chicago, 3-1.
Next weekend, the Panthers begin a stretch of five matches in eight days, with a two match trip to Ohio: they play at Cleveland State on Friday the tenth of October, followed by a match at Youngstown State on Saturday. Home matches with Western Michigan, Wright State, and Oakland follow.
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Post by skrapheap on Oct 4, 2014 6:30:12 GMT -6
Taylor's interview on HLN was pretty good Yeah, loved Taylor's shout out to Oakland Gyros, and her interviewer's agreement with her assessment. Since the Panthers play only the one match this weekend, I suppose no Panther will win a POTW honor. Those will probably go to players who played two matches, which is a bit of a shame, given how Taylor and Myanna played. I'm sure that one or both of of them will be mentioned among the other strong performances when this week's Players of the week are announced.
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