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Topic: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Topic: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

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stub
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 994

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Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/21/2010 1:09:40 PM

Hard to believe that four teams in the Western Division of the MAC currently have better MAC records than does OHIO. Their top two teams visit Athens Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. OHIO is currently tied for first place in the MAC East.

Congratulations to Katie Post and Sue Jacobi, OHIO MAC East Division Players of the Week.

Friday Western Michigan

The Broncos are coming off a Tuesday 3-1 win against Notre Dame. They are 16-6, 6-2 in the MAC, with four straight victories. Four of their losses were at the hands of ranked teams.

Since becoming head coach five years ago, Colleen Munson has led the program to its best run in school history with 20 wins or more in each of her five campaigns, while leading the Broncos to three consecutive Mid-American Conference West championships and the Sweet 16 of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

This is a solid team we’ll be facing. Watch freshman libero Lena Oliver, MAC West defensive player of the week, middle blocker Ashley Turnage, and freshman outside hitter Ali Gossen.

Saturday Northern Illinois

The Huskies are 21-2, winning their last seven matches. They have the best record in the MAC at 7-1 and have handled all three East division teams they have played.

Outside hitter Lauren Wicinski is the freshman kills leader in the nation and a 4 time MAC player of the week. She has double digit kills in 22 consecutive matches, including 20 or more in her last four games.

We need a big, pumped up crowd at our house this weekend. I expect the OHIO Alumni Varsity Band will be fired up as always. How about a big student turnout to go along with our steady community crowd.

Last Edited: 10/21/2010 1:22:33 PM by stub

Alan Swank
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Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,073

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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/22/2010 8:49:34 AM

Western is a very good team but this is not their best run in school history. From 1983 till 1987 they never lost a MAC match and ended up in the top twenty in the country each year. In that time period they had a record of 138 - 28, a run very similar to the Bobcats the last 6 or 7 years. Should be a war tonight in the Convo. Come on out and support the Cats.

Radar
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Portsmouth, OH
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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/22/2010 10:47:51 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

Agree with Swank -- in the 80's, under Rob Buck, Western was a MACHINE.

That being said, we have two very tough assignments this weekend -- and EVERY match from here on out is important.

A big crowd is needed -- and frankly, deserved, by this program this weekend.

Let's Go CATS!!

stub
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/22/2010 3:47:48 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

Alan, thanks for the correction. The runs by OHIO, Western, and Ball State have be amazing. Of course, there is one difference. One continues.

Jughead
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
Location: Chillicothe, OH
Post Count: 478

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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/22/2010 7:32:53 PM

I'd like to know why we are blocking with 2 girls on every single ball that is going over the net yet again? Way too many blocking errors gives WMU the first 25-22 after we were leading 19-14.

Rooting for Akron is like cheering on the Taliban.

Jughead
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Location: Chillicothe, OH
Post Count: 478

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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/22/2010 8:31:13 PM

3-0 WMU win at our place.

It's time to play for the future. We absolutely have no shot at the regular season title now. We are graduating four starters, and those on the bench have little to no game experience. It's time for them to play or next year will be a complete disaster.

Rooting for Akron is like cheering on the Taliban.

JSF
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Member Since: 1/29/2005
Location: Houston, TX
Post Count: 6,429

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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/22/2010 10:32:19 PM

If you could, at some point, have at least an idea of what you're talking about, that'd be great. Seriously. Just try it sometime.

"Loyalty to a hometown or city is fleeting and interchangeable, but college is a stamp of identity."- Kyle Whelliston, One Beautiful Season.

My blog about depression and mental illness: https://bit.ly/3buGXH8

Alan Swank
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Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,073

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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/23/2010 9:21:51 AM

Have to agree with Dragon because I'm not sure who the fourth one to graduate will be. As for solo blocking, you've got to be kidding me. If anything it was the lateness of the second blocker to get set that allowed for so many kills. The thing that stuck out in my mind more than anything was our hesitancy to go after balls. There was way too much waiting for someone else to get a ball which resulted in desperation "gets" that led to free balls to the other side. Not a good night but there's lots more volleyball and a tournament ahead.

JSF
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Location: Houston, TX
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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/23/2010 9:24:03 AM

On a more positive note, Mollie Geske is coming along nicely. Some good passes last night.

TexanBobcat
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Member Since: 10/22/2010
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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/23/2010 10:13:29 AM

I have been coming to Bobcat VB games since Mike was coaching. Me and 50 or so others watched as Mike brought in players like Julia Wakefield and others and turned the program into a good MAC team. Geoff came and built on that to create a national team that made it much harder to find a seat in the convo. My favorite Pro football team is the Dallas Cowboys and I see a lot of the same things in them and the Cats. The best talent but making mistakes that cost the team. The media seems to think it's the coach of the cowboys that is responsible for the lack of discipline, is that true with the Cats also. We have gone from a solid national program to a middle of the pack MAC program in a couple of years

stub
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Post Count: 994

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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/23/2010 12:16:58 PM

Concerning the 4th to graduate, the question is whether Mandy chooses to use her last year of eligibility. That decision has not been made and will be determined by her physical condition. She has had numerous injuries in the past that have taken their toll on her. She is a key contributor and hopefully will be able to play another year. Last night I felt she was one of few who played a solid game.

Regarding last night's loss, Western looked poised and steady throughout the match while OHIO was, at times, flailing around trying to manage their system. Two things stood out to me: 1. service errors were 12 for OHIO, 2 for the Broncos. When you lose a match by a total of 8 points (25-22,25-23.25-22), 10 more service errors than your opponent becomes significant; 2. Ohio's passing game remains a weakness. There were many missed opportunities for kills due to poor passing, leading to poor setting.

Anyone know the last time OHIO was swept at home?

Despite their current struggles, this team is not that far off from putting it together. A statement tonight against Northern would be a nice step.

Last Edited: 10/23/2010 12:50:42 PM by stub

SpikeTown
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Member Since: 8/12/2010
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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/24/2010 2:36:57 PM

Jughead, u might not be a regular in this forum. Although, on the roster, there r 4 seniors, I believed only 3 are graduating. Mandy Nichols, one of the 4 seniors, has one more year of eligibility.

It's sad to see the Cats keep falling. We can only hope the coach make smart adjustments for the remaining matches and, importantly, in the MAC tournie.

My wish is to change the lineup. I would replace Faith with Katie in the opposite position (right-side hitter). Faith is a good blocker but not very effective on attacking. The main duty of the opposite is to take out any trashes for out-of-system balls (which has happened a lot for this year). Katie is good as either the middle hitter or the opposite but we could get the best of her 's killer power as the Opp. It's not easy to run the middle attacks with poor passing. This is when the opposite becomes more important. Since Lexie is doing well in this position, I would try Marah or Liis as Lexie's substitute. An interesting point, both teams that defeated us this weekend utilized their hot-hand freshmen. So, why couldn't we?

Ryan's game plans have been predictable, monotone, less controlling. Mix up the game plans and try something new. Focus on ball controlling which definitely including the passing and serving. The team is good with blocking, why should we keep taking the risk on inconsistant risky serving. We should serve tough but not overkilling ourselves.

We have hope for a better game tomorrow but hope is not strategy. We have to do some smart things to make it happen. I also like to believe there is no better time like this year for the coach to prove that he can build his own team and deliver performance constantly on his own, not under Geoff Carlston's footprints.

RemoteBobcatSupporter
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Member Since: 8/24/2010
Post Count: 22

Status: Offline

RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/24/2010 4:22:21 PM

Friday.......
Passing not issue...team passed 2.25 to 2.30 (my calculations)...3 main hitters .000, .048 and -.091.

Saturday.......
Most blocking ocurred in 3rd set which Ohio won. Again passing was not the issue here. Their freshman ate us alive. When we needed the crucial kill....nothing.

Service errors both days and the whole season have been an issue. There is aggressive serving and then there is also a time to get a serve in!!!!

Freshman....Its too late. Should have been used during pre-season when the same things were going on.

I hope its true and we are very close to breaking thru.........:(

anorris
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
Location: Bristol, CT
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RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/24/2010 8:25:56 PM

stub wrote:

Anyone know the last time OHIO was swept at home?

Couldn't find it. Looked back through results to 2000, as far back as I could find individual match scores.

SpikeTown
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Member Since: 8/12/2010
Post Count: 81

Status: Offline

RE: Cats Collide at Convo with West Division Leaders

Posted: 10/27/2010 6:34:40 AM

Most teams make adjustments thorough seasons or during the game. Geoff Carlston moved Stephanie Blackburn from an outside hitter to the libero position just in the middle matches. Alan Knipe put Max Holt, who just graduated and joined the US men's team, right in the middle of the recent World League tournament. Max delivered. Should we wait to try something that might work now, in next season? Which one is really too late?

RemoteBobcatSupporter wrote:

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