Valpo defeats Milwaukee in exhibition match 3-1 25-18 21-25 25-15 25-19
Their first match will be this Friday at 10 AM vs Fresno State They will also play St Francis (PA) Iona and Eastern Illinois in the two day round robin event hosted by EIU.
https://twitter.com/AlBillets/status/1030916337776951296
https://twitter.com/AlBillets/status/1031002410834186240
Hats off to the Valpo's women's volleyball team that is 12-2 after winning three matches over the weekend.
Watched some of these games and was very impressed by the quality of the announcers. Renee Turpa is back but was joined by a guy named Brian Jennings, who also did post match interviews. Hope he is a permanent part of the team.
Hoping to go to the VU Fort Wayne match tonight at the Fort Wayne Gates Center.
Quote from: vu72 on September 18, 2018, 08:14:47 AM
Watched some of these games and was very impressed by the quality of the announcers. Renee Turpa is back but was joined by a guy named Brian Jennings, who also did post match interviews. Hope he is a permanent part of the team.
I see their record is 12-2, is that indicative of their abilities or are their opponents soft?
There is usually an weekly RPI published for women's volleyball, but I cannot find it. Maybe it does not come out until later in the season.
Valpo's best wins (at least by record): Cal Baptist (9-3), Air Force (10-4), Wright State (8-4). The three Illinois teams that they have played (DePaul, WIU, EIU) are a combined 7-31.
Losses are to Fresno State (8-5) and Michigan (11-0 and ranked in the Top 20 in the Coaches Poll).
Quote from: vu72 on September 18, 2018, 08:14:47 AMWatched some of these games and was very impressed by the quality of the announcers. Renee Turpa is back but was joined by a guy named Brian Jennings, who also did post match interviews. Hope he is a permanent part of the team.
Indeed, Brian is our play-by-play broadcaster for volleyball this season. He's been calling preps around Northwest Indiana for a long time and also does fill in work for various college teams. Happy we were able to bring him in and pair him with Renee' for volleyball.
Went to the match last night and saw a very tightly contested 5 set match between the Crusaders and the Mastodons. I sat with the parents of Sydney Bronner and they were very nice! Jaclyn Bulmahn also has a Fort Wayne connection so some of her family were in attendance last night.
The Mastodons are a respectable 9-5 and VU is now 13-2 after last nights game. For comparison, Indiana State beat PFW in three straight sets, Indiana State lost to Oakland in 5 sets and Oakland beat PFW in 4 sets. Their other 3 losses are to IUPUI, Florida Atlantic and now VU.
We were the better coached team and I believe that showed in the block numbers, VU had 17 blocks to PFW's 9. Other than that statistic the match was basically even Box Score (https://gomastodons.com/boxscore.aspx?path=wvball&id=12203). I have to say that as a whole I thought that PFW was more athletic, they really could get up and hit the ball hard but their attack was more predictable and blocking was not as coordinated as VU, as indicated by the 8 block discrepancy.
From the few games that I watched online last year I remember thinking that the "Valley" teams seemed more athletic and harder hitting than VU and I am afraid that this might still be the case this year. Lets hope my concern is unfounded and that the women can carry the OOC record forward as momentum into the conference portion of the schedule!!
By athletic do you basically mean leaping ability and power on shots?
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 19, 2018, 10:08:24 PM
By athletic do you basically mean leaping ability and power on shots?
In general, yes.
Quote from: FWalum on September 19, 2018, 05:40:45 PM
Went to the match last night and saw a very tightly contested 5 set match between the Crusaders and the Mastodons. I sat with the parents of Sydney Bronner and they were very nice! Jaclyn Bulmahn also has a Fort Wayne connection so some of her family were in attendance last night.
The Mastodons are a respectable 9-5 and VU is now 13-2 after last nights game. For comparison, Indiana State beat PFW in three straight sets, Indiana State lost to Oakland in 5 sets and Oakland beat PFW in 4 sets. Their other 3 losses are to IUPUI, Florida Atlantic and now VU.
We were the better coached team and I believe that showed in the block numbers, VU had 17 blocks to PFW's 9. Other than that statistic the match was basically even Box Score (https://gomastodons.com/boxscore.aspx?path=wvball&id=12203). I have to say that as a whole I thought that PFW was more athletic, they really could get up and hit the ball hard but their attack was more predictable and blocking was not as coordinated as VU, as indicated by the 8 block discrepancy.
From the few games that I watched online last year I remember thinking that the "Valley" teams seemed more athletic and harder hitting than VU and I am afraid that this might still be the case this year. Lets hope my concern is unfounded and that the women can carry the OOC record forward as momentum into the conference portion of the schedule!!
I think you are correct, though we will find out more starting Friday night. While we are a veteran team, the majority of these women were recruited for the Horizon League. The Valley is clearly a step up. Let's hope we can continue the winning!
Good start with a 3-0 win on the road to open conference play
According to Massey, this Valpo Volleyball team is ranked highest in 10 years. The only problem is that the MVC is tough, with Northern Iowa and Illinois St. ahead of us in the rankings.
https://www.masseyratings.com/team.php?t=8361&s=302965
and another sweep in the Valley... 25-14, 26-24, 15-19...at Evansville...
2-0, tie for first place...15-2 overall, best record in the Valley.
SIU Comes to the ARC on MONDAY night... 6pm first serve... come early to get a good seat!
Watched the match yesterday and we really looked good, albeit against and Evansville team that didn't look very good. Both venues, at Indiana State and Evansville, appeared very small with bleachers on one side of the court, like what would happen if we played our matches at Hilltop. In this hotter weather I still think that is where we should be playing.
I'm looking forward to seeing my first match in person Friday night of Homecoming!
Quote from: vu72 on September 23, 2018, 07:43:58 AM
Watched the match yesterday and we really looked good, albeit against and Evansville team that didn't look very good. Both venues, at Indiana State and Evansville, appeared very small with bleachers on one side of the court, like what would happen if we played our matches at Hilltop. In this hotter weather I still think that is where we should be playing.
I'm looking forward to seeing my first match in person Friday night of Homecoming!
Wonder what the hold up is for them to start playing in Hill Top? Someone posted the ceiling height was not a concern as originally thought.
Another sweep! Your first place crusaders take SIU to the woodshed tonight. Wowsers
Quote from: FWalum on September 19, 2018, 05:40:45 PM
I have to say that as a whole I thought that PFW was more athletic, they really could get up and hit the ball hard but their attack was more predictable and blocking was not as coordinated as VU, as indicated by the 8 block discrepancy.
From the few games that I watched online last year I remember thinking that the "Valley" teams seemed more athletic and harder hitting than VU and I am afraid that this might still be the case this year. Lets hope my concern is unfounded and that the women can carry the OOC record forward as momentum into the conference portion of the schedule!!
After blanking ISUb, EU and SIU, perhaps we are more athletic than originally thought. No doubt about the good coaching. Congratulation so far ladies!
Quote from: VULB#62 on September 25, 2018, 10:19:33 AM
Quote from: FWalum on September 19, 2018, 05:40:45 PM
I have to say that as a whole I thought that PFW was more athletic, they really could get up and hit the ball hard but their attack was more predictable and blocking was not as coordinated as VU, as indicated by the 8 block discrepancy.
From the few games that I watched online last year I remember thinking that the "Valley" teams seemed more athletic and harder hitting than VU and I am afraid that this might still be the case this year. Lets hope my concern is unfounded and that the women can carry the OOC record forward as momentum into the conference portion of the schedule!!
After blanking ISUb, EU and SIU, perhaps we are more athletic than originally thought. No doubt about the good coaching. Congratulation so far ladies!
Great start but, against teams that are a combined 0-9 in conference. It will get a lot harder Friday against Drake who is 12-4 on the year. Looking forward to seeing my first volleyball game in person and hope to see the streak continue!
Quote from: vu72 on September 25, 2018, 11:09:53 AMGreat start but, against teams that are a combined 0-9 in conference. It will get a lot harder Friday against Drake who is 12-4 on the year. Looking forward to seeing my first volleyball game in person and hope to see the streak continue!
This sounds about right. It gets tougher with Drake: the first MVC opponent we'll face this season with a winning record, and decent place in the pre-season poll. And then a lot tougher with UNI (NCAA at-large last year, undefeated in MVC play this year, etc.) on Saturday.
But, a fantastic start! Hopes are high.
Last year it felt like we lacked the thunderous hitters that the top MVC teams, and had to make up for it by leading the nation in digs to finish middle of the pack. We return a lot of talent, but will our offensive game have changed fundamentally? I'll be curious to see the freshmen. Hopefully I'll make it out Friday or Saturday, or both. Or, maybe we can find a winning recipe building on our existing strengths. Clearly it's been working so far this season, if against less-than-stellar opposition.
Looking forward to being back for Homecoming this weekend with the UNI volleyball match Saturday. Here's a link to the UNI weekly game notes with a fun inside reference to the forum http://unipanthers.com/news/2018/9/26/womens-volleyball-panther-volleyball-visits-loyola-valparaiso.aspx (http://unipanthers.com/news/2018/9/26/womens-volleyball-panther-volleyball-visits-loyola-valparaiso.aspx)
Where did they find Saders of the Lost Arc? :lol:
Quote from: KL31NY on September 26, 2018, 03:28:44 PMLooking forward to being back for Homecoming this weekend with the UNI volleyball match Saturday.
The VU women looked good against Drake, very confident, and got the 3-0 sweep against an opponent with a decent resume, to clinch the best start in program history.
Saturday against UNI, Valpo dropped the first set, but won the second. It's the first set anyone in the Valley has taken off UNI this season. (Earlier on this road trip UNI went to Loyola, previously undefeated in conference, and swept them.) (Recall that UNI got an at-large bid last season, then swept Louisville in the first round of the NCAA tournament; UNI got six points off two national #23 votes in the last VB poll this season, so RV.)
Valpo looked good, confident, and was certainly in the game. Lots of long points and hustly digs, which was Valpo's game last year. UNI did much of the same, really, and I don't know that our hitters were out-muscled. Seemed like a pretty tight rotation from Valpo, with an interesting habit of bringing a freshman in just for one rotation to serve. I'm no VB player, but she serves from the opposite side of most players, kind of a knuckleball feel, and gets some aces.
We should definitely make some noise in the Valley this season. Should be fun.
Good crowds both nights (listed around 600 Saturday? probably more Friday, but some fraction were students there apparently more socially than for the VB; that's OK too). Nice to hear the ARC get loud for VB.
I went to Saturday's game. Had a really good time. It seemed Valpo's hitters didn't really clobber the volleyball in their spikes with the same regularity and same power as UNI did. I'll go back, it was a fun time.
In what I believe is the first ever Women's Volleyball RPI post, I just noticed that the first RPI rankings of the season are out. Valpo's RPI is 55 and is the second highest in the MVC. Northern Iowa is 20 and the next highest in the MVC is Illinois State at 63.
In case anyone is wondering, the NCAA tournament selection process for at-large births is essentially the same as it is for men's and women's basketball wth the exception that the field is 64 (i.e. no play-in games). Thus, you can assume that you need a similar RPI (better than 60) to get serious consideration.
I agree with M's comments. Women's college volleyball (in general and I am sure at Valpo) is a lot of fun and a great environment.
An exciting MCV match at the ARC, tonight. The courageous Volleyball team came from down two sets, to win the match with Loyola. LUC is a tall and talented team, but VU had the heart tonight. Way to go ladies.
19-25
23-25
25-19
25-22
15-12
Sad to see the ladies going down 1-3 to ISUr and Bradley 0-3 :(
Playing without Sydney Bronner in both, which very much limited our block capabilities.
Quote from: valpospartan on October 05, 2018, 10:40:39 PMAn exciting MCV match at the ARC, tonight. The courageous Volleyball team came from down two sets, to win the match with Loyola. LUC is a tall and talented team, but VU had the heart tonight. Way to go ladies.
19-25
23-25
25-19
25-22
15-12
An exciting MCV match at Loyola, tonight. The courageous Volleyball team came from down two sets, to win the match with Loyola. LUC is a tall and talented team, but VU had the heart tonight. Way to go ladies.
15-25
22-25
25-16
25-20
15-12
Deja VU all over again.
I have to admit I turned it off at 0-2. On the road, playing poorly, who knew? I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw the final. Fantastic win!
After beating Missouri State for the first time last week, we follow that up by beating them in the conference tourney quarterfinal, on Missouri State's court! On to the semifinal against a very tough UNI squad, which we played very close 3-1 and 3-2 this year.
Wow, that is very impressive. Mo State dominated the MVC last year didn't they?
They should have a shot at a bid.
Unlikely. Their record is impressive and it's been a great season with 25 wins and a 4th place finish in the regular season but the SOS just isn't there. Their RPI is 72 but they're 0-8 against the top 100 with their best win being Missouri State (111). Being swept by Bradley (89) really hurt as did the narrow losses to Fresno State (97) and UNI (16). I don't even think a victory over UNI tonight gets them into that conversation. Their only shot is through the MVC Tournament. I do think they have a shot at the equivalent of the NIT but a win tonight would really help our status there as well because I'm not totally convinced that we'll get in there either. Our resume looks very similar to Drake's last year and they didn't get in. We need to schedule better if we want to leverage our position in a stronger volleyball conference for greater postseason opportunities. Hopefully this season is the catalyst for that change.
Tough loss to the top seed UNI in four. 25-10, and a lot of hardware this year. Nice building block and a lengthy recruiting class. We have a lot to replace next year. Hope we reload.
Valpo loses in 4 sets 22-25 25-22 21-25 21-25 and finishes the season 25-10. Now they will see if they can steal an NIT bid. I'm pessimistic about their chances but it feels like the Valley should get 2 teams in the NCAA this year. Overall it was a great season. We should be encouraged as fans by the direction of the program but clearly more work needs to be done if we want to contend for league titles\postseason bids. The goal is in sight and this year's team should be proud because they moved the program forward in a big way. Good job ladies! Here's hoping fortune smiles upon them and they get an opportunity to continue their season. Go Valpo!
From what I read of the NIVC, they take the highest finisher from every conference, who was not selected to the NCAA tourney. This means that even the crappiest conferences get a team in the NCAA and a team in the NIVC. Even if the loser of Illinois State/UNI gets an NCAA bid, the NIVC bid goes to Bradley, so we would have to rely on being 1 of the 8 at-large participants.
I really can't see that happening. If only they had held on in the second match against Bradley. They had it won.
1314, I had meant we were on track for a bid by wining the MVC tourney.
Somehow I thought Mo State was the favorite, but it sounds like they were not. Moot point now anyway.
Quote from: talksalot on November 23, 2018, 09:50:34 PM
Tough loss to the top seed UNI in four. 25-10, and a lot of hardware this year. Nice building block and a lengthy recruiting class. We have a lot to replace next year. Hope we reload.
As good as we were this year, we did it with basically an Horizon League roster. To get to the next level (Valley champs) we will need hitters taller than 5'10". Carin is a wonderful coach and hopefully the new kids coming in will better match what is needed in the Valley.
I have followed women's volleyball for a number of years and never knew there was a NVIC. I certainly hope Valpo makes it, but if not it certainly has been a good season. Great job by Carin and the team.
MVC gets two teams in the NCAA. So we wait.
Valpo Volleyball has received a postseason bid, will play Ball State: congrats!
Lots of love for MVC VB in the post-season.
UNI with the NCAA auto-bid, Illinois State gets an at-large.
Bradley, Drake, and Valpo all in the NIVC. Lots of respect for the MVC.
Looks fairly similar to an NIT. Second year in operation after a run 1989-1995.
I think it's just the regular season champs that get an auto-bid, at least the tournament was talking about seven auto-bids.
Valpo is labeled a "home" team against Ball State. A bit unfortunate that they'll play the game on the same court where Ball State played their conference tournament. The Valpo-Ball State game is Thursday 5:30 PM eastern (in Oxford, OH - Miami-Ohio hosting). Four teams play three games on that court in two days, the first two rounds.
This organization also has a National Invitational for Softball, which is cool to see. I believe that both are only 2 years old, but it gives more kids an opportunity to play in the postseason. I would love to see the same thing for Baseball.
I assume that Missouri State turned down an invite, which is why Drake got in. For Missouri State, who often gets to the NCAA, it is probably NCAA or bust.
Can anyone tell me what has happened to Sydney Bronner? I assume she is injured because she has not played since the Loyola game on Oct 5th. Since she was a starter and perhaps our best blocker in the 2017-2018 season, having won the MVC defensive player of the week once during that first MVC season, it is even more surprising what we were able to achieve after her loss. I am curious as to what happened and whether she may be back for the NIVC because I sat with her parents at the Purdue Fort Wayne match and they were very nice to talk to and so supportive of the team and their daughter during her senior campaign.
So glad we got a postseason bid. Big step forward for the program and toward proving to the rest of the MVC that we belong. Go Valpo!
Quote from: FWalum on November 26, 2018, 08:31:28 AM
Can anyone tell me what has happened to Sydney Bronner? I assume she is injured because she has not played since the Loyola game on Oct 5th. Since she was a starter and perhaps our best blocker in the 2017-2018 season, having won the MVC defensive player of the week once during that first MVC season, it is even more surprising what we were able to achieve after her loss. I am curious as to what happened and whether she may be back for the NIVC because I sat with her parents at the Purdue Fort Wayne match and they were very nice to talk to and so supportive of the team and their daughter during her senior campaign.
I'm not sure why, but many people seem surprised at the number of injuries sustained playing volleyball. Some are ACL type and thus season ending. It was good to see Payton McCarthy back and playing well.
Quote from: vu72 on November 26, 2018, 09:29:51 AMI'm not sure why, but many people seem surprised at the number of injuries sustained playing volleyball.
I'm still getting my head wrapped around how much damage a couple of key injuries can do to a roster. VU was hit hard last year, injuries in general, and specially at setter. This year it seemed like there was a miniature version in the middle.
Nice to see a couple of freshmen getting big minutes in the MVC tournament - not sure how much of that is just development, and how much may be due to injuries (e.g. Bronner).
I'm also still surprised that there aren't more frequent/significant hand injuries to blockers.
How can a few injuries in women's volleyball hit a team really hard?
In women's volleyball, players still rotate (just like when we played volleyball in high school gym class). You can substitute for any player at any time, but a player cannot substitute to more than one spot within the rotation. Players cannot spike when they are rotating into the back line (unless they spike from behind the line - which is rare and takes height, leaping ability and a lot of talent). All of this makes depth (and thus not having injuries) extremely important for hitters and blockers. You can have a great hitter, but she will only be able to be in position to hit 50% of the time. You need two quality hitters at any given time for a solid attack, thus you need depth to not have times during a set when you lack the quality hitting needed for kills.
Quote from: FWalum on November 26, 2018, 08:31:28 AM
Can anyone tell me what has happened to Sydney Bronner? I assume she is injured because she has not played since the Loyola game on Oct 5th. Since she was a starter and perhaps our best blocker in the 2017-2018 season, having won the MVC defensive player of the week once during that first MVC season, it is even more surprising what we were able to achieve after her loss. I am curious as to what happened and whether she may be back for the NIVC because I sat with her parents at the Purdue Fort Wayne match and they were very nice to talk to and so supportive of the team and their daughter during her senior campaign.
Sydney suffered an ankle injury. I think ligaments were involved. She was in a boot for a while. Yes, we did miss her blocking.
She was in uniform last game, but I don't know if that was just to wear the uniform one last time, or if she is healing enough to play. She is very good, so even if we get 1 more game from her, we are a scary team.
Quote from: valpospartan on November 26, 2018, 10:51:41 PM
Quote from: FWalum on November 26, 2018, 08:31:28 AM
Can anyone tell me what has happened to Sydney Bronner? I assume she is injured because she has not played since the Loyola game on Oct 5th. Since she was a starter and perhaps our best blocker in the 2017-2018 season, having won the MVC defensive player of the week once during that first MVC season, it is even more surprising what we were able to achieve after her loss. I am curious as to what happened and whether she may be back for the NIVC because I sat with her parents at the Purdue Fort Wayne match and they were very nice to talk to and so supportive of the team and their daughter during her senior campaign.
Sydney suffered an ankle injury. I think ligaments were involved. She was in a boot for a while. Yes, we did miss her blocking.
Quote from: valpotx on November 27, 2018, 12:22:39 AM
She was in uniform last game, but I don't know if that was just to wear the uniform one last time, or if she is healing enough to play. She is very good, so even if we get 1 more game from her, we are a scary team.
Thanks for the info valpospartan and valpotx, she was in plain clothes for the Missouri State game and then I thought I saw her in uniform for the UNI contest and was hoping that it wasn't as you said "just to wear the uniform one last time". It would be great if she is capable of playing in the NIVC tournament!
For the Ball State game our game notes include
Quote
Following the Action: All of this week's matches can be seen live on Miami's RedHawk All-Access subscription service ($9.95/month; auto-renewing service, so should be canceled following weekend). Direct links for the video broadcasts, as well as live stats, will be available at ValpoAthletics.com.
I'm amused by the practical "should be canceled" comment.
Quote from: valpotx on November 27, 2018, 12:22:39 AM
She was in uniform last game, but I don't know if that was just to wear the uniform one last time, or if she is healing enough to play. She is very good, so even if we get 1 more game from her, we are a scary team.
Bronner in starting lineup
Quote from: vu72 on November 29, 2018, 04:34:40 PM
Quote from: valpotx on November 27, 2018, 12:22:39 AM
She was in uniform last game, but I don't know if that was just to wear the uniform one last time, or if she is healing enough to play. She is very good, so even if we get 1 more game from her, we are a scary team.
Bronner in starting lineup
Still starting in the third set. 4 kills so far, seems to be doing well.
25-9, 13-25 so far. There for a minute I thought we were going to roll...
3rd set started rough. 0-4. We caught up at 10-10, back and forth a bit, last level at 16-16, and led by at least one the rest of the way. 25-23. Up two sets to one.
[tweet]1068297411989258241[/tweet]
They play the winner of Miami-OH and NKU, tomorrow, 6 PM Valpo time.
Quote from: agibson on November 29, 2018, 06:17:20 PM
[tweet]1068297411989258241[/tweet]
Super win for the program and great to see Bronner back in the lineup with a real chance to finish her senior season actually playing. Hope this really sets the table for the new 8 incoming recruits!
Nice win!
25-9 and then 13-25 in the first two sets - that is quite a swing!
6PM Central Time tonight... we get Miami on their own court.
They are 23-8 and 13-3 at home this year; they lost the MAC Championship to Eastern Michigan 3-2 on the Miami home court...
WHEN we win tonight, we draw the winner of the "Tulane" Bracket...(Tulane/CalBaptist)... Both played 5-setters yesterday.
Not sure, but if the "Top" bracket hosts, we go on the road starting on 12/5. Tulane would be the prohibitive favorite, 26-8 overall, 15-2 at home.
Quote from: talksalot on November 30, 2018, 09:38:07 AM
6PM Central Time tonight... we get Miami on their own court.
They are 23-8 and 13-3 at home this year; they lost the MAC Championship to Eastern Michigan 3-2 on the Miami home court...
WHEN we win tonight, we draw the winner of the "Tulane" Bracket...(Tulane/CalBaptist)... Both played 5-setters yesterday.
Not sure, but if the "Top" bracket hosts, we go on the road starting on 12/5. Tulane would be the prohibitive favorite, 26-8 overall, 15-2 at home.
Miami is going to be a tough match. They beat Ball State twice, 3-2 and are playing at home.
Quote from: talksalot on November 30, 2018, 09:38:07 AM
6PM Central Time tonight... we get Miami on their own court.
They are 23-8 and 13-3 at home this year; they lost the MAC Championship to Eastern Michigan 3-2 on the Miami home court...
WHEN we win tonight, we draw the winner of the "Tulane" Bracket...(Tulane/CalBaptist)... Both played 5-setters yesterday.
Not sure, but if the "Top" bracket hosts, we go on the road starting on 12/5. Tulane would be the prohibitive favorite, 26-8 overall, 15-2 at home.
When I first read your post, I thought with 5 setters, who is going to spike? :rotfl:
Quote from: valpotx on November 24, 2018, 12:40:29 PM
From what I read of the NIVC, they take the highest finisher from every conference, who was not selected to the NCAA tourney. This means that even the crappiest conferences get a team in the NCAA and a team in the NIVC. Even if the loser of Illinois State/UNI gets an NCAA bid, the NIVC bid goes to Bradley, so we would have to rely on being 1 of the 8 at-large participants.
I was mistaken here, you were correct.
https://www.womensnivc.com/event-info.html
They do apparently offer an automatic bid to one team from each of 32 conferences. Whoever is highest in the conference standings but doesn't get an NCAA bid - so not the same as basketbally's NIT. Bizarrely, the format is for "32 to 40" teams. Maybe depending on how many teams accept the AQ bid - which is lost to the conference (becomes an at-large for somebody else) if the first team turns it down. So, maybe if they have a lot of AQ's accept they consider expanding to 40 and allowing in some at-larges.
This year apparently only 11 AQ's accepted (of 32 offers)
https://www.womensnivc.com/tournament-field.html
(e.g. UCLA at RPI 45, 9th in the PAC-12, 13-14 overall, 7-7 conference, apparently turned down the AQ bid).
They claim to have criteria for the at-larges. Need to have at least a 0.500 record overall or be in the top 50 RPI. But, if so, I'm not sure how Wichita State (14-17, 8-10, RPI looks like 86 to me) got in as an at-large.
Also a little funny that two MVC teams got put in the same pod - they claim they try to avoid that. But, maybe geography or other factors trumped this. (They ended up not playing each other, anyway.)
Quote from: talksalot on November 30, 2018, 09:38:07 AMWHEN we win tonight, we draw the winner of the "Tulane" Bracket...(Tulane/CalBaptist)... Both played 5-setters yesterday.
Not sure, but if the "Top" bracket hosts, we go on the road starting on 12/5. Tulane would be the prohibitive favorite, 26-8 overall, 15-2 at home.
Tulane looks tough, particularly at home, but I don't know about "prohibitive favorite". (Usual caveat: I'm a novice volleyball fan.) I bet we have a chance.
Cincinnati (25-7 RPI 24) was a nice home win. But, Tulane did lose at home to USF (20-11, RPI 98).
Maybe the Illinois State - Cincinnati game tonight will give us some idea. (UNI lost to Pepperdine. American front-runner UCF, RPI 10, top-25 in the coaches poll, #13 overall seed in the NCAA, lost to FGCU.)
At least the NCAA bracketers thought Illinois State was better than Tulane. We got a set off ISU each time (and two off UNI at their place). So, I'd like to think that we'll be in the game, even if it's a home game for Tulane.
But, first things first. 6 PM tonight!
We are a very good team with both Bronner and McCarthy playing. They are excellent blockers. We have a very good chance at getting to the last 4 of this tournament.
Quote from: agibson on November 30, 2018, 12:11:26 PMQuote from: valpotx on November 24, 2018, 12:40:29 PMFrom what I read of the NIVC, they take the highest finisher from every conference, who was not selected to the NCAA tourney. This means that even the crappiest conferences get a team in the NCAA and a team in the NIVC. Even if the loser of Illinois State/UNI gets an NCAA bid, the NIVC bid goes to Bradley, so we would have to rely on being 1 of the 8 at-large participants.
I was mistaken here, you were correct. https://www.womensnivc.com/event-info.html They do apparently offer an automatic bid to one team from each of 32 conferences. Whoever is highest in the conference standings but doesn't get an NCAA bid - so not the same as basketbally's NIT. Bizarrely, the format is for "32 to 40" teams. Maybe depending on how many teams accept the AQ bid - which is lost to the conference (becomes an at-large for somebody else) if the first team turns it down. So, maybe if they have a lot of AQ's accept they consider expanding to 40 and allowing in some at-larges. This year apparently only 11 AQ's accepted (of 32 offers) https://www.womensnivc.com/tournament-field.html (e.g. UCLA at RPI 45, 9th in the PAC-12, 13-14 overall, 7-7 conference, apparently turned down the AQ bid). They claim to have criteria for the at-larges. Need to have at least a 0.500 record overall or be in the top 50 RPI. But, if so, I'm not sure how Wichita State (14-17, 8-10, RPI looks like 86 to me) got in as an at-large. Also a little funny that two MVC teams got put in the same pod - they claim they try to avoid that. But, maybe geography or other factors trumped this. (They ended up not playing each other, anyway.)
If their goal was to avoid conference redundancy in the same pod they did a terrible job Our pod had 2 MAC teams Iowa State pod had 2 MVC teams 2 MWC teams will play each other tonight One pod had 2 AAC teams and another had 2 from the Sun Belt Precedence was clearly given to geography here.
Yep geography is the #1 consideration They try to avoid conference overlap in the first two rounds but if it happens it happens. The strongest prohibition against conference overlap is in round 1 which they were successful.
https://www.womensnivc.com/event-info.html
It might even be better for us to be on the road. Of our 26 wins 8 have come at home 7 were neutral site wins and 11 have come on the road.
Of our 10 losses 2 were at neutral sites and we suffered 4 each at home and on the road. In fact our worst loss of the season in terms of opponents RPI came at home. That said it's always tough to win on the road and there's a chance some home matches in this tournament would help drum up community support but no matter where you play you still have to execute. One match at a time one set at a time one point at a time. This team does a great job of that and I expect that to continue. We have a great shot at making a deep run in this tournament. Our metrics are as good as any other team left and our conference slate has prepared us well. We just need to keep doing what we've been doing and we should be fine and go far. Go Valpo!
Valpo takes set one! 25-21!! And the second 25-16!! Get out the broom! 25-18!
Miami must be thinking: "And these guys finished fourth in the Valley!!"
Great win! :clap: :clap: :clap:
and.... wait for it... 25-18 IN SET THREE... SWEEP !
Here's the link for the Tulane - Cal.Baptist game... it just started
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=241887
VALPO TAKES IT IN 3 !!
Tulane will be a test, but I think that we win (yes, I am assuming that they beat Cal Baptist). Our league prepares us well, and probably frustrates the hell out of other teams. We force teams to attack multiple times due to our defense/digging/blocking. The entire MVC is basically in the top 25 of digs/set in the NCAA.
Looking at the Women's basketball schedule... we play... Miami of Ohio next Saturday afternoon in the ARC... hope they are not TOO upset about today's win.
I see that VU as of right now is the only 27-win team in the NIVC tournament...(The green wave has 26)
Tulane is all over CBU 25-18, 25-15 going to intermission
other games in our side of the bracket... Clemson just wiped out Radford; and in the "upset alert" College of Charleston is up 2-1 on Georgia Tech in Atlanta
COFC 25 17 26 4
GT 22 25 24 6 ... in the 4th set
Quote from: valpotx on November 30, 2018, 07:31:46 PM
Tulane will be a test, but I think that we win (yes, I am assuming that they beat Cal Baptist). Our league prepares us well, and probably frustrates the hell out of other teams. We force teams to attack multiple times due to our defense/digging/blocking. The entire MVC is basically in the top 25 of digs/set in the NCAA.
Remember we won the statistical championship for digs\set last year too.
Bradley and Illinois State both got blanked tonight by Iowa State and Cincinnati respectively joining Drake and UNI who both fell last night. Like Bradley Drake fell to the Cyclones 3-0 while UNI's furious rally from 2 sets down against Pepperdine came up just short as the Panthers dropped a 5 set heartbreaker to the Waves. This leaves Valpo as the last surviving MVC team in tournament play. Hopefully we can keep it going. Go Valpo!
and down goes the Wreck.. COC wins it in 4... they went on a 7-2 run after one of the GT assistant coaches got a "Yellow Card"...when the game was tied at 8...
AND CBU takes game 3... wave leads 2-1...
Cal Baptist takes set 3 25-22. Love to see the newly minted D1 school fighting hard. I think they might make a terrific addition to the WCC one day. They seem to have really solid athletics across the board.
Tulane wins the 4th set 25-15 and the match 3-1 setting up a date with the Crusaders. Unfortunately for us the basketball home games this week may make it hard to find adequate practice time ahead of what should be a tough match.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on November 30, 2018, 08:57:20 PMUnfortunately for us the basketball home games this week may make it hard to find adequate practice time ahead of what should be a tough match.
The seasons regularly overlap, so i guess they're used to dealing with it. That doesn't necessarily mean there's a satisfactory solution, I suppose...
Tulane hosts next Thursday 6 PM central. Looks like the stream will be $7 for a 24-hour pass (with archive).
The videography on the Miami feed tonight was... pretty sketchy. Resolution was OK, but _shakey_ camera.
Quote from: valpotx on November 30, 2018, 07:31:46 PMOur league prepares us well, and probably frustrates the hell out of other teams. We force teams to attack multiple times due to our defense/digging/blocking. The entire MVC is basically in the top 25 of digs/set in the NCAA.
Yeah, I can imagine there's something to that frustration factor.
The stats maybe aren't quite as crazy as last season, but looks like Bradley's #2 digs/set, we're #10, MVC has 5 of the top 16, 6 of the top 50.
In Tulane's American it's SMU at #18, Tulsa #23, UCF #33, Temple #49... Tulan's down at #86. So, half the Valley is better (at digs... roughly compared) than their best.
Our 18.12 is definitely a notch, or three, above Tulane's 16.07. (Last season we were 20.0! Would be good for #1 again this year.)
Great dominating win last night by the volleyball team.
Quote from: vu72 on November 29, 2018, 04:34:40 PMBronner in starting lineup
Kind of makes you wonder how we would have done in conference if we had Bronner in the lineup for the last 12 conference matches and the MVC tournament. Her return must have given the team a lift in the NIVC especially leading the team in blocks her first game back against Ball State.
It's fun to watch this outstanding women's volleyball team perform...keep up the great work, Lady Crusaders!
Also that victory over Miami (OH) (RPI 65) was Valpo's first top 100 victory of the season! They have an opportunity for another in New Orleans against Tulane (RPI 61) Go Valpo!
Quote from: FWalum on December 01, 2018, 09:27:40 AM
Quote from: vu72 on November 29, 2018, 04:34:40 PMBronner in starting lineup
Kind of makes you wonder how we would have done in conference if we had Bronner in the lineup for the last 12 conference matches and the MVC tournament. Her return must have given the team a lift in the NIVC especially leading the team in blocks her first game back against Ball State.
We would have been 2nd or 3rd in conference. Book it.
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This proud alum salutes these young women and their coaches for a season for the ages against some of the toughest competition a Valpo volleyball team has ever faced! Great job ladies! You have raised the profile of and the expectations for this program. Thank you for laying the foundation of what I hope will be a very successful era of Valpo volleyball! Go Valpo!
This is a sport where Valpo has a real chance of getting at-large bids in the future. Thanks MVC!
Great season as usual from our Volleyball program
Although
Would have been nice to be in Horizon League and go to NCAA tourney...assuming we would have won the conference
This team could have won a game or 2 perhaps