Badger Volleyball

[Jimbo]

https://madison.com/wsj/sports/college/volleyball/were-no-1-uw-volleyball-team-ranked-first-in-national-preseason-poll/article_608ef769-cadb-57db-84d4-b4ef8efb33a1.html

 

https://www.avca.org/polls/di-women/1-5-2021.html

 

This was one big thing about COVID the bugged me. I had a feeling that they would be the pre-season #1 if there had been a fall season. At least the NCAA moved the tournament to the spring, so a chance at a national title still exists. Won't be able to see them in person, but at least a season will be played.

[Jimbo]

And on to the National Semis. Two wins to go.

[brwrsfan]

Been watching a lot of them this year (the gf is super into volleyball). Last night was easily the worst I've seen them play all year. Some of that was due to Florida's athleticism and playing super well. But man did Wisconsin make just a ton of unforced errors (serves into the net, miscommunication, mishits on spikes that went long).

 

Yet...still found a way to walk away with the win. Given their talent, anything short of a title this year would be highly disappointing. Let's hope they bring their A game against Texas!

[stoutdude04]

Went to a volleyball match(game?) last year with little knowledge outside of Monday night sand volleyball at a local watering hole. It was a lot of fun and was bummed that we werent able to go this year. Hopefully they continue to be good and I can check them out again in the future.

[yourout]

Just like last year getting blown off the court to end the season

[stoutdude04]

Just like last year getting blown off the court to end the season

 

As I was watching the first set, I said to my wife, 'This looks exactly like last year.'

 

I do not know a lot about volleyball, but it seemed like they could never get past the blockers. I am sure there is more to it than that, but it looked similar to last year.

[Jimbo]

As I was watching last night, some thoughts come to mind. The last three trips/six matches in the FF, the Badgers were underdogs. So anything they did was gravy. This year was the first they came in as favorites.

 

Texas controlled all facets of the game. Wisconsin started off Set 1 serving well and built a nice lead and I thought they were on their way. But Texas stepped up its serve receive and passed well.

 

Looking for insights from Sheffeld, but his comment was "I'm really proud of the team", so I guess I gotta figure this out on my own.

 

From reading the IGT today I was able to gleam that 1) the plan was to set Haggerty at the left pin and have her go over the top of the Longhorn setter on the block, but the setter was up to the task 2) passing from the back row was awful, so Hilley couldn't set Rettke properly 3) set distribution from Hilley was questionable all match, given her options 4) Loberg should have been pulled for Demps earlier and more often.

 

I hate to bring up the elephant in the room, but one has to wonder how much COVID-19 played a role. The team was hit hard in February and I wonder if Hilley and Rettke were 100% physically. Also, with the cancelled matches Wisconsin had eleven fewer matches than Texas.

 

A disappointing way to end a season full of hope. As far back as two seasons ago I thought this was the year to do it. In the end, the Haggertys and Lobergs don't have the athleticism to match up against the bluebloods. The program will always be competitive, but am afraid they may not have a team like this again for a while.