LOVB Omaha Beats Madison with Balance, San Diego Deals Indy Their First Loss of the PVF Season

Volley Talk with Sarah Pavan

In this episode of Volley Talk, we take a close look at the LOVB Omaha vs LOVB Madison match, and discuss what happened in the Indy Ignite's first PVF loss of the season.

Sarah & Adam answer some listener questions, play a fun round of Level of Concern, and share what has been happening in NCAA men's volleyball this week!

If you have questions for us or topics you would like us to explore, drop us a line on Instagram or email us at info@sarahpavan.com!

Instagram: http://instagram.com/volleytalk_podcast

YouTube: http://youtube.com/@SarahPavanVolleyball

2025-01-27 59 min Transcript 7 chapters

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Hi volleyball fans and welcome back to Volley Talk, the podcast created for volleyball lovers

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who want to dig deep into what is going on in NCAA and international volleyball.

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I'm your host Sarah Pavin, I'm an Olympian, beach volleyball world champion, former Nebraska

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Cornhusker and longtime pro, both indoor and on the beach.

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And I'm Adam Schultz, former indoor player, international volleyball coach, and the show's

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resident stat guy.

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I'm just gonna say there's a lot less drama this week.

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Thanks on the volleyball baby.

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But still a lot of volleyball happening.

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So I promise that all of our passion will be directed to actual games.

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Okay, just a heads up.

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We did have some movement happen in the men's NCAA rankings and both love and PVF are rolling,

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enough so that we have an incredibly early lay of the land as far as rankings go.

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So we are very excited to talk volleyball with you all this week.

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So let's get started.

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Okay I swear this will be the last transfer portal update.

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Will it?

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Until the spring, I hope.

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But this is just a baby one.

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Oregon setter, Kristen Klein, has followed her former head coach, Matt Ulmer, to Kansas.

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Is this shocking?

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No, a lot of players do develop connections with their coaches, oftentimes setters.

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So she will be joining her head coach at Kansas.

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Internationally and close to home for Sarah and I, Canada has hired Giovanni Guedetti

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as their women's national team head coach, Shannon Windsor, who I will say has done a

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fantastic job with the program, moves into the position of director of high performance.

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So we'll see if that tandem can get them over the hump for the Olympics in 2028.

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What do you think about that?

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I'm a little surprised to be honest.

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I thought Shannon did an incredible job turning around the culture and the mentality of the

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program.

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I'm hoping this was her decision and that she either didn't want to travel as much or

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wanted to be close to her family and was looking for some stability.

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I hope they didn't push her out to bring in an international coach.

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Listen, the Canadian program has had several international coaches of very high standard

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and it hasn't gone well in terms of their expectations, their culture, how they interact

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with Canadian athletes.

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I hope that Shannon has prepared the girls enough to be in that environment because this

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could go horribly wrong.

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With the U.S. getting an automatic birth in 2028, this is their best shot to qualify for

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the Olympics.

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He's a great coach.

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I just hope it doesn't go sideways.

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I mean, he had a really bad season on Serbia last year.

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I think I personally would have stuck with Shannon, but if she wanted to move on, then

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you have to replace her with somebody.

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I thought about reaching out to her and just like inquiring, but if it wasn't her choice,

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I felt like that would be super insensitive.

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So I'm on the same page as you.

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Like she has done such an amazing job with that program and has helped elevate them to

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be top 10 in the world right now.

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If they pushed her out just for a big name, that bothers me because she has like built

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that.

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Well, hope it goes well.

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As Adam said, this is Canada's chance.

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So let's make it up.

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In NCAA men's volleyball.

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So based on a recording schedule, UCLA and Ohio State were playing as we were recording.

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We thought it would be straightforward.

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It wasn't.

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Ohio State beat UCLA in four.

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So that loss pushed UCLA from number one to number three in the AVCA rankings, which meant

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that this week we had a new number one in Long Beach State.

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So with that shuffle this week, number two UC Irvine beat number five BYU in both of their

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head to head matches.

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The first one in five, the second one three straight.

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Number 16 UCSB upset number 10 Grand Canyon in the first match of their back to back three

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straight, but then Grand Canyon got it together on Saturday winning in five.

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So not sure what that is going to do to the rankings of those teams.

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And UCLA righted the ship after their loss to Ohio State last weekend.

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They beat Cal State Northridge and UC San Diego both in four this week.

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So I'm assuming the rankings will stay as they are, but we might have a little bit of

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a mix up in the like 10 to 15 range.

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Moving on to love, the head to head match was Salt Lake beating Houston in four and

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on the weekend matches Omaha defeated Madison also in four and then lost to Austin three

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zero while Atlanta beat Madison in five.

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So there were some close games.

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Madison's going through it.

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Madison is struggling and I was not expecting that to be honest.

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I thought they were going to be one of the top teams.

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I had to answer some questions for an Italian publication about love.

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And one of the questions was like, who do you think will be like top three in the league?

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Let me tell you all the teams that I picked are bottom three of the league.

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So what do I know?

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I expected Madison to be so much better.

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Obviously, it's still early in the season, but like, come on.

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There are four matches in.

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So here are the current standings in love.

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We have Omaha leading the league, then Atlanta, Salt Lake, Houston, Austin, and Madison.

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I thought Texas as a state was going to be high in the standings.

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So did I.

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I had obviously, as I said, the bottom three teams, Houston, Austin, Madison as my like

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top.

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I thought Atlanta would be the worst.

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And Omaha, there's something we'll talk about this later, but there's something to be said

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for ball control and balance.

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We'll just say that on the PVF side, the San Diego Mojo handed the Indian night their first

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loss of the season on Friday.

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So Indy Atlanta, Omaha and San Diego are in the top four of the standings right now.

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But there's still a lot of parity.

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There needs to be a lot more games played for those middle group of teams to kind of

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separate themselves from each other.

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But one thing is certain Columbus is alone at the bottom.

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They are the only team that has yet to win a match.

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So hopefully they'll be able to turn things around here soon.

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That might have been our quickest weekly highlights ever.

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Look at that.

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Just the straight facts, just volleyball or just results, facts, standings.

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We made it quick today.

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That's what happens when there's no drama.

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We had a bunch of matches.

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There was some good volleyball.

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We'll get into some of the match statistics and analysis, but with no drama, those are

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the stats.

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The one thing I do want to ask you listeners is we are totally interested in NCAA men's

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volleyball.

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But and I know we covered a match in depth last week, but the majority, the vast majority

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of the feedback and conversations and things that are happening are around the women's

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matches that we're sharing.

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So please let us know.

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Do you want us to continue covering men's matches as part of our feature match section?

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Or would you rather us just keep you informed, keep them in the highlight section, but then

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focus on the women's matches?

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So please, please let us know.

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All right, our first feature match of the week is love Omaha versus love Madison.

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I had a lot of fun watching this match and it was kind of like a soap opera for me because

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it did not happen the way I expected it to.

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I was pretty surprised.

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My initial impression was Stivrans was unstoppable and Madison's left side defense was atrocious

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overall.

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That was that was my initial takeaway.

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I want them like please on some replays show us from the end line because I was wondering

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what the heck are Madison's left sides doing on the block.

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We all know Lauren Stivrans is the queen of the slide, but like I think she was hitting

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a thousand percent at one.

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We're not even getting touchless.

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We're exceeding a hundred percent here.

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We're a thousand percent.

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Okay.

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Because it was wild to watch.

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I'm like, yes, she is good, but like let's coordinate our block defense here, Madison.

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I wanted to see where the Madison left sides were lining up and because from the sideline,

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the side view, you can't really tell the end view.

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You get such a better picture of the defensive scheme.

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I was like girls, get your lineup together or something, please.

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So one of the kind of overarching themes for me watching that match was Omaha was connected

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defensively.

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Their block took away something and their defense took away the rest of it and they

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did out block them, but they also got a ton of touches and slowdowns.

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Their block was disciplined and their defense played around it.

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Whereas Madison watching them play defense, they felt like a bunch of individuals.

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The blockers were trying to get blocks and missing and then the defense didn't know what

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they were doing or where to fill in.

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It never seemed like they were trying to funnel the hitters into a zone or take away a space

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and play around it.

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Well, yeah.

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And I was getting confused too, because like they would get a couple digs and then all

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of a sudden the defender would completely change their position, but the hitter hit

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the exact same angle they had been hit.

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And I was just like, who's making these decisions?

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Or yeah, like you said, or are you all just deciding what to do on your own?

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I was shocked how much deep angle they were leaving open for Drevniak.

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The position six defender was completely shifting over to the line seam.

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Carlini was shifting over into the sharp angle and then randomly would jump into her left

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and get beat, but whatever.

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The whole deep corner was open.

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I'm like, what are you doing?

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It seems their defense for the Madison right sides was completely reactionary.

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So something would happen and then they would shift and try and take that away and open

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up something else.

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You have Carlini, who is a fantastic defensive player.

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When she's in the back row digging, take your block, take away the line, funnel it towards

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her.

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You can't set afterwards, but at least you're going to get some transition opportunities.

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Especially because their libero wasn't doing much for that match.

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So it just, it didn't seem coordinated or well thought out from a Madison defensive

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standpoint specifically on the right sides.

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Switching topics real quick, talking about Lauren Carlini taking the first ball.

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How many times is this woman going to have to pass a free ball?

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That was mind blowing.

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This isn't the first match that we've noticed that though, either.

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You know what?

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Front row, middle, right side, step in and pass the free ball.

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Your setter should not be taking it.

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Libero.

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Okay.

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Somebody.

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It's wild, but that was just a side point.

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Okay.

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Continue.

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I think that was a real indicator of how the match went because points were pretty hard

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to come by in general.

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Like Omaha kept some rallies going.

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There were lots of extended rallies in this match.

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Madison actually dug more balls than Omaha, but they never seemed controlled or like they

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were able to get really good transition opportunities.

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Whereas Omaha didn't need as many digs.

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They were getting good touches.

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They were in system.

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They were able to deliver an attack and transition.

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So that to me was a big factor in the match.

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I was surprised at how often Madison was running Shousei out of the back row.

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I felt like looking at the final match stats, Franklin did get a decent amount of sets,

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but like watching it in real time, it felt like they were not setting her at all.

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I felt like so many balls were being set to Shousei even when Franklin was in the front

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row.

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Well, and especially in the first two sets, I watching the first two sets of the match,

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I thought Sarah Franklin must've had a shoulder injury or they were trying specifically not

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to set her overall.

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Sarah Franklin got 31 sets compared to Thomas Ilarra's 35 and Claire Shousei's 40.

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And I don't know.

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Go ahead.

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Shousei got yanked in like set three or something.

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Correct.

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It just, it seemed like they were trying to save her shoulder at the beginning to me.

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And then when it wasn't going the way they planned, then they tried to set her and get

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her going later on in the match.

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The last thing that I have for Madison before we can talk about Omaha is Anna Hall was in

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the lineup for Madison for the first time.

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She got subbed out in the third and Bia was put in the Brazilian middle blocker that we

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have seen play for them.

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What were your thoughts on her?

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Before we talk about her play, and I thought she did some very good things.

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I'm curious about the glasses situation.

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I don't know if anybody else noticed this.

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She wore her glasses only in the front row and then took them off to serve.

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And I'm curious if she needs them to actually see or if, cause playing defense though being

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able to say seems tough.

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I'm like, what are these bifocals?

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But also if you're worried about getting hit in the face, it hurts more to get hit with

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glasses I think than without glasses.

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And if you've gotten blown up in the face or you're, you have an eye injury and that's

233
00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:44,600
why you're wearing your glasses.

234
00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:48,840
No offense, but as a middle, put those glasses on in the back row.

235
00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:49,840
You know what I'm saying?

236
00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:53,720
Like protect those eyeballs because I feel like the middles are the most likely to get

237
00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:54,720
hit in the face.

238
00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:55,720
On defense for sure.

239
00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:57,000
Probably walking too.

240
00:14:57,000 --> 00:15:01,160
Anyway, that was aside from her play, that was just a curiosity that I noticed during

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00:15:01,160 --> 00:15:05,180
the match and I was wondering why that was happening, but I thought she did a pretty

242
00:15:05,180 --> 00:15:06,240
good job.

243
00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:07,240
She worked hard.

244
00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:08,880
She made herself available in transition.

245
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I thought laterally she moved pretty well to take up space and balked well.

246
00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:19,200
I thought overall they didn't run their middles enough, but I thought she was fine.

247
00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:22,280
She was very dynamic, very quick off the ground, jumped really well.

248
00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:25,800
I was surprised that Carlini wasn't setting her more.

249
00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:27,520
It was interesting to see that switch though.

250
00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:33,560
Yeah, I didn't think their offense, it just didn't seem like they had a plan either offensively

251
00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:34,720
or defensively.

252
00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:38,560
Madison in general seemed to reacted in that match to me.

253
00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:42,720
Interesting that Annie Schumacher was dressed for this match, but still didn't play and

254
00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:44,880
they chose to play Thomas I.

255
00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:46,260
Laura instead.

256
00:15:46,260 --> 00:15:48,400
I found that very curious.

257
00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:53,680
And I will say again, watching this match and I wasn't, this is not fair for her, but

258
00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:56,160
I didn't think she was scoring enough.

259
00:15:56,160 --> 00:16:01,280
You were hating on her so much and I'm like, she's scoring points, dude.

260
00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:05,320
It just, it didn't look good to me, especially at the beginning.

261
00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:09,960
She got better as the match went on and she finished stats wise very well.

262
00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:11,840
Also look how many digs she had.

263
00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:17,980
Again, like I said, this was one of those performances by her where the eye test for

264
00:16:17,980 --> 00:16:20,560
me just, it wasn't there.

265
00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:24,120
And then I looked at the stats afterwards and I thought, man, she played really well.

266
00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:25,600
What was I watching?

267
00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:28,280
But she had the most points on the team at 17.

268
00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:30,280
She hit 314.

269
00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:33,480
She had 15 digs, like kudos to her.

270
00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:35,280
She found ways to score.

271
00:16:35,280 --> 00:16:38,360
It just, it didn't, it didn't look good to me.

272
00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:41,040
So I, yeah, I was wrong.

273
00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:42,040
Okay.

274
00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:43,240
On to Omaha.

275
00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:48,960
We had not watched Omaha play until after we recorded last week.

276
00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:53,960
I did not think that they were going to be a threat in the league.

277
00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:55,520
I will be honest.

278
00:16:55,520 --> 00:17:02,360
I just didn't think they had enough firepower, but they have proven that if your block and

279
00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:06,120
defense are working, you will eventually score points.

280
00:17:06,120 --> 00:17:12,280
Ball control in Jordan Larson and Justine Wong-Arantes, like they hold it down in the

281
00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:14,120
back row.

282
00:17:14,120 --> 00:17:16,360
So that is a great place to start.

283
00:17:16,360 --> 00:17:21,520
Your setter does not have to do much running to get the offense going unless Jaylee Winters

284
00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:24,240
is passing.

285
00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:25,240
Come at me with that.

286
00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:26,240
I don't care.

287
00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:27,240
She's not a good passer.

288
00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:31,640
It's kind of wild, but yeah, we talked about Stiverance being great on the slide.

289
00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:38,360
I think that that I'm not a fan of the six two that I feel is a very good use of it.

290
00:17:38,360 --> 00:17:39,360
Absolutely.

291
00:17:39,360 --> 00:17:44,680
I mean, Stiverance is a dynamic athlete and you want to get her on the floor and involved

292
00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:46,280
as much as possible.

293
00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:48,320
I like her running the slide.

294
00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:53,560
I think long term, she's going to need to learn to hit out of system on the right side

295
00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:54,600
for them to use her.

296
00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:59,440
So it's a great use and it plays into Omaha's strength because they're a really good ball

297
00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:00,440
control.

298
00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:04,960
So they can, they're in system a lot in general, so they can utilize that slide.

299
00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:11,120
But as an opposite, as you know, you want that player to be your outlet in transition.

300
00:18:11,120 --> 00:18:14,720
So obviously she's three weeks into playing on the right side.

301
00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:16,480
I'm sure she'll figure it out.

302
00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:21,120
She's big, she's athletic, but transitioning between hitting that slide and then being

303
00:18:21,120 --> 00:18:26,440
an outlet in transition, I think will be important for their long term success.

304
00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:29,400
Yeah, they're definitely avoiding setting her out of system.

305
00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:35,280
I think I saw her jump off of two feet one time in the match against Madison and it did

306
00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:36,280
not go well.

307
00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:39,000
I was going to say, was it on the block?

308
00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:42,880
No, one time on the attack and it was a little wonky.

309
00:18:42,880 --> 00:18:47,760
So they do have her in the front row with Winters, which is not by accident.

310
00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:52,840
I think, you know, Winters is definitely the outlet when things go sideways in that lineup.

311
00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:56,920
But yeah, as an opposite, you do need to know how to hit out of system.

312
00:18:56,920 --> 00:19:00,120
And so that is something that she can try to add to her arsenal.

313
00:19:00,120 --> 00:19:07,120
I personally am very impressed with Drevniok, the opposite, the German opposite.

314
00:19:07,120 --> 00:19:09,160
She is fun to watch.

315
00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:13,640
She has she hits multiple angles, good out of system.

316
00:19:13,640 --> 00:19:16,600
She keeps taking rips, even if the sets aren't there.

317
00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:18,160
I like her.

318
00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:19,680
She knows her role in the team.

319
00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:28,680
I think overall, Omaha has maximized their rosters, skills and personnel incredibly well.

320
00:19:28,680 --> 00:19:29,680
Good ball control.

321
00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:31,840
You can you put Stiverns in and use her.

322
00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:37,240
Drevniak has a good out of system swing and you can use her to score points.

323
00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:39,560
I think she's solid all the way around.

324
00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:40,560
Good fundamentals.

325
00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:42,400
I agree with you.

326
00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:45,520
They have been very deliberate in their lineup.

327
00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:52,320
As I said, their passing and defense in Larson and Juanerontes is solid.

328
00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:55,440
They have Drevniak and Larson in the front together.

329
00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:59,060
Drevniak is getting fed the majority of out of system balls.

330
00:19:59,060 --> 00:20:02,200
And then as I said, we have Stiverns and Winters together.

331
00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:09,280
So it's very clear where they want to set the out of system balls at any given time.

332
00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:14,560
But the player who impressed me the most was Candelaria Herrera.

333
00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:16,860
She was outstanding.

334
00:20:16,860 --> 00:20:22,400
She played very, very well, both from a blocking perspective and an offensive perspective.

335
00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:28,560
I love how fast this woman loads her arm on the attack.

336
00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:30,360
Her window is so big.

337
00:20:30,360 --> 00:20:33,440
And Laura Dikema, she has had a great career.

338
00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:36,280
Do I think that she's the best setter in love right now?

339
00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:37,520
Absolutely not.

340
00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:44,840
She's missing sometimes, but because Herrera's elbow is loaded so early, she's able to fix

341
00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:49,920
so many questionable sets that most middles maybe struggle with.

342
00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:56,440
Well, and she is off the ground fast and early so the setter can see her, which makes her

343
00:20:56,440 --> 00:20:58,200
easier to set.

344
00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:02,360
I thought she personally, I would have given her player of the game.

345
00:21:02,360 --> 00:21:03,840
Oh, Dravnjak got it.

346
00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:08,520
Dravnjak got it and well deserved, statistically very, very good.

347
00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:14,040
But what Herrera did for them, I thought was incredibly valuable.

348
00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:19,880
And then finally, what I'll say about watching Omaha was, and this is a byproduct of again,

349
00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:26,480
I think them leaning into their team strengths, their set distribution as a team was incredibly

350
00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:27,480
balanced.

351
00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:30,480
They had Winters had 47 attacks.

352
00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:32,280
She's getting a lot of out of system balls.

353
00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:34,960
Then you have Dravnjak next at 37.

354
00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:38,640
So that makes sense that they're the two highest because they're also getting the out of system

355
00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:40,200
sets.

356
00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:47,120
But then you had Larsen 26, Herrera 18, Stivrans 22, Theta 9.

357
00:21:47,120 --> 00:21:49,940
Overall though, a pretty balanced attack.

358
00:21:49,940 --> 00:21:56,200
And that may be one thing that led to Madison's issue blocking was that they were able to

359
00:21:56,200 --> 00:22:01,040
go to three or four options at any given time, which obviously helps your offense.

360
00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:08,680
This may be a controversial statement, but my take on Omaha is that their middle blockers

361
00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:15,360
and opposites are kind of making up for their outside hitters.

362
00:22:15,360 --> 00:22:18,640
Not making up for that's maybe not fair.

363
00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:26,160
But I feel like the strength of their middles and opposites makes life easier for the left

364
00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:27,160
sides.

365
00:22:27,160 --> 00:22:28,960
Do you know what I'm getting at here?

366
00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:34,960
So if we compare Madison and Omaha specifically in this match position by position, I would

367
00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:39,640
say the Madison left sides were taking passing into this.

368
00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:47,080
The Madison left sides were better than the Omaha left sides, but Omaha's middles, right

369
00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:50,200
sides and liberos were better outplayed them.

370
00:22:50,200 --> 00:22:55,680
So, and I mean, again, it comes down to knowing your personnel, right?

371
00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:57,000
What are your strengths?

372
00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:02,980
You know, is Larson ball control very good, understands the game, she sees so well that

373
00:23:02,980 --> 00:23:07,240
she can get out of trouble, but she's not blowing anybody up at this point in her career,

374
00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:08,240
right?

375
00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:11,640
You can't rely on her to get you out of trouble offensively.

376
00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:17,300
And Winters played well, but she's also, if Winters, in my opinion, having watched not

377
00:23:17,300 --> 00:23:22,540
enough matches, if she's going to see a solid two man block all match, I think she's going

378
00:23:22,540 --> 00:23:23,540
to struggle.

379
00:23:23,540 --> 00:23:25,600
Now, did she take care of business in this match?

380
00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:26,600
Absolutely.

381
00:23:26,600 --> 00:23:30,200
But I think the fact that they're in system, they're running their middles and they're

382
00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:33,800
going to the outside makes life easier on the left sides.

383
00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:35,680
And I would agree with your assessment.

384
00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:41,440
This left side duo is definitely not the strongest offensively in love.

385
00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:45,520
I had never seen Winters play before love.

386
00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:48,520
So I've only seen her play a couple matches now.

387
00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:51,560
Honestly, I expected more.

388
00:23:51,560 --> 00:23:56,800
In the hype, I feel like A, she doesn't get off the ground.

389
00:23:56,800 --> 00:24:02,920
And B, she is broad jumping so far on her attack.

390
00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:05,680
The height that she's clearing the net is not good.

391
00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:08,520
Plus her passing and defensive struggles.

392
00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:11,240
So as of this moment, I'm not a Winters fan.

393
00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:15,280
As far as Jordan, and I know people have been asking, so I'll address it now.

394
00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:19,200
Jordan is an incredible ball control player.

395
00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:21,120
Her passing top notch.

396
00:24:21,120 --> 00:24:23,240
Okay, do not serve her the ball.

397
00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:27,800
The way she's able to read the game, the way she's able to see the court offensively and

398
00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:30,020
where players are moving.

399
00:24:30,020 --> 00:24:31,020
Very good.

400
00:24:31,020 --> 00:24:38,560
I have so much respect for Jordan and what she has done, what she has accomplished, what

401
00:24:38,560 --> 00:24:43,560
she's done for volleyball in the US in the state of Nebraska.

402
00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:45,400
She's one of the greatest of all time.

403
00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:47,720
That being said, she's 38 years old.

404
00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:50,200
Okay, trust me, I'm the same age.

405
00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:53,920
I know she is at this point in time.

406
00:24:53,920 --> 00:25:00,240
She is not playing very high above the net, which makes it tough to score points.

407
00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:07,560
You see her managing because her court vision is so good, but she's not playing high enough

408
00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:08,920
above the net.

409
00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:11,240
In my opinion, she used to.

410
00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:18,200
There's a reason that you see the oldest players typically in the setter and libero roles because

411
00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:19,980
they don't have to jump.

412
00:25:19,980 --> 00:25:22,600
You don't have to compete above the net.

413
00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:24,400
This is not a knock on her at all.

414
00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:28,200
It's just a byproduct of age.

415
00:25:28,200 --> 00:25:33,600
I think she's managing and making it work, but I just think that from a point scoring

416
00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:40,720
perspective and from an elevation power perspective, the two Omaha left sides, they're not there

417
00:25:40,720 --> 00:25:43,600
compared to other teams in the league right now.

418
00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:49,840
Well, watching Jordan attack, as soon as teams gave her something, as soon as the block wasn't

419
00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:54,320
formed, as soon as the defense moved at all, she was able to see that and put the ball

420
00:25:54,320 --> 00:25:56,560
in the open position.

421
00:25:56,560 --> 00:26:02,520
Where Omaha is going to struggle is if their ball control falls apart, if a team is able

422
00:26:02,520 --> 00:26:08,480
to isolate Winters' passing and they have to set the left side in out of system scenarios

423
00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:14,580
for a whole match and their block defense is set up to defend that, if they can manage

424
00:26:14,580 --> 00:26:18,160
to get that scenario, Omaha is going to struggle.

425
00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:21,840
They've done a great job playing into their strengths, but that for me, if I'm game planning

426
00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:24,520
against them, is what I'm trying to accomplish.

427
00:26:24,520 --> 00:26:25,960
It was a fun match to watch.

428
00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:26,960
Great rallies.

429
00:26:26,960 --> 00:26:30,520
As we said, not all we expected because we know that I thought Madison would be good.

430
00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:36,200
Yeah, it's just, it was fun to watch a team like Omaha who was so coordinated, who was

431
00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:39,480
so on the same page.

432
00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:45,960
They were very smooth in their ball control, in their defensive system.

433
00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:47,980
It was cool.

434
00:26:47,980 --> 00:26:52,740
They have found their identity as a team and they are playing with that strength in mind.

435
00:26:52,740 --> 00:26:58,540
Our second feature match of the week is PVF San Diego Mojo versus Indy Ignite.

436
00:26:58,540 --> 00:27:05,120
As we said earlier, San Diego handed Indy their first loss of the season.

437
00:27:05,120 --> 00:27:06,120
Initial thoughts.

438
00:27:06,120 --> 00:27:09,520
So I'm still getting to know some of these players.

439
00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:15,120
A lot of them I have not watched in college or anywhere, so it's first impressions for

440
00:27:15,120 --> 00:27:16,120
me.

441
00:27:16,120 --> 00:27:21,320
I was impressed with their left sides, how quick they were, how fast they were to the

442
00:27:21,320 --> 00:27:23,160
ball, the speed of their arms.

443
00:27:23,160 --> 00:27:26,360
And it was fun to watch and Indy came flying out of the gate.

444
00:27:26,360 --> 00:27:30,520
I thought it was going to be a three-nothing sweep, which was not the case.

445
00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:35,280
San Diego, I'm not sure they had any, actually the most standout player for San Diego for

446
00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:36,280
me was their setter.

447
00:27:36,280 --> 00:27:38,600
I thought she did an incredible job.

448
00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:42,120
Well, I thought Janasia Moore was unconscious.

449
00:27:42,120 --> 00:27:43,520
That is also true.

450
00:27:43,520 --> 00:27:45,320
Her arm was, she scored on everything.

451
00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:47,280
It was a golden swing.

452
00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:51,480
I had never seen her play before, but if she can replicate that across the season, she

453
00:27:51,480 --> 00:27:52,480
will be...

454
00:27:52,480 --> 00:27:53,480
Because she hasn't.

455
00:27:53,480 --> 00:27:54,480
This was her first start ever.

456
00:27:54,480 --> 00:28:00,000
I mean, we're talking player of the year caliber performance if she can replicate that.

457
00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:01,000
It's unconscious.

458
00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:04,120
Yeah, Indy definitely started strong.

459
00:28:04,120 --> 00:28:05,280
I agree with you.

460
00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:07,440
I thought it was going to be a sweep.

461
00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:12,160
And then the tables turned and some weird stuff started happening.

462
00:28:12,160 --> 00:28:14,880
So I thought Sydney Haley started the match really well.

463
00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:18,680
I thought her offense was really smooth.

464
00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:20,920
Her set distribution was good.

465
00:28:20,920 --> 00:28:24,600
And honestly, I thought as the match went on, she got worse and worse.

466
00:28:24,600 --> 00:28:27,040
So yeah, I think the setter roles flipped.

467
00:28:27,040 --> 00:28:31,680
I think Lee did not start well and got better as the match went on.

468
00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:34,560
And Haley agreed, got worse as the match went on.

469
00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:37,380
I think San Diego pick up their serving pressure.

470
00:28:37,380 --> 00:28:44,600
And as you were saying, yes, the outsides and opposites for Indy are very dynamic.

471
00:28:44,600 --> 00:28:48,760
They jump well, but like they're very small.

472
00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:53,140
And if passing starts to fall apart and they get a solid double block in front of them,

473
00:28:53,140 --> 00:28:55,520
that thing is coming back fast.

474
00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:58,200
And we started to see that happening.

475
00:28:58,200 --> 00:29:02,520
Granted, Teeler and member Mena were scoring.

476
00:29:02,520 --> 00:29:03,640
They're scoring well.

477
00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:05,280
They were scoring efficiently.

478
00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:10,160
Just the San Diego block defense was able to set up on them early.

479
00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:14,080
So I think I don't know what their hitting percentages were.

480
00:29:14,080 --> 00:29:18,320
I know they scored well, but it didn't look as smooth as they were used to.

481
00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:29,140
So member Mena hit 232 on 56 attempts and Teeler hit 171 on 35 attempts.

482
00:29:29,140 --> 00:29:32,520
Like Teeler was unconscious in set one.

483
00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:35,080
And then for me, she kind of disappeared.

484
00:29:35,080 --> 00:29:40,200
And I watching member Mena, I was like, it seemed like a grind.

485
00:29:40,200 --> 00:29:41,200
Yeah.

486
00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:45,640
I thought San Diego made good defensive positional adjustments.

487
00:29:45,640 --> 00:29:52,120
They started to give up the middle attack and move back on defense with their base position.

488
00:29:52,120 --> 00:29:56,560
And they were able to get many more touches on the outside hitters after that first set.

489
00:29:56,560 --> 00:30:00,400
So I thought it was actually a really good team adjustment from a defensive position

490
00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:01,400
standpoint.

491
00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:07,960
Adam's biggest outrage of the match was why is Elena Scott not the starting libero, his

492
00:30:07,960 --> 00:30:09,920
favorite libero of all time?

493
00:30:09,920 --> 00:30:11,720
I'm telling you, she should have been playing.

494
00:30:11,720 --> 00:30:15,380
Every time she came onto the floor, she had positive contributions.

495
00:30:15,380 --> 00:30:17,160
She served well.

496
00:30:17,160 --> 00:30:18,600
She put the team in trouble.

497
00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:19,720
She would make digs.

498
00:30:19,720 --> 00:30:22,240
Her out of system setting, still incredible.

499
00:30:22,240 --> 00:30:24,340
Put the girl on the court.

500
00:30:24,340 --> 00:30:25,340
She's a leader.

501
00:30:25,340 --> 00:30:26,340
She's very skilled.

502
00:30:26,340 --> 00:30:27,760
I want to see her play.

503
00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:28,760
Kylie Myrrh.

504
00:30:28,760 --> 00:30:31,960
She was, I wasn't a huge fan when she was in college.

505
00:30:31,960 --> 00:30:34,040
I like Elena Scott as well.

506
00:30:34,040 --> 00:30:37,400
So I don't, I'm not sure that that change will be coming, you know?

507
00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:39,080
I mean, they're undefeated.

508
00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:40,080
They're playing.

509
00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:41,080
Well, not anymore.

510
00:30:41,080 --> 00:30:42,080
Well, not anymore.

511
00:30:42,080 --> 00:30:43,080
They're under, but they're playing well.

512
00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:44,240
I, nothing against her.

513
00:30:44,240 --> 00:30:45,240
She played fine.

514
00:30:45,240 --> 00:30:47,280
I'm just an Elena Scott fan.

515
00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:49,520
I think she will eventually be a better libero.

516
00:30:49,520 --> 00:30:51,080
We watched San Diego play last week.

517
00:30:51,080 --> 00:30:53,840
I thought this week they looked much smoother.

518
00:30:53,840 --> 00:30:57,640
Lee, as you said, was running a really good offense.

519
00:30:57,640 --> 00:30:59,600
She got involved in the block.

520
00:30:59,600 --> 00:31:05,360
Ronika Stone, I feel is like the foundation of that team.

521
00:31:05,360 --> 00:31:07,680
She obviously has a middle.

522
00:31:07,680 --> 00:31:12,640
She's not getting set a ton, but any opportunity they have to push her the ball, they try to

523
00:31:12,640 --> 00:31:13,720
do that.

524
00:31:13,720 --> 00:31:17,240
As we said, Janasia Moore was pretty much unconscious.

525
00:31:17,240 --> 00:31:22,240
I thought their libero, Venegas also played really well.

526
00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:28,200
It was a big turnaround from when we watched them play Orlando last week to now.

527
00:31:28,200 --> 00:31:30,520
They just seemed more cohesive.

528
00:31:30,520 --> 00:31:34,440
Well, and this is part of being at the beginning of the season, right?

529
00:31:34,440 --> 00:31:36,640
What's happening now is not what's going to happen.

530
00:31:36,640 --> 00:31:40,120
Which coaches are able to implement their systems, get their players to buy in.

531
00:31:40,120 --> 00:31:46,440
We're going to see huge improvements in overall philosophy and execution over the next couple

532
00:31:46,440 --> 00:31:47,440
of weeks, I think.

533
00:31:47,440 --> 00:31:53,560
I'm curious to see, did Indy just gel right away and this is who they are?

534
00:31:53,560 --> 00:31:57,480
The other teams are going to catch up because they're going to have to figure out that second

535
00:31:57,480 --> 00:31:59,480
left side position.

536
00:31:59,480 --> 00:32:04,800
Right now, if you look at the score sheet, member Mena had 24 points and Thieler had

537
00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:10,720
18, which is great, but then we're talking their next highest player was Blake at nine.

538
00:32:10,720 --> 00:32:11,720
The distribution-

539
00:32:11,720 --> 00:32:12,720
Blake Muller, the middle.

540
00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:13,720
Correct.

541
00:32:13,720 --> 00:32:15,440
If you were just on a first name basis.

542
00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:18,640
I know all the players so well.

543
00:32:18,640 --> 00:32:25,440
I'm just getting to know these players, but me and Blake, we go way back.

544
00:32:25,440 --> 00:32:31,480
The distribution from Hilly, I think she's going to need to find more avenues from points

545
00:32:31,480 --> 00:32:35,480
as teams kind of settle in and figure out what players tendencies are.

546
00:32:35,480 --> 00:32:38,000
One of the sets was super close and Indy had the lead.

547
00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:41,320
I think they were up 24-22 or something crazy.

548
00:32:41,320 --> 00:32:47,560
And then Sydney Hilly kept feeding the ball to Carly Scott, who was hitting negative and

549
00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:51,680
getting consistently blocked by the setter, De Youngly.

550
00:32:51,680 --> 00:32:52,680
Why?

551
00:32:52,680 --> 00:32:53,680
Why?

552
00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:57,560
You have set point, run your middles who are actually scoring for you.

553
00:32:57,560 --> 00:32:59,160
I'm pretty sure Muller was in.

554
00:32:59,160 --> 00:33:06,000
The decision making to me cost them that set because they had no business losing that.

555
00:33:06,000 --> 00:33:07,200
Well, you're correct.

556
00:33:07,200 --> 00:33:16,880
It was 26-25 for Indy and they set Scott twice and she had two chances to put the set away.

557
00:33:16,880 --> 00:33:22,920
And I think there was an error and like a tip maybe or something like two plays where

558
00:33:22,920 --> 00:33:26,440
she had a good opportunity to finish and she didn't.

559
00:33:26,440 --> 00:33:28,600
And I just didn't think that was the right selection.

560
00:33:28,600 --> 00:33:31,320
You've got two players who had been scoring all match.

561
00:33:31,320 --> 00:33:33,320
Those are the little keys because if you win that set.

562
00:33:33,320 --> 00:33:35,640
Yeah, over to like set member Mena in the back row.

563
00:33:35,640 --> 00:33:36,640
Absolutely.

564
00:33:36,640 --> 00:33:38,060
Like she's dynamic enough.

565
00:33:38,060 --> 00:33:39,060
She jumps well.

566
00:33:39,060 --> 00:33:44,160
She was scoring definitely some questionable decision making, especially at the end of

567
00:33:44,160 --> 00:33:49,460
sets, but also from both setters because at that same time, Lee set the middle instead

568
00:33:49,460 --> 00:33:52,440
of Moore when they were up by one in overtime.

569
00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:57,400
And it's like, I get you want to run the middle, but Moore is literally unconscious.

570
00:33:57,400 --> 00:33:59,200
She's scoring on everything, give her the ball.

571
00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:01,040
That one I can get behind that decision.

572
00:34:01,040 --> 00:34:05,520
I can get behind more than Hilli's decision because you're going to set somebody who came

573
00:34:05,520 --> 00:34:10,480
off the bench, who hasn't really done anything while she's been on the court.

574
00:34:10,480 --> 00:34:15,280
She passed pretty well offensively, but like Lee, I can get behind because you're going

575
00:34:15,280 --> 00:34:21,100
to set your middle who that is a foundational player for you as opposed to somebody who

576
00:34:21,100 --> 00:34:22,400
is their first match.

577
00:34:22,400 --> 00:34:28,240
Granted in that match, Moore played amazing, but I can understand the history of like finishing

578
00:34:28,240 --> 00:34:32,640
matches like let's go to our like veteran star player.

579
00:34:32,640 --> 00:34:37,400
Well, Indy started up seven two in that third set and that lead got away from them.

580
00:34:37,400 --> 00:34:44,840
I will say I didn't think Pittman who's the right side for San Diego did much offensively,

581
00:34:44,840 --> 00:34:51,160
but defensively she blocked really well, especially down the stretch and she served well and she

582
00:34:51,160 --> 00:34:55,160
generated a lot of points from the baseline in terms of putting them in trouble and getting

583
00:34:55,160 --> 00:34:56,160
them going.

584
00:34:56,160 --> 00:34:58,080
So I thought that was big for them as well.

585
00:34:58,080 --> 00:35:01,520
Well that's another like stiffen situation.

586
00:35:01,520 --> 00:35:03,240
Pittman played middle in college.

587
00:35:03,240 --> 00:35:10,020
It's a very different game slowing down your approach having to hit high balls out of system.

588
00:35:10,020 --> 00:35:17,720
So I'm not shocked that she's not an offensive powerhouse quite yet, but yeah, she caused

589
00:35:17,720 --> 00:35:24,200
them problems blocking wise and I think her rotation was the best one for them as a point

590
00:35:24,200 --> 00:35:26,080
scoring rotation when she was serving.

591
00:35:26,080 --> 00:35:27,080
Correct.

592
00:35:27,080 --> 00:35:34,220
The crazy thing for me was Indy actually passed much better than San Diego did statistically,

593
00:35:34,220 --> 00:35:40,380
but Lee found a way to run the middles way more than Sydney Hilly did.

594
00:35:40,380 --> 00:35:44,420
And I don't know if you're just comfortable with players and obviously that middle connection

595
00:35:44,420 --> 00:35:49,320
takes some time to establish or if you know, I haven't watched a ton of Indy games so I

596
00:35:49,320 --> 00:35:53,840
don't know if those players and Teeler and member Mena have just been able to carry them,

597
00:35:53,840 --> 00:35:58,720
but she's going to need to figure out how to get those middles involved more, especially

598
00:35:58,720 --> 00:36:00,240
if they're passing as well as they are.

599
00:36:00,240 --> 00:36:05,240
Well, which is crazy because like San Diego had a double block in front of the outsides

600
00:36:05,240 --> 00:36:10,720
like all the time, I guess because they're like, well, no setting the middle.

601
00:36:10,720 --> 00:36:16,520
Member Mena actually got player of the week or whatever last week, so she has been playing

602
00:36:16,520 --> 00:36:17,520
well.

603
00:36:17,520 --> 00:36:23,280
And I mean, points scoring wise, like 24 points in four sets is really good.

604
00:36:23,280 --> 00:36:29,840
I just think I keep going back to the size thing and it's not that I'm against smaller

605
00:36:29,840 --> 00:36:30,840
players.

606
00:36:30,840 --> 00:36:35,960
It's just, again, the height that you're playing above the net and having like hands in your

607
00:36:35,960 --> 00:36:38,560
face as you're swinging.

608
00:36:38,560 --> 00:36:41,560
I they to make their lives easier.

609
00:36:41,560 --> 00:36:45,000
You've got a five eight outside of five nine right side.

610
00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:51,760
You need to find ways to create some gaps and some space for them.

611
00:36:51,760 --> 00:36:54,080
And how are you going to do that?

612
00:36:54,080 --> 00:36:55,080
Run the middle.

613
00:36:55,080 --> 00:37:00,500
Well, what did you think about the tempo of sets to those two players or in general from

614
00:37:00,500 --> 00:37:02,840
Sydney Hilly to Lee?

615
00:37:02,840 --> 00:37:10,920
I was surprised how slow Sydney Hilly's offense was considering the size of the hitters.

616
00:37:10,920 --> 00:37:14,360
Normally when you have smaller hitters and we talked about this with the BYU men's match

617
00:37:14,360 --> 00:37:21,280
last week, if you have an undersized hitter, you need to speed it up to create movement,

618
00:37:21,280 --> 00:37:26,280
to create those flashes of seams and space to like help them out.

619
00:37:26,280 --> 00:37:31,880
Big players, they can they get that height above the net that they can create those angles.

620
00:37:31,880 --> 00:37:35,020
But yeah, I thought it would be faster than it was.

621
00:37:35,020 --> 00:37:40,440
So that's my number one change or improvement that Indy will have to do.

622
00:37:40,440 --> 00:37:45,560
Because again, I don't know how many of these players coaches have seen.

623
00:37:45,560 --> 00:37:49,680
Coaches have studied how much film there is, you know, so if you're playing well in your

624
00:37:49,680 --> 00:37:53,700
dynamic, you're going to start off strong just because people don't know your tempo.

625
00:37:53,700 --> 00:37:55,560
They don't know your angles.

626
00:37:55,560 --> 00:37:57,400
But Indy's a new team.

627
00:37:57,400 --> 00:37:58,820
Indy's a new team.

628
00:37:58,820 --> 00:38:03,480
So I'm curious, they got it to a hot start, which is always good.

629
00:38:03,480 --> 00:38:09,260
But as the preparation gets better, as the amount of information and your angles becomes

630
00:38:09,260 --> 00:38:12,320
more apparent, how do you make those adjustments?

631
00:38:12,320 --> 00:38:18,720
And I think Sydney Hilly is good enough to run a more complex and a faster offense.

632
00:38:18,720 --> 00:38:23,140
And I'm curious to see if they're able to make that adjustment, because if they don't,

633
00:38:23,140 --> 00:38:25,120
it could be a long rest of the season for them.

634
00:38:25,120 --> 00:38:30,600
Well, in college, she was playing with massive girls, you know, you're playing with Dana

635
00:38:30,600 --> 00:38:35,600
Recky at 6'8", Anna Smreks 6'9", your outsides are 6'4".

636
00:38:35,600 --> 00:38:40,760
It's a different kind of game when you've got players that are that big.

637
00:38:40,760 --> 00:38:42,960
So that adjustment definitely needs to be made.

638
00:38:42,960 --> 00:38:48,240
But I think like even this head to head battle is a case study in this same discussion and

639
00:38:48,240 --> 00:38:50,920
be that Moore is not huge.

640
00:38:50,920 --> 00:38:57,000
Janasia Moore is like six feet tall, but she was given the opportunity to be very effective

641
00:38:57,000 --> 00:38:58,000
offensively.

642
00:38:58,000 --> 00:38:59,000
Why?

643
00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:05,460
Because Indy was so focused on the San Diego middles in Ronika Stone, and it started Lalo

644
00:39:05,460 --> 00:39:07,960
Blackwell, but then switched to Paige.

645
00:39:07,960 --> 00:39:12,900
They were so hyper focused on them because Lee runs them so frequently that it was able

646
00:39:12,900 --> 00:39:15,600
to create those open opportunities.

647
00:39:15,600 --> 00:39:21,880
So I think even when you look at this match, it's the same discussion, but one team executed

648
00:39:21,880 --> 00:39:27,040
it and did what they needed to do as far as the chess match, whereas the other one didn't.

649
00:39:27,040 --> 00:39:31,420
I will say one other point that I love to see and you know, part of this is because

650
00:39:31,420 --> 00:39:37,780
we lived in Korea and saw the volleyball there for two years, but Lee's competitive spirit

651
00:39:37,780 --> 00:39:44,200
as that match went on her, her fire when she would get a block or her teams would score

652
00:39:44,200 --> 00:39:48,640
points, I thought she was a true leader on the court.

653
00:39:48,640 --> 00:39:50,760
And that transcends language barriers.

654
00:39:50,760 --> 00:39:51,760
A hundred percent.

655
00:39:51,760 --> 00:39:54,720
It's like you can tell like I'm here to win.

656
00:39:54,720 --> 00:39:59,240
I thought that was really great to see because you don't our experience in Korea, in my opinion

657
00:39:59,240 --> 00:40:06,440
was very there is it's not docile, but there's a very big component of respect.

658
00:40:06,440 --> 00:40:10,840
And sometimes that comes across as being meek.

659
00:40:10,840 --> 00:40:14,440
And that's not the case when you get to know the girls off the court, but to see her be

660
00:40:14,440 --> 00:40:19,320
able to let her competitive spirit shine through and just be a part of that.

661
00:40:19,320 --> 00:40:24,140
It was really great to see given our experience of being there full of surprises this week.

662
00:40:24,140 --> 00:40:28,920
Everything we think we know is going to happen did not happen, which I think makes it kind

663
00:40:28,920 --> 00:40:29,920
of exciting.

664
00:40:29,920 --> 00:40:34,520
We'll see if Indy is able to bounce back, make some adjustments this coming week in

665
00:40:34,520 --> 00:40:35,520
San Diego.

666
00:40:35,520 --> 00:40:36,520
Let's see.

667
00:40:36,520 --> 00:40:40,420
Hopefully they're able to continue rolling because because that was a lot of fun to watch.

668
00:40:40,420 --> 00:40:43,280
It's now time for my favorite segment of the show.

669
00:40:43,280 --> 00:40:46,680
We're going to play a new game called levels of concern.

670
00:40:46,680 --> 00:40:50,200
You just had to check what it's called.

671
00:40:50,200 --> 00:40:51,800
So my worst skill is naming things.

672
00:40:51,800 --> 00:40:54,640
I can come up with a concept, but the naming things is always tough.

673
00:40:54,640 --> 00:40:57,280
So we're going to go, we're going to call it level of concern.

674
00:40:57,280 --> 00:41:01,560
So what's going to happen is I'm going to put you into the role of a team, a player.

675
00:41:01,560 --> 00:41:08,780
I'm going to give you a scenario and you are going to tell me what your level of concern

676
00:41:08,780 --> 00:41:10,320
is in that situation.

677
00:41:10,320 --> 00:41:12,080
So there are five options.

678
00:41:12,080 --> 00:41:15,640
So your first level of concern is you're not very concerned.

679
00:41:15,640 --> 00:41:20,840
It's the equivalent of losing an assistant coach to be a head coach at another program.

680
00:41:20,840 --> 00:41:22,080
Not really a huge deal.

681
00:41:22,080 --> 00:41:23,080
Wow.

682
00:41:23,080 --> 00:41:24,080
Adam is harsh.

683
00:41:24,080 --> 00:41:25,880
He's like, I don't care about you.

684
00:41:25,880 --> 00:41:30,940
Your second level of concern is losing a top recruit to a rival.

685
00:41:30,940 --> 00:41:34,560
Not ideal, but it's not going to sink your program.

686
00:41:34,560 --> 00:41:40,140
Your third level of concern is being in a five match losing streak.

687
00:41:40,140 --> 00:41:46,080
The next one is a Pittsburgh losing Tori Stafford to Texas level of concern.

688
00:41:46,080 --> 00:41:52,680
So we are, well, it's, it's very high, but it's not as high as this Nebraska having a

689
00:41:52,680 --> 00:41:53,960
losing preseason.

690
00:41:53,960 --> 00:41:55,320
That is your highest level.

691
00:41:55,320 --> 00:41:56,320
Yeah.

692
00:41:56,320 --> 00:41:57,320
A losing preseason.

693
00:41:57,320 --> 00:41:58,920
That's, that's the biggest part of this.

694
00:41:58,920 --> 00:42:00,200
One of the biggest parts of the season.

695
00:42:00,200 --> 00:42:05,400
If you were to go into conference play, having a losing record, Nebraska having a losing

696
00:42:05,400 --> 00:42:06,400
season.

697
00:42:06,400 --> 00:42:07,400
Okay.

698
00:42:07,400 --> 00:42:08,400
All right.

699
00:42:08,400 --> 00:42:09,400
We'll go, we'll go the nuclear option.

700
00:42:09,400 --> 00:42:11,000
Nebraska having a losing season.

701
00:42:11,000 --> 00:42:14,480
That is the highest level of concern that there is in volleyball.

702
00:42:14,480 --> 00:42:15,480
Okay.

703
00:42:15,480 --> 00:42:18,640
So here, here are the questions and we can both answer these.

704
00:42:18,640 --> 00:42:19,640
I think it'll be fun.

705
00:42:19,640 --> 00:42:23,240
So your first question, you are Lexi Rodriguez.

706
00:42:23,240 --> 00:42:28,240
How concerned are you that you are not going to play all season?

707
00:42:28,240 --> 00:42:29,240
Hold on.

708
00:42:29,240 --> 00:42:31,240
I'm looking at the concern options.

709
00:42:31,240 --> 00:42:38,180
If I'm her, I'm in my first year of pro literally weeks after I ended my college season and

710
00:42:38,180 --> 00:42:41,440
I'm playing behind one of the best liberos in the world.

711
00:42:41,440 --> 00:42:47,360
I would say losing an assistant coach to be the head coach level one concern.

712
00:42:47,360 --> 00:42:50,780
And honestly looking at her face during the matches, she's chilling.

713
00:42:50,780 --> 00:42:51,880
She is chilling.

714
00:42:51,880 --> 00:42:54,480
Just chatting with everybody on the bench dancing.

715
00:42:54,480 --> 00:42:57,040
I'm like, this girl does not seem concerned at all.

716
00:42:57,040 --> 00:42:58,040
So I'm a little higher than you.

717
00:42:58,040 --> 00:43:01,360
I'm being in a five match losing streak.

718
00:43:01,360 --> 00:43:03,840
I'm all for earning your spot.

719
00:43:03,840 --> 00:43:10,520
And like my thing is you chose to go to a place where you knew that Justine was playing.

720
00:43:10,520 --> 00:43:12,480
Like you had to know the writing was on the wall.

721
00:43:12,480 --> 00:43:17,040
Did you think like as a fresh out of college kid, you're just going to walk in and beat

722
00:43:17,040 --> 00:43:18,040
her out?

723
00:43:18,040 --> 00:43:19,040
Come on.

724
00:43:19,040 --> 00:43:20,040
I personally think great.

725
00:43:20,040 --> 00:43:24,720
You can learn from the current us national team libero, but you're a competitor.

726
00:43:24,720 --> 00:43:26,720
You just beat her record.

727
00:43:26,720 --> 00:43:28,480
You want to be on the floor.

728
00:43:28,480 --> 00:43:29,480
You're competitive.

729
00:43:29,480 --> 00:43:33,800
If I'm her, I'm thinking about being on the 20, 28 roster and I need to play to do that

730
00:43:33,800 --> 00:43:34,800
again.

731
00:43:34,800 --> 00:43:37,400
How long is Justine going to be there in front of you?

732
00:43:37,400 --> 00:43:42,960
If you don't get a chance to play at all to prove how good you are, I'm concerned if I'm

733
00:43:42,960 --> 00:43:43,960
Lexi Rodriguez.

734
00:43:43,960 --> 00:43:46,000
My thing is you should have picked another team.

735
00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:47,960
Well, but this is the situation she's in.

736
00:43:47,960 --> 00:43:49,920
I'm more concerned than you are.

737
00:43:49,920 --> 00:43:56,340
Question two, you are Salt Lake City management.

738
00:43:56,340 --> 00:44:02,120
How concerned are you that Haley Washington is not going to be available for you for most

739
00:44:02,120 --> 00:44:03,120
of the season?

740
00:44:03,120 --> 00:44:07,480
I don't know if I'm being over dramatic, but I'm like losing Tori Stafford level of concern.

741
00:44:07,480 --> 00:44:09,800
Do you want me to finish before you tell me?

742
00:44:09,800 --> 00:44:10,800
Go ahead.

743
00:44:10,800 --> 00:44:13,040
Well, A, she's a founding athlete of love.

744
00:44:13,040 --> 00:44:16,720
B, she's been a starter on the US national team.

745
00:44:16,720 --> 00:44:18,860
So she's very good.

746
00:44:18,860 --> 00:44:26,800
So from an optics perspective for the brand, from a skill perspective for Salt Lake, I

747
00:44:26,800 --> 00:44:29,360
mean, you want to be winning matches.

748
00:44:29,360 --> 00:44:34,280
And if she, if she's your best middle, which I believe she is like, how long are you going

749
00:44:34,280 --> 00:44:35,400
to be out here?

750
00:44:35,400 --> 00:44:37,480
Like the clock's ticking.

751
00:44:37,480 --> 00:44:44,000
I am also losing Tori Stafford on this because you know, everything that I kind of had a

752
00:44:44,000 --> 00:44:47,820
vibe about was that she was going to start the second match.

753
00:44:47,820 --> 00:44:55,080
Like she was close to coming back and no offense to Dixon, but the upgrade from Dixon to Washington

754
00:44:55,080 --> 00:45:00,200
Do you think they would actually replace Dixon or do you think that they would replace the

755
00:45:00,200 --> 00:45:01,200
other one?

756
00:45:01,200 --> 00:45:04,520
Cause right now it's alternating between Serena Gray and Sophie Fisher.

757
00:45:04,520 --> 00:45:08,640
I personally think that they should replace Dixon, but I don't know if that's the direction

758
00:45:08,640 --> 00:45:09,760
they would go.

759
00:45:09,760 --> 00:45:14,680
I think longterm it's got to be Dixon and she's done a great job coming in, but regardless,

760
00:45:14,680 --> 00:45:19,120
if she comes on the floor, you are way better with her.

761
00:45:19,120 --> 00:45:22,960
And the fact that it hasn't happened yet, I don't know if there's been a setback or

762
00:45:22,960 --> 00:45:26,080
where she's coming from a recovery standpoint.

763
00:45:26,080 --> 00:45:31,920
I think she's a fundamental piece for your team and I am wanting her back greatly and

764
00:45:31,920 --> 00:45:33,020
right now.

765
00:45:33,020 --> 00:45:35,240
You are the commissioner of the PVF.

766
00:45:35,240 --> 00:45:43,040
How concerned are you that your expansion team is winning the league in season two?

767
00:45:43,040 --> 00:45:46,720
Losing my assistant coach to another program level of concern.

768
00:45:46,720 --> 00:45:47,720
Is it a big deal?

769
00:45:47,720 --> 00:45:49,120
Like, does it matter?

770
00:45:49,120 --> 00:45:51,240
You've added a team, they're doing well.

771
00:45:51,240 --> 00:45:55,280
Don't you want your expansion teams to do well to prove that the investment was worth

772
00:45:55,280 --> 00:45:56,280
it?

773
00:45:56,280 --> 00:46:00,440
Not to mention if they're doing well, then that's another market that can like grow interest

774
00:46:00,440 --> 00:46:01,440
in the game.

775
00:46:01,440 --> 00:46:02,440
Yeah.

776
00:46:02,440 --> 00:46:04,360
I'm like, I don't care at all.

777
00:46:04,360 --> 00:46:05,360
I would agree with you.

778
00:46:05,360 --> 00:46:06,960
I'm losing an assistant coach to that one as well.

779
00:46:06,960 --> 00:46:13,600
I think especially in a market in a league that's so new, you still want to attract new

780
00:46:13,600 --> 00:46:17,920
franchises and the ability to be successful I think goes a long way with that.

781
00:46:17,920 --> 00:46:22,760
And you're going to have more competition next year for teams and locations.

782
00:46:22,760 --> 00:46:24,640
I definitely think that's a positive as well.

783
00:46:24,640 --> 00:46:27,400
And our final question for level of concern.

784
00:46:27,400 --> 00:46:29,040
You are Eric Sullivan.

785
00:46:29,040 --> 00:46:37,680
What is your level of concern that your US players staying and playing in the US hampers

786
00:46:37,680 --> 00:46:43,720
your ability to have internationally ready players for the 2028 Olympics?

787
00:46:43,720 --> 00:46:51,080
I'm probably lose a top recruit level of concern because the players that you're seeing play

788
00:46:51,080 --> 00:46:59,160
in the US are either fresh, fresh out of college little babies, or they are on the tail end

789
00:46:59,160 --> 00:47:05,200
of their career and have done the overseas dance for long enough.

790
00:47:05,200 --> 00:47:11,680
I think the ones who are in the meat of their career, they're still staying overseas.

791
00:47:11,680 --> 00:47:17,400
So it's the transitionary athletes, the ones who are either entering their national team

792
00:47:17,400 --> 00:47:20,760
years or on the way out that are playing in the US.

793
00:47:20,760 --> 00:47:26,440
So I'm like, maybe the ones that you were looking at bringing in immediately, you're

794
00:47:26,440 --> 00:47:28,480
like, is this the best?

795
00:47:28,480 --> 00:47:34,840
But I think the ones who are going to be the biggest difference makers in LA are getting

796
00:47:34,840 --> 00:47:36,160
that competition they need.

797
00:47:36,160 --> 00:47:37,520
I'm a little higher with this.

798
00:47:37,520 --> 00:47:39,560
I think I'm losing Torrie Stafford.

799
00:47:39,560 --> 00:47:40,560
Wow.

800
00:47:40,560 --> 00:47:44,800
I think the leagues in the US are great for the sport in general.

801
00:47:44,800 --> 00:47:49,760
I think you're going to see more and more kids playing and being connected with that.

802
00:47:49,760 --> 00:47:53,440
I look at a Madison Skinner as an example.

803
00:47:53,440 --> 00:47:59,520
So there's somebody who could potentially be your opposite in 2028 and she's playing

804
00:47:59,520 --> 00:48:06,160
here in the US and her specifically playing overseas against bigger blocks in different

805
00:48:06,160 --> 00:48:13,080
systems and part of that for me is being uncomfortable, living overseas, leaving the US, understanding

806
00:48:13,080 --> 00:48:15,600
what that international game looks like.

807
00:48:15,600 --> 00:48:20,920
I think that's valuable experience in playing while uncomfortable.

808
00:48:20,920 --> 00:48:23,940
And I think for most players, it doesn't matter.

809
00:48:23,940 --> 00:48:28,560
But if you have your eyes on two or three players who are coming out of college this

810
00:48:28,560 --> 00:48:32,920
year or next year, you can't replace those four years of experience.

811
00:48:32,920 --> 00:48:38,900
And again, long term, I think you're so excited, but for 2028, I think there are some key players

812
00:48:38,900 --> 00:48:42,200
that you wish would be overseas playing in Italy or Turkey.

813
00:48:42,200 --> 00:48:45,200
So that wraps up our level of concern game.

814
00:48:45,200 --> 00:48:46,200
I kind of had fun with that.

815
00:48:46,200 --> 00:48:47,200
I'm not sure.

816
00:48:47,200 --> 00:48:48,200
I like that one.

817
00:48:48,200 --> 00:48:49,200
I'm not to the roster.

818
00:48:49,200 --> 00:48:50,200
So we're going to have to throw that into the rotation.

819
00:48:50,200 --> 00:48:57,200
And again, anybody has any questions or thoughts about anything that we can throw into a game?

820
00:48:57,200 --> 00:48:59,240
Toss them up on YouTube or on Instagram.

821
00:48:59,240 --> 00:49:03,160
I'm always looking for more ideas and we love the participation.

822
00:49:03,160 --> 00:49:06,720
All right, we have a few listener questions this week.

823
00:49:06,720 --> 00:49:13,520
So our first one is how much do you think love slash PVF will prepare or impact potential

824
00:49:13,520 --> 00:49:17,040
national team athletes for the 2028 Olympics?

825
00:49:17,040 --> 00:49:20,320
Is it better if they were to play overseas in Italy or Turkey?

826
00:49:20,320 --> 00:49:22,460
We kind of just touched on this.

827
00:49:22,460 --> 00:49:25,520
So I don't know if you want to go into it again.

828
00:49:25,520 --> 00:49:31,960
Again, I just really quickly, I think that being in an uncomfortable situation of leaving

829
00:49:31,960 --> 00:49:37,200
the US and understanding what other players do, what other systems look like, how other

830
00:49:37,200 --> 00:49:41,520
setters and liberals function, like all of that gives you information that helps you

831
00:49:41,520 --> 00:49:44,520
prepare for that international season.

832
00:49:44,520 --> 00:49:50,700
And so I don't think it applies generally, but I think it does apply to three or four

833
00:49:50,700 --> 00:49:52,760
athletes that they might have their eyes on.

834
00:49:52,760 --> 00:49:55,720
And like not every league is as good as Italy or Turkey.

835
00:49:55,720 --> 00:50:01,600
So if they could get contracts in those leagues and play against that kind of talent night

836
00:50:01,600 --> 00:50:07,560
in and night out and train against that every single day, like I know for me, I signed in

837
00:50:07,560 --> 00:50:14,300
Brazil like the year they won the gold medal in the Olympics and I was playing with gold

838
00:50:14,300 --> 00:50:17,200
medalists every single day at practice.

839
00:50:17,200 --> 00:50:23,400
And that inherently made me so much better because the level that I was exposed to day

840
00:50:23,400 --> 00:50:27,140
in and day out was Olympic gold medal level.

841
00:50:27,140 --> 00:50:28,800
So there is something to be said.

842
00:50:28,800 --> 00:50:30,840
I think adaptability is huge.

843
00:50:30,840 --> 00:50:36,140
I think getting out of your comfort zone is huge because you don't accomplish great things

844
00:50:36,140 --> 00:50:37,360
by staying comfortable.

845
00:50:37,360 --> 00:50:38,840
Let me tell you, I would agree.

846
00:50:38,840 --> 00:50:41,400
It would be, it's scary.

847
00:50:41,400 --> 00:50:45,000
It is uncomfortable, but I think the payoff could be huge.

848
00:50:45,000 --> 00:50:49,720
Question two is will Omaha ever play Lexi Rodriguez?

849
00:50:49,720 --> 00:50:50,720
No.

850
00:50:50,720 --> 00:50:56,560
I mean, she's in a really tough spot because they run the six two, so they use all of their

851
00:50:56,560 --> 00:50:57,560
subs.

852
00:50:57,560 --> 00:51:00,160
So she's not even coming in as a serving sub.

853
00:51:00,160 --> 00:51:07,160
And unless Justine gets hurt, you're not going to see the floor because she is the best period.

854
00:51:07,160 --> 00:51:08,160
You're not playing.

855
00:51:08,160 --> 00:51:12,000
If your priority was to get on the court, you should have gone somewhere else.

856
00:51:12,000 --> 00:51:15,120
And I keep going back to that, I spoke about it earlier.

857
00:51:15,120 --> 00:51:18,320
What possessed you to sign with a team?

858
00:51:18,320 --> 00:51:20,520
One of love's strengths are their liberos.

859
00:51:20,520 --> 00:51:23,240
Where do I think that Lexi could play?

860
00:51:23,240 --> 00:51:25,480
I think she could play for Houston.

861
00:51:25,480 --> 00:51:31,560
I think she could play for Atlanta and potentially Madison.

862
00:51:31,560 --> 00:51:34,220
Other than that, it'd be tough.

863
00:51:34,220 --> 00:51:38,880
So I'm curious, you know, if the league is looking ahead, because we actually don't know

864
00:51:38,880 --> 00:51:43,440
how the players signed, if they get assigned to teams, what that process is like.

865
00:51:43,440 --> 00:51:45,740
It's very much hidden behind the veil.

866
00:51:45,740 --> 00:51:49,100
They might want her there and go, hey, you're going to sign an eight year deal.

867
00:51:49,100 --> 00:51:50,520
You're going to sit behind.

868
00:51:50,520 --> 00:51:55,000
If you're if you're thinking about going pro, you guys, let me tell you right now.

869
00:51:55,000 --> 00:51:56,800
Don't sign an eight year deal.

870
00:51:56,800 --> 00:52:02,360
Well, but I'm just saying it Lexi in Omaha draws a crowd.

871
00:52:02,360 --> 00:52:03,360
Right.

872
00:52:03,360 --> 00:52:04,660
Her being there makes sense.

873
00:52:04,660 --> 00:52:06,040
How long is Justine going to play?

874
00:52:06,040 --> 00:52:07,600
Is she going for another Olympics?

875
00:52:07,600 --> 00:52:11,400
Like we don't know any of those questions, but we'll we'll see.

876
00:52:11,400 --> 00:52:13,820
But as of right now, she's not playing.

877
00:52:13,820 --> 00:52:18,580
Question three is what does it mean to have a disciplined block?

878
00:52:18,580 --> 00:52:20,880
I love this question.

879
00:52:20,880 --> 00:52:26,680
And specifically, this listener was referring to announcers who always go, oh, what a discipline

880
00:52:26,680 --> 00:52:28,200
block like that was really good.

881
00:52:28,200 --> 00:52:30,840
And just wondering what the criteria for that is.

882
00:52:30,840 --> 00:52:35,560
Now, I will say most of the announcers or a lot of the announcers use this in an incorrect

883
00:52:35,560 --> 00:52:37,640
way, in my opinion.

884
00:52:37,640 --> 00:52:39,960
But what does a discipline block look like for you?

885
00:52:39,960 --> 00:52:41,400
And then I can give you my answer.

886
00:52:41,400 --> 00:52:43,960
I guess for me, you and I are kind of talking about this.

887
00:52:43,960 --> 00:52:46,760
I think my definition is a little more basic.

888
00:52:46,760 --> 00:52:54,340
For me, it means getting set and taking your space without reaching.

889
00:52:54,340 --> 00:52:59,560
So even if you're a middle blocker and you know you're not going to close the block instead

890
00:52:59,560 --> 00:53:05,240
of just jumping sideways and throwing your hands sideways, like stopping where you are

891
00:53:05,240 --> 00:53:13,980
and taking the space that you can in order to give a clear direction to your defense.

892
00:53:13,980 --> 00:53:19,840
If hands are moving everywhere and bodies are flying sideways, it's very hard for a

893
00:53:19,840 --> 00:53:21,400
defense to get set up.

894
00:53:21,400 --> 00:53:27,140
So for me, it is like getting set and just taking solid space wherever you are.

895
00:53:27,140 --> 00:53:28,140
I like the definition.

896
00:53:28,140 --> 00:53:35,760
I'll go on to say part of being in a discipline block is getting your assignment.

897
00:53:35,760 --> 00:53:37,600
And we don't always know what those assignments are.

898
00:53:37,600 --> 00:53:42,660
But if you're supposed to take the line in this situation, it allows the three players

899
00:53:42,660 --> 00:53:44,780
behind you to do their job.

900
00:53:44,780 --> 00:53:48,740
If the block is not correct, the defenders are guessing on where to be.

901
00:53:48,740 --> 00:53:51,320
So first and foremost would be doing your job.

902
00:53:51,320 --> 00:53:56,160
And then let's say some of the common errors I see when it comes to a discipline block

903
00:53:56,160 --> 00:53:59,300
are outside hitters drifting when they close.

904
00:53:59,300 --> 00:54:01,880
So it opens up a scene between their middle block.

905
00:54:01,880 --> 00:54:04,560
That's one you mentioned hands reaching.

906
00:54:04,560 --> 00:54:08,940
And again, you're creating different scenes and areas for the hitters to use you.

907
00:54:08,940 --> 00:54:14,000
And then the last one would be if the block is very high and not over the net, you open

908
00:54:14,000 --> 00:54:15,820
up that space below you.

909
00:54:15,820 --> 00:54:20,640
You want to be over versus up, which you sometimes see as well.

910
00:54:20,640 --> 00:54:26,400
And our final listener question of the week is, do you think top USA players like Plummer

911
00:54:26,400 --> 00:54:28,840
and Skinner will join love soon?

912
00:54:28,840 --> 00:54:29,840
I don't.

913
00:54:29,840 --> 00:54:32,240
I think they're making more money overseas.

914
00:54:32,240 --> 00:54:38,900
I think that they both of those players specifically will be key in the 2028 Olympics, I believe.

915
00:54:38,900 --> 00:54:45,720
And the level of competition, training, the thing about being overseas that listeners

916
00:54:45,720 --> 00:54:52,080
may or may not know is you're playing in your league, which is stronger top to bottom, I

917
00:54:52,080 --> 00:54:53,080
would say.

918
00:54:53,080 --> 00:54:55,280
But you're also competing in Champions League.

919
00:54:55,280 --> 00:55:00,240
So you're seeing all of the best players and that is from different countries.

920
00:55:00,240 --> 00:55:02,880
You're in a tournament style, single elimination.

921
00:55:02,880 --> 00:55:06,620
There's an incredible amount of pressure to perform in those matches.

922
00:55:06,620 --> 00:55:10,000
You have to train with the best to be the best, in my opinion.

923
00:55:10,000 --> 00:55:16,160
And players who have aspirations of starting on the national team for 2028 will continue

924
00:55:16,160 --> 00:55:24,080
to be overseas, in my opinion, until the US leagues can bring in top outsides, opposites

925
00:55:24,080 --> 00:55:25,220
and middles.

926
00:55:25,220 --> 00:55:26,220
That will be the case.

927
00:55:26,220 --> 00:55:27,220
I agree.

928
00:55:27,220 --> 00:55:30,160
I think their earning potential overseas is much higher.

929
00:55:30,160 --> 00:55:35,660
Again, we don't know what the love compensation structure looks like.

930
00:55:35,660 --> 00:55:39,040
So if anybody knows, let us know, please.

931
00:55:39,040 --> 00:55:43,740
But I just I think that their earning potential is too high and everything that Adam alluded

932
00:55:43,740 --> 00:55:45,560
to aside from money.

933
00:55:45,560 --> 00:55:50,440
Like you're not seeing that in love right now.

934
00:55:50,440 --> 00:55:54,600
Training with and against the best every single day and then competing against the best in

935
00:55:54,600 --> 00:55:59,120
different forums, like Champions League, like the league, like the cup.

936
00:55:59,120 --> 00:56:01,840
No, it's it's not a comparison.

937
00:56:01,840 --> 00:56:04,240
Not to mention the season is nine months long.

938
00:56:04,240 --> 00:56:08,440
So you're getting that much more good training as opposed to love where they start their

939
00:56:08,440 --> 00:56:10,960
preseason training in like November.

940
00:56:10,960 --> 00:56:12,480
It's you can't compare it.

941
00:56:12,480 --> 00:56:13,480
All right.

942
00:56:13,480 --> 00:56:15,560
So let's let's look forward to this week.

943
00:56:15,560 --> 00:56:18,280
We'll talk about some of the matches.

944
00:56:18,280 --> 00:56:21,320
One of the requests we had and it can be a little confusing.

945
00:56:21,320 --> 00:56:22,840
Where can we watch these matches?

946
00:56:22,840 --> 00:56:24,040
Where are where can they be found?

947
00:56:24,040 --> 00:56:28,000
So let's go over the matches we're going to watch this week and where we can do that.

948
00:56:28,000 --> 00:56:33,220
So on Wednesday, we have our love head to head match, which is going to feature Houston

949
00:56:33,220 --> 00:56:34,880
and Madison.

950
00:56:34,880 --> 00:56:40,000
So two teams that are sitting at the bottom of the standings currently.

951
00:56:40,000 --> 00:56:43,360
So we'll see who comes out on top for that one.

952
00:56:43,360 --> 00:56:47,800
That's going to be at eight o'clock Eastern on Love Live.

953
00:56:47,800 --> 00:56:50,120
We're not huge fans of Love Live.

954
00:56:50,120 --> 00:56:53,440
We had a bad experience trying to watch the feature match this week.

955
00:56:53,440 --> 00:56:55,240
The screen was black a lot.

956
00:56:55,240 --> 00:56:56,240
Yeah.

957
00:56:56,240 --> 00:56:57,240
Just voices.

958
00:56:57,240 --> 00:56:59,360
So hopefully I don't know if anyone else had that experience.

959
00:56:59,360 --> 00:57:04,800
I'd be curious to know if that was our Internet or the feed in general.

960
00:57:04,800 --> 00:57:08,120
The the announcers, we could still hear them talking completely fine.

961
00:57:08,120 --> 00:57:09,680
But the screen was just black.

962
00:57:09,680 --> 00:57:10,680
I don't know.

963
00:57:10,680 --> 00:57:11,680
It was really.

964
00:57:11,680 --> 00:57:12,680
Let us know if you had trouble with that.

965
00:57:12,680 --> 00:57:18,280
Following up the feature match, the weekend with love will be hosted in Atlanta this week.

966
00:57:18,280 --> 00:57:23,280
Matches on Friday will be on ESPN plus and then the Saturday matches will be on Love

967
00:57:23,280 --> 00:57:24,280
Live.

968
00:57:24,280 --> 00:57:28,880
There are a ton of really good men's matches this week.

969
00:57:28,880 --> 00:57:32,260
I'm really hoping the feedback comes back that they want us to analyze some of them

970
00:57:32,260 --> 00:57:34,120
because I would love to watch.

971
00:57:34,120 --> 00:57:35,880
This week is going to be good.

972
00:57:35,880 --> 00:57:43,360
You have USC, UCLA, Ohio State, Penn State, who needs a win.

973
00:57:43,360 --> 00:57:49,040
They're all playing in Columbus this weekend, Thursday to Saturday.

974
00:57:49,040 --> 00:57:53,680
Hawaii and BYU have back to back matches Friday and Saturday.

975
00:57:53,680 --> 00:57:55,480
That will also be very good.

976
00:57:55,480 --> 00:57:59,560
And UC Irvine and Stanford are also playing.

977
00:57:59,560 --> 00:58:04,000
All of those men's matches will be on Big Ten Plus.

978
00:58:04,000 --> 00:58:09,800
I hope you guys have Big Ten Plus or wait for the match to end and watch it on YouTube.

979
00:58:09,800 --> 00:58:11,760
But you didn't hear that from me.

980
00:58:11,760 --> 00:58:12,760
All right.

981
00:58:12,760 --> 00:58:14,480
Let's look at PVF now.

982
00:58:14,480 --> 00:58:16,760
So the Thursday match is at 10 o'clock Eastern.

983
00:58:16,760 --> 00:58:20,000
Atlanta Vibe will play the San Diego Mojo.

984
00:58:20,000 --> 00:58:23,160
We'll see if they can keep rolling and build on their win over Indy.

985
00:58:23,160 --> 00:58:28,520
On Friday, also at 10 p.m. Eastern, the Indy Ignite will play Vegas Thrill.

986
00:58:28,520 --> 00:58:32,080
Indy looking to right the ship and continue to stay at the top of the league.

987
00:58:32,080 --> 00:58:37,620
Those matches will both be on the YouTube PVF channel.

988
00:58:37,620 --> 00:58:40,480
That concludes this week's episode of Volley Talk.

989
00:58:40,480 --> 00:58:44,800
There's always something shaking in the volleyball world, and we hope you enjoyed this little

990
00:58:44,800 --> 00:58:45,800
fix.

991
00:58:45,800 --> 00:58:48,160
Be sure to follow the show so you don't miss any updates.

992
00:58:48,160 --> 00:58:52,040
And we'd be so grateful if you'd leave us a five star review.

993
00:58:52,040 --> 00:58:57,040
You can also find us on Instagram at Volley Talk underscore podcast.

994
00:58:57,040 --> 00:59:01,800
If you have a topic that you want us to discuss, be sure to let us know by reaching out on

995
00:59:01,800 --> 00:59:05,780
Instagram or at info at Sarah pavin dot com.

996
00:59:05,780 --> 00:59:32,120
Thanks so much for joining us and we'll be back next week.