Hawaii vs. USC in Minneapolis

1. Nebraska
2. Minnesota.

3. Wisconsin
4. Texas


COMMENTS

  1. jmy November 27, 2016 4:13 pm

    …and the NCAA’s love affair with UNI continues…


  2. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 4:15 pm

    5. Kansas. 6. Stanford. 7. North Carolina. 8. Washington
    9. Michigan St. 10. UCLA. 11. Florida. 12. Michigan
    13. BYU. 14. Kansas State. 15. Missouri. 16. Penn State
    Volleyball mag had Hawaii vs. Baylor playing at Stanford subregional.


  3. 808wahine November 27, 2016 4:16 pm

    I can’t believe that Penn State is seeded! So unfair.


  4. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 4:23 pm

    Hawaii vs. USC in Minneapolis Friday


  5. jmy November 27, 2016 4:23 pm

    …and UH gets probably the worst draw of the tournament…again…playing USC in the first round?


  6. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:24 pm

    Wow, UH is 31st rated team, so they play Minnesota assuming they get by USC?


  7. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:24 pm

    USC is having a down year…not too worried about that match


  8. Ki November 27, 2016 4:24 pm

    Did I read that right? Hawaii vs. USC in the 1st round?


  9. jmy November 27, 2016 4:26 pm

    Hard to understand how Purdue made it in…


  10. Cubicle1126 November 27, 2016 4:28 pm

    wow brutal …


  11. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:28 pm

    Here’s the good news…if UH gets out of the subregional, they are really well set up to get to the final four. And UH has the revenge factor…of course, beat USC first, but that team isn’t as good as UH.


  12. jmy November 27, 2016 4:29 pm

    10. That’s a really big “IF”…


  13. Bleachercoach November 27, 2016 4:30 pm

    I think it’s GREAT…No cupcakes early…Let’s SWEEP U.S.C..which we IMO we could…then face IMHO the BEST TEAM in the country now, Minnesota!
    Let’s beat the Best Now and let’s pay them back for last year…Should be a tough one, when we advance….but a chance to beat #2 Seed Early….I am sure Minnesota doesn’t want to face us….They have not seen Iosia and another BIG outside, Annie “over the top” Mitchem.


  14. Ron November 27, 2016 4:30 pm

    Having to play Minn. at Minn. in the first round is a cruel joke. Big surprise. Hawaii is being treated as an after thought. I hope this lack of respect motivates the Wahine!


  15. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:30 pm

    ESPN is going to talk to a committee member shortly…expect the same obfuscation about how the bracket was put together as we have heard in years past. No specifics, just that they followed the criteria…


  16. T103 November 27, 2016 4:30 pm

    How in the world did we get sent there?!?! And how did w get in minnesota’s bracket ?!?!


  17. Bozo November 27, 2016 4:33 pm

    Oh my…. even if we get by USC, this is an even better Gopher team that kicked us out of the final four last year.
    They just beat Nebraska and Wisconsin this past week. Lets hope everyone underestimates us.


  18. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:33 pm

    For all the posts recently about how good UH is and how it can get to the final four, I have to say I’m surprised by the seeming lack of confidence folks have in UH’s ability to win the subregional. This is the same UH team that was down 2 1/2 starters in losing to Wisconsin, the third seed, in four games. Come on everyone, have faith.


  19. warriorfan November 27, 2016 4:34 pm

    It’s weird I figured we would get Missouri in the second round and Minnesota in the sweet sixteen but its been switched.

    USC is no pushover but we should prevail.

    We can beat Minny, they have been on a high the past few weeks and are due for a big let down. I saw it when they squeaked by Wisconsin at home.

    I am just curious when we beat Minny, UNC can not host the regional , so who would host?? UCLA if San diego takes them down? Then Missouri??


  20. greenthumb November 27, 2016 4:36 pm

    Well, that is a pretty incredible draw, and not in a good way.


  21. warriorfan November 27, 2016 4:38 pm

    19. It’s not that bad when you see that the second round match up would be harder than sweet sixteen and elite 8. UH can beat minnesota, remember Granato played well against them last year, as did Nikki, the only reason they beat us was Santana who is gone.


  22. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:38 pm

    15. 0-4 vs. top 25 RPI, 2-4 vs. top 50, weak big west. Assuming a final adjusted RPI of 23, the committee probably said UH’s resume was weak, and dropped them seemingly to a 31 rating as they are in the #2 subregional. Injuries didn’t matter, 10 game winning streak didn’t matter.


  23. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:40 pm

    20. More importantly, our starting lefts played poorly last year, and middles and right hit in the .200s. This year, we have a good left and right attack. I like our chances.


  24. Ron November 27, 2016 4:41 pm

    You have made a good point BC, we won’t be road weary . USC has some really good players but we are better. Minn. appears to be similar to us. Good Coach, tall over the top type hitters, scrappy defense, and good blocking.


  25. Enjoy the game November 27, 2016 4:41 pm

    Long time reader first time post..agree with mav..usc should be a good warm up…and then play minn…would rather play them early then latter when tired…is uh team better then last year, yes and minn should be very nervous the pressure is on them ..have to beat somebody to get to final 4…..


  26. greenthumb November 27, 2016 4:43 pm

    20, see that’s my thought exactly. We are pitted against the #2 awfully early. So the later ones are a reward for surviving#2 second? (Not looking past USC.)


  27. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:43 pm

    Here’s another thought…if you think UH is a final four caliber team, UH would have to beat Minny at some point to get there. Just have to do it earlier. Also, UH is peaking and should be healthy. And UH has the motivation.


  28. Bozo November 27, 2016 4:44 pm

    22. on second thought… I agree with the up-side of our pins and middle. I think the defense with the insertion of smith and consistency in our serving will help us. I will say having seen the Gophers beat both Nebraska and Wisconsin in their last two games. This is a team that doesn’t give up.


  29. Ron November 27, 2016 4:45 pm

    Maverick, you have made me feel better about our prospects already. Thanks


  30. Cubicle1126 November 27, 2016 4:47 pm

    well it is what it is … time for hawaii to get to work and to prove whether they’re a FF caliber team … that test will come as early as the 2nd round, if they can get past a much improved usc team …

    very tough opening round for hawaii, and it gets remarkably tougher in the 2nd round …

    go bows!


  31. HawaiiMongoose November 27, 2016 4:48 pm

    My first thought was “What is the NCAA thinking?” but then I realized they weren’t thinking at all.

    What I hate about this draw is the very long travel to a cold weather city. Staying rested and healthy will be much more difficult than if the Wahine had been sent to a west coast venue.

    But I agree that the silver lining is that if we can somehow get past USC and Minnesota we will be in good position to make a run to the Final Four.


  32. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:51 pm

    Regarding USC,they were 0-6 against Irvine, Washington, UCLA and Arizona, including three sweeps.


  33. Bozo November 27, 2016 4:51 pm

    Bad thoughts… From what I heard, Minn hasn’t lost at home all year. Well, there are ‘first’ times…. :o)


  34. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:53 pm

    29. UH will have been off two weeks by the time they play their next match. They should be rested and healthy. Three more hours on a plane won’t make a difference. And the team is playing indoors.


  35. Ashley November 27, 2016 4:54 pm

    i know this draw sucks for our girls, but come on guys what did you all expect? the NCAA has NEVER EVER been kind when it came to placing UH in a good place for the tournament. but we must remember, “IN ORDER TO BE THE BEST, YOU HAVE TO BEAT THE BEST FIRST” tbh, and i won’t sugar coat this, i am actually pissed that we may potentially have to face Minnesota again this year. oh the NCAA must have loved watching them eliminate us last season, so why not try going for an encore this season.

    BUT let’s not look past USC. indeed they aren’t having a very stellar season, but they could very well pose problems for Hawaii.

    Well, Good Luck ladies. the road to the Final Four just got real, and more difficult than i think anyone expected but i have faith you all will fall in good hands with the amazing coaching staff you have.

    OH AND BY THE WAY, ISNT BERG A FORMER GOPHER HERSELF? well this one should be very interesting indeed


  36. greenthumb November 27, 2016 4:54 pm

    Well, noonish Friday our time, so the team at least has enough time to get out there and hopefully a day or so to acclimate to time change. The Thursday time slots would have been tougher.


  37. rabbit ears November 27, 2016 4:56 pm

    Let’s go Bow’s. One at a time.


  38. Maverick November 27, 2016 4:57 pm

    31. Worse than that, they have a 32-match home winning streak that extends back to 2014.


  39. Cubicle1126 November 27, 2016 4:57 pm

    ashley — yes, not only is lindsey berg a former gopher … but if hawaii wins in round 1 against usc, then she’ll be coaching against her former u.s. national team coach in mccutcheon …


  40. Andy November 27, 2016 5:02 pm

    Over the years t seems the Wahine have started a number of tourneys in a funk – I think partly as a result of not being particularly challenged throughout the conference schedule, and not playing in front of big crowds on the road. Like playing in AAA all season then all of he sudden getting called up to face Clayton Keyshawn in the Division Playoffs. Gotta junk that funk quick this year.


  41. Bozo November 27, 2016 5:03 pm

    Na Wahine…. all I can say is GOPHER it. No one respects us.


  42. Cubicle1126 November 27, 2016 5:14 pm

    streaks are meant to be broken … 😉


  43. Bleachercoach November 27, 2016 5:15 pm

    Even the announcers going over the brackets toward the ending part was saying, ” And Hawaii now has to go to the mainland!” The way she was saying it was like we come from a different planet. (Not that WE have the most travel miles of any team in the country)…
    Anyways ,nothing has or will never change with the NCAA Committee. Those mainlanders (not islanders ) will always disrespect us. The bottom line is: ” Get MOTIVATED WOMEN and show the world that HAWAII NO KA OI!


  44. Volleyman November 27, 2016 5:15 pm

    Minnesota returns everyone from last year except for Daly Santana. And they run a lightning fast offense with SSS, a lock-in for All American honors, quarterbacking the offense. In addition, their slide attack and serving is really efficient. Hawaii will have to be clicking on all cylinders in order to beat Minnesota.

    GO BOWS


  45. warriorfan November 27, 2016 5:16 pm

    To be honest im just happy we avoided Seattle, in stuck in Nebraska, that would be much harder to make a final four IMO.
    Also happy we avoided UCLA in the sub regional as Sealy seems to have our number. Wahine can win this bracket!


  46. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 5:21 pm

    IMHO ,UW or UCLA would have been preferable.


  47. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 5:22 pm

    21. oh please. let’s look at TCU getting in.


  48. Sickman fraud November 27, 2016 5:25 pm

    If NaWahine are final four caliber, then let them prove it. Just have to do it sooner than later. It’s time the heartland of women volleyball find out the quality of NaWahine volleyball.


  49. H-Man November 27, 2016 5:29 pm

    Not the best draw but Wahine might as well play the best to get to the Final 4. That will attract a lot of national attention and respect. Just win. Go Wahine !!!


  50. tongo November 27, 2016 5:30 pm

    Initial reaction was wow – so unfair! On second thought, if we can get out of the first round, UH will be in super shape. Our UH YouTube friends who has posted most the matches have made them private to make it more difficult for our opponents. We will go in as the underdog sight unseen.
    For now, the only thought should be on beating USC. As others have said, the trojans have been a confused team all year as they continue to make the transition from high moon balls to fast to outside. Watched several of their matches over Pac 12 TV and they are streaky but when they are on, they are dangerous. Mick Haley have played Hawaii many times over the past 20 years and knows how Dave thinks. Wahines have to be really focus on the Trojans! The match with MN will take care of itself and needs to be blocked out. The wahines need to be mature and focus only what is directly in front of them.


  51. mauna November 27, 2016 5:35 pm

    What happen to the 19 other comments?


  52. mauna November 27, 2016 5:36 pm

    51, ignore this.


  53. mauna November 27, 2016 5:49 pm

    Ironic, the last and 64th entry into the bracket, Hawaii. Like it was the last spot open, as Ryan Tsuji says, the committee has Hawaii as left overs and plugged them there to fill the spot. Hope that UH wins out and the committee put their foots in their mouths.


  54. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 5:55 pm

    53. that was the thinking in the Wong Hospitality Suite, about being a leftover and plugged in wherever.

    Coincidentally, the last time UH was in Minneapolis was the 88 NCAA final four lost to Texas which was then coached by Haley for the title.


  55. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 5:57 pm

    35. yes Berg played for Minnesota 98-01.


  56. noblesol November 27, 2016 6:02 pm

    I’m sure some will suggest they should fly out early to ‘acclimate’. I’d say not necessary. I’m originally from that part of the country, and getting there a day early will not get anyone acclimated to winter weather. Just bring warm clothes and a winter jacket, a scarf, gloves, and hat that can cover the ears, and something lighter that can be layered under the jacket, preferably with a hood. There will be no reason to spend time much time outside, and they’ve figured out how to keep buildings and vehicles warm in Minneapolis.


  57. greenthumb November 27, 2016 6:06 pm

    Just hoping the team is looking within and drawing strength from remembering the lessons of this season — every player is important, every player contributes. And that they can tune out the afterthought vibe of the selection committee (or use it as positive motivation). Go Bows! 🙂


  58. tongo November 27, 2016 6:14 pm

    MN had just played Wisconsin this past Saturday and won in 5. If there was ever a time to play MN, it is this week after an emotional and draining weekend for the gophers. And didn’t we lose to Wisconsin, 3-1, without both Nikki and Annie. So, if Wisconsin can take MN to 5 sets, wahines can do better especially with Nikki and Annie playing. This is a tough but doable match up.

    But for now, we need to focus on a very athletic and quick trojan team. This is a Cal Poly like team on steroids! Put enough pressure and they become streaky – if not it will be a very tough night.


  59. Row13 November 27, 2016 6:18 pm

    Group of Death. Meanwhile, Penn State is gifted a 16 seed and will play the juggernaut LIU Brooklyn (RPI 202) in the first round.


  60. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 6:21 pm

    BTW, OCSports said they won’t know until at least Monday whether they’ll go. Big Ten Network likely takes this for the second round so OCSports might not spend the money for just one match.


  61. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 6:22 pm

    56. UH looking to leave Tuesday, would like to get in a practice Wednesday.


  62. noblesol November 27, 2016 6:23 pm

    Looking at the snow coverage map there is a little snow on the ground, not much. Given the daytime temps are hovering in the 30’s and sometimes higher, there will probably be some slick ice and sleet to deal with. Walk and drive carefully.


  63. Maverick November 27, 2016 6:24 pm

    47. What does TCU getting in have anything to do with UH’s weak resume? A team has got to prove its worth on the court, and UH didn’t do that against the top teams this year, other than a middling Arizona team. Btw, I don’t like the idea of a 14-12 TCU team getting in, but they did have the most difficult schedule in all of division I volleyball and beat UNC and Kansas State. 3-8 vs top 25, 5-10 vs top 50. Plus an estimated top 20 RPI rank. You can disagree with the use of RPI, but criteria-wise, TCU had compelling arguments to be included.


  64. Maverick November 27, 2016 6:27 pm

    50. Regarding “Mick Haley have played Hawaii many times over the past 20 years and knows how Dave thinks. Wahines have to be really focus on the Trojans!”, perhaps consider the following:

    Dave Shoji played USC many times over the past 20 years and knows how Mick thinks. Trojans have to be really focus on Na Wahine!


  65. tongo November 27, 2016 6:39 pm

    True, but nevertheless, it is USC who has made a major change in their total offensive approach last year, and not UH.


  66. Maverick November 27, 2016 6:48 pm

    And you don’t think the #2 winning NCAA I coach of all time can’t figure it out from looking at game tapes/videos?


  67. Willie November 27, 2016 6:53 pm

    If the Wahine cannot get by a 18 – 12 Pac 12 middle of the conference team, then all the negatives by the Bobble Heads will have a lot of meaning. They will just say, told you so and the carry over effect to future NCAA seedlings for the Wahine will just be “status quo”.


  68. tongo November 27, 2016 6:58 pm

    I said “focus” and never said Dave could not figure it out or he would not look at films. Please don’t read more into it than a fan making a comment – because I sure don’t.


  69. noblesol November 27, 2016 7:01 pm

    Just another opportunity to excel everyone. The Wahine have a chance to earn some payback against USC, that is sweet enough for me. But, should they be good enough on Friday, they’d get a chance to payback Minnesota! That would be doubly sweet and it could end right there as far as I’m concerned. That would keep me on cloud nine right into next season. But, wait, if that were to happen, they’d potentially get Missouri, where we would get to see Carly Kan in action, how sweet is that. Go beyond that, and potentially we might get to see UCLA and score more payback! Wow, that would be awesome, the volley gods have blessed us! All that, and who even needs the final four. But, get past that one, and there’d we’d be. Potentially Hawaii with Nebraska, Wisconson, and Texas. It would be the NCAA Final Four for the ages. A guaranteed classic. Everyone would go home with bragging rights for eternity! Opportunity is knocking folks, incredible opportunity, and as I’m sure Ms. Taylor can appreciate, they wouldn’t have been given this opportunity if they weren’t equipped to succeed.


  70. Maverick November 27, 2016 7:04 pm

    Tongo, they both need to focus. That USC changed its offense doesn’t mean Haley has less reason to focus than Dave. And I’m a fan making a comment too.


  71. Andrew November 27, 2016 7:07 pm

    Is that international girl still at Minnesota? She pretty much dominated the match last year.


  72. Maverick November 27, 2016 7:12 pm

    71. Daly Santana graduated.


  73. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 7:12 pm

    63. I mention TCU (14-12, 7-9 conference) as a comparison. if a team isn’t .500 in their league then should they get in?


  74. tongo November 27, 2016 7:12 pm

    And I respect your comments. Honestly, we are going over the top on this. Let’s just agree that we are both avid wahine fans and move on. Had hope the matches would be on west coast but MN is too far. Someone said OC Sport may not send a crew to do the first match since Gophers TV network will do the second match.


  75. haleiwacrossfitter November 27, 2016 7:13 pm

    I actually REALLY, REALLY like playing Minny right away, if we get past USC, which we should but don’t want to assume nothing.

    They won’t have a lot of footage of our new lineup as if we played them later. They will see us the night before, but I’ll take that.

    As long as Hawaii continues to pass well and get some blocks on them we will move on. I am positive they are not happy about getting us in the second round and are pissed that we are their reward for a #2 seed.


  76. Maverick November 27, 2016 7:17 pm

    74. Ok, kewl.


  77. haleiwacrossfitter November 27, 2016 7:23 pm

    I just went over to Vtalk….Minny fans are indeed pissed they are having to see Hawaii in the second round. It’s all “what did we do to deserve this” talk going on over there.

    So….have faith my fellow Wahine freaks….they are probably more scared of us than we (the fans) may be of them.


  78. Maverick November 27, 2016 7:27 pm

    73. There are many criteria to consider, not just in-conference record, for which there is no minimum threshold. Clearly TCU’s overall resume was taken into account. But if you want to suggest the NCAA strengthen its criteria, that’s fine too.

    A similar question could be asked in football…should a team with a losing record be eligible for a bowl?


  79. Maverick November 27, 2016 7:34 pm

    I’m glad to see other teams’ fans showing UH respect.


  80. Rabbit ears November 27, 2016 7:38 pm

    Unfortunately no direct flights into Minneapolis anymore.


  81. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 7:40 pm

    78. no comparison
    only reason football teams with a losing record are in bowl games is because there were spots available in the bowls. One might argue that there are too many bowls but …
    volleyball could have easily filled the bracket with other teams that were above 500 in conference.
    TCU’s preseason resume was good


  82. Bozo November 27, 2016 7:41 pm

    75, Yes playing MINN early…. just NOT in Minn.
    Get them out of that high-school gym…


  83. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 7:44 pm

    80. was there ever a direct flight from HNL to MSP?
    believe UH was looking at here to Salt Lake then to MSP
    I’m going HNL to LAX then to MSP, stop in Denver.


  84. tongo November 27, 2016 7:44 pm

    #77 Agree, MN has won three very tough matches in the past eight days. All three matches went five sets – Michigan (previous Sunday), Nebraska (last Wednesday), and Wisconsin (last Sat). The gophers effort has got to have consumed a lot of their emotional energy. The timing may be just perfect for the wahines.


  85. noblesol November 27, 2016 7:46 pm

    In other volleyball news:
    – CIF Division II, the Cathedral Catholic Dons (Shaney Lipscomb OH/MB) have advanced into the Championship Match.
    – CIF Division III, the Crossroads Roadrunners (Arden Misraje OH) have advanced into the Championship Match.
    http://cifstate.org/sports/girls_volleyball/brkts_2016/index


  86. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 7:52 pm

    82. ? the sports pavilion seats 5700.


  87. Eric96822 November 27, 2016 7:57 pm

    Is there any place that usually shows the game where many fans go and cheer together? It would be awesome watching it on a HUGE super High Definition television with other multitudes of fans cheering and hopefully someone can show the wahine a live feed of the local audience before they go out to play in Minneapolis to get them extra pumped up.


  88. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 7:57 pm

    84. they’ve won their last four in 5, all were at home.
    Michigan State 11-18. Michigan 11-20, Nebraska 11-23, Wisconsin 11-26
    have won 10 in a row, first six in that streak were sweeps
    prior to winning 10, their previous three also went five,
    Lost at Michigan State, W at Iowa, L at Nebraska.


  89. Cindy Luis November 27, 2016 7:58 pm

    87. 1230 p.m. Friday could be a tough sell for fans


  90. Bozo November 27, 2016 8:03 pm

    86…. Speaking figuratively/ Small compared to the SSC. Fans were seated right up to the service line in the games i watched…
    which may be a distractor for our girls.


  91. Maverick November 27, 2016 8:04 pm

    83. Delta flight 752 is direct from HNL to MSP (leaves in the early evening arriving early the next morning). Delta 1664 is direct return flight leaving in the morning, Minnesota time.


  92. T103 November 27, 2016 8:08 pm

    We need to find out which places are showing the USC match, I am on-call but most likely won’t have to come in, cheeeeeee go Bows!


  93. Ron November 27, 2016 8:20 pm

    Are 1420 AM and Tiff going?


  94. Rabbit ears November 27, 2016 8:24 pm

    Thanks Mav didn’t know Delta had a direct. I know Northwest had one back when. My family went to MSN last year and the shuttle back to LAX was. Horrible. Four hour flight on this tiny jet


  95. PBnJz November 27, 2016 8:44 pm

    This is the regional I wanted! Just expected us to face UM the second weekend! Told my sis as much…hope she didn’t get tix for this weekend yet, since I can now get ’em for her! She won’t mind cheering for us vs Minn! Nothing like a quick trip “home” for the weekend to cheer our Wahine!


  96. Maverick November 27, 2016 8:46 pm

    81. Just for the sake of friendly banter, I was engaging you in a philosophical discussion over what the criteria for post-season eligibility should be, not what or why they are. UH FB and TCU WVB are eligible in their respective sports according to set criteria, regardless of the practical reasons for such criteria. But should a 6-7 team go bowling? Should a 7-9 in-conference team go to the WVB tournament, even if it has an overall winning record? That’s a philosophical issue.

    I agree that you can find a lot of .500+ in-conference WVB teams that could have gone to the tourney, but IMO none will have TCU’s overall resume, per the selection guidelines. My point is that you can’t cherry pick one criterion to the exclusion of all others (eligibility requirements aside). But you should also highlight Purdue, which has a worse conference record at 8-12, and a lower estimated RPI at 28, but also is in the tourney. I suppose 10-1 non-conf helps.

    Interestingly, football has the highest post-season participation rate: 64% of all teams play in a bowl game. Men’s soccer at 31%, MWPolo 27%, WWPolo 24%, WVB/WSoc/MBK are all 19%. MVB is 9%. Given the quality of many of those bowl games, I’d argue there are too many from a quality perspective (not to mention having a lot of non-winning teams participate), but the TV market supports 41 games.


  97. Maverick November 27, 2016 9:14 pm

    Interesting comment from Texas’ coach on Minnesota’s bracket:

    “Certainly the top 16 teams have a first- and second-round advantage and certainly the top four are in a good situation if they advance.

    One of those four is Texas. Coach Jerritt Elliott, whose team won it all in 2012 and is trying to get back to the national semifinals for the fifth consecutive season, knows no one has it easy.

    “I’m blown away by Minnesota’s bracket. I think it’s the most brutal bracket of all,” Elliott said.”

    http://volleyballmag.com/ncaafield/


  98. Big Island VB Fan November 27, 2016 10:47 pm

    I may sound like a poor sport, but I hope that OC Sports does NOT go to Minnesota to cover the UH-USC match. I wouldn’t have been able to watch it live as I am blocked out due to lack of cable service in my area. It wouldn’t pay for them anyway to go so far just to cover one match. Better they stay home.


  99. greenthumb November 27, 2016 11:27 pm

    Re: Friday telecasts, didn’t the bracket announcers say something about the initial matches being streamed on ESPNU? Or was I imagining things while staring at that screenshot I took of Hawaii’s part of the bracket?


  100. warriorwahine November 27, 2016 11:34 pm

    sc and minny from last year? they have not seen 2-3 secret weapons na wahine possess this year.

    gopher it wahine! dominate, crush and destroy. the rest is easy.


  101. Volleyman November 28, 2016 1:11 am

    USC Lineup Breakdown:

    Outside: Lanier (freshman phenom) Ford (inconsistent)
    Opposites: Withers (transfer from Fullerton) Abecrombie (inconsistent)
    Middles: Dunn (idk) Ruddins (very dynamic and powerful)
    Setters (6-2 offense): Pizzasegola & Meyer-Whalley
    Libero: Whittingham (very solid and AA last year)


  102. Volleyman November 28, 2016 1:16 am

    Minnesota Lineup Breakdown:

    Outside: Wilhite (thrives under the fast offense and the go-to) Hart (high jumping 3 rotation freshman)
    Opposite: Hannah Tapp (runs the slide very efficiently & 1st team AA last year)
    Middles: Paige Tapp (same as Hannah except 3rd team AA) Lohman (more swings and more efficient than last year)
    Setter: Seliger-Swenson (runs very quick offense; makes Minnesota the #2 seed IMO)
    Libero: Rosado (also very solid but struggled with passing in last year’s tourney)


  103. duster November 28, 2016 2:22 am

    So who was on the NCAA Selection Committee?

    My thought after seeing the brackets was that the UH and Western Kentucky should be switched. Wasn’t travel a consideration?


  104. Mike Maxwell November 28, 2016 2:47 am

    How is Natasha’s injury?? I didn’t get to see her do the hula!!


  105. Andy November 28, 2016 5:07 am

    101. Thanks for the quick thoughts on USC and Minn. As a point of reference, how would you break down Hawaii?


  106. Volleyman November 28, 2016 6:50 am

    105. Hawaii Lineup Breakdown:

    Outside: Mitchem (high flying terminator) Granato (inconsistent but very powerful)
    Opposite: Taylor (an amazing all around All American)
    Middle: Maglio (very effective but needs to be set more) Burns (amazing blocker but needs to be set more)
    Setter: Iosia (spreads out offense really well and has great floor defense)
    Libero: Kahakai (solid digger but struggles a little bit on passing)


  107. Cindy Luis November 28, 2016 7:10 am

    http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=40437
    new thread up
    Big West awards announced at 9 a.m. HST

    Hawaii RPI to 23.
    thanks for the update on travel. i had booked last week to LA.
    1420-AM is going
    ESPN3 supposed to stream all games. Kanoa said he wasn’t sure how that would affect OCS or the decision. it would be one match for them because the second match would likely be on Big Ten Network
    On Burns .. have said repeatedly she is fine. she didn’t dance because she had treatment but she was walking well immediately after the match.
    96. and for the sake of friendly banter, you can’t cherry pick sports. Football needs so many teams for the bowls and they are forced to go to sub .500 teams to fill. Volleyball does not.
    the most irritating comment for the woman on TV … did she have to keep yelling … was how important winning the conference was and why it made it exciting and great for the sport. so where was the justification of 3 teams from the same conference getting top 4 seeds. Kansas wins the Big 12 outright and gets seeded 5, behind Texas.


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