Gainesville Gazelles
by patienthornsfan on Dec 7, 2007 11:12 AM CST
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PrintFrom the diaries. --PB--
Our beloved Gregory Gazelles (#3 Ranking) take their #1 seed (#4 overall) into the hostile environs of the Gainesville regional, where they are due to take on #3 seed (#13 overall) Florida in the Sweet 16 tonight at 6pm. The winner of this match advances to the Elite Eight to take on the winner of the earlier USC - St John's match.
PHF Thoughts
There's no reason why Texas shouldn't advance from this regional to the Final Four. Although the O'Connell Center can be quite an intimidating venue, Texas did go there two years ago and upset a much higher ranked Florida team on their home court, breaking something like a 44-match home win streak. Texas has struggled a bit on the road this season (all three losses were away), but they proved they can handle diversity in two tough 5-game wins on the road at KSU and Iowa State. And this is not a team that will be easily intimidated.
The other advantage Texas has is its strength of schedule. While they took on tourney-bound teams like Penn State and New Mexico State in their OOC games, then were battle-hardened by a rugged Big XII schedule that included two matches with #1 Nebraska, #12 KSU and a ranked OU squad. On the other side of the coin, Florida had a Kansas-esque OOC schedule, with no ranked teams to truly test them. This was also a very down year for the SEC, which usually has 2-3 other schools ranked to provide a test for the Gators (typically Tennessee, LSU or Arkansas). Florida was upset by unranked Arkansas and Long Beach State squads, albeit both on the road.
I think Texas wins this one in 4.
How the teams match up:
Texas
NCAA Tournament seed – 4th
AVCA Ranking – Third
Record – 26-3
Top Hitter – Brandy Magee, MB, .429 and Lauren Paolini, MB, .414
Top Attacker (kills/game) – Destinee Hooker, OH, 4.58 and Juliann Faucette, OH, 4.54
Top Digger (digs/game) – Alyson Jennings, L, 3.67
Top Blocker (blocks/game) – Brandy Magee, MB, 1.30 and Lauren Paolini, MB, 1.25
Florida
NCAA Tournament seed – 13th
AVCA Ranking – Seventh
Record – 29-2
Top Hitter –Kelsey Bowers, MB, .361
Top Attacker (kills/game) – Marcie Hampton, OH, 4.49
Top Digger (digs/game) – Elyse Cusack, L, 5.43
Top Blocker (blocks/game) – Kelsey Bowers, MB, 1.34
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Hook'em Ladies!!!
The University Of Texas, also a volleyball school.
by limitlessloner on Dec 7, 2007 1:22 PM CST reply actions
I agree!
PB, can we get that banner changed, at least for tonight?? :-)
by patienthornsfan on Dec 7, 2007 1:54 PM CST up reply actions
WTF?
if the Gazelles are a 1 seed, and UF is a 4 seed, then why the hell are they playing in Gainsville? Shouldn't they be in Austin? PHF pleez xpln. Also, I hate when people nitpick unimportant stuff, so this hurts me more than it hurts you, but by "diversity" did you mean "adversity?"
Just like basketball
The regional host sites are predetermined.
This year they were Penn State, Wisconsin, Stanford and Florida. The NCAA usually awards these based on average attendance. Given the season the Gazelles had this year, and the higher average attendance, you would think we would be considered for a Regional. Unfortunately Gregory only seats about 4500 (compared to 20,000 capacity at Florida) and the Drum just wouldn't be a good venue for volleyball, so I doubt we'll get to host any time soon.
by patienthornsfan on Dec 7, 2007 1:54 PM CST up reply actions
Top Florida Player Injured
Hadn't read this yet today...
On only one court in the world would the fourth-seeded Texas volleyball team not be a comfortable favorite over No. 13 Florida. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, that court is where it will face the Gators in tonight's NCAA tournament Sweet 16 matchup.
Texas (26-3) faces Florida (29-2) in the Gainesville, Fla., regional on a court where the home team hasn't lost in 16 matches this year. A typically rowdy crowd at the O'Connell Center is expected tonight and will be a huge boost to a team recently stung by a major injury.
"We know it's going to be really loud," Longhorns outside hitter Destinee Hooker said. "There's probably going to be lots of taunting, I'm sure. We've played at Penn State and Nebraska, and I'm sure this will be a lot like those places."
Florida has padded its record against average competition but has secured its place as the region's premier program. The Gators were 10-1 against the NCAA tournament field in the regular season, but tonight's match will be their first against a top-16 seed. Complicating matters for Florida is the loss of star outside hitter Marcie Hampton, who ruptured her left Achilles' tendon in the regular-season finale at Long Beach State. Hampton is the team leader in kills per game (4.49) and is second in digs per game (3.17).
Game 1
Texas 30
Florida 27
On a side note, these Florida announcers for their online Gatorvision deal are making me laugh hysterically.
by Bdub on Dec 7, 2007 7:01 PM CST reply actions
Game 2
Texas 29
Florida 31
by Bdub on Dec 7, 2007 7:34 PM CST up reply actions
Gatorvision
I don't know if this was posted already, but if you want to watch the remainder of this match online, go to Gatorvision.tv and scroll down a bit. The link to watch it free, without registration, is right there.
by Bdub on Dec 7, 2007 7:02 PM CST reply actions
Owned game 3
I haven't watched volleyball this year, but based on the way they look (not to mention "the way they look") I may have a new favorite sport in '08.
by BurnOut on Dec 7, 2007 8:09 PM CST reply actions
gatorvision
thanks for the tip, been following the girls most of the season, was hoping to catch this match as well!
by Crash on Dec 7, 2007 8:29 PM CST reply actions
soooo....
Is it now a post-season requirement that we play Usc? Last year in the basketball tourney and two years ago in some bowl game, now the elite 8 in volleyball. Rivalry me thinks?
by BurnOut on Dec 7, 2007 8:34 PM CST reply actions
tomorrow's game
I don't think gatorvision will stream us, so anyone have any idea where we can possibly catch the game tomorrow?
by BurnOut on Dec 7, 2007 8:40 PM CST reply actions
Gatorvision
They streamed the St Johns - USC game earlier in the evening, so I imagine they'll stream us tomorrow.
if youve got ESPNU
it'll be on there
by the other Andrew on Dec 7, 2007 10:33 PM CST up reply actions
Interesting game on the duece right now ...
App St vs Richmond (DI-AA) national semifinal
At App ST
App State had a three touchdown lead. Richmond scored right before half to cut lead to 35-21.
Richmond got the ball right back to start second half and marched the field ... App St 35-28
Then Richmond recovered a fumble ... Driving, 1st and goal on the App St 8
App St QB had 204 rushing yards and 4 TDs in 1st half and was 7-of-8 throwing with a TD. However, Richmond may score three TDs to tie it before he touched ball
I would hate to be a fan of a school...
where I would have to say things like "please don't say too many good things about our coach - we would hate to lose him."
Pretty Much More of the Same
Texas dominates the match on the back of double-digit kills from all five of our offensive weapons, although Juliann had what she would consider an off night, with "only" 11 kills. Ashley picked up the slack with probably her most complete performance of the season, leading the Horns with 17 kills and 10 digs.
Florida, which was playing without its top player who is out with an Achilles rupture, had just 3 players in double digits.
"It was a tall order against a team with a legitimate shot to win the national title," Florida head coach Mary Wise said. "It wasn’t a lack of effort on our part. Texas just has the ability to wear people down. There aren’t stats for heart, competitiveness or commitment, but this team, and especially our seniors, are high on each of those."
Mary just hates losing to Texas!
Texas now moves on to meet former coach Mick Haley and USC in the Elite Eight this afternoon at 3pm. USC had a surprisingly tough time with St John's in the match prior to ours, so by all accounts Texas should be favored. USC raced out to a 2-0 lead then surrendered the next two games. USC's top players sealed the win in the fifth game, with seniors Asia Kaczor and Diane Cunningham both in double figures for the match.
by patienthornsfan on Dec 7, 2007 11:24 PM CST reply actions
In other results...
In the Madison Regional, Nebraska came within 2 points of seeing their season ended by lowly Michigan State but prevailed in 5 games, 5-30, 28-30, 30-17, 30-28, 15-9. They now take on Cal in the Elite Eight after the Golden Bears swept a surprising Iowa State team 30-27, 30-27, 30-24.
In the Stanford Regional, UCLA defeated Oregon 3-1 and will likely play Stanford, which has to play Cal Poly in a match that should be starting shortly.
In the University Park Regional, Penn State absolutely demolished Michigan 30-15, 30-18, 30-18. PSU has yet to be tested in the post-season, which could be a good or bad thing for the Nittany Lions. They are unlikely to be challenged in their match against BYU, which swept Middle Tennessee State 30-28, 30-22, 34-32.
Four teams in the Elite Eight from the Pac 10. That pretty much tells you where the balance of power is in the sport.
by patienthornsfan on Dec 7, 2007 11:40 PM CST reply actions
The Women of Troy
How the teams match up:
Texas
NCAA Tournament seed – 4th
AVCA Ranking – Third
Record – 26-3
Top Hitter – Brandy Magee, MB, .429 and Lauren Paolini, MB, .414
Top Attacker (kills/game) – Destinee Hooker, OH, 4.58 and Juliann Faucette, OH, 4.54
Top Digger (digs/game) – Alyson Jennings, L, 3.67
Top Blocker (blocks/game) – Brandy Magee, MB, 1.30 and Lauren Paolini, MB, 1.25
Top Setter (assists/game) - Michelle Moriarty, S, 14.16
USC
NCAA Tournament seed – 5th
AVCA Ranking – Fifth
Record – 27-4
Top Hitter – Bethany Johansen, MB, .359
Top Attacker (kills/game) – Asia Kaczor, OH, 5.10
Top Digger (digs/game) – Alli Hillgren, L, 4.29
Top Blocker (blocks/game) – Bethany Johansen, MB, 1.06
Top Setter (assists/game) - Taylor Carico, S, 12.64
Certainly looks like "Advantage Texas" in just about every category. If the Horns can slow down Kaczor, they should win this one in four. We better hope this doesn't end up going the distance, though. USC is 8-0 in 5-game matches this season.
by patienthornsfan on Dec 8, 2007 12:01 AM CST reply actions
Tale of Two Coaches
Mick Haley was the architect of the Texas program, posting a record of 522-137-1 during 17 seasons in Austin. He led the Longhorns to their only national championship in 1988. After a three-year stint with the U.S. national team, he took the reigns at USC in 2001 and led the Trojans to back-to-back national titles in 2002 and 2003.
UT's Jerritt Elliott spent six seasons at USC, four as an assistant coach under Lisa Love and two as interim head coach. He led the Trojans to a 50-12 record and their first NCAA Final Four appearance in 15 years. Elliott's recruiting classes were ranked No. 1 in 2000 and 2001 and were the foundation of USC's national championship teams in 2002 and 2003.
Jerritt has continued his recruiting prowess at Texas, landing top-5 classes for each of the past 3 years.
by patienthornsfan on Dec 8, 2007 12:14 AM CST up reply actions
things not looking good vs USC
lost 1st game 30-25.
losing 2nd game 13-5
by the other Andrew on Dec 8, 2007 3:52 PM CST reply actions
DAAAAMMMITTT!!!
USC, quit ruining our seasons!
yikes
Lady Horns picked a BAD time to lay an egg. USC was hitting on all cylinders today and our girls never got into rhythm, Hooker especially. I don't think anyone expected them to go out 3-0 though. Ouch. Great season still for them. I know there's a lot of disappointment, but there's still a lot to be proud of as well.
by Crash on Dec 8, 2007 4:46 PM CST reply actions
Texas Longhorns...
A pretty good football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, swimming, golf (did I miss anyone?) school.
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