Week Fifteen Selected Match Highlights:
Just when it looked like the Pac-12 was being read its last rites by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, a strange thing happened. The two Pac-12 teams left in the Sweet Sixteen, USC and UCLA, made it through to the Final Four. Even with the blossoming of the sport in the Midwest and Southeast, Southern California (the region, not just the school) remains the mecca of volleyball.
In Honolulu, underseeded USC and underseeded Hawaii faced each other in the Sweet Sixteen. Down 2-1, USC pulled out the crucial fourth set, 25-23, and secured victory with a 15-12 final set win. In the other regional semifinal, another SoCal power, Pepperdine, crushed Kansas State, 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-23). The Waves outhit the Wildcats, .289 to .121, and outblocked them, 12 to 6.
In the regional final, USC again came from behind to beat its foe, defeating Pepperdine, 3-2 (25-16, 26-28, 19-25, 25-19, 15-10). The Trojans outhit (.223 to .175), out-aced (8 to 4), and outblocked (14 to 6) the Waves. Nonetheless, Pepperdine had a great run.
In Lexington, Kentucky, UCLA stunned four-time defending champion Penn State, 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-21) by outhitting the Nittany Lions, .310 to .248. Some observers called that an upset; I was not one of them, having ranked the Bruins above PSU for most of the year. Of course, Penn State will be back in the Final Four in the near future.
In the other semi, Texas squeezed by host Kentucky, 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 27-25, 25-23), due to slightly more accurate hitting (.308 to .279). In the regional final, UCLA did achieve a bona fide upset, knocking off the Longhorns, 3-1 (19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21). The Bruins achieved victory primarily due to better passing and defense--Texas outblocked them and hit as accurately.
In the Gainesville regional, the powerful host Gators of Florida handled Michigan, 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 27-25), in one semifinal. They hit a scorching .439 and outblocked the Wolverines, 8 to 3. The other semi saw Big Ten powerhouse Illinois beat Big Ten upstart Ohio State, 3-1 (23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-19). Illinois fashioned a similarly close 3-1 victory (25-22, 23-25, 25-14, 25-20) over Florida in the regional final, decisively outhitting the Gators, .338 to .225.
Perhaps Florida would have prevailed if it was still landing all of the five-star recruits in the Southeast as it used to do. However, rising powers Tennessee, Kentucky, Miami FL, and Florida State are now getting their share of blue-chippers.
Speaking of the Seminoles, they had a terrific regional in Minneapolis, where they knocked off both Purdue (3-1: 25-23, 21-25, 25-20, 25-19) and overseeded Iowa State (3-2: 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-11). Florida State outblocked the Boilermakers, 15 to 5, before outblocking the Cyclones, 16 to 8. Truly, Iowa State did overachieve on its run, even knocking off host Minnesota, 3-1 (18-25, 25-23, 25-15, 31-29), in the other semifinal.
NCAA Tournament Preview, Final Four:
Props to the Selection Committee for separating USC and UCLA in San Antonio, making an all-Pac-12 final possible. The Final Four has it all: a clear favorite (USC-AVCA poll #1, though seeded seventh here), two talented teams from power conferences that opted for tough preseason schedules (Illinois and UCLA), and a cinderella of sorts (Florida State of the ACC).
What makes it more fair in San Antonio? Texas didn't reach the Final Four, so there is no home-crowd advantage.
In one semifinal, UCLA takes on Florida State. The teams have identical 28-6 records, but the Bruins had a tougher schedule. Nevertheless, the team with the hot hitters should win, as both schools dig, set, serve, and block well. In the other semifinal, USC takes on Illinois. USC, because of its great defense and setting, should win.
However, if the Fighting Illini pull off the upset, they should also prevail against the FSU-UCLA winner. Should doesn't mean will. Matches are won on the court, not on paper. It all makes for a great coda to the season. Who will achieve the storybook ending?
No comments:
Post a Comment