Postseason

[WUPHF]

Thanks!  I am glad I mentioned my concern.  The Washington University Athletics home page only had a link to the live stats.  They are usually very good at posting the live video link if available.  I should have looked a little closer.

I also noticed a number of Division I soccer games online on the CBS Sports website.  Thanks again.

[WUPHF]

It looks like we get a Hope-Washington University rematch.  Should be very good.

[hope1]

hope beat them ealier in the seasson

[Ron Boerger]

Juniata defeats Trinity (TX), 25-16, 27-25, 25-23. 

[WUPHF]

@hope1: You should assume that if I knew enough to know that the Hope-Washington University rematch is indeed a rematch, then I know a little about the previous match.  In my experience, it is a good idea to read back a few messages when posting.  Had you done so, you would have noticed that I referred to Hope College as the most confident team I had watched all season. 

Exhibit A:

I watched the Bears play every home game and watched the losses to Ohio Northern, Hope College, and Division II UMSL.  And, of all the teams I watched, including Juniata, the team that impressed me most was Hope College.  The match was very close and we did take the third set, but Hope College looked super confident and in control for most of the match.

If it ain't Dutch it ain't much!

I do think that both teams played very similar matches against similar opponents today.  I also think that our two freshmen are going to be much better prepared this time around.

Having said all that, I think volleyball fans have three very good matches ahead.  The four best teams are here and ready to play!

[WUPHF]

@OshDude: I very much appreciate the analysis on your blog.  You had a much more positive assessment of Washington University than I did.  I was working today, and missed the 8 or 9 point run in the first set and much of the last set.  I may have missed some of the best action.

I also flipped back and forth between work and the Hope match and most of what I had seen was Hope College playing well.

I am going to go in to work early tomorrow so I can watch the entire match in the afternoon.

I am with you...I appreciate the webcast, but the announcer needed to study his information beforehand.

[OshDude]

@OshDude: I very much appreciate the analysis on your blog.  You had a much more positive assessment of Washington University than I did.  I was working today, and missed the 8 or 9 point run in the first set and much of the last set.  I may have missed some of the best action.

I also flipped back and forth between work and the Hope match and most of what I had seen was Hope College playing well.

I am going to go in to work early tomorrow so I can watch the entire match in the afternoon.

I am with you...I appreciate the webcast, but the announcer needed to study his information beforehand.

Thanks. Just one dude's opinion. I believe in the big tent. Awesome if I see things differently than others. It leads to better conversation.

Brandt went on a huge service run in Set 1. If she has an ice pack tomorrow, her right shoulder is probably sore from repetitive motion. About a 50/50 split in terms of Bears points earned and received there. Set 4 was meh. Total domination. Looked like Wash U decided it was time to end it.

Hope today compared to other D-III teams I have ever seen would grade out just fine. But comparing Hope to Hope, this match didn't do it for me. The hitting percentage wound up much higher than I thought it would when I was watching. Didn't have live stats up for that one, and I write as I watch to have the stuff up a minute or two after the final point. But there were so many errors. I credit Hope for winning, but 37 errors in four sets isn't great. If I would have guessed at the number of Hope errors without a box score, I would have said 45. You may be right in that I was too tough on Hope. The overall stats suggest that, but it wasn't the feeling I had just watching it.

[WUPHF]

Both Hope and Washington University seem tentative early on.

[WUPHF]

The game is not over, but Hope has simply taken over.  This reminds me of the first match.  Hope looks like they are having loads of fun and Washington University is struggling; getting outplayed and committing too many errors.

[WUPHF]

What a match?  Washington University with the comeback, but clearly not over.

[Wydown Blvd.]

Wow. what a rally by the bears!

Two storied programs face off for the title tomorrow. Even though there were a lot of newbies in the elite eight, its amazing that the "old head" programs make it to the championship match.

Juniata v. WashU at 7pm (est.)

[WUPHF]

The Hope-Washington University semifinal was one of the best volleyball matches I have seen, all things considered. 

I do have to hand it to Hope for a brilliant match.  The team was all smiles and seemed to enjoy every minute.  Congratulations to the Flying Dutch on their first ever Final Four.

Unfortunately, I could not watch the Juniata-Oshkosh match.

Congratulations to Washington University on yet another championship appearance and best of luck tomorrow!  Go Bears.

[OshDude]

The Hope-Washington University semifinal was one of the best volleyball matches I have seen, all things considered. 

I do have to hand it to Hope for a brilliant match.  The team was all smiles and seemed to enjoy every minute.  Congratulations to the Flying Dutch on their first ever Final Four.

Unfortunately, I could not watch the Juniata-Oshkosh match.

Congratulations to Washington University on yet another championship appearance and best of luck tomorrow!  Go Bears.

You missed a JC defensive clinic and a UWO team that didn't pass or close out sets very well. So, you didn't miss much.

[WUPHF]

Just a few hours away from the championship.

It will be interesting to see how Washington University plays Juniata today, especially in the first set, after coming so close to defeat before rallying back to win it in five sets.

Will fatigue be an issue?  Nerves?  And, will the team move past the service errors and other mistakes from yesterday?  Will the Bears be able to spark runs as it did in the last two matches?

The last match with Juniata was record breaking.  The Bears played so well, but they also had home court advantage and one of the largest and most vocal student contingents that I have seen.

The more critical question for me: is my internet going to work well enough to watch?

[WUPHF]

Congratulations Bears for bringing home No. 10.