The Bobcat Nation

They lost again last night, to Weber. At least this was on the road, they dropped both games at home last weekend. Anyone have some kind of feel for why we aren't playing very well?

I have an idea. They played that brutal pre-conference schedule against so many ranked teams they may have worn themselves out and losing all of those games early may have taken them out of their system. But the conference should be a different story. They'll pick it up in the second half.

I also agree that the difficult preseason may have worked against the vb team. Now, though, it has become a mental block with the girls...teams that they think they should be beating they are not and they are pressing to much. They are also dealing with inconsistent setting...we have been spoiled the last few years with Kamber Kelly at the helm. Another reason is the coaching. During these tough times the coaches have to (in my opinion) coach but in a positive way. I am sure it is difficult to sit on the sidelines and watch things happen, but ripping the girls after or during especially when you are in a losing skid is not going to get the desired results as fast as you want them or need them. The team cannot be afraid to make mistakes and be constantly looking over their shoulder..confidence needs to be fostered.

I'd love to see some more discussion on this -- but here is my 3 cents worth. There are 3 changes in the team since last year.

1. Kamber Kelly is gone. During the Spring season it was obvious we were in danger here simply because a new setter had not been developed last year. The company line response was that we were just fine. However, the setting is misfiring and I don't blame the new, inexperienced setters -- new setters rarely do well in the league stats. This was a coaching issue and you could see it coming a mile away. Kamber's all-around play is a tough act to follow and especially at the net (blocking is way down), but graduation happens and volleyball is so dependent on the setter -- you have to have someone primed and ready. We did not.

2. Liane Kinvig is gone. I think we are all appreciating Liane's steady game a little more these days. Digging, blocking, timely hitting. The new players have yet to totally find a groove, but there is hope.

3. Jerry Wagner is gone. He was the associate head coach, and coached the defense, called the serves, etc. The stats in all defensive areas are not nearly as good as in previous years. I simply do not think you can replace a very experienced coach with a very inexperienced one and expect the same level of coaching. His termination (as yet unreported by the Chronicle) was a huge loss to the program. This may be the biggest change in the team.

Those three changes are what has occurred. I do not think the preseason schedule really hurt at all.

As for the comment on positive coaching, on Sports Nuts several weeks ago Miya's stated method for improving the setting was to get the setters in the gym "and stick my foot further up their rear ends." Hmmm ... I thought that comment was unhelpful at best and totally inappropriate.

I will agree with your main point here, B4E, that our setting seems to be mediocre at best.

I've attended 5 matches this season and I thought during the Griz game that Sesler was finally coming around and the others were finally establishing some chemistry/rhythm with her, something that was SORELY & OBVIOUSLY lacking during the tournament they hosted in September.

Their recent rash of losses suggest that the Griz game was an aberration, however, and I think it is a bit late in the season to hope for any real marked improvement. A run in the tournament might be possible, but the scores vs Sac St last weekend were pretty depressing.

I am very surprised by the lackluster results this crew has produced thus far; I truly thought Stonehouse (more power per pound than any player I've seen in 2 seasons), Zantos, Malyurek, Purnell, Kelly, and Weibe would be a decent enough core of athletes to have the Cats contending for a Big Sky title, but it's now obvious that's not going to happen.

I'm a relatively new fan of volleyball but this season is definitely demonstrating the importance of having a solid setter. Hopefully Sesler turns into one, as she is just a Freshman.

I saw the Sacramento State game and they just didn't play well. I do have good news however. The Cats took down the Griz 3-1 in Missoula tonight. That's a sweep for the Cats.

Here's the link to the story.
http://www.msubobcats.com/news.php?sid=h&nid=1185

From what I've seen it't pretty easy to look good against the girz in volleyball.

I also agree with Bobcat4ever that the coaching change has had a huge impact. I also think that pride is taking over here and the defense scheme is suffering because of it. Coach Wagner had a very good system. Why change it just because it was his idea. Also, in response to the opinion that Stonehouse, Wiebe, Zanto, Meggie, Candice would be a good core but have not produced...I disagree...the setting is huge in building timing and confidence and when the outside hitters and/or middles are going up for a kill and the set is not where it is supposed to be it is tough to be successful. Not to fault the 2 new setters because they did not get alot of experience last year but there was alot of hype about Sesler and she has not come through. Hope fully by the tournament and if not, next year. The cats are still a very competitve team, just lacking confidence. Remember they took eastern and portland to 5 games...especially Portland when they were down 2 and came back. I also agree that there have been some inappropriate comments made by the coach/or coaches. Lastly, Candice is not as effective this year as last and in my opinion it is because of how our defense is set up.

For the record spike, I didn't say those girls that I mentioned haven't produced, it's just that after watching them in 04, I expected we would be competing for the Big Sky title this season.

Again, I too think that setting has been the weakest link for this team; they just never seem to get any consistent timing going when they should be on the attack.

I agree and I think if you talk to those girls they would agree with you also (El Gato).

From what I have heard from the Griz game last night the team was able to work through some rough spots and this will hopefully translate to a good end of the season tournament showing.