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And her Team, the Women's Volleyball squad played a remarkable match last night, when after losing the first 2 sets against Bradley at Peoria, came back to win the final three sets, winning the match 3-2.  They played with alot of poise througdhout the entire match.

According to the announcers, last night,  they accomplished a reverse sweep.  I've never heard that term, but is does fit, doesn't it?

Pathetic.

I noticed many games in the MVC start at 6 PM. Is this for travel purposes?

This 6 PM time may be inconvenient to fans who want dinner and drinks before the game. But you could have dinner and drinks after the game.

No big deal, just curious and I find the time to be odd.

I think it is quite inconvenient for a lot of fans, mainly because of the dinner situation.  Eating after the game, which would be after 8:00 is not convenient, and before the game, which would be around 5:00, is better, but not much.

Better outcome on Saturday, against Drake - VU wins 3-2.

I'm just happy that there are some non conf. home games

I suspect that this is a concerted effort to bring the greater community on board.  Being the first black AD is certainly news and no doubt Padilla's effort to have Valpo viewed as something other than a "Lilly White University"  The diversity effort is well on its way and is needed for the longer term.  The fact that the AP picked up on the story got it spread all over the nation certainly helped.  As a former news guy, is that something promoted to the AP by the University or is it just dumb luck?

Yesterday, I was shocked to hear Dr. Small being interviewed on Chicago radio station, WGN AM 720.

[at least the other four guys should been hitting the boards]

According to Luke Gore, the play they practice is Sheldon should have rushed up the court and pass the ball to a cutting Taylor for a bunny or possible foul at the hoop. But, since Sheldon decided to try to win the game himself,s at least the other four guys should been hitting the boards, when Sheldon pulled up to take the shot. Neither of those scenarios happened. Luke actually said they reason the lost the game is that " the team sucked, including the coaching" (his words, not mine) in the last 5 minutes of the game. They didn't do anything that they were supposed to down the stretch. Why Lottich isn't taking control at the end is beyond me. In my mind, they suck because Lottich sucks and I got to believe, at list some of the players think they know better than him.

When does anyone crash the boards?  I'll stick around for an answer.

VU will be the only team in the final four that has swept all of their games. 

What is the tiebreaker for volleyball?  If they finish out strong and win the last two matches they will have a tie for 3rd/4th place.  Not that it really matters they split with every team except ISUr.  We probably do not want to play them on their home court in the tournament.

I think the tie break is the RPI score.

Perhaps I'm not seeing it and therefore would like to know from others why Matt is a good coach. What did he do against Toledo that proved he is a good coach?  I'm not talking about recruiting but his good qualities during the games played. What are his coaching strengths?  Forget the weaknesses. Seriously interested in what others may be seeing that I'm missing.     

You're not seeing it because it's not there to be seen -YET.  SLOW starts and NO Finish.  Live and die by the 3, No D. 0-3. Who thinks he's a good coach? Good coach, Coach K, Tom Izzo, Bill Belichick, Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, Red Auerbach, John Wooden, Pat Riley, Mike Ditka,  Homer Drew, Gene Bartow all winners. "Door Matt" not YET.

Joe, I added one name to your list of winning coaches.

One hell of a good football coach.
Michigan State-Michigan game was a great game to watch today. Best game I've seen this year. State pulled off the upset. Go Green.

I agree, Just Sayin.  GO WHITE.

VUVB won a terrific on the road match against 3rd place Evansville - 25-13, 9-25, 25-20 , 25-22.
After easily winning set 1, VU offense hid in set two, 9-25.  But, in true VU VB fashion, they roared back winning set 3, never trailing, and set 4, pulling away after 8-8.  VU moved past EU, into 4th place.
Kills leaders -   
  Haley Hart - 15 for .385
  Peyton McCarthy - 14 for .706
  Maddy Boyer - 7 for .333
Digs leaders -
  Rylee  Cookerly - 13
  Bella Ravotto - 8
  Brittany Anderson and Elise Swistek - 7 each
Assists -
  Anderson - 23
Victoria Bulmahn - 16
 

Nice win at Evansville tonight. If I heard their announcers correctly they hadn't lost a set at home all season.

You heard correctly.  As one of them said - Evansville is going for a lossless season at home.  I'm not sure I've ever heard that term before.

[Season Ticket Holder Open Practice EventAthletics-Recreation CenterWednesdayOctober 13th - 5:30 PM]

Received this email:


Season Ticket Holder Open Practice Event
Athletics-Recreation Center
Wednesday
October 13th - 5:30 PM
Valpo Athletics is thrilled to have you, our loyal, enthusiastic, and loud fans back in the stands this season.  The ARC was not the same without you.  As we look forward to what promises to be an exciting non-conference slate and a demanding Missouri Valley Conference season your support means more than ever. 
We want to provide you the opportunity to become reacquainted with your favorite players and be introduced to this year's new members.  You are cordially invited to the annual Season Ticket Holder Open Practice event on October 13th beginning at 5:30 PM. 
You will be able to catch a glimpse of both our women's and men's basketball teams followed by introductions and words from Matt Lottich and Mary Evans.  Tickets, parking and hospitality passes will be available for pick up. 
As a thank you for supporting the teams we will have exclusive shirts for our Season Ticket Holders.  These shirts will be distributed at a special Season Ticket Holder game during the season.  The Open Practice will be your opportunity to put in your size request.  If you cannot attend, your tickets/passes will be placed in the mail and a ticket office representative will follow up for your t-shirt size(s).
Thank you again for your continued support and your commitment to Valpo Basketball.

Go Beacons!

If you still need to renew your tickets please contact the Valpo Ticket Office at 219-464-5233.

I was not able to attend the open practice event this evening. Did anyone else attend? What were your impressions? Paul, I know you must have gone. Chairback? Anyone?

In addition to what HUMBLEOPINION said, there were words said by Mark LaBarbera, Mary Evans and Matt Lottich.  This was followed by the team introductions, where each member introduced themselves.  However, most of what they all said was unintelligible (except for Mark & Matt because they both talked loudly) because of the crummy PA system. 

I can't believe there isn't more excitement on the forum.  The girls are doing amazing.  I know many can't see past basketball, but we are enjoying tremendous success in TWO womens sports right now.  I am bandwagon fan, I'll admit, but I am so enjoying the ride.  GO VALPO!!

I am a long time VB season ticket holder.  This team is one of the best that I've watched.  The Libero, Rylee Cookerly,  leads the MVC in career digs and has moved into second place in D-1 history. 

https://twitter.com/AlBillets/status/1423447348001312771

Now let's hope we can watch them in person.

I don't think this has been posted before but if it has it's still worth another look.

Here is an extended background video on Thomas Kithier.  I really think he will be a game changer for us.  The more I see him the more I'm thinking "Matt Howard".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU1FVAlbrkI

It's fascinating to get such a detailed look into their journey together as a family, their rock solid value system framed around gratitude (something that seems to be in short supply among millennials), expressing appreciation for wisdom garnered from a teammate, etc. From the outside looking in, I find Isso's harsh approach a little off putting, but he always seems to squeeze out every ounce of potential from his players. It will be interesting to see how he responds to Matt's much more mellow coaching style.

WH,  Tom Izzo (not Isso) certainly is an intensely passionate coach, whose emotions range from harsh, to caring.  What he does do is care deeply for his players, which is returned by them, as evidenced by the large number who stay close to the program well after they leave MSU.  I have no doubt that Tom will do just fine at VU.   

[/quote]

No doubt Matt has a whole new bunch of challenges given the "brave new world" he faces.  Hopefully his experience together with his staff will be up to those challenges.  The good news is guys like Anderson and Kithier are fifth year seniors coming from first class big time programs.  I would hope that a kid with years of experience under a coach like Tom Izzo wouldn't be a lose cannon.  These guys coupled with guys like Eron and Emil and even Connor and Sheldon, should make the new guys blend in.  It isn't the case that any of the freshman will think that they are the "savior" so "give me the ball", at least until they have proven that their shots go in at a clip faster than guys who are 23 years old!

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I've never heard any negative stories about Kithier in the years he played at Michigan State.  I don't think he should be anything but a good team mate.

People who follow Michigan State seem to believe that there's a strong chance their Guard Transfer Foster Loyer may also be heading our way.

Loyer was a great shooter in HS, and showed it only a little at State - I think that he lost confidence in his shot. He was lost when defending  Big Ten guards, which was probably the main reason for his losing PT.

Chose us over Indiana, Nebraska, and Clemson. Averaged 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game for MSU this year. Played in 29 games and started 14 of them. Only payed 10 minutes per game as a part time starter though...interesting. Says he is a good defender. Averages about 10 and 10 per 40 minutes. Very confusing stat line of starting 14 goes but only averaging 10 mins per game, 2.4 points, and 2.5 rebounds. Not really sure what to make of that but very excited to see it!

I think Kithier will be a good get for VU.  He is a hustler, and was decent offensively in the BIG.  One down side is his propensity to committing fouls.  As you might expect, I am looking forward to seeing him playing at VU.

One thing that I haven't noticed mentioned is that some transfers occur because the player has been told that his playing time will be reduced.

If nothing else, the makeover on the team this year keeps things fresh for the public address announcer. Hope he doesn't slip up. Hah!  Since we are a Wisconsin heavy roster do we need to change the school name in addition to the mascot?

If you sit where we do, you wouldn't have to worry what John Bowker is saying, because you wouldn't be able to understand him because the PA system sucks (and has for years).

Will The Shot, by Bryce Drew, be eclipsed by the 40' Final Four buzzer beater, by Jalen Suggs, during future NCAA Basketball Tournament telecasts?

I feel for these girls.  I was hoping they would make a deep run

I agree, it was a tough break, but next season should be exciting.

AP is playing the best basketball of his career.

https://twitter.com/euroleague/status/1355535993974231044?s=21

Too bad that the team isn't doing as well as he is.