Volleyball

[Reggie Redbird]

Last night’s match shows a clear divide with UNI and everyone else. Today’s match at Drake is essential for the 2 seed and tourney advantage. Whoever advances to play UNI in the championship will need to figure out a game plan to compete. We’ve shown we can compete for a set, but do we have another level or two we can kick it up to?

 

[Dmills]

Last night’s match shows a clear divide with UNI and everyone else. Today’s match at Drake is essential for the 2 seed and tourney advantage. Whoever advances to play UNI in the championship will need to figure out a game plan to compete. We’ve shown we can compete for a set, but do we have another level or two we can kick it up to?

Unfortunately true, 13 in a row for UNI.

 

[Bird Friend]

Last night’s match shows a clear divide with UNI and everyone else. Today’s match at Drake is essential for the 2 seed and tourney advantage. Whoever advances to play UNI in the championship will need to figure out a game plan to compete. We’ve shown we can compete for a set, but do we have another level or two we can kick it up to?

But who here would have laid $$ a month ago on the Birds even being in a fight for a 2-seed?

 

[cubird]

Didn't win a set on the road. Need to shake it off and finish strong with the attitude of nothing to lose in the Valley Tournament at MO State.

 

[cubird]

WOW! Lost in 3 straight at UIC. Have they ran out of gas?

 

[Redbird82]

WOW! Lost in 3 straight at UIC. Have they ran out of gas?

It was at ISU they swept UIC on the road, then lose at home. Very disappointing, unless they win out 2 losing seasons in a row. A 3rd would be completely unacceptable.

 

[cubird]

To lay an egg at home is even worse.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

WOW! Lost in 3 straight at UIC. Have they ran out of gas?

If you look at the Valley in VB, there are different tiers. We beat up on the teams below us during the winning streak. There is a clear divide from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and below the top 4.

Look at us playing Evansville. We are 52-7 against them all-time with 3 of those losses in the last 2 calendar years.

Indiana State we are 73-10 against all-time. SIU: 84-13. Bradley 64-12. These are programs that do not invest the same in their program as we do.

These are the teams we beat up on throughout our history. Most of our teams would have a good chance at a similar streak if the schedule sorted out that way.

Missouri State is down after their Melissa Stokes fiasco. They’ll probably rebound. Right now, we’re looking up at UNI and Drake and they’ve handled us pretty easily. If we have another gear, we can compete in the tourney. If not, it’s hard to see us making it past the semis.

 

[Bdub777]

If you look at the Valley in VB, there are different tiers. We beat up on the teams below us during the winning streak. There is a clear divide from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and below the top 4.

Look at us playing Evansville. We are 52-7 against them all-time with 3 of those losses in the last 2 calendar years.

Indiana State we are 73-10 against all-time. SIU: 84-13. Bradley 64-12. These are programs that do not invest the same in their program as we do.

These are the teams we beat up on throughout our history. Most of our teams would have a good chance at a similar streak if the schedule sorted out that way.

Missouri State is down after their Melissa Stokes fiasco. They’ll probably rebound. Right now, we’re looking up at UNI and Drake and they’ve handled us pretty easily. If we have another gear, we can compete in the tourney. If not, it’s hard to see us making it past the semis.

Agree, and success this year will be very tough if Hannah Reichensberger’s injury keeps her out the rest of the way. She’s the emotional leader of the team. That said, the future of this group is very positive, with a very strong sophomore class and some excellent looking recruits. Need some more hitters and more killer instinct, but I like where we seem to be heading.

 

[Redbird82]

Agree, and success this year will be very tough if Hannah Reichensberger’s injury keeps her out the rest of the way. She’s the emotional leader of the team. That said, the future of this group is very positive, with a very strong sophomore class and some excellent looking recruits. Need some more hitters and more killer instinct, but I like where we seem to be heading.

Unfortunately another loss to a team we beat on the road earlier. Lost 4 in a row with only winning one set. Kinda of regressing to non conference

 

[Dmills]

You'd have to think having a team that is so streaky falls mostly on the coaching staff? Losing streaks of 9 and 5 (active). Winning streak of 9.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

You'd have to think having a team that is so streaky falls mostly on the coaching staff? Losing streaks of 9 and 5 (active). Winning streak of 9.

Who you play during those streaks is a big part of it. When you have Indiana State, Evansville, Bradley, and Murray State making up most of the matches during that streak, a long winning streak is understandable.

This team needs to show something against MoST. Even a team on a bad streak can beat BU right now. We went to having a shot at the 2-seed to dropping down the standings. Not the right time for a decline.

 

[Redbird82]

Who you play during those streaks is a big part of it. When you have Indiana State, Evansville, Bradley, and Murray State making up most of the matches during that streak, a long winning streak is understandable.

This team needs to show something against MoST. Even a team on a bad streak can beat BU right now. We went to having a shot at the 2-seed to dropping down the standings. Not the right time for a decline.

They did have an easier stretch, but beat 2 teams in the top 5 on the road, then lose to them at home. It seemed like they had found something but apparently not. In the last 25 years, we have had 4 losing seasons. 2 of them the last 2 years and barring a little run in the tourney, this will be the worst. We dont have a top 10 nationally program but it is much stronger than this. 4 straight NCAAs to 2 straight losing seasons is unacceptable.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

They did have an easier stretch, but beat 2 teams in the top 5 on the road, then lose to them at home. It seemed like they had found something but apparently not. In the last 25 years, we have had 4 losing seasons. 2 of them the last 2 years and barring a little run in the tourney, this will be the worst. We dont have a top 10 nationally program but it is much stronger than this. 4 straight NCAAs to 2 straight losing seasons is unacceptable.

Top 5 in the Valley for volleyball doesn’t mean much anymore since we lost WSU and Creighton. Those programs invested in their program.

MSU is capable of doing more, but they seem to be still reeling from the Melissa Stokes debacle. (Unrelated: If Leah doesn’t work out at Michigan State, I could see her end up there.)

VB is important at UNI and will be as long as Bobbi Peterson is leading the charge. Their women’s sports programs do a lot considering the resources. How they keep so many good coaches should be a case study.

Right now, the MVC has a top couple teams. Being #5 is going to mean still getting trounced by the conference leaders and then beating the teams below you. After our winning streak ended, it became quite clear there is UNI alone, then Drake alone, then us and a few others, then the bottom where InSU, UE, and Bradley are dwelling.

 

[DaveBird10]

VB is important at UNI and will be as long as Bobbi Peterson is leading the charge. Their women’s sports programs do a lot considering the resources. How they keep so many good coaches should be a case study.

So much this about UNI athletics and how they keep good coaches.

Bobbi Petersen Volleyball- in her 24th year

Tanya Warren Womens Basketball- entering her 17th year

Mark Farley Football- in his 18th year

Ben Jacobson Men's Basketball- entering his 18th year.

This doesn't show post season trips and winning seasons but how they keep these great coaches at UNI is remarkable. 4 major sports and they've kept great coaches in charge of all of them.

 

[isuquinndog]

Lost in straight sets at MSU. Just have at Bradley left to stay above .500 in MVC play. Disappointing end to the regular season to be sure.

 

[isuquinndog]

We've lost by a combined 18-3 during this losing streak.

 

[Redbird82]

Top 5 in the Valley for volleyball doesn’t mean much anymore since we lost WSU and Creighton. Those programs invested in their program.

MSU is capable of doing more, but they seem to be still reeling from the Melissa Stokes debacle. (Unrelated: If Leah doesn’t work out at Michigan State, I could see her end up there.)

VB is important at UNI and will be as long as Bobbi Peterson is leading the charge. Their women’s sports programs do a lot considering the resources. How they keep so many good coaches should be a case study.

Right now, the MVC has a top couple teams. Being #5 is going to mean still getting trounced by the conference leaders and then beating the teams below you. After our winning streak ended, it became quite clear there is UNI alone, then Drake alone, then us and a few others, then the bottom where InSU, UE, and Bradley are dwelling.

The problem is after Drake and UNI we have lost 4 straight matches to those “others”. After the horrible start they turned it around but now have regressed. I don’t expect or think something should happen this year. But if it doesn’t turn around in a big way next year that should be it.

 

[Redbird222]

The problem is after Drake and UNI we have lost 4 straight matches to those “others”. After the horrible start they turned it around but now have regressed. I don’t expect or think something should happen this year. But if it doesn’t turn around in a big way next year that should be it.

Didn't our best hitter tear her ACL? I may be wrong but i think that's probably the #1 contributing factor.

Also, we may have some strong players but clearly there is a lack of depth

 

[isuquinndog]

Didn't our best hitter tear her ACL? I may be wrong but i think that's probably the #1 contributing factor.

Also, we may have some strong players but clearly there is a lack of depth

Yes, she did against UIC. So they lost UNI/Drake weekend with her, then they have lost 4 in a row without her.

Is this the third year in a row with a major injury? Just crazy in a non-contact sport.