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#8 Cal vs #1 PennSt (1pm) - Elite 8 Open Thread

Our Volleyball team's in the Elite 8! 

Today we take on #1 Penn State (Defending Nat Champs).  TV broadcast is on ESPNU.  Our friend PRD74 will be streaming the game.  Tee-off is at 1pm PST or 4pm EST.

http://www.justin.tv/prd74test

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How sweet it is to be back in the Elite 8

Star-divide

3104273376_46575f2219_o_medium
Despite only being 6'1, Amra has got some ridiculous hops

Yesterday we knocked off the #9 seed Illinois 25-22, 25-22, 25-22... the closest game possible is 25-23, 25-23, 25-23... so we were definitely cutting it close there.

 

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Penn St. fans will be out in force - they're the defending champs

Today we take on #1 Penn St at Penn St!... They're 30-0 and have not lost a single set.  We are big underdogs, but if we can pull off a miracle, it would go down as the greatest game of Volleyball in our school history.

 

NCAA RANKINGS

CALIFORNIA
#8 - USA TODAY POLL
#3 - Assists per set
#7 - Hitting %
#3 - Kills per set
#25 - Blocks per set

PENN STATE
#1 - USA TODAY POLL
#2 - Assists per set
#1 - Hitting %
#2 - Kill per set
#1 - Blocks per set

 

PLAYER SIZE

CALIFORNIA
6'4: Hana Chutra - Outside hitter
6'3: Tara Murray - Outside hitter
6'2: Mindy Wiley - Middle blocker
6'2: Kat Riley - Middle blocker

5'11: Carli Lloyd - Setter
5'6: Kristin Kathan - Libero

PENN STATE
6'4: Nicole Fawcett - Outside hitter
6'5: Katie Kabbes - Outside hitter
6'5: Blair Brown - Middle blocker
6'3:
Arielle Wilson - Middle blocker

6'0: Alicia Glass - Setter
5'8: Roberta Holehouse - Libero

 

KEYS TO THE GAME

As you can see, we match up very well in terms of Power Hitting and Kills.  However, Penn State has a HUGE size advantage.  Those girls are MONSTERS... literally.  Their size allows them to be the best blocking team in the NCAA... while we only rank #25.  For us to win this game we have to do the following:

  1. Move the ball... getting around their 6'5 blockers will make or break this match.  Carli needs to move the ball around because we know Hana will be covered constantly. 
  2. Amra and Tara have to step up.  With three different 6'5 players trying to block Hana, Amra and Tara have to step up and be accurate with their spikes... NO MISTAKES.
  3. Have confidence - I know Penn St. seems unbeatable... but they have weaknesses... primarily, they're slow (due to their size)... Every team can be beat... sometimes all you need to do is not believe in your opponent's invincibility. 

WHY TO WATCH

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http://www.justin.tv/prd74test

These girls have played their hearts out to get here... and it's been a long season of ups and downs... and frankly not many people thought they'd be here.  The least we can do is watch them one more time. 

Secondly, they have a chance to knock off the best Volleyball team in the history of the NCAA... today THEY CAN MAKE HISTORY.

GO BEARS!

 

 


Here's the 1st round video again while we wait.

The opinions expressed in a FanPost are, in every way, reflective of the opinions of every California Golden Blogs Marshawnthusiast. Moreover, they are reflective of every employee of SBNation, including Tyler "Blez" Bleszinski.

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I'll be watching this after

the HS All-Star game I mentioned in the DBD… on FSN PT at 11am

Go Bears!

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 9:24 AM PST reply actions  

Matches only last about an hour and a half… so if you can watch the stream while you’re watching the tube you can keep an eye on both.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 10:20 AM PST up reply actions  

holy crap those penn state girls are TALL.

i'm here to clean your pool but i don't have a pool *bowchica bowow*

by ch0ster on Dec 13, 2008 10:05 AM PST reply actions  

When I said they were monsters, I wasn’t kidding…. they’re the biggest team in the NCAA… I think they’re bigger than many men’s teams. Hell, our team is considered a big team… but against these gals, we’re just average.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 10:19 AM PST up reply actions  

The bigger they are… The harder they fall.

They’ll be Cryin’ Nittany Lions (Lionesses) after this one.

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 11:41 AM PST up reply actions   1 recs

Rec’d for excessive cockiness!

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 11:49 AM PST up reply actions  

Thank you twist. This is a huge game for us and it would be great for us fans to witness it.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 10:38 AM PST reply actions  

Fans are already on the PRD74 Channel

Can anyone see the stream? I’m getting the chat but not the stream.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 12:56 PM PST reply actions  

With our luck this season they’ll hit a buzzer beater and send it into OT.

by BearsNecessity on Dec 13, 2008 1:06 PM PST reply actions  

TOOT TOOT 7-1

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:10 PM PST reply actions  

The pain train plays volleyball too?!?!

It's spelled "S-H-U-C-F-A-D-O-D-N-C-S"

Please, ask me about CFADODNCS.

by JShufelt on Dec 13, 2008 1:10 PM PST up reply actions  

The pain train is omnipresent.

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 13, 2008 1:18 PM PST up reply actions  

you have to use words that Oregon fans will know…

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Dec 13, 2008 1:19 PM PST up reply actions  

They give tasty gifts?

It's spelled "S-H-U-C-F-A-D-O-D-N-C-S"

Please, ask me about CFADODNCS.

by JShufelt on Dec 13, 2008 1:19 PM PST up reply actions  

yes.

the pain train gives tasty gifts.
on 2nd note, something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a long time:
what are CFADODNCS?

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 13, 2008 1:21 PM PST up reply actions  

BRING THE PAIN BEARS

CAN WE GET A BEAR TERRITORY IN THEIR HOUSE??!!?!

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:11 PM PST up reply actions  

did we bring our band? I think I can hear them.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:21 PM PST up reply actions  

me too. I hear “Big C”.

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 13, 2008 1:24 PM PST up reply actions  

I don't think they are there

At the New Mexico State game at Haas the Cal Band played half the time and the New Mexico State song was played over the speakers the other half of the time.

by Calnet on Dec 13, 2008 1:33 PM PST up reply actions  

really? I’ve never heard an opponent’s fight song played over the PA at any event.

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 13, 2008 1:34 PM PST up reply actions  

I think there are special rules for the NCAA tournament.

by Calnet on Dec 13, 2008 1:39 PM PST up reply actions  

Wow… this is surprising… I’ve haven’t seen Penn down this much… and I’ve seen three of their games this year.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:11 PM PST up reply actions  

GO….

BEARS….

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Dec 13, 2008 1:19 PM PST reply actions  

way to jinx everything.

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 13, 2008 1:22 PM PST up reply actions  

You have a strange definition of jinx.

by BearsNecessity on Dec 13, 2008 1:23 PM PST up reply actions  

fine. way to….uhhh….verbally manipulate the outcome.

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 13, 2008 1:26 PM PST up reply actions  

6 Bro!

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:21 PM PST up reply actions  

Calm Down Girls...

So far, I don’t see a talent difference. Then again, I don’t have a trained eye.

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:23 PM PST reply actions  

the only major diff is the blocking… they’re #1 in blocking

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:24 PM PST up reply actions  

I can see that

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions  

because they volunteered to host the regionals.

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 13, 2008 1:27 PM PST up reply actions  

They’re the #1 seed, so they get to host the regional… the final four is at a neutral site.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:27 PM PST up reply actions  

is it the #1 seed that hosts the regional? our women’s BB team is hosting a regional and we don’t don’t what seed they are yet.

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 13, 2008 1:28 PM PST up reply actions  

Don’t know, but last year they were seeded #1 and they hosted the regional…

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:30 PM PST up reply actions  

Typical Cal fandom

C’mon we’re in this with a team taht’s never even dropped a set! Let’s do this

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:28 PM PST up reply actions  

Two missed points

And a few faults. I guess that’s why PSU is #1 and Cal is 8th.

by BearsNecessity on Dec 13, 2008 1:29 PM PST reply actions  

We have the hitting to beat them… it’s just that their defense is better.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:31 PM PST up reply actions  

Is loud, raucousfan behavior acceptable at games?

I’m going to get to one when I can

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:30 PM PST reply actions  

Y

Stand by the student section or the Band.

by Calnet on Dec 13, 2008 1:34 PM PST up reply actions  

Carli blocked that shit!

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:35 PM PST reply actions  

Angles good, middle bad

Think I’ve figured out the basic strategy.

by BearsNecessity on Dec 13, 2008 1:37 PM PST reply actions  

there are very few on our team who aren’t.

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 13, 2008 1:42 PM PST up reply actions  

she's kinda pretty from certain angles.

Ugliest team – Texas.
Hottest team – ours, really.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:41 PM PST reply actions  

We need some trick plays

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Absolutely... our team is too straightforward

We’re a pure power team… but what if the other team’s defense is good… we need to use more misdirection

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:43 PM PST up reply actions  

Time for a Hitch n Pitch

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:46 PM PST up reply actions  

Danzig, I get the fact that we’re getting blocked. What the hell is happening to our serve?

by BearsNecessity on Dec 13, 2008 1:43 PM PST reply actions  

Nerves....

But Mindy has been having probs… but Hana has been great and she never serves out… I don’t know what’s wrong.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:44 PM PST up reply actions  

that’s a huge part of the strategy…saving your legs. You jump up to 180 to 200 times per match… so you def get hosed towards the end.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:48 PM PST up reply actions  

Kat isn't jumping well

we need to move Hana to Middle and just let Amra hit on the outside.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:47 PM PST reply actions  

THERE'S BIG C

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 1:49 PM PST reply actions  

MOTHERFUEJNHSKLKG GOODDDAMMEN PEIICE OF SHHHHERITTT ASSSHWWWWHIPPEEFF REFSSSS… HOME FIELD ADVANNTWGE MOTHERFEUUCKENN SHIIITT!!

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:58 PM PST up reply actions  

It’s not over… we’ve gone on 3 set runs this season… they know how to come back.. but we need to figure out this defense. It’s about what adjustments Feller makes during Halftime.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:56 PM PST up reply actions  

Crap

The moment we pay attention to Cal volleyball they blow it. Figures.

by BearsNecessity on Dec 13, 2008 1:56 PM PST reply actions  

Ha….that’s some typical Cal superstition

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 1:57 PM PST up reply actions  

Gotta be honest here.. Haven’t shaved my balls since we entered the NCAA tourney… doesn’t seem to be working today.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 2:03 PM PST up reply actions  

We’re in the same boat here… except I haven’t changed my underoos.

Itchy!

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 2:04 PM PST up reply actions  

Better get the razors going before the third set.

by BearsNecessity on Dec 13, 2008 2:05 PM PST up reply actions  

Good idea… that’s gotta work. I’m off to the bathroom!

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 2:06 PM PST up reply actions  

They get so fucking lucky on their serves that hit the net

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 2:10 PM PST reply actions  

WOW

Killing ourselves

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 2:13 PM PST reply actions  

WTF

Why do their net serves always go over???

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 2:16 PM PST reply actions  

I’m taking it to the Max

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 2:17 PM PST reply actions  

Yeah it looks like they put everything into that initial surge. And now they’re just flailing.

by BearsNecessity on Dec 13, 2008 2:20 PM PST up reply actions  

Their blocking took away our power game… they took us out of our offense.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 2:25 PM PST up reply actions  

great point

The Bear will not quit, the Bear will not die

by Calfan on Dec 13, 2008 2:21 PM PST reply actions  

PRIDE

WE PLAY FOR PRIDE

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 2:21 PM PST reply actions  

Damn

Morgan is F I N E

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 2:23 PM PST reply actions  

JPEGs?

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Dec 13, 2008 4:23 PM PST up reply actions  

Damn.

We need to get a better seeding next year.

You ain't got it like Marshawn got it

by Thoroughbred on Dec 13, 2008 2:29 PM PST reply actions  

Absolutely true...

We needed to be in Washington’s bracket or in Texas’ bracket… then we only fear getting knocked out in the final4.

We get Pennst @ Pennst??? WTF!

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 2:31 PM PST up reply actions  

They really had great fan support. That gym was packed, they had a decent sized band and the crowd was making noise. I hope we get the opportunity to host a regional sometime in the future.

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 13, 2008 5:30 PM PST up reply actions  

After I take the samuari sword out of my belly, I’ll get to it. I still love our team though… they’re badass.

by danzig on Dec 13, 2008 2:39 PM PST up reply actions  

Damn. My dad went to Penn state. We couldnt find hte game, but were talking trash. Now, he gets the last laugh!

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Dec 13, 2008 3:51 PM PST reply actions  

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