Friday: Day 2 Editor's Picks
*Conor Nicholl*
After a thrilling Day 1 that featured the biggest upset in this year's NCAA Tournament, Day 2 is underway at Pershing Arena. Central Missouri and West Florida are warming up and are about a half an hour from starting their Round of 32 match.
And for the picks:
No. 3 Central Missouri vs. No. 7 West Florida UCM wins 3-1
West Florida played one of their best matches of the year and Washburn, hurt by continued injuries and a lack of fire, played their worst. The result was a WFU victory and a spot against the Jennies in the Round of 32. Central, led by L/OH Katie Tarka, completely changed things in their first round win over the Missouri Southern. Tarka, one of the best liberos in the country, played front line and hit over .400.
It's likely they will employ a similar tactic against WFU - a team that won't know how to game plan for that maneuever because they haven't it seen in before. WFU is a really fun team to watch because they exude constant energy and play with an outward passion that few teams can match, but it's unlikely they can keep up with Central.
Naiara Fernandes, WFU's best player, hit .258 with an incredibly high 62 attacks. I don't think she can maintain the consistency against the fundamentally sound Jennies defense. Fernandes will be contained after two sets and the Jennies will move to Saturday.
No. 1 Truman vs. No. 4 North Alabama Truman wins 3-1
Truman head coach Jason Skoch said, "UNA and Truman are the top two teams in the regional," after the Bulldogs' win Thursday night. And that's true- this will be a very close match. UNA outplayed a Pitt. State team that could have beaten them and has one major strength over the Bulldogs on Friday: setting. S Laura Bellinger is the South Central Regional MVP and arguably the best setter in the country. Her consistent play in the driving force behind UNA playing very well down the stretch.
This will the biggest test the Bulldogs will have this year at home, a place where they are 12-0 and 36-2 in games won.
Truman must come out strong and will need to win the first set. The Bulldogs, though, have too much firepower on the front line and too much depth. Bellinger will keep the match close, but the Bulldogs' front line will take over. Expect middles Allie Cherven and Lisa Weber to have huge matches.
After a thrilling Day 1 that featured the biggest upset in this year's NCAA Tournament, Day 2 is underway at Pershing Arena. Central Missouri and West Florida are warming up and are about a half an hour from starting their Round of 32 match.
And for the picks:
No. 3 Central Missouri vs. No. 7 West Florida UCM wins 3-1
West Florida played one of their best matches of the year and Washburn, hurt by continued injuries and a lack of fire, played their worst. The result was a WFU victory and a spot against the Jennies in the Round of 32. Central, led by L/OH Katie Tarka, completely changed things in their first round win over the Missouri Southern. Tarka, one of the best liberos in the country, played front line and hit over .400.
It's likely they will employ a similar tactic against WFU - a team that won't know how to game plan for that maneuever because they haven't it seen in before. WFU is a really fun team to watch because they exude constant energy and play with an outward passion that few teams can match, but it's unlikely they can keep up with Central.
Naiara Fernandes, WFU's best player, hit .258 with an incredibly high 62 attacks. I don't think she can maintain the consistency against the fundamentally sound Jennies defense. Fernandes will be contained after two sets and the Jennies will move to Saturday.
No. 1 Truman vs. No. 4 North Alabama Truman wins 3-1
Truman head coach Jason Skoch said, "UNA and Truman are the top two teams in the regional," after the Bulldogs' win Thursday night. And that's true- this will be a very close match. UNA outplayed a Pitt. State team that could have beaten them and has one major strength over the Bulldogs on Friday: setting. S Laura Bellinger is the South Central Regional MVP and arguably the best setter in the country. Her consistent play in the driving force behind UNA playing very well down the stretch.
This will the biggest test the Bulldogs will have this year at home, a place where they are 12-0 and 36-2 in games won.
Truman must come out strong and will need to win the first set. The Bulldogs, though, have too much firepower on the front line and too much depth. Bellinger will keep the match close, but the Bulldogs' front line will take over. Expect middles Allie Cherven and Lisa Weber to have huge matches.
posted by Conor Nicholl at Friday, November 10, 2006
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