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Post by kiyoat on Sept 20, 2021 10:21:23 GMT -6
Opening weekend for conference play!
Friday @ 7PM vs. SDSU
Tuesday @ 7PM vs. NDSU
Why combine the two matches? Most of the schedule is Thurdsay/Saturday matches, utilizing travel partners. It makes sense to combine game threads each weekend I think. The NDSU match is an outlier, so I'm combining it with the SDSU match. Easier for me.
Last year these two teams finished 5th and 6th in the conference, just missing the 4-team conference tourney (normally it's a 6-team tournament). This year they both seem to have picked up where they left off, taking care of business in matches they should win.
In fact, both of these matches could be "trap games", and they should both be considered upset threats, IMHO. Our team has struggled a little with inconsistent and error-filled play at times so far this season. We desperately need some confidence-building home games, So let's pack the SCSC like we do for rivalry BB games!
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Post by GoYotes on Sept 20, 2021 10:45:24 GMT -6
Would love to see 3,000 + at the match on Friday night vs State College and set a new home attendance record. I believe the USD home attendance record for VB was in the range of 2,900 for the 2019 NIVC championship match vs Georgia Tech,
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Post by kiyoat on Sept 20, 2021 11:15:32 GMT -6
Would love to see 3,000 + at the match on Friday night vs State College and set a new home attendance record. I believe the USD home attendance record for VB was in the range of 2,900 for the 2019 NIVC championship match vs Georgia Tech, IIRC it was between 2400 and 2500, so 2500 would break the record. If the Jacks fans haven't noticed their team's rising success that last couple of years, then they should. Having a few blue fans at those matches wouldn't be a bad thing for the rivalry. Edit: the record is 2431 Also: the match vs SDSU in the SCSC in 2019 drew 1631 fans. Should be easy to at least beat that record.Oops. fixed the SDSU match attendance.... |
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Post by kiyoat on Sept 20, 2021 14:52:29 GMT -6
The SDSU and NDSU matches in 2019 were the last two home matches, when we were on a roll, tearing through the conference. So I'd guess the attendance was higher due to that momentum.
The home average attendance was 1167 in 2019. That put us in the top 50 in Division I (45th) nationally. Here are the matches that eclipsed the average that season:
1637 vs. Iowa (W 3-2)
1277 vs Omaha (W 3-0)
1433 vs. Denver (W 3-1)
1631 vs. SDSU (W 3-0) Record vs SDSU?
1758 vs. NDSU (W 3-0) Record vs NDSU?
postseason
1315 Vs. Tulsa (W 3-1)
2431 vs. Georgia Tech (L 0-3)* All-time Record
* = all time attendance record broken
So those are the goals, attendance-wise. 2019 was an attendance record-breaking season. I think we can do better, but it's good to put it in perspective. In 2019 only eight teams averaged over 3,000 fans, and only one of them was a mid-major (Hawaii). On the other hand, many of the mid majors with the highest attendance are from this region: BYU, Creighton, UNI, Colorado State, Wichita State all average over 2K fans most years. That would be nice company to join.
Being early in the season, I'd be great with anything over 1,000, but being a rivalry game, I'll hope for a little more. Our VB fans can create a nice atmosphere with 1,000 to 1,500. For the NDSU match it might be tougher being on a Tuesday night. Will the lack of a home football game this weekend help or hurt attendance?
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Post by kiyoat on Sept 21, 2021 10:36:22 GMT -6
Massey odds of us winning:
66% vs SDSU, 3-2
80% vs NDSU, 3-1
I think the numbers are way off here due to the difference in schedule strength. Here's my guess:
W vs SDSU 3-0
W vs NDSU 3-1
Hopefully the team won't overlook anyone, but I'm feeling confident.
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Post by kiyoat on Sept 22, 2021 10:13:12 GMT -6
....Being early in the season, I'd be great with anything over 1,000, but being a rivalry game, I'll hope for a little more. Our VB fans can create a nice atmosphere with 1,000 to 1,500. For the NDSU match it might be tougher being on a Tuesday night. Will the lack of a home football game this weekend help or hurt attendance? Looks like almost 900 tix sold already, and it's only Wednesday. I think we should safely be over 1K between students and walk-ups. probably a lot more. |
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Post by kiyoat on Sept 22, 2021 10:18:24 GMT -6
SDSU is 2-20 vs. USD in the Division 1 era and 1-13 vs Coach Williamson (by my count). They have never won a D-1 match in Vermillion, and have never won a set in the SCSC. Hopefully we keep all those records intact, but I could see them winning a set. They have improved a lot. Will need the crowd to make it a hostile place.
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Post by announcerbob on Sept 22, 2021 10:25:18 GMT -6
We need the game day staff to create the hostile environment and help bring the crowd into it as well!!!
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vs. SDSU
Sept 22, 2021 11:34:45 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by captaincoyote on Sept 22, 2021 11:34:45 GMT -6
Our team is very talented and experienced. They're almost the same team as last year's conference tournament champs. I have no doubt that they will begin to solidify and get rolling sooner than later. This weekend should be a good place to start.
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Post by kiyoat on Sept 23, 2021 8:10:54 GMT -6
What are the coaches saying about this match?
Coach Georgalas, SDSU:
"...To us, it's 'opponent #12'. Our process stays the same. For us, only having one match this week allows us to get in a full week of practice to improve upon everything we were disappointed in Saturday morning's performance. I really like the structure of conference play, and how things start out. Jackrabbit volleyball's been best on the road so far this season, and we're excited to see that team show its face on Friday."
(you can rewind for the full interview)
Coach Williamson:
"...I'm glad we're home, being able to play in front of our fans [...] SDSU's having a good year. It'll be a good challenge. I think our team is up for that, too. Any time we can play a rivalry game it's fun. It's a good thing to be a part of, and something that we very much enjoy, but we're very much just looking forward to get back on the court and compete at a high level again..."
(rewind for full interview)
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Post by fightsd on Sept 23, 2021 11:15:51 GMT -6
Their coach weirds me out. Not exactly sure why.
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Post by kiyoat on Sept 23, 2021 15:40:50 GMT -6
Their coach weirds me out. Not exactly sure why. LOL - that wasn't my objective in posting those videos, of course. I just thought there was a little bit of a contrast of message. One coach is trying to keep an even keel and keep his young and improving team from getting psyched out by getting too "up" for a rivalry game they could potentially get blown out in. The other (Leanne) is talking up the opponent, trying to not have her team (or the fans) overlook an upstart team that could reasonably pull off an upset win. Both are good coaches. Based on other comments in the interviews, both are taking the extra time this week to focus more on their own team's improvement than on prepping for the opponent. It's still early in the season. |
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Post by yoteforever on Sept 23, 2021 19:31:59 GMT -6
Make plans to go. I’m driving 2 hours to watch this. Hope it’s full
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Post by GoYotes on Sept 24, 2021 7:06:34 GMT -6
BEAT STATE
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Post by kiyoat on Sept 24, 2021 9:01:48 GMT -6
Game Day tweet:
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