After I published my last article after the Sweet 16 lost, I had a discussion with one of my new readers. The reader said I was being too negative and that the volleyball team deserved more respect from me after all they accomplished this season. When someone criticizes me, I listen, and try to improve. I realized that yes, I was being too negative in that post and writing with a bitter taste in my mouth right after the game was a rookie mistake on my part. I’m not perfect, writing has never been my strength, and the volleyball team did deserve better than what I had written after the Sweet 16 game. (Heck, I even forgot about the 100+ dig team record set during the match!) So after finals were over, I set out to do a full season recap of the season. But work, family, and laziness got in my way. But here I am, nearly 3 weeks after the season ended for our Lady Boilers and almost 2 weeks since UCLA beat Illinois 3-1 for the National Title (that Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl is going to be a great rematch!), I finally got myself to write this recap, a recap that the volleyball team deserves.

Continue reading this post »

When the 2011 season started, there was a lot of promise for a successful season and a potential Final Four run. As the season progressed, Purdue received more attention from national media after beginning the season 14-0 with wins over tournament teams such as Ball State, Cincinnati, and Michigan. But Purdue took a hit before the Louisville match in Champaign when Carly Cramer was lost to a stress fracture and would ultimately redshirt for the season. Cramer was vital in Purdue’s backcourt at libero and had great ball handling skills. Purdue continued on, despite losing tough matches at Illinois and at Nebraska, Purdue refused to go down. Ball handling continued to be an issue from time to time, but with hitters like Turner and Fisher, they were almost able to make up for these mistakes.

Purdue finally cracked into the Top 10 with its 10 game winning streak during conference play, which included victories over Top 5 teams Illinois and Nebraska. After finishing the season tied 2^nd in the Big Ten, Purdue earned a Top 5 seed in the tournament and was favored to advance to the Final Four and even win the National Title. The bracket looked favorable, but as Coach Shondell said at the viewing party, "every team says their match ups are favorable."

Continue reading this post »