I think it was a combination. That was by far the best volleyball Moeller has played this tournament, but also possibly Elder’s worst game of the season. Funnily enough, I think if X, Liberty or Beavercreek score on game point and beat moeller then go up against elder, elder wins it. Funny how it all works. Absolutely crazy match to see in person.I am not taking anything away from Moeller, congrats to them. Just not sure what adjustments Moeller made from the last match Moe played against Elder. I thought Elder simply played poorly.
I couldn’t agree more. I think Elder suffered from being too dominant in the regular season. They forgot what it’s like to fight for games. I thought they could come back after Moe won the first, but I knew there was no way they were coming back after Moe won the second. They’ve only played one match to 5 sets the whole year, their only loss. It’s a great testament to how good of a team they are, but they lose out on that mental toughness that builds with losing and winning hard fought matches.I said it on the Elder board, but will reiterate here. I fully believe Elder is the better overall team when comparing the two, specifically when you look at the entire season and their two previous matches. Moeller was the better team today when it mattered most. They served better, attacked better, got a some lucky points which always helps this time of year and most importantly made the smart, easy play. This was Elder's worst match since St X in the 2nd match of the season. It's like they expected Moeller to just hand it to them.
Moeller also struggled most of the weekend in serve receive, which wasn't the case tonight. They were in system, and executing their game plan to a T. Patterson in the middle didn't hurt Elder as much as last year, but their setter did an excellent job of holding Elder's block before throwing it outside where they beat the block again and again.
No one really expected Moeller to win this one, and they played very free, swinging away. Whereas Elder looked extremely tight, bad swings, bad serving, bad decisions throughout.
Spot on. I don’t think anyone can disagree that Elder is the most talented team in the state. Probably one of the most talented teams in Ohio boys volleyball history, but when you face pretty much zero adversity all season, you can lose the mental edge. Contrary to the 2008 Elder team, where every single guy on that team was always laser focused and had a killer instinct.I said it on the Elder board, but will reiterate here. I fully believe Elder is the better overall team when comparing the two, specifically when you look at the entire season and their two previous matches. Moeller was the better team today when it mattered most. They served better, attacked better, got a some lucky points which always helps this time of year and most importantly made the smart, easy play. This was Elder's worst match since St X in the 2nd match of the season. It's like they expected Moeller to just hand it to them.
Moeller also struggled most of the weekend in serve receive, which wasn't the case tonight. They were in system, and executing their game plan to a T. Patterson in the middle didn't hurt Elder as much as last year, but their setter did an excellent job of holding Elder's block before throwing it outside where they beat the block again and again.
No one really expected Moeller to win this one, and they played very free, swinging away. Whereas Elder looked extremely tight, bad swings, bad serving, bad decisions throughout.
Agree here, Halverson not winning Player of the year is unbelievable because that performance was the best i’ve ever seen and won them that game.I think the poster above nailed it. The lack of adversity Elder faced this year may have been the issue. Elder looked shell shocked after going down early and started playing very tight.
On the D2 side, Halverson was incredible. Second best individual performance (Behind Gilbert last year) I have seen at the state tournament in the last 5 years. A lot of fight from Carroll and with a handful of Jr. players on the team I would expect another run next year.
You have to realize that there’s a lot of coaches voting on those things who would’ve never seen him play before this past weekend, but could only vote based on stats and Bennison’s were better and he played on a good team. Just depends on how you view POY; is it stat-based or is it MVP? I think it should be more MVP than anything and, to me, Halverson is thatAgree here, Halverson not winning Player of the year is unbelievable because that performance was the best i’ve ever seen and won them that game.
As the 2 seed I am not sure why you say they weren't projected to make it out.Moeller wasn't even projected to get out of the region! What a run by them once again. Congrats to Moeller and Badin!
I will agree there. I’m still in shock. I did not know what to expect this year from this team. Moe had ups and downs all year, for one reason or another. Then in the playoffs, looked so dominant at times, only to go looking lost in a flash. But they never quit! So proud of this team!I was more referring to beginning of the season.
Absolutely made the plays down the stretch needed to win the big matches.I will agree there. I’m still in shock. I did not know what to expect this year from this team. Moe had ups and downs all year, for one reason or another. Then in the playoffs, looked so dominant at times, only to go looking lost in a flash. But they never quit! So proud of this team!
St X returns a strong core as well. Meyer, Pung, Tressler all at OH/OPP and Jones and Terrell in the middle. Stewart returns at libero. Tran at setter. Also a lot of strong sophomores to add in the mix.Moeller is probably the favorite next year as well. They will need to find some ball control to replace Wong and Renneker.
Returning starters:
Patterson
Hagerty
Threm
Marcum
Geselbracht
The OCC-Cardinal will be stacked- Darby, Jerome, Kilbourne, Olentangy, and Berlin. Even though it pains me to say it as an alum, I think TW will be down for the count for a year or two. Lots of promising talents coming up though. Just a very senior heavy core that was lost.The North was really young, lots of juniors who had impressive seasons. The top dogs in the East will be Mt Vernon, Jerome, Darby and Liberty will have enough to keep them in the picture. TW has to replace a lot and so does Pick Central. Would expect D2 in the East to be pretty solid too- Kilbourne, Olentangy, Berlin, DeSales all return a lot of talent.
The best programs find ways to be competitive every year (X, Moe, Creek, Elder, Ignatius, Centerville). Liberty may be the closest thing the East has to that, and they don’t even come close to rivaling what Darby once was. The landscape of the East has changed quite a bit in the last 5 years!The OCC-Cardinal will be stacked- Darby, Jerome, Kilbourne, Olentangy, and Berlin. Even though it pains me to say it as an alum, I think TW will be down for the count for a year or two. Lots of promising talents coming up though. Just a very senior heavy core that was lost.
He had some conflicts with Moe relating to his brother not getting the football job when it opened, twice. You can browse the archives for that stuff. This move is definitely surprising.I think he left Moeller mainly due to a new teaching position at Lasalle. I assume he got a new teaching opportunity elsewhere?
Going for a new teaching role at Little Miami.Wow McLaughlin leaving LaSalle. Wonder where he is going?
I would hope that means a new BVB program at Little Miami when he gets there as well. Little Miami adding would give the ECC a solid group of teams:Going for a new teaching role at Little Miami.
Especially with Badin losing Eli, The south looks like it’s all La Salle for the next couple years so whoever takes over should have a shot to make a state run as I don’t know what any of the other D2 south teams will even look likeI would hope that means a new BVB program at Little Miami when he gets there as well. Little Miami adding would give the ECC a solid group of teams:
Walnut, Loveland, Milford, West Clermont, Lebanon (all currently have programs)
Then I've heard rumors of Turpin and Anderson adding as well.
If LM adds, thats a nice 8 team conference added to the Cincinnati area.
Good luck to Matt!
Whoever takes over at LaSalle will have Harrison Hausfeld's best years - not a bad job, an immediate chance to make a run to the D2 State tournament depending on what the OHSAA tourney looks like.