turns out that while it isn't as big a year as some of us may have hoped after the first weekend, it is kind of a standard UNI year. Very aggressive schedule that gives the chance to pick up a couple good resume-building wins, even though all the losses kind of sting. But frankly many of those losses are just to be expected. Currently, the "worst" loss at this point is Iowa State (and it really sucks that Hawkeye volleyball fans are going around claiming to be the best volleyball team in the state, which is totally lame, but anyway).
I don't see any teams in the Valley that UNI can't beat (not like Missouri State last year). Illinois State is decent (I could see a split with them). Drake isn't terrible, and they often get up for the "in state rivalry game", so next Friday night in Des Moines could be a tough one. And Missouri State isn't going to be down for long. They'll get things figured out and can pose a challenge. If UNI plays up to their potential, they can certainly win all of their Valley matches, but they will inevitably have some off nights. I just hope those off nights don't cost any matches. I predict UNI being in a similar situation as last year, making the NCAAs, with a decent chance of getting a win in the first round. Then it just depends on which of the many midwestern seeded teams they end up facing in the second round (should they advance): Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota, maybe even Creighton or Marquette. All considered bus trips, which saves the NCAA money. It'd be hilarious if UNI got sent to Texas (but I doubt that'd happen)..
That's a few months down the road, though. Have to get through conference play first.
I don't see any teams in the Valley that UNI can't beat (not like Missouri State last year). Illinois State is decent (I could see a split with them). Drake isn't terrible, and they often get up for the "in state rivalry game", so next Friday night in Des Moines could be a tough one. And Missouri State isn't going to be down for long. They'll get things figured out and can pose a challenge. If UNI plays up to their potential, they can certainly win all of their Valley matches, but they will inevitably have some off nights. I just hope those off nights don't cost any matches. I predict UNI being in a similar situation as last year, making the NCAAs, with a decent chance of getting a win in the first round. Then it just depends on which of the many midwestern seeded teams they end up facing in the second round (should they advance): Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota, maybe even Creighton or Marquette. All considered bus trips, which saves the NCAA money. It'd be hilarious if UNI got sent to Texas (but I doubt that'd happen)..
That's a few months down the road, though. Have to get through conference play first.
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