VB Program

Here's the report from tonight's match at the top-ten Toreros:

Match Report

I can't say I follow the Pilot Volleyball program that closely, but I have been noticing the cumulative results from this year.  If you don't know how it's been going, just take a look at the record.  I am not aware of any of the mitigating circumstances, whether harsh injuries, rash of transfers, graduation decimating an imbalanced roster, etc., but I don't know how a coaching staff can survive that.  Growing up coming to men's basketball games in the 80s and 90s (and then 00s and 10s . . . ) I certainly didn't and don't come to Pilot games to see wins, but man . . .

Now I hate it when fans and supporters, even with the best intentions in mind, come off as overly negative or even ruthless when criticizing or commenting on what is rightfully amateur athletics, so I'll  try to end positively.  They just hired a new assistant coach over the summer who will focus on recruiting and academics; sounds like a good way to add support of student athletes to keep the program competitive.  So there appears to be at least some focus and support from the athletic department.  And from the recap it sounds like the top performers are freshmen, so there is a core to build on and around for the following years.  There may be hope for the future after all.  What can we as fans do to support the team?  Start by showing up to games.  I bet if we could all just show up to one game a year, that would start to add up.  I know they appreciate our support.

Good post VG....yes, what can WE do to help this moribund team?
 
I used to follow Pilots Volleyball very closely, knew the coaches and players well, and enjoyed the team’s play, for the most part.  But after a several coaching changes, and without any apparent outreach from the present coach or players, this year marks my second year in a row of not attending any games.
 
I think most of us have played volleyball, and have certainly watched beach volleyball during the Olympics, so we have a basic understanding of the game, but we probably don’t know all the technical terms, tactics, and required teamwork.   So, for me at least, it’s always seemed a rather boring game because it is not fully understood…..and there’s NO running up and down the court or pitch with deft passes, physical play, and in your face defense.  
 
I would imagine the big fans of volleyball will dispute that statement…..and if that’s so, then I suggest the athletic department conduct a clinic so we can meet the coaches and players and so we can learn how the players work together to score or defend.  At UP, generally if one knows the players and understands the sport, the fans will come to cheer the team on…..win or lose. 

I enjoy volleyball, and have attended a handful of games this year. Several players graduated last year, and 2-3 more transferred to other schools. Freshmen have indeed been getting lots of minutes, and some look promising.

I have attended a couple of matches this year where the team just didn't seem to show up--not getting up for blocks, lots of unforced errors, miscommunication. But I've also seen a couple where they played hard through much of the match, but did not manage to finish. Perhaps most disappointing was the Gonzaga game at home where they were up 2-0, and then lost 3-2.

Last year, the team won a handful of games before the conference started, and then lost every WCC game until the last match of the season (Gonzaga on the road). In that game, they were down in the 5th set (where 15 points wins) something like 10-3, and came back to win.

I would encourage fans to come out and support the team. The last two matches of the season are Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon of next week.

I have long been a UP volleyball fan, but the team has been hard to watch this year. As eProf said, way too many unforced errors. The youth of the team may contribute to the problem.

20 years ago one of the VB coaches complained to me that the program didn't get a lot of support from the Athletic Department and that crosstown rival PSU had a much larger budget for volleyball. I don't know if this is still the case, but based on PSU's continued excellence in VB and UP's continued lack of success it makes one wonder. UP has had several coaches who were successful coming into the program, had a lack of success at UP and are once again successful upon leaving UP. The current coach fits the profile. If these successful people cannot raise the level of play at UP maybe something else is the problem.

eProf wrote:I would encourage fans to come out and support the team. The last two matches of the season are Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon of next week.

Hmm, those games might be doable for some who watch Men's Basketball.
 
The 8 PM match against Pacific on Thursday follows the Men's Basketball game against Idaho at 5 PM, and the 1 PM match on Saturday vs. St. Mary's precedes the 4:30 PM Columbia vs. Idaho basketball game and the 7 PM UP Men's game against North Texas.
 
Busy weekend for the UP staff.....the Women's Basketball Team plays Seattle U. at 4:00 PM on Sunday

I played competitive (well, that might be too strong, but we tried! ) volleyball for years, and have tried to watch UP matches.  Generally, the matches are played at difficult times on the weekends...  like 1pm on a Saturday.  That makes it hard to attend, but I realize there are a lot of events to schedule around.

Additionally, I agree that the program and/or Athletic Department have not done a great job of marketing the program.  I tried to connect the program with the Roosevelt High School volleyball program, since they are right down the street, and I know one of their coaches.  Zero apparent interest from the U, and all the effort was to be on my or the Roosevelt Coaches shoulders to make it happen.  (I know there are NCAA rules involved, but it was clear there was no interest in making it happen).

It is a shame...  there are multiple large & active volleyball organizations in Portland that I am sure would come watch matches with some marketing/outreach... particularly with national ranked opponents in the WCC every year.   I explored some outreach with my organization years ago... no interest on the UP end.

I tried to watch some action this year on the web stream... it was painful.  Bad camera angles, no audio, and a worse product on the court.  

If you catch any of the BYU matches on BYUtv, you see that it can in fact be an exciting event...

Reminder:  The Pilots volleyball team will host the Pacific Tigers on Thursday, November 21st at 8:00 p.m. as well as the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Saturday, November 23rd at 1:00 p.m. 
 
I may stick around after the basketball game tomorrow night....but it's going to make for a long day....

Frustration!!
 
UP wins the first two sets over Pacific, but drops the next three..... 
 
Final game and senior day on Saturday at 1 PM vs. St. Mary's.

DoubleDipper wrote:Frustration!!
 
UP wins the first two sets over Pacific, but drops the next three..... 
 
Final game and senior day on Saturday at 1 PM vs. St. Mary's.

Even more frustrating was that we had something like half a dozen match points in the third set, and could not convert. The Pilots ended up losing that set 36-34. On every match point, more-or-less the entire crowd would rise and cheer, only to sit down after the point was lost.

Stopped by the Chiles Center to watch a little volleyball today, but the game wasn’t near as exciting as the match on Thursday night against Pacific.
 
The Pilots were beaten in straight sets by St. Mary’s and ended their season 0-27; 0-18 in WCC play.
 
I know UP has signed three new recruits for next year.....better times ahead??

DoubleDipper wrote:Stopped by the Chiles Center to watch a little volleyball today, but the game wasn’t near as exciting as the match on Thursday night against Pacific.
 
The Pilots were beaten in straight sets by St. Mary’s and ended their season 0-27; 0-18 in WCC play.
 
I know UP has signed three new recruits for next year.....better times ahead??

Has to be. Could it be any worse?

A press release from University of Portland:

University of Portland Athletic Director Scott Leykam announced today that there will be a change in the leadership of the women's volleyball program, effective immediately. Joe Houck will not return as head coach of the program and will be reassigned to an administrative position with the University.

“I would like to thank Joe for his service and devotion to the University of Portland volleyball program,” Leykam said. “We will begin a national search for his successor immediately.”

Houck and the Pilots finished 0-27 in 2013 and he posted an overall record of 41-126 in his six seasons at Portland.

Anyone think they will actually put some effort into improving the program?

Interesting that Houck will remain in an administrative capacity... what does that mean? I guess that is a good thing?

I hope that the U is able to find a program changer... we have good facilities and play in a solid volleyball conference, but have zero tradition to build on... and competing with the soccer teams for attention during the fall season will not be easy.

A_Fan wrote:Anyone think they will actually put some effort into improving the program?

That is the big question. I am not holding my breath, but I can always hope... on the other hand, it would be tough to justify spending much more to draw in a higher caliber coach.

Interesing timing....from the Albany Democrat-Herald:

Marandah Boeder finally made it official.

The West Albany senior middle blocker signed her letter of intent with the University of Portland on Tuesday morning.

Boeder, a 5A first-team all-state pick in 2013, helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back state titles.

She began her career as an outside hitter before moving to middle blocker.

“She is a kid that as a sophomore was not on the varsity team and improved a lot between her sophomore year and now,” West coach Kelli Backer said. “She put a lot of time into it and has worked hard. As a freshman, she wanted to be an outside hitter and we started working her towards being a middle, and she really grabbed on to that position. Her athletic ability makes her a natural for that position. She is very versatile.”

Those sentiments were reiterated by UP coach Joe Houck.

“Marandah is an extremely dynamic player who has the versatility to play any front row position for us and contribute immediately,” Houck said in a press release. “Nothing makes me happier than to keep Oregon athletes competing in the state, and we are thrilled to have Marandah here at UP.”