JCT wrote:
I was going to make a post on UC Irvine's post-match news conference in which Coach Kniffin was reluctant to give credit to Loyola, but I let it go last night. Today, somebody named brownbox on the volley talk board noticed it too, so I know it wasn't me being picky or too sensitive. "We picked a bad night to bring less than our best," "we had nerves," "we weren't intimidated by their size," "there are players that big and skilled on every team in our conference," "I had confidence until the 24th point of the third set," etc. It was almost comical, if it weren't such a clear case of absurd MPSF delusion. The best thing he had to say about Loyola was "they were steady," and "well-coached." The players were more realistic, with La Cavera saying, "We were totally exposed."
Let them keep up the denial and keep believing they're special. The super-awesome MPSF is 1-3 against non-MPSF teams in the NCAA tournament since 2013, with the only win coming against Erskine. Awesome!
If I remember correctly, UC-Irvine went up in the first set something like 6-1. As Loyola was making the comeback I was thinking to myself, "Why isn't Kniffin calling a time out?" Sure enough Loyola came back and won the set. I looked up to the scoreboard and two TOs left for Irvine. Vinnie Lopes was right in front of me. Just to make sure I wasn't going crazy, I asked him if Irvine called any and he was as surprised as I was.