BeckysTXA
11-24-2010, 10:31 AM
As someone else noted, for a long time this year, this match looked like a "throw away" match. Ohio was not having a good year. Usually this program has an rpi in the 20-30's. They were at one point just inside the 100's. They won their conference tourney and are headed to the dance and that makes this match perfect for both teams as a tune-up for the NCAAs.
As a team UD leads in almost all statistical categories - against much tougher competition. Thus our RPI is 12 and Ohio's is 79. But this match will be much more challenging than that.
UD is hitting .261. Ohio .238. About 5 weeks ago that's where UD was and I posted we needed to get on an offensive roll because of the Top 25 teams our hitting % was almost last. Also that no Final Four team over the last 3 years hit below .260-.270 range, with most .300+. At the time I also said we probably couldn't get there -- simply too few matches left. But it was important we TRENDED in the high 200's heading into the NCAAs.
Boy did this team prove me wrong. They have been on one heck of a tear offensively. It's important against Ohio we hit well since they are the first NCAA team we have played in some time. Well = .280+.
Aces: Ohio is ahead of UD in this stat: 1.30 to 1.20. Aces aren't the most important serving measurement. Agressive serves that take a team out of their offense is the primary goal. But all that said, about a 1/3 of the way into the season, we averaged 0.90 aces/set. We've come a long way over the last 2 months. I'd like to be at 1.25, but it's not an area I'm concerned about.
Both teams generate in the high 17's in points per set. UD @ 17.82; Ohio @ 17.61. Both are very good at scoring their own points. Where UD is a lot better is at limiting their opponents' points scored. We only allow 13.01 points/set to be scored on us. Ohio is at 14.53.
We also dig the ball better. 12.71 to 12.13.
But here's the stat that will surprise everyone. Ohio is the better blocking team. (Bet you didn't see that one coming! lol) Ohio is the #1 blocking team in the nation at 3.09 b/s. UD is #5 at 3.00. (Note - UD has played a tougher schedule, which isn't factored in.)
None-the-less, this stat makes Ohio the PERFECT tune-up match for UD. Over the last 3-4 matches, our outside hitters have been swinging better than I've ever seen them. And it's all 3 of them - Amanda, Yvonne and Kray. But have they been tested against a really good blocking team? We are going to see great blocking in the NCAAs. So we NEED this test. Everyone needs it. The setter, the MBs, the OHs and the backrow defense that has to cover inside the 10' line to pick up blocked balls.
This will be a tough match if we don't come ready to play Flyer Volleyball. There have been very few mental lapses by this team this year. I don't see one coming this week. I like our chances.
GO FLYERS!!!
As a team UD leads in almost all statistical categories - against much tougher competition. Thus our RPI is 12 and Ohio's is 79. But this match will be much more challenging than that.
UD is hitting .261. Ohio .238. About 5 weeks ago that's where UD was and I posted we needed to get on an offensive roll because of the Top 25 teams our hitting % was almost last. Also that no Final Four team over the last 3 years hit below .260-.270 range, with most .300+. At the time I also said we probably couldn't get there -- simply too few matches left. But it was important we TRENDED in the high 200's heading into the NCAAs.
Boy did this team prove me wrong. They have been on one heck of a tear offensively. It's important against Ohio we hit well since they are the first NCAA team we have played in some time. Well = .280+.
Aces: Ohio is ahead of UD in this stat: 1.30 to 1.20. Aces aren't the most important serving measurement. Agressive serves that take a team out of their offense is the primary goal. But all that said, about a 1/3 of the way into the season, we averaged 0.90 aces/set. We've come a long way over the last 2 months. I'd like to be at 1.25, but it's not an area I'm concerned about.
Both teams generate in the high 17's in points per set. UD @ 17.82; Ohio @ 17.61. Both are very good at scoring their own points. Where UD is a lot better is at limiting their opponents' points scored. We only allow 13.01 points/set to be scored on us. Ohio is at 14.53.
We also dig the ball better. 12.71 to 12.13.
But here's the stat that will surprise everyone. Ohio is the better blocking team. (Bet you didn't see that one coming! lol) Ohio is the #1 blocking team in the nation at 3.09 b/s. UD is #5 at 3.00. (Note - UD has played a tougher schedule, which isn't factored in.)
None-the-less, this stat makes Ohio the PERFECT tune-up match for UD. Over the last 3-4 matches, our outside hitters have been swinging better than I've ever seen them. And it's all 3 of them - Amanda, Yvonne and Kray. But have they been tested against a really good blocking team? We are going to see great blocking in the NCAAs. So we NEED this test. Everyone needs it. The setter, the MBs, the OHs and the backrow defense that has to cover inside the 10' line to pick up blocked balls.
This will be a tough match if we don't come ready to play Flyer Volleyball. There have been very few mental lapses by this team this year. I don't see one coming this week. I like our chances.
GO FLYERS!!!