#12 Pitt Exhibition

[BeckysTXA]

Pitt has run a 2-setter offense the last three years. The shorter setter Kamalanir Akeo has been great against UD. She graduated. The taller setter in the 6-2 offense the last two years has been 6’0” Kylee Levers. She was a lock as a R-Jr to be in the rotation. Kamalanir’ younger sister, Lexis Akeo, is a freshmen at Pitt this year and probably would have been the second setter if ready so they could go with a 6-2 offense.

Levers suffered a torn ACL in practice this week and is out for the season. Lexis is not only a freshman, but only 5’8”. Plus Pitt has a ton of hitters so they want to run a 6-2 because it puts an extra hitter on the court.

That leaves 6’0” R-Fr S/RS Maddie Soboleski as next up. Pitt played a Blue-Gold scrimmage today with each setter running a team in a 5-1 offense. I’m sure they are glad to have a scrimmage with the Flyers this week. They just went into over-drive to get two freshman setters ready to play.

I was already going to predict a 3-1 Flyer “upset” (As much as you can pull an upset in a scrimmage.) I’m looking at a 3-0 possibility now.

[Chris R]

This will be a good gauge of where we are. I think we'll be much better by mid October than early on. Jamies gotta get her Baby Mama form into groove after almost 3yrs off. Amelia will need to get in the flow too. We got some pieces though. And...we're pretty young. Collins and Papesh got a ton of PT last year. Westbeld could well lead the country in trip-dubs and Doherty is a solid 2nd setter w/experience.

I think we'll be a work in progress but this is Horsmon's best team in a while in terms of depth and natural God given ability.

Will be real interesting how we play the middle the next cpl years. For so long we were running Chocolate Thunder with Brown and Erhahon. But they were smaller middies -- good quick-strikes on offense but not the towering blockers you face when you go up against Big-10 teams with aircraft carriers in the middle. Now with Moore, Fara, and Dubay 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, we can throw some size out there and hopefully become a better blocking team.

[BeckysTXA]

Originally Posted by Chris R This will be a good gauge of where we are. I think we'll be much better by mid October than early on. Jamies gotta get her Baby Mama form into groove after almost 3yrs off. Amelia will need to get in the flow too. We got some pieces though. And...we're pretty young. Collins and Papesh got a ton of PT last year. Westbeld could well lead the country in trip-dubs and Doherty is a solid 2nd setter w/experience. I think we'll be a work in progress but this is Horsmon's best team in a while in terms of depth and natural God given ability. Will be real interesting how we play the middle the next cpl years. For so long we were running Chocolate Thunder with Brown and Erhahon. But they were smaller middies -- good quick-strikes on offense but not the towering blockers you face when you go up against Big-10 teams with aircraft carriers in the middle. Now with Moore, Fara, and Dubay 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, we can throw some size out there and hopefully become a better blocking team.

I agree with all of this. We have to be better blocking if we want to get the 2nd weekend in NCAA. We were middle-of-the-pack last year. Ok but not great. This team is a better setting team right now and our back row defenders from Top to bottom are better. Hitters comparisons are TBD because there will be new parts this year. We will be better in Oct because we are young, but right now we are better than any team UD has had including the senior-heavy 2010 team. Both have/had ten Top 250 recruits but Sam Selsky didn’t play that season and Freshman Megan Campbell shared Rightside OH duties with Von Martin. We had a new setter - Jess Yanz - who was a different type of setter vs. the quick offense we ran. It took her into the conference season to catch on. Yanz was the only Top 100 on the court that season. We will have three Top 100s in the rotation this year. Big difference. Additionally, I don’t see this year’s freshmen in our rotation this season. Livie Sandt is a Top 250.

More on comparing these two teams in a couple weeks after we see some of the hitters.

[Figgie123]

Originally Posted by Chris R Will be real interesting how we play the middle the next cpl years. For so long we were running Chocolate Thunder with Brown and Erhahon. But they were smaller middies -- good quick-strikes on offense but not the towering blockers you face when you go up against Big-10 teams with aircraft carriers in the middle. Now with Moore, Fara, and Dubay 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, we can throw some size out there and hopefully become a better blocking team.

Don't forget Isolde Hannan and Angel Agu. Ignoring Megan Campbell's team-high 135 block assists in 2013 (Hannan had 113), Hannan, Erhahon and Brown have led the team in block assists since 2012.

[BeckysTXA]

Ladt year, 6’5” Freshman Amelia Moore led the team in blocks per set at 1.13. That was in her first 38 sets against three ranked opponents in 10 matches. She is only going to get better and we get her for 4 more years as she is a redshirt freshman this season.

[BeckysTXA]

The last 3-4 years the Flyers have seen a lot of injuries, especially those to feet, ankles, lower legs, knees etc. This resulted in a lot of players hanging out on the sidelines wearing a boot or with ice packs wrapped around knees. I think at one time we had three boots show up at a match last year.

But there is a silver lining...take note of Pitts head coach Dan Fisher doing this interview a couple days ago. See TH just didn’t know how blessed he’s been these last few years.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Pitt_VB/s...947584/photo/1

[BeckysTXA]

I'm doing a little overtime this year and helping Chris with some volleyball coverage. 2019 Preview & #12 Pittsburgh Exhibition match preview is out on the home page.

Will our block be better? Who will replace the All-Conference players that graduated? Who might be a surprise in the rotation? Inquiring minds want to know. HC Tim Horsmon might just give you the answers. Run don't walk to read it at the link below.

http://www.udpride.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33204

[BeckysTXA]

Pitt twitter has a photo of the Panthers having practice at Frericks today. The Frericks Center looks amazing in this photo. With the new floor and everything set up for tomorrow’s match it looks stunning.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Pitt_VB/s...971136/photo/1

[Figgie123]

Looks like more season tickets were sold for those seats down low.

[ud69]

25-21 flyers set 1. Peterson a beast.

[Figgie123]

Starting lineup is probably what you'd expect. 6/2 offense with Westbeld and Doherty, Peterson going 6 rotations playing LS1, Papesh at LS2 and Van Lanen swapping for back row, Moore and Dubay as MB with Collins as Libero with Moore serving, and Pla at RD with House for back row.

[Figgie123]

First stoppage of play for sweat at 2nd set with UD up 19-16.

[ud69]

25-21 flyers set 2

[ud69]

25-22 Pitt set 3

[BeckysTXA]

It’s a dog fight, but if we are playing our starting rotation, we can win this. Gotta learn to find a way to raise our game another level. Pit is a Top 15 team. It won’t be easy.

[BeckysTXA]

Pitt up 16-13 in 4th.

[BeckysTXA]

TO Pitt, but they lead 19-16.

[BeckysTXA]

23-19 Pitt

[ud69]

25-23 pitt set 4. On to the 5th.

[Figgie123]

Papesh did not play 4th set. Van Lanen all around instead.

[BeckysTXA]

Originally Posted by ud69 25-23 pitt set 4. On to the 5th.

We outs scored them 4-2 in the last 6 points. We’ve got to jump out early and get a lead. 5th sets are a First to 5, First to 10, Frist to 15 track meet.

Go Flyers. Find that next gear.

[BeckysTXA]

Pitt’s #13 is Williams. She has 17 kills. We need to get our block on her.

[BeckysTXA]

Of course Jamie Peterson has 26 kills, but don’t tell Pitt.

[BeckysTXA]

5-2 UD. TO Pitt. Now we’re playing First to 10.

[BeckysTXA]

8-4 ud.

[BeckysTXA]

Don’t just play even the rest of the way. Learn to slam the door shut. Expect a Pitt run and close it down.

[BeckysTXA]

9-7 Flyers. That was the run. Shut it down. Take it to the next gear ladies.

[BeckysTXA]

9-9. Lets go Flyers.

[BeckysTXA]

TO Flyers. Pitt got to 10 first 10-9. Find the next gear ladies.

[BeckysTXA]

13-11 ud

[BeckysTXA]

14-14.

[BeckysTXA]

16-16. Throw your best punches ladies. Close this out.

[BeckysTXA]

17-17

[ud69]

19-17 Flyers. Took 5 match points to get the win.

[BeckysTXA]

Yup. Yes. Yahoo. Flyers win 19-17.

[BeckysTXA]

So inquiring minds want to know, was there a big celebration by the team? This was an exhibition, but after losing to Pitt the last three years in a row, it had to feel Sweet. They are a Top 15 team. That didn’t change today. They are one of the best in the country, but so are we. Nobody voting in the AVCA knows it yet.

[Lifelong Flyer Fan]

I would say there was a small celebration and then they did their usual post game routine ending with going around the floor to slap hands with band, students and fans. Alyssa also did the floor circuit thanking people for coming.
Before the game both teams posed for a picture wearing T-shirts reading "Stronger than Hate" There was a moment of silence for the victims of mass shootings in Pittsburgh and Dayton.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1jcBiag..._web_copy_link

[BeckysTXA]

Glad to hear there were students and the band there. And I have no problem with acting like you’ve been here before. It says this team knows it starts for real next week with one of the toughest pre-conference tournaments this year.

[ud69]

Thought our serve receive got a bit loose in sets 3 and 4. The setters were having to chase around the court to get to the ball. Had 2 or 3 players taking swings out of the back. Also, saw a couple of players - including Moore - successful on the slide. Peterson and her consistent jump serve makes our serve much improved. Our quick sets in the middle need some work to match what chocolate thunder used to bring.

For not having played a competitive match in nearly 3 years, Peterson, playing all around, was amazing. In that 5th set, we found her for swings in the front row, swings from the back row, and aces on her serve. 30 kills for the match is a ton of kills.

Yes, it took 5 match points to notch the win but we did. In a sense we have youthful experience.
Cautiously optimistic.

[BeckysTXA]

Pitt post-match write up from Pitts website.

https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/...at-dayton.aspx

UDPride post-match article.

http://www.udpride.com/forums/showth...286#post591286

[BeckysTXA]

I saw Maura had 9 digs in the first set. She finished with 16. Also noted one photo had her right elbow/arm wrapped. Did she play all 5 sets? Might have a slight injury...but 9 digs in one set is wow.

[Chris R]

When the 2018 A10 Rookie of the Year isnt starting, we're developing depth. You need talent off the bench. Getting there...

[Figgie123]

Originally Posted by Chris R When the 2018 A10 Rookie of the Year isnt starting, we're developing depth. You need talent off the bench. Getting there...

Alli Papesh may not have been on the court when the first ball was served, but she was basically in the starting rotation. She played 3 front-row rotations on the left side, but they started with Peterson there and Van Lanen in Papesh's back row rotations. I also thought it was interesting that even though they play 6/2, Westbeld started center back row instead of Doherty.

As for the bench, only 2 people came off the bench in that match. Granted, all 5 sets were within 4 points at the end, but only Asmus and Beyer came in, with Asmus coming in for Dubay for 1 serve, while Beyer came in for Moore for 2 serves late in the game. Is that because we wanted to beat Pitt, and we couldn't let the bench hit the floor? Or is our bench just not upto speed yet to get good playing time? Either way, next weekend's games are going to be interesting. Strong first game, maybe lose something in the second game, and maybe be gassed in the third?

If only I was retired, I'd be in Louisvile next weekend.

[BeckysTXA]

Originally Posted by Figgie123 Alli Papesh may not have been on the court when the first ball was served, but she was basically in the starting rotation. She played 3 front-row rotations on the left side, but they started with Peterson there and Van Lanen in Papesh's back row rotations. I also thought it was interesting that even though they play 6/2, Westbeld started center back row instead of Doherty. As for the bench, only 2 people came off the bench in that match. Granted, all 5 sets were within 4 points at the end, but only Asmus and Beyer came in, with Asmus coming in for Dubay for 1 serve, while Beyer came in for Moore for 2 serves late in the game. Is that because we wanted to beat Pitt, and we couldn't let the bench hit the floor? Or is our bench just not upto speed yet to get good playing time? Either way, next weekend's games are going to be interesting. Strong first game, maybe lose something in the second game, and maybe be gassed in the third? If only I was retired, I'd be in Louisvile next weekend.

As you know, I didn't see the match -- but as you were posting this I was posting an article that might explain some of this. My "guess" (i wasn't there) is Brooke started back row left vs center - and you hide your setter when receiving serve so they don't take the first touch and can move into position to take the second touch (the set). If this was the case, and I saw it last year at times, it was because TH was just saving a substitution. You are going to hide your setter when pitt serves -- so it doesn't matter if it's Brooke or Bridget for that one rotation. As soon as the rotation moves, Brooke goes to the front and Sierra Pla is subbed out for Bridget, who enters the match and goes back to serve and then plays 3 rotations in the back -- as the setter. You simply save a sub - which is another example of why i don't like the term "starting rotation". Who is on the court for first serve is sometimes smart and strategic and nothing to do with who's at the top of your depth chart.

Asmus and Beyer serving meant TH had enough substitutions left and he could bring in two players as serving specialists in hopes of getting even a couple point run off their serves.

TH knows what's coming next week - one of the best pre-conference tournaments in the country. Two of our opponents are ranked and TXAM in another poll (not the AVCA) was ranked #26. They are all loaded with elite-level talent. Was he playing to win? I think it was more he was playing to show this team it can COMPETE with Top 15 teams to build their confidence. If we had lost in 5, I think that's accomplished. The fact we won in 5...even better.

[Figgie123]

Originally Posted by BeckysTXA Asmus and Beyer serving meant TH had enough substitutions left and he could bring in two players as serving specialists in hopes of getting even a couple point run off their serves.

I probably misled you. Asmus didn't serve, she played one point in the front row over Dubay. I said 'one serve' to imply she wasn't in long. My apologies.

[BeckysTXA]

I’ve seen a couple people posting on other volleyball forums “maybe” Dayton is a Top 25 team. Here is what President Spina posted on twitter:

“Great to see a couple sets of the @DaytonVB match today. An entire season ahead, but this team is good. Scary good.”