Loyola Matches I & II

[BeckysTXA]

We host the new team from the North this weekend. No illusions about this one…we are the underdog. The Ramblers come in perfect in conference play at 14-0. We are 9-5. It’s been a long time since this program has gone into a conference match not being favored. Even last weekend, we sat 3rd in the standings and looked to be able to beat SLU. It’s been an abnormal year for sure. The team just hasn’t been able to come together for whatever reason. But it’s not over, so I expect every player to bring it this weekend. You start be stringing points together on some runs and close out a set to get on the scoreboard. Then you figure out what you are going to do to win a second set.

A couple areas we need to refocus on. 1. Our block. It has not been as good lately as earlier in the season. Recommit to closing the block and getting extension over the net. 2. Service errors were bad early. Then they got more manageable. Then they seemed to take a step backwards again. Refocus on aggressive serving and hitting your zone. 3. Setting the middles. This entails not only a good pass to the setter to even have the option to set an MB, but also the quality of the set. Placement and timing have also taken a step backwards. Hopefully they worked on it thus week. We have got to get the MBs going early in a match and keep feeding them.

Winning either of these matches would be an upset. We haven’t had one of those in a long time. This weekend would be a nice time to pull it off. It would certainly send a statement to the rest of the A10 that we aren’t done yet. It should also be noted that Loyola played in the NCAAs last season. 17 of their 18 players have NCAA experience. This is exactly what we need in the A10. Every year we need this kind of tough late season match. Well we have it this year. Let’s do something with the opportunity. Go Flyers.

[Chris R]

1-1 early third set.

[Chris R]

UD up 2-1. Went extras in set three, winning 27-25.

[BeckysTXA]

Flyers pull the upset in 5 sets 15-12. I didn’t see any of it put picked up live stats at Flyers up 12-9 in the 5th.

Congrats. Big.big. Win. Now they have to do it again tomorrow. Go Flyers.

[jack72]

Huge win. I thought they were toast after that dog of a fourth set.
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[Chris R]

Up 2-1 I was not convinced we'd pull it out. Let too many of these slip away. Best win since Ball State? Been so up and down this year but now is a good time to start putting it together.

[Figgie123]

It was an amazing game. Loyola seemed to get to every tough ball coming to their side. As Horsmon said during the post-game, we did well in the 3 sets we showed up. 8 service aces to 13 service errors in the game. Of those 8 aces, 5 were from Taylor Russell, career high.

Tomorrow will be another tough one.

[BeckysTXA]

Based on how the season has played out, it’s hard to believe we will be able to put together a consistent high level of play for complete matches going forward. But if we can show up for 3 sets every match going forward, we’ll be ok. Go Flyers.

Taylor Russell is the real deal. I’ve said it before, her swing reminds me of JPete. There was a break to drain her knee this season, and it’s not over yet. But, if she finishes strong, her freshman year is looking to be better than JPete’s freshman year. That’s exciting.

[MadHatterTX]

Didn’t get to watch it live, but turned it on late last night after already knowing the outcome. The 2 sets they dropped were even more frustrating knowing they pulled it out in the 5th. A consistent trend tends to be the start. If the game is tight they seem to be locked in, but if they do down 3 or 4 right out of the gate they can’t seem to rally back or battle? So exciting to get the W. Just proves they can hang with anyone. Noticed Yates was back after Winters played last weekend? Russell is a lot of fun to watch. Let’s do it again!!
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[BeckysTXA]

MadHatter - I’m with you on the start/first set. Don’t have time to look it up today, but we haven’t won a lot of 1st sets this year against the stronger teams. We are playing from behind way more than this program is use to. It would be nice if learning from that pays off about now.

[Figgie123]

Originally Posted by BeckysTXA MadHatter - I’m with you on the start/first set. Don’t have time to look it up today, but we haven’t won a lot of 1st sets this year against the stronger teams. We are playing from behind way more than this program is use to. It would be nice if learning from that pays off about now.

We are 4-10 when we lose the first set and 12-2 when win the first set.

The 4 victories when losing the first set were Cincinnati, Illinois State, Florida International, and Ball State.

The 2 losses when winning the first set were Arizona State and Saint Louis #2.

--Figgie

[BeckysTXA]

TO Loyola but they lead 20-18. Both teams hitting .409. Can we get a block please?

[BeckysTXA]

And we did.�� down 20-19

[BeckysTXA]

Ask and you will receive...another block 20-20

[BeckysTXA]

We gave both those points back with a service error and then they got a block. Down 22-20 and we folded. Loyola takes the first 20-25.

Figgie documented how critical winning the first set is for this year’s team above. Time to put all that “learning” to good use and bounce right back in the 2nd.

[BeckysTXA]

After falling behind 0-2, Flyers fight back and win the 3rd set 25-19. Going to a must win 4th.

[The Fly]

Despite the split, which we were fortunate to get, Loyola is clearly the better team. That was power vs. finesse, and power won. Time to regroup and close out the regular season with a sweep of Rhody.