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Women’s Volleyball Must Eliminate Huskies to Move On
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
On Friday December 11th at 7:30 pm The Ohio State University Women’s Volleyball Team will gather for battle at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, KY against the Washington Huskies as their march in the NCAA Championship Tournament continues; all to be seen on ESPN-3.
The Buckeyes are currently 2-0 in Tournament play. Thus far they have defeated and dominated both Robert Morris (3-0) and American (3-0).
The Huskies too are 2-0 in play. They have defeated both Denver (3-0) and *ichigan State University (3-1).
The Buckeyes will need to keep their heads in the defensive dominance state that has mastered their climb in the brackets to this point.
Washington is a strong offensive unit, perhaps one of the best in the entire tournament. They lead the nation in hitting percentage @ .316 while ranking eighth in kills per set @ 14.9 and ninth in assists per set @ 13.6.
The Huskies Senior Middle-blocker Lianna Sybeldon has been right down dangerous. She is leading all of the NCAA with a .465 hitting percentage.
The Buckeyes have some bragging rights too. Thus far in their two matches they have led their opponents in kills 103 to 68. Their attacking percentage has been dominant @ .376 to the opponents .146. The key to holding the Huskies at bay will need to fall on junior libero Valeria León. Thus far in this tournament she leads the Buckeyes with 27 digs. She also currently holds the OSU single-season record in digs per set (4.54).
León understands what is at stake. “Passing is going to be a huge part, so just talk to my teammates early. Just be the general back there, and just let my teammates know what to do.” She clearly comprehends what needs to be done.
The difference between the Buckeyes and the Huskies is that OSU has dominant individuals such as León, Taylor Sandbothe, Elizabeth Campbell, and Audra Appold. Washington relies on its offensive success from literally every player on the court. They have five players averaging more than two kills per set. They do not have anyone averaging above three.
The Buckeyes key to victory will be their fast-pace game. If this holds OSU certainly can prosper. Freshman setter Taylor Hughes put it best: “Their middles are pretty big, they read a lot, so I feel like we can beat them with tempo and our fast offense,” she said. “That will definitely be a big weapon of ours.”
OSU is 2-2 overall in their series with Washington. Neither University has met the other since 2006 – which was also in the Sweet 16 matchup – just as it is now.
A lot is at stake come Friday. A win will push the Buckeyes into the Elite 8. A loss will put them on the bus to Columbus with discussions about next year. These ladies have gone too far and appear way too determined. I believe their fast tempo dominance will make the difference. The comparison of a Goliath (Washington) vs. David (OSU) may be rather contemptible for us whom are believers in this Buckeyes team … but the oddity of this comparison must be made based on the placements of the tournaments. But that’s okay…we all know how that story went.
Go Buckeyes.
Pull up a seat if you cannot get down to Lexington and tune to ESPN 3 @ 7:30 p.m. Friday the 11th.
See You There.
The post Women’s Volleyball Must Eliminate Huskies to Move On appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
On Friday December 11th at 7:30 pm The Ohio State University Women’s Volleyball Team will gather for battle at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, KY against the Washington Huskies as their march in the NCAA Championship Tournament continues; all to be seen on ESPN-3.
The Buckeyes are currently 2-0 in Tournament play. Thus far they have defeated and dominated both Robert Morris (3-0) and American (3-0).
The Huskies too are 2-0 in play. They have defeated both Denver (3-0) and *ichigan State University (3-1).
The Buckeyes will need to keep their heads in the defensive dominance state that has mastered their climb in the brackets to this point.
Washington is a strong offensive unit, perhaps one of the best in the entire tournament. They lead the nation in hitting percentage @ .316 while ranking eighth in kills per set @ 14.9 and ninth in assists per set @ 13.6.
The Huskies Senior Middle-blocker Lianna Sybeldon has been right down dangerous. She is leading all of the NCAA with a .465 hitting percentage.
The Buckeyes have some bragging rights too. Thus far in their two matches they have led their opponents in kills 103 to 68. Their attacking percentage has been dominant @ .376 to the opponents .146. The key to holding the Huskies at bay will need to fall on junior libero Valeria León. Thus far in this tournament she leads the Buckeyes with 27 digs. She also currently holds the OSU single-season record in digs per set (4.54).
León understands what is at stake. “Passing is going to be a huge part, so just talk to my teammates early. Just be the general back there, and just let my teammates know what to do.” She clearly comprehends what needs to be done.
The difference between the Buckeyes and the Huskies is that OSU has dominant individuals such as León, Taylor Sandbothe, Elizabeth Campbell, and Audra Appold. Washington relies on its offensive success from literally every player on the court. They have five players averaging more than two kills per set. They do not have anyone averaging above three.
The Buckeyes key to victory will be their fast-pace game. If this holds OSU certainly can prosper. Freshman setter Taylor Hughes put it best: “Their middles are pretty big, they read a lot, so I feel like we can beat them with tempo and our fast offense,” she said. “That will definitely be a big weapon of ours.”
OSU is 2-2 overall in their series with Washington. Neither University has met the other since 2006 – which was also in the Sweet 16 matchup – just as it is now.
A lot is at stake come Friday. A win will push the Buckeyes into the Elite 8. A loss will put them on the bus to Columbus with discussions about next year. These ladies have gone too far and appear way too determined. I believe their fast tempo dominance will make the difference. The comparison of a Goliath (Washington) vs. David (OSU) may be rather contemptible for us whom are believers in this Buckeyes team … but the oddity of this comparison must be made based on the placements of the tournaments. But that’s okay…we all know how that story went.
Go Buckeyes.
Pull up a seat if you cannot get down to Lexington and tune to ESPN 3 @ 7:30 p.m. Friday the 11th.
See You There.
The post Women’s Volleyball Must Eliminate Huskies to Move On appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...