VB: @ Boston College - 10/04/24 Match Info
- Thread starter HOF Coach
- Start date
Fish is giving Dalia her first chance to get extended playing time.
Sucks they lost that first set but absolutely love how they are rebounding… like they are pissed off.
She needs to learn when to go offspeed/roll on out of system balls. She has one setting on her swings and it’s 100% power which is often great but against a blocker like Haggerty you have to vary it or get roofed a lot. Hence the 8 errors/0% hitting percentage
I think she will get better with more playing time.She’ll be a big part of the future.
A few questions/observations for the VB experts on the thread:
-A "W" is a W, but did the coaching (i.e., matchups, strategy against BC blocks) seem not what we've come to be used to?
-BC came into the game at 7-7. As evidenced by the double digit number of errors in the first set, it looked as if the team (no Stafford and Jones or not) did not start the match as sharp or "up" as we've seen in the past.
-In the 1st set...and even in the 4th, it look as if the sets were not as right on as (again) we've been used to. Lot of swings by our pins that needed to be taken while flat-footed.
-Great observation on Bayliss' need, with experience, to change things up rather than going 100% all of the time. Especially since, similar to VVG, she seems to have a longer backswing and at times telegraphs what's coming. 'Certainly has a big arm; her overall game should improve with PT.
-A "W" is a W, but did the coaching (i.e., matchups, strategy against BC blocks) seem not what we've come to be used to?
-BC came into the game at 7-7. As evidenced by the double digit number of errors in the first set, it looked as if the team (no Stafford and Jones or not) did not start the match as sharp or "up" as we've seen in the past.
-In the 1st set...and even in the 4th, it look as if the sets were not as right on as (again) we've been used to. Lot of swings by our pins that needed to be taken while flat-footed.
-Great observation on Bayliss' need, with experience, to change things up rather than going 100% all of the time. Especially since, similar to VVG, she seems to have a longer backswing and at times telegraphs what's coming. 'Certainly has a big arm; her overall game should improve with PT.
In general I agree with your points - I think Fisher may have underestimated Haggerty and the skill of the BC block and not game planned well for that. And the team definitely was sluggish to start.
Will note that Fairbanks was definitely not 100%. First noticed her limping in set 2 and it got worse as the match went on. Don’t know if she aggravated something before or during the match but an ankle injury will throw off setting accuracy because you can’t get to the spot you want/put your weight on your feet the way you want. Hopefully they can sit her Sunday vs Syracuse and still get the win so she can heal up for SMU
They clearly did not expect BC block to be so effective. They also didn't try to adjust by trying to tool or go high hands. They were trying to do this more later in the game when some of their hits were going long. Pitts block was also nonexistent in the first set. To be fair, if Babcock didn't have all those aces in the first set, Pitt would have been easily beaten. I thought Fairbank's setting was pretty solid. She certainly did aggravate something in the second set.
I still don't know why Jones didn't play. Virlan seemed to settle in better after the first set and seemed to do ok.
Just an odd game. Team really seemed to lack focus. Even when they won easily in the second and third sets, it was mostly because the serve/receive for BC was just awful. Pitt's D did improve significantly after the first set.
Fisher is a master at preparation and spends a lot of time on mental preparation. But as good as this team is, they aren’t robots. It’s a long season and you aren’t going to be 100% every night. Glad to see a strong bounce back and hoping that the experience playing through some adversity will help down the road.
Just what the doctor ordered. This team needs to face adversity and defeated it about as thoroughly as one could.
Next game Syracuse....Sunday. I doubt there will be a repeat of the set 1 loss to BC. Syracuse is predicted to finish last in the ACC in 2024. They started out strong in the OOC schedule going 12 - 0......and played mediocre teams. In ACC action they have gone 0 - 3....winning just 1 of the sets in those games. The recipe for this game....come out and thoroughly dominate the Orange!
Sounds like a good match to rest rachel and get some needed Nisa experience with this team. I suspect our hitters % won’t be as dominant but….team over me.
The way Fairbanks was hobbling around during the match, maybe she needs to sit this one out. Putting Buzlutepe in makes sense. I know there is the issue of timing with setters. But Fairbanks is the 1 player Pitt cannot afford to lose.
I'm late to the party but I'm glad they finally got out from under that one. That's one of those streaks that can put too much pressure on you when it really doesn't matter.
