Solid blocking can't save 'Dogs' offensive shortcomings
Blake Toppmeyer
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: 2007 South Central Regional
"I knew I wasn't putting the ball down very well, and so I just tried to work extra hard," Cherven. "And every time I was over the net I just knew I was going to block the ball. That's what I thought every time. They weren't going to hit it over the net."
Larson was also a key contributing factor to the Bulldogs' defense. She amassed a solo block and seven block assists.
But after Truman's win in game one, the Lady Blues adjusted their attack to find ways to get points around the Bulldog blockers.
In the third game, Truman totaled only two blocks, which resulted in Washburn compiling a .288 hitting percentage for the game.
Jones said the setting of sophomore Kate Hampson was a big difference in the Lady Blues' improved offensive assault.
"Our setter Kate was making really good decisions," Jones said. "And we started getting only one blocker, and the second blocker was late. And that made a big difference."
Skoch also credited Washburn's passing for their offensive progression.
"The pass affects everything," Skoch said. "… They started passing decent and, all of a sudden, that changes a lot of things. … When the pass is good, all of a sudden, it creates holes."
Jones was one of the Lady Blues who elevated her performance after the first game. She ended the match with a team-high 18 kills and a .265 hitting percentage, despite the negative hitting percentage in game one.
Even with Washburn's offensive adjustments, Truman was still forced to rely on its blocking because the Bulldogs could not generate much offense in the match. With the Lady Blues leading 22-15 in game four and closing in on a match victory, the Bulldogs made one last blocking surge to try to extend the match to a final game. But after two Truman blocks closed the gap to 22-17, Washburn closed out its victory.
Despite only compiling 10 blocks of its own, Washburn relied on digs to pose a strong defensive front. The Lady Blues had 110 digs in the match to Truman's 85. But Skoch said it wasn't his team's lack of digs but rather not converting the digs into points that held the Bulldogs back.
"I just think the biggest difference was we had more quality digs than them, and we didn't convert them," Skoch said. "I think it was honestly that simple. For some reason, we did not convert. And our digs were perfect."
Washburn advances to face the University of Tampa - the No. 1 team in Div. II - in the Elite 8. For the Lady Blues, maintaining a strong defense will be important in challenging Tampa, which boasts a season hitting percentage better than .300.
"We're just excited to go somewhere else and play someone outside of our conference for a change," Jones said.
Larson was also a key contributing factor to the Bulldogs' defense. She amassed a solo block and seven block assists.
But after Truman's win in game one, the Lady Blues adjusted their attack to find ways to get points around the Bulldog blockers.
In the third game, Truman totaled only two blocks, which resulted in Washburn compiling a .288 hitting percentage for the game.
Jones said the setting of sophomore Kate Hampson was a big difference in the Lady Blues' improved offensive assault.
"Our setter Kate was making really good decisions," Jones said. "And we started getting only one blocker, and the second blocker was late. And that made a big difference."
Skoch also credited Washburn's passing for their offensive progression.
"The pass affects everything," Skoch said. "… They started passing decent and, all of a sudden, that changes a lot of things. … When the pass is good, all of a sudden, it creates holes."
Jones was one of the Lady Blues who elevated her performance after the first game. She ended the match with a team-high 18 kills and a .265 hitting percentage, despite the negative hitting percentage in game one.
Even with Washburn's offensive adjustments, Truman was still forced to rely on its blocking because the Bulldogs could not generate much offense in the match. With the Lady Blues leading 22-15 in game four and closing in on a match victory, the Bulldogs made one last blocking surge to try to extend the match to a final game. But after two Truman blocks closed the gap to 22-17, Washburn closed out its victory.
Despite only compiling 10 blocks of its own, Washburn relied on digs to pose a strong defensive front. The Lady Blues had 110 digs in the match to Truman's 85. But Skoch said it wasn't his team's lack of digs but rather not converting the digs into points that held the Bulldogs back.
"I just think the biggest difference was we had more quality digs than them, and we didn't convert them," Skoch said. "I think it was honestly that simple. For some reason, we did not convert. And our digs were perfect."
Washburn advances to face the University of Tampa - the No. 1 team in Div. II - in the Elite 8. For the Lady Blues, maintaining a strong defense will be important in challenging Tampa, which boasts a season hitting percentage better than .300.
"We're just excited to go somewhere else and play someone outside of our conference for a change," Jones said.
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