Defense

[Stat Man]

For those who say the men's game is all power and no defense ... Lewis had 71 digs against Pepperdine, a higher total than any team had in a game in the women's final four last year.

The two teams combined for 120 digs, 31.5 blocks and 153 kills, while hitting .318 (Lewis) and .247 (Pepp).

This was an all around great match, with defense leading the way.

[Jobu]

Stuntz is the man...19 digs, who says he doesn't deserve to be an all-american. Just because so many of you don't get to see what he can do. I think he proved that he belongs. Great passer to, always nailz from Stuntz.

[the future]

I was not sold on the stuntz kid.....but I am now. Very impressive. He controlled the floor. But I also have to say that every player was bring balls up. It was great volleyball....defensive.

Truly the best armswings were in the MIVA.

[Stat Man]

I think a tape of that game should be shown to every junior guy's team to show that, yes, defense is important.

Both teams were outstanding in the blocking, floor positioning, ball handling, etc.

There's more to the game than bombing aways.

[IdahoBoy]

Guest-Stat said:

For those who say the men's game is all power and no defense ... Lewis had 71 digs against Pepperdine, a higher total than any team had in a game in the women's final four last year.

The two teams combined for 120 digs, 31.5 blocks and 153 kills, while hitting .318 (Lewis) and .247 (Pepp).

This was an all around great match, with defense leading the way.

Your stats are a little misleading. Its a different game, granted, but this match went 5 games. No match in the women's final four went over 4.

Just for comparison though digs/per game:
Lewis had 71 digs vs. Pepp in 5 games: 71/5 = 14.2 avg

Women's Final Four stats:
USC had 61 digs against Stanford in their matchup for 15.25 dpg avg.

Florida had 69 digs in 4 games vs. USC in the Final Four and USC had 63 that same match.

Hawai'i in a 3-game loss to Stanford had 65 digs, which was just over their season average of 18 at 21.666 dpg.

[SC1]

But you have to account what much more power is being brought to the mens game. I mean attempting to dig a hit by a girl is somewhat easier than 6-9 200+lb outside hitter with a perfect set is.

[IdahoBoy]

Guest-SC1 said:

But you have to account what much more power is being brought to the mens game. I mean attempting to dig a hit by a girl is somewhat easier than 6-9 200+lb outside hitter with a perfect set is.

I agree that it is a different game. I should have explained more thoroughly than saying "its a different game" in hindsight.

I don't think that the rally capability of men's volleyball will ever rival the defense oriented women's game, instead the women's game will become more offense oriented with big hitters like Porter, Willoughby, and Nnamani out there and incoming new faces. The women's game and men's will become more powerful, I think.

However, I just thought I'd throw in that the stats argument although VERY INTERESTING shouldn't have been compared to the women's in numbers.

[SC1]

Oh i agree very much IB. And I thought that was a very interesting statistical argument also. Its great and exciting to see the women bring more power and men play more defense. It makes for great matches either way.