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Post by ted_heise on Feb 6, 2021 10:15:34 GMT -5
Here's the match summary I posted to the Husker list:
It was an interesting match. The Huskers started out slow, and were outhit by the Terps in the first two sets--winning the first from the service line, and losing the second. They looked out of sync with a lot of errors, in both hitting and defense. A number of times the Nebraska defenders didn't communicate well on who should receive and the ball ended up down. Several times a front row player made a wild (and errant) stab at an incoming ball for which a back row defender had been well positioned.
In the third set they started to click a bit better, and by the fourth they looked more like the Cornhusker squad we're used to seeing. In the press conference afterward, both Lauren Stivrins and Coach Cook noted the effect of a silent Devaney Center (it looked *weird*, official attendance 100). Both noted that it took some time to appreciate just how much the players had to generate their own energy with no crowd enthusiasm to ride. Apparently other teams (e.g., IU a couple of weeks ago) are piping in crowd noise, and UNL is now considering doing the same. Interestingly, Cook said the decision would be up to the players.
Lauren Stivrins was on fire, making only one hitting error in 18 of 20 attempts for an off the charts hitting percentage of .850. She is just amazing. Nicklin Hames had 52 assists on 111 attempts, and did a decent job of mixing things up. There were a number of times she forced the ball to the NU left pin, despite MD being set to double team it. That said, she had a good connection to her middles, going to Kayla Caffey 14 times (on top of Lauren's 20). Nicklin showed the sweet one-handed set to the middle from passes that were tight on the net a couple of times, and used backsets a lot as well. In the presser both Cook and Stivrins remarked on her setting it "all over the court," and Cook added that Tyler's coaching was helping her.
Lexi Sun was the go to hitter on offense, as you would expect--getting the ball for 40 swings. Madi Kubik started especially slow, but got into more of a rhythm as the match proceeded. Their hitting percentages were low (.100 and .227 respectively). Riley Zuhn also had a so-so night (9 of 30 hitting with 4 errors for a .167 average).
Our pin performance was definitely affected by a pretty effective front line defense from the Terrapins; they came away with 16 total blocks. Jazz Sweet saw the floor for only a point or two in the third set, and I don't think she touched the ball. Callie Schwarzenbach played the entirety of the fourth set, showing a little heat on one attack, but being ineffective on two others. A recent injury to the left thumb/wrist may have been a contributing factor. Annie Evans came in to serve for one rotation in the third set, and lit the place up with a decisive ace right out of the gate--just when the team needed a lift. In the press conference, both Cook and Stivrins gave her big props for attitude and enthusiasm, noting it is a big contribution to the team.
On defense, Nebraska played well, other than the miscommunications noted above. Some of those errors reflected the presence of a freshman DS in a new team. Kenzie and K-Lei combined for 34 digs, and the 6-rotation play of Lexi and Madi was solid: 15 and 17 digs, respectively, with zero errors. UNL was slow to get their blocking game going, but did better as the game progressed. Lexi and Riley had
7 blocks, and the middles put up 7; Kayla had 5 and Callie contributed 3, one solo. Nicklin stuffed one back across which really fired her up. It's always fun to see her enthusiasm.
Maryland OH Erika Pritchard was excellent. The box score doesn't (in my opinion) reflect how well she played. 13 kills on 36 attempts with
4 errors for .250 hitting is certainly respectable, but she seemed to come through just when her team needed it most. Pritchard also seemed to have a real knack for finding the open spot on the NU side.
All in all, it was an okay performance--but the Huskers are going to have to play much better to have a chance against the top B1G teams.
On the other hand, there was a definite sense that the coaches were trying out a number of new things. I'm hoping they can get things polished up before facing the likes of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
GBR!
Ted
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Post by ted_heise on Feb 6, 2021 10:16:08 GMT -5
Thanks, but it only works within the NET broadcast area.  |
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Post by wyredneck on Feb 6, 2021 10:40:13 GMT -5
Well, that's a very impressive counter argument. Thank you. I stand corrected. Sorry, Caffey spoke for me I admit it's a controversial opinion, and I may be wrong. It's just one redneck's opinion. But Kayla had six kills at .214. Blame the passing, the setting, or the offensive scheme, but that's not remarkable offensive production for a middle. It's not like the team suddenly got a second Lauren. I sincerely hope her numbers are better tonight. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2021 11:01:43 GMT -5
Sorry, Caffey spoke for me I admit it's a controversial opinion, and I may be wrong. It's just one redneck's opinion. But Kayla had six kills at .214. Blame the passing, the setting, or the offensive scheme, but that's not remarkable offensive production for a middle. It's not like the team suddenly got a second Lauren. I sincerely hope her numbers are better tonight. from an outsiders perspective. Kayla might not be as productive as Lauren but when she is given a good set did you see what she can do to the ball? |
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Post by photos1 on Feb 6, 2021 11:35:20 GMT -5
Well, that's a very impressive counter argument. Thank you. I stand corrected. There is 2 years of data to back it up. . . The same for Sweet, except there is 3 years . . . 🤷🏻♀️ |
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Post by huskerrob on Feb 6, 2021 14:15:49 GMT -5
Well, that's a very impressive counter argument. Thank you. I stand corrected. Sorry, Caffey spoke for me was that her .214 attk % or Maryland hitting .272 on avg while she was MB2? |
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Post by andrewwmic on Feb 6, 2021 16:08:25 GMT -5
Sorry, Caffey spoke for me was that her .214 attk % or Maryland hitting .272 on avg while she was MB2? yes |
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Post by oldmanred on Feb 6, 2021 16:59:15 GMT -5
She looked real good for the short time she was in the game. I hated to see Cook pull her out. but I think we will see a lot more of her.  She's the only spare setter we have; so I think JC wants to get her some time on the court! 🤩 |
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Post by huskerrob on Feb 6, 2021 17:26:28 GMT -5
Hames played better, that is probably one of her top 10 college matches. The height of her improvement was her connection w/Stivrins, which is great to see as it is a starting point and one of the must haves if Huskers are going to have a good season. She still had issues setting right side...Zuhn having to hit behind her often & in 1 attk had to stop and jump backwards, another had Zuhn nearly 5' outside the antenna, and then there is that bump set from across the court that should never had been, giving Zuhn nothing to work but an underhand tip which was blocked easily. There was visible improvement in her sets to the middles.
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Post by huskerrob on Feb 6, 2021 17:31:49 GMT -5
was that her .214 attk % or Maryland hitting .272 on avg while she was MB2? yes so in your opinion, you consider that imposing & impressive? Or is it the style in which it was done that gives you such tinglies? I am beginning to think optics is all that matters for some fans...that losing isn't an issue if you do it looking good. |
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Post by andrewwmic on Feb 6, 2021 17:37:59 GMT -5
so in your opinion, you consider that imposing & impressive? Or is it the style in which it was done that gives you such tinglies? I am beginning to think optics is all that matters for some fans...that losing isn't an issue if you do it looking good. Look, I know you're obsessed with Callie so can you please post her hitting percentage last night?  |
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Post by huskerrob on Feb 6, 2021 18:49:23 GMT -5
1k 1E 3TA for .000 in 1 set
but the team hit above the avg for the night in the set Callie played in, and more importantly, the team held Maryland to hitting .000 in that set to include Callies 1 solo block & 3 total blocks. There is no denying the difference in defensive play when Callie is in vs when Caffey is in...and while you can point out there is a difference in Offensive performance between Caffey & Callie, you can't point out how that has significantly changed the team's performance, since the team hit the same attk pct no matter who is in MB2.
Here is the team attk% for each set Caffey played in
.139, .429, .048, .261, .196 & .281 making an avg of .226 ...in these sets Caffey hit 12k 6E on 25TA in 6 sets.
Here is the team attk% for each set Callie played in
.314, .273, .091, .278 making an avg of .239....in these sets Callie hit 5k 4E on 15TA in 4 sets
The argument has been that they needed more offensive performance out of the MB2 position to take some pressure off of the main hitters. The experiment so far doesn't support this theory, though notably the difference in performance offensively for either player isn't at a level believed to warrant such results.
Nebraska is a Serve, ball handle, defense styled team...if your desires are offensive orientated styles, another system is what you should seek out.
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Post by huskerrob on Feb 6, 2021 19:05:44 GMT -5
Here is the team attk% for each set Caffey played in .139, .429, .048, .261, .196 & .281 making an avg of .226 ...in these sets Caffey hit 12k 6E on 25TA in 6 sets. Here is the team attk% for each set Callie played in .314, .273, .091, .278 making an avg of .239....in these sets Callie hit 5k 4E on 15TA in 4 sets The argument has been that they needed more offensive performance out of the MB2 position to take some pressure off of the main hitters. The experiment so far doesn't support this theory, though notably the difference in performance offensively for either player isn't at a level believed to warrant such results. If you take out the best & worst sets each...the team hit a .219 w/Caffey playing & a .276 w/Callie playing. It's a team game not an individual one. Though in the interest of honesty, I don't think either make much of a difference in the team's offensive performance. |
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Post by radioactiveman on Feb 6, 2021 19:44:47 GMT -5
Will have to see if Caffey can start producing like she did at Mizzou. If she does then it’s a different story. But I am also in the camp that the blocking Callie provides is critical. She gets a ton of block touches that don’t show up on the stat sheet and she is very clearly hitting the ball much harder this year. Maybe not as hard as Caffey but she’s definitely getting more pace on her swings.
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