2022 Jayhawk Challenge | Omaha, UCF, Lipscomb | 9/15-17

[avid 2.0]

Sept 16, 2022 20:33:36 GMT -5 brybast said:

Whoa damn either that's a huge win for UCF or the Big 12 really sucks after TX/Bay

UCF is good. 

but

the rest of the big 12 is not lol 

[bluepenquin]

UCF had a 58% chance of winning this match. UCF is a good team.

I got to see this match in person - some thoughts.

Melville is one of the best players I have ever seen, or just had an incredible match. She does EVERYTHING well. Just the stats - 23 Kills (.352), 6 blocks, 9 digs, 3 service aces, received serve 37% of the total. It really starts with her serve receive - she is outstanding. She takes bad sets at the net and tools the blocker every time. Just a very smart/experience player.

This match (and these two teams) are much closer than a 3 game sweep may indicate. UCF was better last night - but they also won every key point, just about every long rally, just about every 50/50 ball at the net, all the key challenges in the match (and there were many).

Set 1: UCF hit .412, KU had 0 blocks - UCF was just too good (25-22)

Set 2: This was the key set of the match. Melville had 7 kills in UCF's first 13 points of the set. At least 3 of those kills were from the back row. Without that performance at the start of the set - KU probably wins the set easily. Kansas gets to set point on a botched serve receive. UCF calls a timeout. Serve receive stays the same, of course KU is going to serve right back to the same person - but right at contact on the serve - the entire serve receive rotates over - perfect pass and side out (great coaching). Kansas wins the next point to get another set point - a near perfect tip on a double block from Bien - where either the setter or DS made a sliding pancake save, followed by a bump set from her knees to a kill. Play stood after the challenge - just an incredible play all the way to the kill. UCF won the next two points to win the set (28-26).

Set 3: UCF jumped to a big lead. KU fought back - but missed out on some key points. An overrule - UCF challenged a touch at the net, but then ended up calling the ball in on a ball that looked every bit as being out as in. Then a illegal block before a set on a ball on top of the net (another very close call) - both of these plays stopping a KU run towards the end of the set (25-21).

Anyway - UCF played great and deserved the win.

[bluepenquin]

Kansas salvaged their weekend with a win over Omaha. London Davis started at RS and hit .375 with a game high 14 kills. She was negative in the 3rd set loss. Elnady with 8 aces in the match - 5 in the first set.

The success of Kansas is and will be the % they get out of the RS - it is that easy. They need to get .300+ from the position. If they can get .350 to .400, they become a very difficult team to beat.

It will be interesting to see who starts in their next match against Texas? Do you go back to Szabo, or do you go with London Davis? Szabo is hitting .320 on the year, Davis was hitting .354 going into today's match. I think they have to go with Davis the way Szabo has been slumping.

Kansas magic number to get a seed is 11 conference wins. Although - even with 11 wins, they may end up light on T25 wins to make it happen.