We’ve got to play better tonight to beat #12 Marquette than we did this morning. If we play closer to Friday night’s performance we can beat Marquette and go 3-0 for the weekend. If it more along the lines of this morning, it will be a dog fight and I fear Marquette’s 24 hour rest will win out.
In the 4th and 5th sets today you could see fatigue settling in. Our arm swings were slower. Our passing not as good. Focus on serve receive was sometimes void. Closing the block was a step slow or we didn’t have it set in the right spot along the net. It’s the little things that can derail a team.
Marquette watched the match. They know we struggled with the Rightside attack. They know mixing up cross court shots, tips right behind the block if it’s set and down the lines strikes will result in points.
Both Lexie and Karissa got dinged a couple times in serve receive. Expect them to go after both and freshman Gaby. They will know where our hitters like to direct attacks now that there are 2 matches in the computer stats system that can break all that down.
Marquette can not be happy with their first 2 matches this weekend. They only graduated a Libero. Everyone’s else is back from a Sweet 16 team. They went to Europe in June and so got 10 practices and 6 matches in. We didn’t get that. The expect to be better than last year. Here is a pre-season write up that says just that.
https://gomarquette.com/news/2023/8/...higher-in-2023
They will be more refreshed having 24+ off. We will be in jeopardy of running out of steam if this match goes more than 3. How we rebound from the heat in 5.5 hours will be critical. How we rebound from a less than stellar performance will be critical. Honestly…I’m not sure we can. I hope they prove me wrong. I know finishing the Golden Eagles off quickly will be the key.
On a side note, what a great opening weekend tournament. The field of 4 teams are all outstanding and should make the NCAAs.
