But hang in to sweep the overmatched Spartans, 25-15, 25-15, 28-26. Michigan State has a mid-point record only slightly more dismal than Ohio State, but are not nearly as feisty as the Buckeye team that took Sets 1 & 2 from the Gophs last Sunday. The Spartans dominate Big Ten Women’s Water Polo (at least when I was coaching), but can’t seem to build a competitive Volleyball Team. Sparty had no answer for Julia Hanson (16 kills and a .519 %) or Melanie Shaffmaster (4 kills and 35 assists). At times, it looked too easy.
Set 1: Gophs led 5-1, 12-6 and 19-8 before coasting to the 25-15 finish. Set 2: Gophs led only 8-7 until a 5-pt run built their lead to 13-7, triggering a double-sub of McGhie and Crowl for Shaffmaster and Grote, and the 6-2. But it didn’t slow us down; same 25-15 finish. Set 3: Back to the 5-1 with Shaffmaster and Grote, but Engeman in for Awoleye, and Gray & Minatee in the service rotation. We trailed, 3-5, pulled ahead 8-6 and 17-14, but were tied at 20-20 and 26-26 before kills by Grote and Wooker finished the match.
Random Notes:
- Coach Cook is much more inclined to use his bench when he feels the match is under control, than McCutcheon ever was. I’m fairly certain that McCutcheon would have kept the starters on the court for at least 2 ½ sets.
- The Gophers have never been good at dinking/off-speed hits, or had an individual who was proficient at it. But Wooker might be becoming the exception; I had her with 10 kills tonight, 5 power swings and 5 off-speed swings.
- I had us with 6 aces and 11 service errors; not the ratio we want.
NEXT UP:
- Sunday, AT Michigan (again on BTN+, not my fault). Michigan is a better team than Michigan State, and they’re playing at home, but they’re not as good as the Gophers. We need to keep our streak of beating mediocre teams going.
- Next Thursday and Saturday, the Gophers are back at the Pav against strong teams, Thursday vs #27 Washington (again on BTN+) and Saturday vs #10 Oregon (finally BTN). Be nice to win all 3 of these; critical to win at least 2 of the 3.