The Gopher V-Ball glass definitely looked half-empty this morning, as our Gophers lost in 3 sets at Florida, 22-25, 18-25, 22-25. Florida is a good team, fresh off a 3-set win over Stanford at Stanford, and the Gators’ digging was outstanding. But once again, the Gophs struggled to receive serve. Oddly, given the success Texas had picking on Landfair, Florida picked on The Wooker instead – with similar results. Our receive was especially problematic when Landfair and Wooker lined up side-by-side.
The Gophs put together a couple of nice runs, including a 6-0 run in Set 1 with Landfair serving (2 aces); and an 8-3 run in Set 3 (using the 6-2), both time coming back to make these sets close – but were unable to win either set.
We saw what seemed (watching on TV vs in-person, it is difficult to follow the substitutions) a few new wrinkles as Coach Cook continues to search for an everyday lineup:
- At one point, Hanson took Wookers’ place in our receive (not sure if she subbed-in for Wooker, or for our Opposite, as she has previously done).
- Our 6-2 in Set 3, with Elise McGhee serving and setting, produced the 8-3 run referenced above.
- Opposite Grote seemed to hit effectively in Set 1, but was benched (maybe?) for Crowl (who dinks too much for my taste). Maybe Hanson was in for Shaffmaster?
- Receiving in Rotation #2, Landfair hit on the right-side. I don’t recall ever seeing her do that before. (She was not effective.)
- Freshman Calissa Minatee played, her first action since the exhibition vs N. Iowa,. (Davis did not?)
It is a long season, and the goal is to be playing strong in December, so I advise against panicking. But with two tough road games next weekend against Oregon and Stanford, our Gophs could come home with 2 wins & 4 losses (1 & 4 vs ranked teams). And the pressing issue, in my mind, is our serve-recieve.
As “hitters” go, I continue to think that Landfair & Wooker can be the best pair of Left-sides in the country, and adding Grote, maybe the best trio of Outsides in the country. But this 3-person serve-recieve with Murr, Landfair & Wooker killed the Gophs vs Texas & Florida. If that remains our receive for the rest of the season, Landfair & Wooker will have to receive a lot better for the Gophers to beat elite teams.
Maybe Hanson is the answer. Maybe Palabiyik is the answer. Maybe Grote or Crowl is the answer. But right now, the glass looks half-empty.