The Gophers took care of business this evening beating TCU at TCU, 25-17, 25-20, 25-18. Our Gophs started a bit slow in the first set (a worrying pattern that continues from last year), but surged to a 18-12 and coasted to 25-17. As was true yesterday, the Gophs dominated the net, outhitting the Frogs .417 to .107 in set 1. With good hitting balance; 4 kills by Landfair, 3 by Booth, and 2 each by Wenaas, Hanson, and Husemann.
The Frogs put up stiffer resistance in set 2, forcing ties at 4-4, 10-10 and 17-17 before the Gophs took over. The Gophs served 5 aces to 1 for the Frogs in set 2. (6 kills for Landfair in this set.) The Gophs then dominated set 3, taking leads of 14-5 and 20-11; both teams subbing when the outcome seemed clear, with Crowl, Gros and back-up setter McGhie getting some playing time. (Our other back-up setter, Miranda Wucherer, served in all 3 sets.)
Encouraging sign: The major frustration last season was the lack of offensive productivity from our Middles, but it doesn’t look like this will be a problem this season! I had Booth with at least 7 kills tonight, and Husemann at least 3; several for each on quick-hits and slides. In addition, Landfair got at least 2 kills and Wenaas 1, on plays where Booth drew defensive attention with “fake” swings, leaving her Left-sides wide open.
The really impressive thing about Booth’s performance is that her total of 13 kills and 13 blocks matches against TCU and Baylor came in the first two matches of her collegiate career. Though weak last year, the Gophers have had some good Middles in recent years, Regan Pittman, the Tapp Sisters, and Tori Dixon to name of few. But none have dominated their first 2 matches, against quality opponents, like Booth did this weekend!
Also encouraging: I said in my wrap-up / look-forward at the end of last season, that I wanted to see Shaffmaster attack more often this year; I suggested 2 attacks per set. In these first 7 sets, Shaffmaster attacked 12 times, producing 8 kills. Shaffmaster also made the play of the night, diving for a dig, then shooting the 3rd touch over the net from her butt.
Concerns: Nothing major, but here’s a couple minor concerns: 1) Wenaas is jump-serving this year – but so far without any tangible success. 2) #1 ranked recruit McKennna Wucherer has yet to take the court for the Gophers. (I think she was on the bench tonight, but not dressed – if so, apparently injured.) And 3) At least for now, it appears that true-freshman Julia Hanson from Prior Lake is our starting opposite. Okay, but if so we’re going to need more production from Hanson as she matures into this role.
Interesting fact: It’s always dangerous to draw conclusions from comparing scores against common opponents. BUT – yesterday, the Badgers played TCU following the Gopher’s match against Baylor, and this afternoon, the Badgers played Baylor prior to the Gopher’s match against TCU. The Badgers swept the Frogs by similar scores to the Gophs; but the Badgers lost to Baylor (in 5 sets).
Note: Reader D.K. reports that he was able to stream tonight’s game on ESPN+, but couldn’t get any sound. I don’t know; I got sound. But the play-by-play from Ft. Worth wasn’t great D.K. – you didn’t miss much.