Split? Yup, 25-27, 25-15, 25-12 & 19-25. I think they could have played a Set 5, but chose not to. If this was an in-season match against a Summit League Team, even the defending Summit League Tournament Champ and NCAA Tournament rep, a split would be disappointing. But this was an exhibition match – so a little less so.
Set 1: The Gophers played their best, healthy team: Stella at Setter, Gilk at Opposite, Wooker & Kinney at Leftside, Taylor & Hoecke at Middle and Garr at Libero & Thibeault at D.S. The Gophs struggled with serve-receive (especially Wooker, Kinney and Thibault) and lost a tight-all-the-way overtime set.
Set 2: With Crosson hitting Leftside, Kinney at Opposite and Gilk sitting out, and Thibeault & Garr switching jerseys, the Gophs started 0-5, roared back to lead 24-10, and coasted to the win.
Set 3: Back to the “starting line-up” except with Crosson instead of Wooker, the Gophers crushed St. Thomas.
Set 4: Using Lee in a 6-2 and Olivia as part of their serve-receive, the Gophers were crushed.
The best possible spin on this is that once Palabiyik is healthy, Wooker & Kinney won’t have to be part of our serve-receive, and that we will never use Lee in a 6-2, or Olivia in serve-receive – if we’re trying to win. The flaw in that analysis is that I am unfamiliar with St. Thomas’s personnel – and I have no idea when they were playing their second-stringers.
NOTES:
- Wooker, Kinney and Gilk were all hitting with authority.
- Taylor blocked very well.
- Hoecke started okay and got better as the match went on.
- Crosson started poor and got better as the match went on.
- Crosson came with a reputation as a great passer, but she wasn’t tonight.
OTHER NOTES:
- A healthy Palabiyik will make this a much better team.
- When Acevedo and Minatee are healthy, they will have to compete for starting roles.
- Better timing between Stella and her Middles will greatly improve our offense.
- We will sorely miss the back-row attack that Julia Hanson provided.
NEXT UP: Maybe an intra-squad or alumni match in late August?