I have lost count how many of my predictions regarding the ‘23 Gophers have been wrong, but the latest was my post following last Saturday’s debacle at Rutgers, when I predicted that this team would no longer be rated in the Top 25 nationally this week, or likely ever again this season.
But somehow, with an overall record of 6 & 8, we are #24. I agree that those voting for this poll shouldn’t penalize good teams for losses at Florida, Stanford or Nebraska, but keeping the Gophs at #24 after losses to Maryland and Rutgers is mystifying.
Michigan is apparently worse. As we have seen in most matches this season, the Gophers started slow in Set 1 (our powerful outside hitters had only 7 kills). never trailing but squeaking out a 26-24 win. Our hitters came alive in Set 2, (14 kills), jumping out to a 16-8 lead, and coasting to a decisive 25-11 win. And the Gopher momentum carried on into Set 3, taking a 9-3 lead and finishing Michigan off 25-16.
Shaffmaster was back, and apparently healthy, so that helped. I had Grote with 11 kills, Landfair with 10, and Wooker with 9. Shaffmaster only had 3 kills, and 1 block, but her block and 2 of her kills came in Set 1, when the Gophers needed them most.
Some GopherVBallRocks readers, including wife Maureen, really hate service errors. I have consistently defended the strategy of aggressive serving, even though this raises the rate of service errors. But I have also made the point that the timing & score matters; serve aggressively when behind, the further behind, the more aggressive, to try to capture momentum, but conservatively when ahead or on a “run;” when you have the momentum, don’t give it away. In tonight’s Set 1, leading 24-23, Skylar Gray came in to serve, and missed it. Wrong time for that. And I think this was the third time in recent weeks that Gray has missed a serve in a similar situation. Whatever, Coach Cook used Palabiyik in that role in Sets 2 & 3.
The only explanation I can offer, for the Gophers remaining in the Top 25, with a 6 & 8 record, is that the poll-voters are looking at the individuals on the roster – versus the team’s performance. We have 5 outstanding players (alphabetically): Grote, Landfair, Murr, Shaffmaster & Wooker, anyone of which, or even all 5 together, would potentially not be over their heads in this year’s Final Four. But an elite team has to have an at least competitive serve-receive. This team does not have a competitive serve-receive; and without one, it doesn’t matter how good those 5 are.
BUT, if they can beat Northwestern at the PAV on Sunday, to reach 8 & 8, the Gophers should remain in the Top 25 for at least one more week.