TOURNAMENT SUMMARY
14 Pink had a great first showing this last Sunday at our League Qualifier at Edison High School in Stockton, CA. We finished seeded 21st (Silver Bracket), with 2 wins and 2 losses. Coaches got to see strengths of individual players and the successes of the team working together!
Thank you to Jen and Remeny for coordinating the food and logistics of the day. Coaches are very appreciative of the positivity of all the parents cheering, taking pictures, and being so friendly!
OFFENSE—THINGS TO CELEBRATE!
Serving
- The team averaged a 26% ace percentage!
- Cami and Claire led the team in aces, with others not far behind. Coaches were impressed that everyone continued to serve aggressively throughout the day!
Hitting
- The team averaged a 29% kill percentage!
- From the middle and outside, Kayla S. and Lilly led the team in kills. We are looking forward to more kills, celebrations, and having more plays be a pass, set, and kill!
- As a Libero, most people would think you can’t be an aggressive hitter from the back row…Coaches were very impressed by Selina this weekend for having the best Hitting Efficiency of the team!
OFFENSE—THINGS TO PRACTICE…
Serving
- Meeting goals: Going in to the team tournament we had a team goal of serving 80%, and we were just shy of accomplishing this goal, serving as a team at 78%.
- Focused serving: We like when we serve in, like it more when we get an ace, but LOVE it when we get an ace because we meant to serve it to that spot! More zone serving at practice will help players serve aggressive AND smart at future tournaments.
- Serving confidently: Coaches would like every player on the team to be full of confidence walking back to the serving line. More reps at practice will help each player be game-time ready.
Hitting
- Have a more diverse offense: Moving forward, we would like to see all 3 hitters be utilized when setting the front row. Stronger receive and defensive passes will lead to easier sets, and more options for our front row.
- More talking: Even when we are out of system, we should be communicating more so that we can be ready to send the 3rd ball over the net. Hitters should also let the setter know they are ready to hit by calling for their set.
- Be more aggressive: While slight improvements were made throughout the day, coaches want to see our team hit! Sending less freeballs, more strategic placement (away from the libero!!), and more aggressive attacks (downballs, hits at the net) will take our team to the next level.
DEFENSE—THINGS TO CELEBRATE!
Receive
- Rotations! Overall, coaches were very impressed with players knowing their rotations—especially with so many players new to the sport, and a few playing new positions.
- Lilly and Claire had the highest passing averages (Serve Receive and Freeball passing), with Selina and Mya’s scores not far behind.
Digging
- Lilly and Selina led the team in most digs.
- Consistent defense! Coaches were impressed with how all players, including those who subbed in, were able to maintain the level of play and be aggressive on defense.
DEFENSE—THINGS TO PRACTICE…
Receive
- Transitioning to and from Home Base: We can’t get stuck in our serve receive positions, and should be hustling to our defensive spots as soon as we return the serve.
- Don’t stand up when we pass: Shoulders should not come up when receiving a serve. Platforms should stay in front of our bodies and be angled to target.
- Whose ball? Know who gets the short serve, who gets the deep serve, and who gets the seam.
Digging
- Downball defense vs. Freeball defense. Knowing when to be in each defense is critical, players can expect to focus on learning how to tell which type of attack is coming and which respective defense we should be in.
- Communication. More talking and calling the ball at least three times will help players trust those around them, and result in stronger passes.
Blocking
- We are just beginning to cover blocking at practice. After seeing how many players are already so close to blocking at the net naturally, this will become a more prominent skill practiced before the next tournament!
LINK TO STATS:
