Third and Fourth Options Will Lead to Final Four Berth
Conor Nicholl
Against Washburn University in the final of the MIAA Conference tournament on Nov. 12, the Bulldogs enjoyed five players with double figure kills against one of the best defenses in the country.
Junior outside hitter Sarah Shearman (20 kills), senior middle hitter Micaela Walter (18), freshman outside hitter Eli Medina (13), senior middle hitter Tiffany Graham (10) and junior MIAA regular season MVP and setter/right side hitter Kelsey Wackerman (10) formed argubly the deepest offense in the country.
Add in freshman Melissa Keck - 12 kills against Central Missouri State University in the South Central Regional Final - and the 'Dogs have tons of power.
Kearney doesn't. Sure, the Lopers have two All-Americans, but six players can't reach double figures. And that's the key tonight -- it's a wash between the All-Americans on both sides -- Shearman,Wackerman and Walter (Honorable Mention All-American) will equal the duo of Erins -- National Player of the Year Erin Gudmundson and Second Teamer Erin Brosz, so the third and fourth options are critical.
That's going to win tonight's match. It's similar to the World Series. Whoever pitches the best in critical Games Three and Four usually wins the Series -- Exhibit A are the White Sox only two months ago.
Add that's the key tonight. When the two teams have struggled this season, it's been because they haven't recieved support from their other options. For UNK, it's Kelli Bunger and Ashley Solt, while for the purple and white, it's Medina, Keck and Graham.
Whoever wins that battle will reach the Final Four.
Another possible momentum shift is the play of Erin Gudmundson. Or more specifically, the non-play of Gudmundson. The National POY plays middle hitter, which means she is only on the court for three rotations. Then, another middle plays and Gundmundson sits for three. That's critical.
Who will win the points when the Lopers are without their best player? Shearman and Wackerman, the 'Dogs top talents, will play the entire game. The purple and white has to take advantage of their opportunities when the talent shifts in their favor.
Against Washburn University in the final of the MIAA Conference tournament on Nov. 12, the Bulldogs enjoyed five players with double figure kills against one of the best defenses in the country.
Junior outside hitter Sarah Shearman (20 kills), senior middle hitter Micaela Walter (18), freshman outside hitter Eli Medina (13), senior middle hitter Tiffany Graham (10) and junior MIAA regular season MVP and setter/right side hitter Kelsey Wackerman (10) formed argubly the deepest offense in the country.
Add in freshman Melissa Keck - 12 kills against Central Missouri State University in the South Central Regional Final - and the 'Dogs have tons of power.
Kearney doesn't. Sure, the Lopers have two All-Americans, but six players can't reach double figures. And that's the key tonight -- it's a wash between the All-Americans on both sides -- Shearman,Wackerman and Walter (Honorable Mention All-American) will equal the duo of Erins -- National Player of the Year Erin Gudmundson and Second Teamer Erin Brosz, so the third and fourth options are critical.
That's going to win tonight's match. It's similar to the World Series. Whoever pitches the best in critical Games Three and Four usually wins the Series -- Exhibit A are the White Sox only two months ago.
Add that's the key tonight. When the two teams have struggled this season, it's been because they haven't recieved support from their other options. For UNK, it's Kelli Bunger and Ashley Solt, while for the purple and white, it's Medina, Keck and Graham.
Whoever wins that battle will reach the Final Four.
Another possible momentum shift is the play of Erin Gudmundson. Or more specifically, the non-play of Gudmundson. The National POY plays middle hitter, which means she is only on the court for three rotations. Then, another middle plays and Gundmundson sits for three. That's critical.
Who will win the points when the Lopers are without their best player? Shearman and Wackerman, the 'Dogs top talents, will play the entire game. The purple and white has to take advantage of their opportunities when the talent shifts in their favor.
posted by Anonymous at Thursday, December 01, 2005
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