For tonight's Inland Sports Volleyball match of the night we visit Woodcrest Christian (Div 5-#9) as they host Linfield Christian (Div 8-#10). Here's a preview:
Woodcrest Christian Royals:
Head Coach: Teri James
Current Record: 8-4 overall, 1-1 Ambassador League
Last 5: 3-2 (2-2 at Dave Mohs: Wins against Northwood & Fountain Valley, losses to Bakersfield and Saddleback Valley Christian. Ambassador League win against Western Christian)
Notes: Tonight's match is the front end of an Ambassador League back to back for the Lady Royals who will host Notre Dame tomorrow evening. Coach Teri James side has had an excellent preseason earning their way to the Azusa Tournament finals along with the 2-2 mark at Dave Mohs in Div 2. Raimi Albee leads the way offensively for Woodcrest Christian with 88 kills (3.0 kills per set) and is hitting .179% on the year. Setters Elyssa Smith and Katie Peterson have plenty of other options as Emily White, Tristen Walter, and Natalie Grover all average at least 1.2 kills per set. Libero Katie Greer anchors the back row averaging nearly 7 digs per set. As a Middle Blocker White leads Woodcrest Christian with 2.4 blocks per match. This will be my first chance to look at the post Bre Hood & Tesa Oaks Royals.
Linfield Christian Lions:
Head Coach: Eric Hawes
Current Record: 6-3 overall, 1-1 Ambassador League
Last 5: 3-2 (wins over Redlands, Vista del Lago, Arrowhead Christian; Losses to Hemet, and Notre Dame/Riv)
Notes: Coach Eric Hawes looks to bring Linfield Christian back to postseason play for the first time since 2010-2011. Last time out the Lions swept Arrowhead Christian which was taking care of business in setting up this match. At the Hemet Tournament Linfield Christian recorded wins against Redlands & Vista del Lago (both playoff teams a season ago). In a Gold division semifinal came their most impressive performance-against Chaparral in a winner moves on set the Lions pushed a much more heralded Puma squad holding a lead as late as 15-11 and earning high praise from Chaparral assistant Gail Johnson (handling Head Coaching duties in the absence of Dana Burkholder who was attending to club obligations) in her end of day interview. This group of Lions has 6 ladies averaging 1.3 kills per set or more led by Kelly Rausch (1.8 kills per set hitting .165%) and Paige Williams (1.5 kills per set hitting .282%). Devin Sivertson runs the Lions offense averaging just over 6 assists a set.
My keys-Linfield Christian:
*Runs-Against Notre Dame the Lions dug themselves into deep holes and had to fight their way out. In his postmatch remarks Coach Hawes said his side had to really improve in that area. A lot of those issues were due to some shaky passing.
*Win the battle up front-Linfield's block was quite effective against Notre Dame the last time I saw them. That's going to need to continue against a well tested group of Royals attackers.
*Service Efficiency-In that Notre Dame match Linfield recorded 5 aces but recorded 7 errors. What the numbers don't tell is that in stretches they did a pretty good job of forcing three ball situations.
My keys-Woodcrest Christian:
*Service Efficiency-97 aces to 49 errors is quite good. Give the Linfield serve receive a test like Notre Dame did and see if those passing issues have been cleaned up.
*Attacking Efficiency-In the Ambassador League every point is precious. It's not the number of attempts which matter but the quality of those attempts.
*Dig Dig Dig-Make Linfield earn their kills by winning the dig battle.
Interviews and a recap to come tonight
Notes: Tonight's match is the front end of an Ambassador League back to back for the Lady Royals who will host Notre Dame tomorrow evening. Coach Teri James side has had an excellent preseason earning their way to the Azusa Tournament finals along with the 2-2 mark at Dave Mohs in Div 2. Raimi Albee leads the way offensively for Woodcrest Christian with 88 kills (3.0 kills per set) and is hitting .179% on the year. Setters Elyssa Smith and Katie Peterson have plenty of other options as Emily White, Tristen Walter, and Natalie Grover all average at least 1.2 kills per set. Libero Katie Greer anchors the back row averaging nearly 7 digs per set. As a Middle Blocker White leads Woodcrest Christian with 2.4 blocks per match. This will be my first chance to look at the post Bre Hood & Tesa Oaks Royals.
Linfield Christian Lions:
Head Coach: Eric Hawes
Current Record: 6-3 overall, 1-1 Ambassador League
Last 5: 3-2 (wins over Redlands, Vista del Lago, Arrowhead Christian; Losses to Hemet, and Notre Dame/Riv)
Notes: Coach Eric Hawes looks to bring Linfield Christian back to postseason play for the first time since 2010-2011. Last time out the Lions swept Arrowhead Christian which was taking care of business in setting up this match. At the Hemet Tournament Linfield Christian recorded wins against Redlands & Vista del Lago (both playoff teams a season ago). In a Gold division semifinal came their most impressive performance-against Chaparral in a winner moves on set the Lions pushed a much more heralded Puma squad holding a lead as late as 15-11 and earning high praise from Chaparral assistant Gail Johnson (handling Head Coaching duties in the absence of Dana Burkholder who was attending to club obligations) in her end of day interview. This group of Lions has 6 ladies averaging 1.3 kills per set or more led by Kelly Rausch (1.8 kills per set hitting .165%) and Paige Williams (1.5 kills per set hitting .282%). Devin Sivertson runs the Lions offense averaging just over 6 assists a set.
My keys-Linfield Christian:
*Runs-Against Notre Dame the Lions dug themselves into deep holes and had to fight their way out. In his postmatch remarks Coach Hawes said his side had to really improve in that area. A lot of those issues were due to some shaky passing.
*Win the battle up front-Linfield's block was quite effective against Notre Dame the last time I saw them. That's going to need to continue against a well tested group of Royals attackers.
*Service Efficiency-In that Notre Dame match Linfield recorded 5 aces but recorded 7 errors. What the numbers don't tell is that in stretches they did a pretty good job of forcing three ball situations.
My keys-Woodcrest Christian:
*Service Efficiency-97 aces to 49 errors is quite good. Give the Linfield serve receive a test like Notre Dame did and see if those passing issues have been cleaned up.
*Attacking Efficiency-In the Ambassador League every point is precious. It's not the number of attempts which matter but the quality of those attempts.
*Dig Dig Dig-Make Linfield earn their kills by winning the dig battle.
Interviews and a recap to come tonight
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