Gators Pull Out a Win

by Coach Stacy Dahl

 

The Gators held out for a win over a promising LOW team.  It was difficult for the Gators to get into a rhythm in the first set—“Bring it” mentality is a must when teams are on the road.  They didn’t really get strings of points and had a tough time containing the outside attack of LOW.  Several Gator hitters were able to pick up some kills.  Gators were up 22-20 late in the set and left the door wide open for LOW to snatch the win 26-24.  Gator hitters earned some kills early on, but the LOW defense had no trouble picking up soft hits.  The Gators picked up the pace set two and started serving more effectively from the back line to fluster the LOW serve receive.  Megan Larson and Maddi Janicke both had three service aces, and the Gators were able to get their hitters swinging as they received freeballs to get some nice looks with 48% hitting.  They marched to a 25-13 win.  Instead of keeping the pressure on, the Gators backed off during set 3; 23% hitting didn’t really help the cause either as the Bears kept making plays in the back row.  The Bears kept swinging hard and they Gators didn’t pursue the ball and keep it from the floor.  Ministrings were traded back and forth as momentum shifted throughout the set, but the Gators showed some grit and were able to battle back from behind to earn the last 5 points of the set to win 25-23.  The Gators came out strong set 4 and earned 5 of their first nine points.  Both teams got a little sloppy from the serving line with the Gators missing 3 and the Bears missing 5 in the set.  Down the stretch the Gators poured it on.  Emily Anderson had the hot hand and saw the floor scoring 4 kills late in the set to grab the win 25-22.

 

Anderson led the Gator attack with 10 kills, 3 aces, and 11 digs.  Megan Larson had another solid night with 8 kills, 4 aces, and a block; Brenna Dallager also had a rock-solid night with 8 kills, 14 assists, 5 digs, and 3 aces, and Carly Mekash contributed 8 kills, 9 digs and a block.   Alyssa Kilen added 13 assists to the mix.

 

“If it was easy, everyone would do it.  It’s the hard that makes it great.”  Every match has been a stepping stone this season, and the Gators need to continue their journey to be one of the best.  Mental toughness, pinpoint passing, shutting the door, and communication are keys to Gator success.  Volleyball is a game of mistakes, and we need to continue learning and improving.  The more weapons in our arsenal the better.  Attack Mode On!