Volleyball - UMKC Classic

[announcerbob]

The Yotes Ladies will next be engaged at the UMKC Classic.  The will play Tulsa (1-2), Louisiana Tech (3-0) and host UMKC (0-1)

Tulsa

Beat Pepperdine (Record 1-2)   
(3 sets - 1)
Lost to North Texas (Record 2-1)
(3 sets - 1)
Illinois State (Record 2-1)
( 3 sets - 1)

La Tech

Beat Oral Roberts (Record 2-1)
(3 sets - 1) ,
Beat Sam Houston State (Record 1-2)
(3 sets - 1)
Beat Prairie View A & M (Record 0-3)
(3 sets - 1)

UMKC (Record 0-0)

Lost to Kansas (3 sets - 2) - in what appears to have been an exhibition 

The tournament sets up to be a learning experience for the Yotes.  There appears to be some winnable games and some that could test the team.  I will not pick wins and losses but will say I do like the team's chances in each contest.  It is still early in the season and there is much growth to be achieved.  Coach Williamson will prepare the team to peak when it matters.  I believe the thing I like the most is the depth of the team.  If one of the players gets nicked up,  there is talent there to step in when their number is called.  The thing I do see is Miss Jurgens seems to favor Sami S. and Elizabeth J quite a bit, I hope she can develop a more rounded offense as the season goes on, as it will make the offense less predictable.  Please do not get me wrong, both players are hitting well and you keep going to the hot hand when need.  I do not pretend to be a coach, so what do I know, just my two cents worth.  I am liking the blocking on this team as it takes some of the pressure off of the back row.  It is time to go 1-0 on the next match!!!  Go Yotes!!!

[yoteforever]

Before that though, they will be playing Tuesday night in Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa against the Iowa State Cyclones. The Clones are a perennial Big 12 power and in the NCAA tournament year after year. This is a great match to play. No pressure on us to win but have every opportunity to do so. The Cyclones are coached by Christy Johnson Lynch, a former All-American setter for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. First serve is set for 6:30 pm.

[announcerbob]

I totally dropped the volleyball on that one!!!

[kiyoat]

Game Day vs. Tulsa.  Live Stats Available...  Morning game @ 10:30.  Run it on a separate window or tab...

[kiyoat]

UMKC Classic Tourney
game odds from Massey:

Vs #98 ---Tulsa: 58% odds of win, projected 3-2
@ -#119 UMKC: 45% odds of win, projected 2-3
Vs #180 La Tch: 98% odds of win, projected 3-0

Looks like the first two opponents should give us competitive matches.  Could go either way.  The Yotes looked good so far, but it is still early with all the new players.

[kiyoat]

first set in the books, Coyotes win in dominant fashion, 25-17

in the second set: Tulsa led for the first half of the set, Yotes now leading 22-21.  Very close.

Tulsa committing lots of errors all over the court.  Yotes with a huge blocking advantage in the game.  I think this is keeping them alive.  Far from a finished product.

[kiyoat]

Yotes win the 2nd, 25-21.

[kiyoat]

... and the 3rd set for the sweep!
25-17
25-21
25-22

Great win over a quality opponent!

They out-blocked Tulsa 10-3, and out-hit them .263 to .143

The dig numbers are less dominant than I saw last year from the Yotes, but I think that has something to do with the better blocking.  I think we are seeing a more well-rounded team.  Not a dominant team yet, but they seem to possess a lot of talent.  They should have a great trajectory with the learning curve by the time the conference season starts.

[kiyoat]

Next up, UMKC @ 7PM.... That's a long day...

Looks like the WAC broadcast might be available from UMKC.  Not sure if it will be free or fee.

[announcerbob]

Yotes looked really strong during the match. Dominated the Roos in sets 1 & 3 and won a hard fought set 2. Nice win and now time to focus on the next match tomorrow. They showed a lot of grit today. LA Tech tomorrow!!!

[kiyoat]

The stats point to an efficient offense and more of the same with dominant blocking. Juhnke appears in almost every stat. Reminds me a little of Dotseth.

[announcerbob]

I would totally agree with your assessment Kiyoat!!! The deceiving stat is the digs being down, but it is not that the team or any players has digressed but rather the blocking has intensified thus reducing the opportunities. By watching the UMKC match you could tell the players are really making an effort to following the game plans the coaching staff is putting together and it is working. The blocking is taking some pressure off of the back line a bit which my pay dividends as the season rolls on. The coaches are trying different rotations and players to identify which combination will work the best going forward. Keep up the good work!! Go Yotes!!

[announcerbob]

Two Tournaments and two championships. It is now time to fill the SCSC and support our team for the Coyote Classic next weekend!!!