Denver Match Thread

[kiyoat]

Friday 7PM match
LIVE STATS
STREAM$
Preview Article (from Denver)

No free stream, courtesy of the University of Denver.

Both teams 9-1, both teams' one loss was to the Mavs in home matches.  The Yotes played four tough non-con matches, the Pios played zero.  The season is winding down, with only two more series after this.

Should be a big one.  Likely the regular season title will be in play.

[kiyoat]

Here are some quick stats from that Denver article:


-The Pioneers are tied for 1st in conference winning percentage with Kansas City and South Dakota (.900)


-The Crimson & Gold ranks:

7th in the NCAA in aces/set (2.15)
15th in blocks/set (2.79)
27th in hitting percentage (.267)
42nd in assists/set (12.74)


-The Pioneers lead the Summit League in five of 12 major statistical categories, more than any other Summit League team:

hitting percentage (.268)
assists/set (12.76)
blocks/set (2.79)
aces/set (2.15)
opponent digs/set (13.32)

[kiyoat]

Looking at the 12 major team stats on the Summit League site,

Generally speaking, USD, Denver, Omaha and KC dominate the top 4 spots in most categories. So I think it is meaningful when one of them falls below #4 in any stat.

So again generally speaking, those 4 teams have the best offenses in the league. But USD has the best defense as well, especially in the backcourt. Denver, Omaha and KC are in the bottom for # of digs. Denver leads in blocks, until you look at "conference only". USD leads that category based on conference play (Denver didn't play any non-con matches).

One thing I am worried about going into this match is serving and serve-receive. Denver is the best serve-and-receive team in the league, and we are average.

[kiyoat]

Yotes up in sets 2-0, but are losing the third set 5-14..... anyone watching? I’m just following the live stats.

[kiyoat]

Lost 3rd set 19-25. Just about made it competitive... on to the 4th.

[kiyoat]

Yotes win 3-1! Another mile-high match tomorrow.

[seayote]

Mar 12, 2021 22:50:21 GMT -6 kiyoat said:

Yotes win 3-1! Another mile-high match tomorrow.

[seayote]

The Saturday match has been cancelled by mutual consent due to the incoming weather.

[Coyote Fan]

I think that really worked out great. Win the first match and Denver is probably chomping at the bit for the rematch. Than something completely out of the teams control allows the Coyotes to get out of dodge without a loss. Without looking at the standings I am not sure if this is good or bad for the Yotes.

[Coyote Fan]

So after doing some research I see that the Coyotes and UMKC are both 10-1 in the league and play each other next at the SCSC. If they split and end up tied in the standings I wonder how the tie breakers would shake out to see who would get to host the Summit Tourney next season.

[Coyote Fan]

Looking at things closer that forfeit might actually help the Coyotes. UMKC and Denver have to play each other in Kansas City on the last week. The Coyotes get to play WIU who is winless in the conference. If KC loses one to Denver and one to the Coyotes they would have 3 losses. If Denver loses one more they would have 3 losses. If the Coyotes even split with KC than they would only have 2 losses and should win the league. If the Yotes just win their last 4 they should be outright conference champs no questions asked.

[kiyoat]

I mean, I hope we don't have to "back in" to the championship. Sweep KC and I think we win it outright. Either way, I think it's great what KC has brought to the league in this sport, and a few other sports.

I feel like in a "normal" year where all the teams are playing non-con opponents, this would have been a breakout year for the league. Maybe a two-bid year. It just seems like the top 4 teams are all really really good, and the middle tier have good but inconsistent teams. Upset threats. Which can be great for upsets in the non-conference. It can make for a fun/frustrating league tournament. Lots of good VB to watch.

Also, I thought we were slated to host the 2021 Fall SLT regardless who wins the regular season this year? Like a "it never happened" scenario, similar to the elligibility rules? Technically Vermillion isn't hosting the Spring 2021 tournament. It is in "neutral" Sioux Falls.

[kiyoat]

Mar 13, 2021 3:44:41 GMT -6 Coyote Fan said:

Looking at things closer that forfeit might actually help the Coyotes. UMKC and Denver have to play each other in Kansas City on the last week. The Coyotes get to play WIU who is winless in the conference. If KC loses one to Denver and one to the Coyotes they would have 3 losses. If Denver loses one more they would have 3 losses. If the Coyotes even split with KC than they would only have 2 losses and should win the league. If the Yotes just win their last 4 they should be outright conference champs no questions asked.

So the final two weeks could get interesting, but the Yotes definitely have the upper hand.  Right now this is the standings:

11-1 KC (loss to Omaha, plays USD/Denver)
10-1 USD (loss to Omaha, plays KC/WIU)
9-2 Denver (loss to Omaha/USD, plays NDSU/KC)
10-4 Omaha (loss to Denver/KC/USD/SDSU, plays ORU)

So just like you said, playing Western basically gives us a 2-match bonus.  KC, Denver and Omaha all play teams that have a better chance of pulling the upset (Denver, NDSU, ORU)

The conference title comes down to two series: the KC usd series this weekend, and the following weekend, the Denver @ KC series.  If we sweep KC it is virtually (but not officially) over.  If we split with KC it could get interesting.  They could sweep Denver and finish 14-2, which would beat our 13-2 finish.  I doubt Denver is getting swept, though.

If KC sweeps us, they would officially eliminate us from the regular season title.  The Denver @ KC series would be for the championship.

So the matches this Friday and Saturday are crucial for the regular season title: 

1. Sweep and we (likely) win the title.
2. Get swept and we (definitely) lose.
3. Split and we have to root for Denver the following week.