First off Congratulations to UBC the 5 time National Championship. They were pushed hard in the final by Alberta Panda's. Interesting to note that the Panda's had a run of 6 in a row so it was interesting to see these two powerhouse programs go at it in the final.
I think the final eventually came down to serving and passing. Both UBC and U of A serve the ball incredibly tough. U of A was first in the nation in serving errors and second in the nation is serving aces. By the looks of the stats and nationals U of A was feast or famine with their serving. Watching them play through the nationals and then also having played them the last weekend of regular season this was obvious. I would have to change my mindset a lot to buy into this type of serving plan. I was getting frustrated with the misses just watching the Nationals. It appeared to me that Laurie just took it in stride, she trusted their ability to "sideout", she had to stress at all with their serving. UBC was 9th in service errors and 5th in aces. Again they were a tough serving team. UBC tended to serve the ball a little easier later in the match and after timeouts. They wanted to the opposition to earn that point. UBC is also the tallest team in the league and has 3 international level outside attackers, they had the ability to score in transition. They trusted their block defensive transition game and in the end it was this that helped them 5peat.
The second thing I really noticed is both teams played a real disciplined block defensive game. The two teams were a different style. U of A had their right sides start in a spread at the antenna and UBC started in a bunch block. UBC also runs their setter out of the middle when she was in the front row. Interesting note UBC ended up using a double sub in the 4th and 5th sets to go back to a regular middle late in the sets. This kept them with 3 front row players in crunch time. Both teams seemed to block the line and try to funnel the attackers cross court. When either setter started forcing the ball tight the opposition block was successful. When they set the ball off the net the attackers were successful. The match ended on a forced set to the right side that was tight.
The 3rd point is recruit the best athletes. Both U of A and UBC have players on their team that have national team experience. UBC has 3 outside attackers that practice with the National A or B team. The tournament MVP Lisa Barclay, played on the FISU games team this summer. Lisa is from Brandon and we were excited to see her win and play so well in the final. It also was a little disappointing that she didn't stay in Brandon to help build and win with us. But in talking with Lisa, the academic money she gets plus carding money is more money than we could offer her. In the end Lisa made a choice that was good for her, and obviously she has improved a ton. But Brandon will always lay claim to some of her Success.
U of A had Alena Olmenchenko from Kazakhstan join their team this year. Alena was a little unorthodox as she always took off on one foot. Attacking and serving she would run the step foot work. At 6'4" she hit the ball at angles we don't see to often and put up a huge block. She was the player U of A needed to put them over the top, and really deserved to win the match.
McGill winning the Bronze was unexpected as they had upset Laval in their league championships. So they entered into the tourney in 5th. McGill won their quaterfinal against St. Mary's from Halifax. St. Mary's had two outside attackers that were legit and used them a lot. McGil had a balanced attack, but really they relied on their defense to win games. I called it the "rope a dope" of volleyball. Keep the ball in play and force the other team to be consistent, eventually they will make errors. It worked well for McGill down their playoff stretch and helped them win their first medal at Nationals.
Three medal winners each with a different style of play. I think that this demonstrates that it doesn't matter which system you play. What matters is the team buys into the system and executes it well. Can't be second guessing or making drastic changes in the stretch run. Tom Skinner our sport psych likes to say. If the coach is still having to demand system work when the team is entering the playoffs the team is finished. The players should own the team by that time and take responsibility for each other and themselves. Coaches then give information for the team to use. The belief in each other and the system needs to be solid.
I think the final eventually came down to serving and passing. Both UBC and U of A serve the ball incredibly tough. U of A was first in the nation in serving errors and second in the nation is serving aces. By the looks of the stats and nationals U of A was feast or famine with their serving. Watching them play through the nationals and then also having played them the last weekend of regular season this was obvious. I would have to change my mindset a lot to buy into this type of serving plan. I was getting frustrated with the misses just watching the Nationals. It appeared to me that Laurie just took it in stride, she trusted their ability to "sideout", she had to stress at all with their serving. UBC was 9th in service errors and 5th in aces. Again they were a tough serving team. UBC tended to serve the ball a little easier later in the match and after timeouts. They wanted to the opposition to earn that point. UBC is also the tallest team in the league and has 3 international level outside attackers, they had the ability to score in transition. They trusted their block defensive transition game and in the end it was this that helped them 5peat.
The second thing I really noticed is both teams played a real disciplined block defensive game. The two teams were a different style. U of A had their right sides start in a spread at the antenna and UBC started in a bunch block. UBC also runs their setter out of the middle when she was in the front row. Interesting note UBC ended up using a double sub in the 4th and 5th sets to go back to a regular middle late in the sets. This kept them with 3 front row players in crunch time. Both teams seemed to block the line and try to funnel the attackers cross court. When either setter started forcing the ball tight the opposition block was successful. When they set the ball off the net the attackers were successful. The match ended on a forced set to the right side that was tight.
The 3rd point is recruit the best athletes. Both U of A and UBC have players on their team that have national team experience. UBC has 3 outside attackers that practice with the National A or B team. The tournament MVP Lisa Barclay, played on the FISU games team this summer. Lisa is from Brandon and we were excited to see her win and play so well in the final. It also was a little disappointing that she didn't stay in Brandon to help build and win with us. But in talking with Lisa, the academic money she gets plus carding money is more money than we could offer her. In the end Lisa made a choice that was good for her, and obviously she has improved a ton. But Brandon will always lay claim to some of her Success.
U of A had Alena Olmenchenko from Kazakhstan join their team this year. Alena was a little unorthodox as she always took off on one foot. Attacking and serving she would run the step foot work. At 6'4" she hit the ball at angles we don't see to often and put up a huge block. She was the player U of A needed to put them over the top, and really deserved to win the match.
McGill winning the Bronze was unexpected as they had upset Laval in their league championships. So they entered into the tourney in 5th. McGill won their quaterfinal against St. Mary's from Halifax. St. Mary's had two outside attackers that were legit and used them a lot. McGil had a balanced attack, but really they relied on their defense to win games. I called it the "rope a dope" of volleyball. Keep the ball in play and force the other team to be consistent, eventually they will make errors. It worked well for McGill down their playoff stretch and helped them win their first medal at Nationals.
Three medal winners each with a different style of play. I think that this demonstrates that it doesn't matter which system you play. What matters is the team buys into the system and executes it well. Can't be second guessing or making drastic changes in the stretch run. Tom Skinner our sport psych likes to say. If the coach is still having to demand system work when the team is entering the playoffs the team is finished. The players should own the team by that time and take responsibility for each other and themselves. Coaches then give information for the team to use. The belief in each other and the system needs to be solid.
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