In a game that is as fast as volleyball, muscle memory and team chemistry are just as important as talent or game knowledge. The Stanford women’s volleyball team still struggled to keep up with number 9 in Utah (10-2, 10-2, Pac-12) this weekend, dropping both games in four straight sets.
The Cardinal (1-5, 1-5 Pac-12) juggled COVID-19 problems and injuries and started different lineups in each game. Redshirt freshman outside of Caitie Baird couldn’t play Friday while freshman midfield Annabelle Smith couldn’t play on Sunday. For the second match, the second pinhitter Kendall Kipp switched to the middle, and senior Mackenzie Fidelak did the opposite.
The revolving door in the squad and the several weeks of game cancellations have made it difficult for Stanford to build on a consistent basis at both season and game level. Despite the loss on Friday night, Stanford quickly went to the Sunday matinee, taking Utah by surprise and scoring a decisive 25:16 set win. That first frame, however, would turn out to be their only more successful.
“It was kind of fool’s gold,” said head coach Kevin Hambly. “We only had eight kills and they made some mistakes. When they stabilized as the game progressed, we couldn’t hold on.”
One of the main issues, as Hambly pointed out, was the offense’s inability to generate points. Despite an excellent passing game, Stanford couldn’t get past Utah’s formidable defense. The Cardinal only hit .132 as a team, with just one player over .122.
In the second round, McKenna Vicini was able to find some space in the middle and ended seven kills with a .316 clip. Baird went up and down with 13 kills, despite the fact that they cost nine mistakes. The senior outside Meghan McClure and Kipp in the middle scored eight kills each.
To speed up the offensive, Hambly switched the team from their normal 5-1 offensive to a 6-2 offensive in the fourth set. In the 6-2, setters only play through the back row, which requires a team to have two skilled setters. In return, there are always three rackets in the front row. Fidelak played as the second setter and in the sophomore year Natalie Berty took on the opposite. Although Stanford had his second best offensive in the fourth set and hit .200, the Utes hit .333 in the frame and finished the match with no problems.
Defense, especially blocking, was one of Stanford’s bright spots during the game. Vicini paced up and down and placed her hand on eight of the cardinal’s eleven pads. Although the Cardinal Defense held Utah to a 0.153 hit that night, the Utes had the 54 to 40 volume advantage on kills.
Stanford has a tough schedule for the season, playing against three top 20 teams. This coming weekend, Oregon # 20 is number one at the Maples Pavilion.
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