Clinton vs Bettendorf pt2

I wanted to post some of the things that didn't fit in the article today.  First of all, Kurt & the Clinton Herald do a great job pulling everything together.  I feel that we do a pretty decent job with stats & scores but not all coaches do. I know some coaches don't call in when they get beat or have no stats to give.  Kurt & I spoke on the phone last night, initially before I had even gotten back.  I knew that we had given the QC times "38" for Alyssa's kills but have going over the scoresheet about 5 times in better light and less stress, it was determined to be 39.  So that accounts for that discrepancy.  To Kurt's credit, he had the records in front of him & so it was determined that both Alyssa & Monique had established new CHS records.  I believe that I was navigating the hill on Thorwaldsen and said, Oh my God" when Kurt said each record was broken by 4.  In rally score volleyball, that's huge.

I think that it's also important to point out a few other points:  As coaches, we discuss 'roles' alot with each other & players.  Last night was one of those times when everyone performed their role extremely well.  We need Mo to run an efficient offense & get us hittable balls & she certainly did that.  Erin & Alyssa are capable of putting up some big kill numbers & they were all needed.  But beyond that our serving is very important.  We were aggressive in gm1, but made 6SEs, too many.  only 6 in last 4 gms.  Big serving nights from everyone, really, but some of the better serving runs from Griffin, Erin, and Marquel.  Marquel & Elle were each extremely efficient as hitters in the middle. Elle was a part of some big points with her block & had some big swings.  Marquel had 8 digs in addition to her hitting & blocking.  Those blocks & quality touches that Marquel, Elle, and Devin had are the difference in a tough 5 set match.  In addition to Mo, just about everyone chipped in as ball handlers & had an assist.  Devin had 4.  All of those are big.

In the back row, we only have up 6 aces.  It's not alway easy passing, and digging on defense.  Shannon, Mo, Gabby, Griffin and Hannah all did a great job in back.  We'd like to be perfect but know that is unattainable, but it sure seemed as though they were pretty close at times.  We need Shannon, Griffin, and Gabby picking up the tips over the top of the block or beside, and they did that.  In Mo's case, she has to do all of that and then get to the net & set.  Hannah & Alyssa "sweep" the end line & did a super job of that.  Elle & Marquel play defense after their serve and have become very proficient at the task.  

None of this is easy.  I know we ask a great deal of the kids.  I try to point out the positives to each of them.  I'm not perfect, but i do know that I really appreciate the effort of these kids.  I know that they play very hard & are not taking points off.  Sometimes in the focus on numbers we forget the "little things"... my point is, there really ARE no little things.  Everyone of the girls is doing some great things to help us win.