After a long week of training and preparation for the match against Gothenberg we were on our way last Sunday morning to their home court. Our team went into this qualification match with determination and a strong will to kick some ass! Which is why I think we were able to pull out a win over them even though it went to 5 sets.
The first set was shaky for both sides, but we were the better team so our shaky start wasn't as weak as theirs. Gothenberg had one good hitter which was their middle. She used to play for Katrineholm (a team that is playing in the championship playoffs now) as I had recognized her during the match. She got the majority of the sets and the other hitters would get sets from bad passes. It was pretty easy to sift out who was going to get the set when the good middle was in the front row which made it easier on our blockers.
The next two sets were off because our team couldn't seem to get a hold on the ball. We weren't in the right places, we couldn't stop the middle and the pressure on our serves dropped a little. So set 4 and 5 we decided as a team to mentally and physically attack the other side. Everyone had fire in their eyes, everyone was prepared to play hard and win hard. The score of the 4th set was something like 25-14 and the 5th was 15-9. It was apparent who was the better team in this match up, it just took us a few minutes to get our barrings and to take them out.
Our team really came together and I was really proud of us for pulling out a win like that. Jet (our setter) had her best match of the season, she really placed the ball well to all our hitters and ran down off balls while making good decisions with them. I also had a personal best in attacking and blocking, where I scored 30 points. The best I have done in my career thus far. At one point in the game, Jet set me against no blockers and all I thought was "open net!!!" and just attacked. Needless to say I have never had that and it was absolute heaven to hit against nothing and seeing the ball hit 5 meters. For that I say, thank you Jet for offering me that experience.
We had a small crowd supporting us which was great! Sofia's (libero) mom, grandparents, aunt, uncle, sister and cousins were in attendance. We were also joined with some of Matilda's (coach) friends and Peggah's (libero) friends as well. It is always nice to see a familiar face in the crowd when you are playing so far from your home court.
This up coming weekend we travel to Svedala (a mere 6 hour drive south, yey) for what we hope to be our last match of the qualification series. The match is very important for us, so I will not be holding back at all in attack. I hope and know my teammates will be sharp and ready for anything this match. Believing we can win is just as important as having the talent to win. We are the better team in this situation so we need and will prove that this sunday. No matter how long the drive, the dust will be shaken off and attack mode will be on once we step into that gym. Its game time, starting now!
