Tough Loss

After a three match winning streak we have hit the end....for the time being ;) We met Lindesberg Wednesday night (Halloween), the Swedish Champs from last season. Our coach prepared us with smart tactics and a plan on how to infiltrate their strong attack and three person block. However, when we got on the court, at times, it seemed that we were lost on what to do. Our blocking was weak and they continued to burn us on hard angle swings. Our passing was 50/50, too many missed serves and our defense failed at times due to our blocking mistakes. That being said, there were times when we played brilliantly and actually took a set from them to make it a 4 set match. Our assistant coach said after the match, she felt like there was anxiety on the court and that is something she hasn't felt ever with this team. I guess I am to caught up with whats going on at the moment on the court, that I don't notice the anxiety. I didn't feel like people were anxious, maybe more nervous to make errors and quiet occasionally. These things we will come away from the match with and continue to improve upon.

We met them again a week after for the League Cup. We played a lot better however our serve misses were over the top and our passing was lacking. Our blocking and defense was stronger. Also our attacking was better as well. In the end we lost but we took them to 4 when we could have easily gone to 5 sets, however the last set didn't feel like all of us were fighting for it. I could see that some were tired (including me) and maybe a little discouraged about how they were playing. I was jump serving this time, for the first time so I was missing quite a lot which was no good, but I tried not to worry to much about it since it was out of the ordinary for me. Next time my serving will be better and more consistent. Im more worried about hitting the backs of my teammates heads! In the end the match was well played but of course we could have pushed them further. We are bound to beat them this season I am certain.

This weekend we have Hylte/Halmstad. They are a good team so I think it will be a good fight that I hope we will win. If we focus on what we have to do on our side of the court then we will for sure win. Its all about the strategy that our coach gives us and our skills as a team that will help us succeed. Go Orebro Volley!