[BigJohn043]

I have never been enough of a volleyball fan to understand the nuances of the game so hoping that someone who is more knowledgeable can educate me.

It certainly seemed to me that our blocking was significantly lacking last night.  When Texas blocked, more often than not the ball went down in a stuff and they got the point.  When we blocked, more often than not it seemed to go out of bounds or down on our own side, giving Texas the point. 

It also seemed that their blockers were often waiting for our hits on the outside, in place and cutting off the angles, and we would hit right into them.  This happened once with a Kipp hit from the back but less frequently than on the sides.   We seemed to have some success dinking over the blocks.

What caused this disparity?  Was it athleticism, strategy, what?

Blocks are much more likely to happen on out of system sets and poor sets.  There is clearly technique to closing the block and penetrating the net.  But we are not going to get a lot of blocks when they are in system.

We are averaging 2.6 blocks per set on the year and last night we only got 3 in 4 sets.

Texas is averaging 2.9 blocks per set on the year and last night got right on their average at 12.

[BigJohn043]

I have never been enough of a volleyball fan to understand the nuances of the game so hoping that someone who is more knowledgeable can educate me.

It certainly seemed to me that our blocking was significantly lacking last night.  When Texas blocked, more often than not the ball went down in a stuff and they got the point.  When we blocked, more often than not it seemed to go out of bounds or down on our own side, giving Texas the point. 

It also seemed that their blockers were often waiting for our hits on the outside, in place and cutting off the angles, and we would hit right into them.  This happened once with a Kipp hit from the back but less frequently than on the sides.   We seemed to have some success dinking over the blocks.

What caused this disparity?  Was it athleticism, strategy, what?

Blocks are much more likely to happen on out of system sets and poor sets.  There is clearly technique to closing the block and penetrating the net.  But we are not going to get a lot of blocks when they are in system.

We are averaging 2.6 blocks per set on the year and last night we only got 3 in 4 sets.

Texas is averaging 2.9 blocks per set on the year and last night got right on their average at 12.