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Not sure when the last time the Shocks (9-11, 4-5) lost 3 straight, especially in conference play, but it probably has been a while. I suspect they have never lost 3 straight in 5-setters where they led 2-1 in each match after 3 sets. I'm sure it has been a while since they were under .500 at the halfway mark of conference play as well. But that is what the Shocks are trying to rebound from.
Normally, you would feel pretty good about be able to rebound against UConn (11-11, 3-6) and Temple (5-16, 2-7) but this year has been anything but normal especially when you take injuries into account. The injuries that I know of include Jenna Mak (head injury - out for the year), Brooke Smith (broken finger - planned to redshirt), Regan Stiawalt (ankle right before the season started), Emma Wright (broken thumb - may or may not return this year), Kali Eaken (knee ligament - done for year/career), Megan Taflinger (abdominal strain) and Giorgia Civita (shoudler strain).
Even without the injuires the Shocks were a young team in transition after losing some of the best players/leaders in program history. In some ways it is surprising they have been as comptetitive as they have been. On his Monday radio show Lambo mentioned he might switch back to the 6-2 after going to the 5-1 after Kali went down early against ECU 4 matches ago. I guess will see about that. I suppose the health status of his roster will have some impact on that decision. Hopefully, Giorgia and Megan are both good to go this weekend.
The only non-con opponent the Shocks and UConn have in common is West Vrigina. UConn was swept by West Virginia and the Shocks beat WVU in 4 sets. UConn did beat Houston 3-1 and they won a set against Cincinnati.and against UCF so they are not totally hapless. The did lose to ECU at home in 4 sets while the Shocks swept ECU at home. I guess it will just depend on which teams show up Friday for both the Huskers and the Shockers.
After tying for 2nd with SMU behind the Shockers last year and looking pretty good doing it Temple has found it even tougher going this year than the Shocks have. Temple did play a pretty decent non-con schedule. The Owls did beat Houston on the road but they also lost to ECU at home
I just don't think this Shocker team can take any opponent for granted this year.
Lambo also mentioned at the end of his radio show that he is to some extent now playing with a focus on the future. Hopefully, the ladies will come out playing hard and having fun.
Shocker Match Notes and Links
:wsu_posters:
Normally, you would feel pretty good about be able to rebound against UConn (11-11, 3-6) and Temple (5-16, 2-7) but this year has been anything but normal especially when you take injuries into account. The injuries that I know of include Jenna Mak (head injury - out for the year), Brooke Smith (broken finger - planned to redshirt), Regan Stiawalt (ankle right before the season started), Emma Wright (broken thumb - may or may not return this year), Kali Eaken (knee ligament - done for year/career), Megan Taflinger (abdominal strain) and Giorgia Civita (shoudler strain).
Even without the injuires the Shocks were a young team in transition after losing some of the best players/leaders in program history. In some ways it is surprising they have been as comptetitive as they have been. On his Monday radio show Lambo mentioned he might switch back to the 6-2 after going to the 5-1 after Kali went down early against ECU 4 matches ago. I guess will see about that. I suppose the health status of his roster will have some impact on that decision. Hopefully, Giorgia and Megan are both good to go this weekend.
The only non-con opponent the Shocks and UConn have in common is West Vrigina. UConn was swept by West Virginia and the Shocks beat WVU in 4 sets. UConn did beat Houston 3-1 and they won a set against Cincinnati.and against UCF so they are not totally hapless. The did lose to ECU at home in 4 sets while the Shocks swept ECU at home. I guess it will just depend on which teams show up Friday for both the Huskers and the Shockers.
After tying for 2nd with SMU behind the Shockers last year and looking pretty good doing it Temple has found it even tougher going this year than the Shocks have. Temple did play a pretty decent non-con schedule. The Owls did beat Houston on the road but they also lost to ECU at home
I just don't think this Shocker team can take any opponent for granted this year.
Lambo also mentioned at the end of his radio show that he is to some extent now playing with a focus on the future. Hopefully, the ladies will come out playing hard and having fun.
Shocker Match Notes and Links
:wsu_posters:
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