Shocks vs Drake & Creighton

[1972Shocker]

Shocks travel to Des Moines (Friday) and Omaha (Saturday) to take on the experienced and solid Drake and Creighton teams. Arguably this will be the Shocks toughest two-match road swing of the MVC season.

This is a very important weekend for the Shocks as they have very little wiggle room after losing on the road to UNI and MSU.

Last year the Shocks lost 1-3 in Omaha on the weekend following their road loss to MSU. We don't want to repeat that again this year. The difference this year is that the Shocks (3-2) are already a game and a half behind the Bluejays (5-1) in the MVC.

Drake has 6 seniors and 4 juniors on their roster and Creighton has 4 seniors and 2 juniors they can rely on. Creighton is also getting good contributions from 6'3" Soph Heather Thorson and 6'2" Freshman Savannah Smith.

Shocks will need to be on their game in both matches to survive the weekend unscathed.

[1stThings1st]

Each weekend is critical. This is where we see leadership happen - on the road against tough opponents. Sure would be nice to see our upper-classwomen step it up. We need them to not talk tough but make it happen on the court. I think we have the talent, just have not seen the mental focus needed to be top 25.

[1972Shocker]

Each weekend is critical. This is where we see leadership happen - on the road against tough opponents. Sure would be nice to see our upper-classwomen step it up. We need them to not talk tough but make it happen on the court. I think we have the talent, just have not seen the mental focus needed to be top 25.

I think that is a pretty accurate observation. Not being able to close-out MSU in Sets 1 and 2 last Saturday when we had 24-21 leads had more to do with mental toughness than anything else. (I realize that we did win Set 2 but we should not have had score 30 points to do it.)

[RoyalShock]

Live stats link if anyone is interested:

http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/newLiveStats/Volleyball/index.html?GAME_STAT_ID=515395&db_oem_id=15700

[1972Shocker]

Shocks blow a big lead again. Lead 16-9 and 19-14.

Set 1 going into extra points tied at 24-24.

:ohno:

[1972Shocker]

Shocks win 26-24 but not sure how much that does for their confidence.

Lack of mental toughness????????? Not sure.

[1972Shocker]

Creighton whacks MSU in Set 1 winning 25-14. Not surprised that CU won the set, but the 11 point margin is a surprise.

[1972Shocker]

Creighton lead MSU throughout most of Set 2 and were on fire, but MSU rallied late to take the 2nd set 25-23 to tie their match in Omaha.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks win another tough set 25-21 to go up 2-0 on Drake.

Shocks lead 18-15 before Drake rallied to tie the set at 18 all. After exchanging points Shocks closed out the set on a 6-2 run.

I will give the Shocks credit for not falling apart when they give up these late leads.

Camri (12) and Emily (11) have combined for 23 kills to lead the Shocks.

Shocks have been outblocked 4 - 1 so far which is a little uncharacteristic. This team has been a good blocking team so far this year.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks with their best effort in some time beating Drake in the 3rd set winning 25-17.

Shocks raced out to a 20-7 lead then coasted home for the sweep as Lambo got some of the reserves some floor time.

Good win for the Shocks. Now lets hope MSU and CU go 5 long and hard sets tonight.

[WuDrWu]

Had the hammer down for much of set 3 leading 20-7 at one point, finally sweeping the Geese 24-21-17.

Good win, sloppy at times but Drake is 17-4.


On to Omaha where they are locked in an epic struggle tonight.

[1972Shocker]

Creighton takes the 3rd set 25-23 to go up 2-1 over MSU.

[WuDrWu]

CU takes set 3 25-23.

[1972Shocker]

CU takes set 3 25-23.

I guess we root for MSU in Set 4.

[WuDrWu]

UNI torches BU 18-9-10.


Evansville sweeps Redbirds 22-20-23.


SIU looking to finish off the Trees in 4, still in action.