Spring Volleyball: Bulls Sweep Red Flash, Zips and Vikings

[dj_paige]

The UB Volleyball team, playing at a spring tournament at Cleveland State, played two sets each against St. Francis (PA), Akron and the host team, and the Bulls won all six sets. That means the Bulls have now played 11 sets this spring, and haven't lost a set. Add in a partial set against Canisius, in which the Bulls were leading 22-12 when the whole campus suffered a power failure, and you could claim Buffalo has now won all 12 sets they have played.

Buffalo got a very strong performance from sophomore outside hitter Katrin Trebichavská, who used her typical high velocity attacks, a couple of tips, at least three aces (by my count) and a block to help the Bulls to their sweep. Trebichavská didn't use her jump serve on this day, but her float serve seemed effective. Another outside hitter, freshman Lauren Otten, also picked up a lot of points with some very impressive swings. Otten didn't play much in the fall, and so fans didn't really know what to expect from her. She also rarely (never?) played back row in the fall, but she played all six rotations, served a few aces, took a back row attack or two, and looked like she deserved more playing time.

The Bulls started off against MAC rival Akron, a team that Buffalo swept twice in the fall season. In a very close set, the Bulls came away with a 26–24 win in the first set, the final point on an overpass by the Zips which Trebichavská pounded down to the Akron side to end the set, one of many kills for KT in that set. Otten also scored well in the set. In the second set, Buffalo took a 13–8 lead, only to see Akron tie the set at 13. Then Buffalo ran away from the Zips, outscoring them 12–1. It was another strong set for Trebichavská, who was helped by senior middle blocker Courtney Okwara, who had at least 4 blocks in the set, scoring Buffalo's first three points of the set all with her blocking.

Sophomore outside hitter Katrin Trebichavská (7) attacks around the block

Buffalo next faced Cleveland State, whom they had also beaten twice in the fall, losing just one set. Buffalo looked like they were about to take the first set with a 24–20 lead, but the Vikings scored the next four points. A kill by junior right side Emma Gielas gave the Bulls a 27–26 lead, but then a Viking kill tied the set again. Another huge kill by Gielas put the Bulls ahead and then a kill by freshman outside hitter Manoela Forlín ended the set. It looked like there would be more drama in the second set as Buffalo took a 14–8 lead, only to see the Vikings tie the set at 17. At 19–19, Trebichavská came up with the Play(s) of the Match™. She put the Bulls up by one with another laser beam kill, this one causing sonic booms heard all over the Cleveland area and putting a dent in the floor. And on the next play KT had a great diving dig to keep the play alive. The Bulls would wind up with a 25–22 win.

Against St. Francis, the first set was close most of the way until a kill from Okwara gave Buffalo a 23–21 lead, and two Red Flash errors ended the set. Buffalo led most of the way in the second set, taking a 21–15 lead on a big kill from Forlín. Gielas made it 23–17, a back row kill from Forlín gave Buffalo set point, and another huge kill from Gielas completed the sweep.

If you have been following along, it was another typical strong performance from Gielas, a weapon on the right side. Buffalo coach Scott Smith also used Gielas to play back row defense when she wasn't serving, something we haven't seen in the regular season. On one play, we saw a rare event, with Gielas attacking from the right back position. You just don't see right back attacks very often in NCAA Volleyball. And, if since fall volleyball ended you've been missing seeing that trademark Emma Gielas cross court attack, here you go. Gielas's first attack is returned, sophomore libero Maria Futey bump sets the ball to Gielas, and this time Gielas's attack lands.

 

 

 

Futey played well at libero, giving Buffalo solid back row defense in all six sets. She was the only player used at the libero position. Junior defensive specialist Emilie Davis, who doesn't play much in the regular season, got a chance to play three consecutive rotations in the back row a couple of times, and against Akron made strong digs on three plays in a row.

So, with all that, what didn't the Bulls do well? Buffalo often times was unable to hold onto leads of five points or more, and wound up in a few close sets that didn't look like they were going to be close. Okwara led the MAC in hitting percentage in the fall, but on this day, she just didn't get the ball much on offense, Buffalo needs to use her more in the offense. (I add Okwara's blocking was outstanding). And then there's the Leigh sisters, sophomore setter Mandy and senior middle blocker Abby, who really did a lot of things very well, as they usually do, but the connection between the two on offense just wasn't there today. Most of Abby's attacks were hit softly rather than hard, which is usually because the timing wasn't there; and either the set was a little off target or the attacker wasn't in the right position.

Notes:

• Buffalo plays their final spring game at Army on April 29.
• Freshman middle blocker Tehya Shaw, who played well against Niagara, was not in uniform.
• Several incoming recruits were at the match to cheer the Bulls on.

 

Edited April 25, 2023 by dj_paige

[ChubbyHubby]

So, those of you that haven't been to a UB-VB match in the last year, likely think that Paige is sensationalizing his descriptions of Trebichavská's kills.  He is, but not by as much as you'd think.  She swings with such force that there is a boom when it hits the floor.  (sorry, no dents)  They often draw a gasp from the onlookers.   Our Women's volleyball team is very entertaining.  If you're in town when there's a match/game going on.  Don't miss it.  KT's swings alone are worth the price of admission.

[dj_paige]

I would rephrase: if they charged admission, her attacks are worth the price. But its free for everyone ...

[dj_paige]

In related news, former UB Volleyball player Andrea Mitrovic's professional team, Karayolları (Ankara, Turkey) in the Turkish B league has won the league championship. So next season, Karayolları will play in the Turkish A league, which is one of the top professional leagues in the world. I could not find any statistics for Mitrovic. She also plays on the Canadian national team.

[dj_paige]

Saturday, 4/29/2023: UB Volleyball wins 6 of 8 sets at the Army Tournament. 2–0 wins over both Hofstra and St. Peter's. 1–1 splits against both Army Gold and Army Black.

[dj_paige]

Polina Prokudina completes her 2nd year as a professional with AS Argo Volou (Volos, Greece which is a port on the Aegean Sea, about 100 miles north of Athens). Photo below from her Instagram @pprokudina

 

[dj_paige]

Manoela Forlín has been selected for the Brazil Under-19 team which will compete in the FIVB U-19 World Championships in from August 1–11, 2023. The tournament will be held in Osijek, Croatia and Szegec, Hungary. Brazil will compete in Pool C, along with Italy, Thailand, Peru, Canada and Bulgaira. The top four teams in each pool will advance to the single elimination round. Right now, she is in Metz, France, where her team played an exhibition match against Holland, and Brazil won 3–1. The photo shows Manoela (red arrow) and her teammates after the win. Photo from her Instagram @manoelaforlin

 

Edited June 16, 2023 by dj_paige